The Best Curl Bars for Your Home Gym

Exercising with curl bars is an effective and affordable way to build upper body strength. Here’s what to look for in a quality bar.

iStock

The products featured in this article have been independently reviewed. When you buy something through the retail links on this page, we may earn commission at no cost to you, the reader. Sports Illustrated editorial staff are not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more here.

Curl bars are a type of barbell often used for bodybuilding, olympic training, powerlifting and general weightlifting. They’re a proven tool to build upper-body strength, especially in your biceps. Unlike straight bars, curl bars are shaped like a W, which helps promote activation of your biceps and triceps muscles while eliminating stress from your elbows and wrists.

This versatile piece of gym equipment is a staple of many home and garage gyms, and serves as an excellent addition to upper-body workout routines. Curl bars tend to be very affordable and take up minimal space, making them a budget-friendly and space-saving investment for home gym enthusiasts.

When it comes to buying a curl bar that will be effective for strength training, offers a comfortable grip and holds up to years of tough workouts, there are numerous factors to consider before making a purchase. Our comprehensive curl bar review will highlight our top picks for best EZ curl bars, how to find a curl bar that’s right for you, what types are available, their benefits and how to use them.

Our Picks for the Best Curl Bars of 2024:

• Best Overall: REP Fitness Curl Bar
• Best Curl Bar Set: Bowflex SelectTech 2080 Barbell with Curl Bar
• Best Rackable Curl Bar: REP Fitness Rackable Curl Bar
• Best Curl Bar for Alternating Grips: Synergee Super Curl Bar
• Best Olympic Curl Bar: Titan Fitness Olympic EZ Curl Barbell
• Best Budget Curl Bar: Synergee EZ Curl Bar
• Best Splurge Curl Bar: Eleiko Curl Bar
• Best Curl Bar for Knurled Grips: Rogue Cerakote Curl Bar

Best Overall: REP Fitness Curl Bar

REP Fitness

Key features:

• Hard chrome, matte finish or stainless steel options
• Medium-depth knurling
• Designed to prevent excess stress on the joints

Designed to be heavy-duty and ergonomic, the REP Fitness Curl Bar’s construction aims to keep stress off arm joints while staying durable. Curl bars by design place your grip closer to the center of the bar, also known as camber, to protect your wrists and elbows from tension. The semi-supine grip also helps with this, REP puts its proprietary medium-depth knurling (ridges) around these areas to provide a good grip, minus scratched-up hands. The bar’s 30-millimeter diameter also helps with a sturdy grip and offers 10 inches of loadable sleeve length.

You can choose between hard chrome or stainless steel coatings, both of which are designed to stay impervious to rust and won’t chip away over time. 

Pros:

• Hybrid sleeves have one needle bearing and one bushing for the right amount of spin
• Uses REP’s popular medium-depth knurling

Cons:

• Heavier bar at 30 pounds

Best Curl Bar Set: Bowflex SelectTech 2080 Barbell with Curl Bar

Bowflex

Key features:

• Space-efficient design
• Upgradeable to 120 pounds
• Compatible with JRNY fitness app

Rather than loading up on multiple curl bars and barbells to support your weightlifting exercises (and, therefore, sacrificing precious space in your home or garage gym), a curl bar set is a space-saving solution that still gives you multiple pieces of upper body fitness equipment to choose from. The Bowflex SelectTech 2080 Barbell with Curl Bar is our favorite two-in-one compact system that allows you to easily switch between either bar. It comes with weight selection dials for quick weight changes, and offers seven weight increments on each bar, maxing out at 80 pounds. For a heavier lift, you can also upgrade to a 120-pound system.

If you enjoy exercise classes, this Bowflex system is compatible with the JRNY fitness app, which costs $19.99/month or $149/year. The subscription is sold separately, but new members can take advantage of a one-year free trial. While the subscription isn’t free for long, the good news is that a base is included in your purchase of this curl bar set, so you can re-rack your bars as needed.

The Bowflex SelectTech 2080 Barbell with Curl Bar comes with a three-year warranty that covers both bars in the event that something breaks or malfunctions, which is helpful since some users report problems with assembly and construction, like sliding weights.

Pros:

• Weight selection dials for easy weight changes
• Seven weight settings
• Comes with barbell and curl bar

Cons:

• Expensive
• 120-pound weight capacity requires additional purchase
• Some users report complicated assembly instructions

Best Rackable Curl Bar: REP Fitness Rackable Curl Bar

REP Fitness

Key features:

• Rackable in standard-width power racks
• Hybrid sleeves with one needle bearing and one bushing
• Available in full stainless-steel for increased rust resistance

A rackable curl bar is a smart investment if you’re looking to lift weights in a power rack. Our favorite rackable curl bar is the REP Fitness Rackable Curl Bar, which retails for just under $200 and comes in two finish options: a hard chrome finish with a matte appearance or a full, stainless-steel option; the latter offers increased rust resistance over the hard chrome finish. The tensile strength, or resistance to breaking under tension, is 190,000 PSI (pounds per square inch) for the hard chrome and 200,000 PSI for the stainless steel option. Anything over 180,000 PSI is considered to be a highly sturdy and durable curl bar.

Unlike most curl bars, which are either bushing or bearing, this rackable curl bar offers a unique hybrid design that includes one needle bearing and one bushing per sleeve. This provides a good balance between spin and stability (needle bearings allow for faster lifts, while bushing gives more stability for powerlifting movements that are slower and strength-focused). Its medium knurling also provides lifters with a comfortable grip without digging too deep into the skin. Some customers, however, say that the knurling isn’t wide enough for ultra-wide grips.

Pros:

• Provides a good balance between spin and stability
• Two finish options
• Medium knurling for a comfortable grip

Cons:

• 35-pound bar might be too heavy for beginners
• Some users may not like the hybrid sleeve design
• A few customers say the knurling isn’t wide enough

Best Curl Bar for Alternating Grips: Synergee Super Curl Bar

Synergee

Key features:

• More aggressive angles for increased grip options
• Available in four finishes
• Suitable for Olympic weight plates

If you’re looking to quickly move between overhand and underhand grips—which allows you to do a greater variety of curl bar exercises—the Synergee Super Curl Bar ranks supreme because of its more aggressive angles. Featuring a more pronounced U shape, this super curl bar offers significantly more grip options that let you comfortably hold the curl bar as needed without sacrificing form or stability.

This versatile curl bar has a 400-pound capacity and weighs 20 pounds, so it’s suitable for both beginner lifters and seasoned pros who prefer a more challenging workout. It also has a two-inch diameter that can support Olympic weight plates. Like the Synergee EZ Curl Bar, the super curl bar comes in the same four finish options of chrome, black-chrome, black phosphate and red. The Synergee brand also offers free returns if you’re not satisfied with your purchase.

Pros:

• 400-pound weight capacity
• Ergonomic design
• Free returns

Cons:

• Angles may be too aggressive for some people
• Bar isn’t rackable
• Knurling may not be deep enough for certain users

Best Olympic Curl Bar: Titan Fitness Olympic EZ Curl Barbell

Titan Fitness

Key features:

• Diamond-knurled hand grips
• Chrome shaft coating
• Supports up to 200 pounds of weights

Built for heavier lifting, the Titan Fitness Olympic EZ Curl Barbell makes our list for best Olympic curl bar because of its durable and long-lasting design, allowing it to hold up well to intense workouts like skull crushers and spider curls. With two diamond-knurled hand grips that each measure 7.5 inches, you can feel confident when lifting heavy weight that you have plenty of room to maintain a sturdy grip. The medium knurling will also help keep your barbell securely in place without digging too much into your hands.

This heavy-duty stainless steel bar is coated in hard chrome and can support up to 200 pounds of weight. It also comes with rotating sleeves, which further help to securely hold Olympic weights in place. It’s a great curl bar to exercise with after a pre-workout supplement since this piece of fitness equipment is meant for heavy-duty workouts. You can also safely use this bar outside; its stainless steel and chrome construction helps protect it from any rusting or discoloration.

Pros:

• Suitable for outdoor use
• Medium knurling for enhanced stability
• Rotating sleeves to hold Olympic weights in place

Cons:

• Some users complain of squeaking and rattling design
• Knurling may be too deep to be comfortable for some users
• Lower weight capacity for an Olympic curl bar

Best Budget Curl Bar: Synergee EZ Curl Bar

Synergee

Key Features:

• Available in four coating options
• Holds up to 450 pounds of weight
• Ergonomic curl bar design

For just under $80, you can add a solid EZ curl bar to your home gym that comes in four unique coating options. Synergee EZ Curl Bar is our best budget curl bar because of its sleek design, high-quality steel construction and a higher max weight capacity of 450 pounds. This affordable curl bar comes in chrome, black-chrome, black phosphate and red finishes. It also comes with 6.25 inches of loadable sleeve length on either end of the curl bar, which is where you’re able to add your weight plates; however, weight plates aren't included in your order, so you’ll need to purchase those separately. Weight plates are available on Amazon or through most fitness retailers.

While this bar is on the lighter end (19 pounds), it’s made with bushings, which help improve stability while you’re lifting. Overall, customers praise the quality of the curl bar’s lifting experience, but some complain of ongoing rust issues. Synergee currently offers a five-day replacement window after receiving the product, so be sure to notify customer service right away if you notice any issues with your curl bar and would like to request a replacement.

Pros:

• Comes in carbon-neutral shipping
• Includes bushings for better stability
• Budget-friendly price point

Cons:

• Doesn’t come with weight plates
• Some users complain of rust issues
• Five-day replacement window

Best Splurge Curl Bar: Eleiko Curl Bar

Eleiko

Key features:

• Needle bearings for faster lifts
• Mildly grooved sleeves to prevent slipping
• Max weight load of about 1,100 pounds

If you’re looking to splurge on a high-quality curl bar, the Eleiko Curl Bar comes in as our top pick. With its smooth, chrome finish and strategically-placed bends, this curl bar offers a powerful, comfortable lift without skimping on performance. In fact, this Swedish-made curl bar can withstand a whopping 1,102.31 pounds of weight, so even the heaviest lifters can get a challenging workout with this product. It has just over nine inches of loadable sleeve length, as well.

On top of its ultra-high weight load, Eleiko Curl Bar is made with mildly grooved sleeves to prevent weights from slipping, which help users stay safe and secure during those heavier lifts. It also has four needle bearings to allow for faster lifts while maintaining a smooth rotation. Overall, this high-end curl bar is best for serious lifters who want to significantly build their strength. Eleiko also stands behind their products with an impressive 12-year warranty.

Pros:

• Sleek chrome finish
• 12-year warranty
• Medium knurling for enhanced stability

Cons:

• High price point
• Weight plates aren't included
• Bar may be too heavy for casual lifting

Best Curl Bar for Knurled Grips: Rogue Cerakote Curl Bar

Rogue

Key features:

• Black cerakote shaft finish
• Bright zinc sleeves for increased corrosion resistance
• Bushing curl bar for improved stability

Rogue Fitness is well-known for their E-Coat Curl Bar, an extremely popular curl bar amongst the fitness community. Now, their Cerakote Curl Bar offers a slight variation of the original with enhanced coating that makes this curl bar our favorite for knurled grips. Featuring a black cerakote shaft finish, which provides more corrosion resistance than traditional black zinc (often used as a finish on curl bars), the Rogue curl bar is designed for durability and longevity. It also has bright zinc sleeves that are electrically applied to reduce dripping, pooling or gaps, which helps prevent chips and offers increased resistance to rust and tough workouts.

This curl bar is fully built and manufactured in the USA. It includes traditional bronze bushings, a snap ring design and Rogue Fitness’ trademark Ohio knurl pattern. Rogue Cerakote Curl Bar is also made with a close grip camber that makes it easier to do close grip curls and tricep extensions, which require a narrow grip. The Rogue curl bar has a large loadable sleeve length of 10.5 inches, and is compatible with most standard Olympic weight plates. This bar does weigh 30 pounds on its own, however, so it may not be the best fit for more casual weightlifters.

Pros:

• 10.5-inch loadable sleeve length
• Five-year warranty
• Close grip camber for close grip curls

Cons:

• Runs on the expensive side
• Might be too heavy for beginners at 30 pounds
• Some users say coating is too smooth

What to Consider When Choosing a Curl Bar

Type

While curl bars generally serve the same purpose—working out your upper body—they come in several variations that meet different strength training needs. These are the different types.

Fixed Weight EZ Curl Bar

A fixed weight EZ curl bar is a curl bar with a preset weight, such as 20 pounds. You can buy just one fixed weight EZ curl bar with a weight that’s right for you, or buy several, depending on the type of workout you do. Remember—the weight can’t be changed on these bars.

Olympic EZ Curl Bar

Olympic EZ curl bars are designed to hold Olympic weight plates, which generally come in heavier curl bar weight sets than standard weight plates. Olympic weight plates also have a two-inch hole size, while standard weight plates have a one-inch hole size; therefore, Olympic EZ curl bars have a thicker bar. These bars can also hold high-density rubber weights known as bumper plates, which fit on two-inch barbells and won’t damage your floor if dropped during Olympic lifting.

Standard Curl Bar

Standard curl bars are equipped to hold standard weight plates, which usually have a one-inch hole size. They’re typically much lighter, and have a lower weight capacity than Olympic EZ curl bars.

Super Curl Bar

Super EZ curl bars have a deep U shape in the middle of the bar, unlike the more shallow W shape on standard EZ curl bars. This shape helps give more grip options when lifting weights.

Rackable Curl Bar

Rackable curl bars can be placed in power racks or a type of fitness equipment used for barbell exercises. These bars tend to be longer, which also makes them easier to load weight plates on.

Specialty Bars

Specialty bars are barbells designed for highly specific uses, such as only targeting a certain muscle group or exercise (like squats). They also tend to have a different shape—ranging from rectangular to hexagonal—than typical curl bars.

Bar length

Most EZ curl bars are between 45–55 inches in length, so you can expect a standard size range when it comes to bar length. However, if you plan on using your curl bar in a squat rack, you may want to consider buying a rackable curl bar, which is designed to be longer for easier racking. These are often 75 inches, give or take, and tend to be better for loading multiple weight plates.

Bar weight

A standard curl bar typically weighs 11–13 pounds, and is better-suited for lighter weightlifting, since a heavier bar will tack onto the amount of weight you’re lifting. An Olympic curl bar, on the other hand, ranges between 18–25 pounds or more. Depending on how much weight you can currently lift or want to eventually lift, you may want to opt for a lighter or heavier bar. Keep in mind that a heavier bar will make more noise, and is prone to causing damage if it’s dropped on the floor.

Bar weight capacity

If you’re a heavy lifter, look for a curl bar with a higher weight capacity, such as 400 pounds. Some curl bars can even withstand weight up to 1,000 pounds or more. This will help guarantee your bar can hold enough weight to keep your lifts challenging. However, if heavy lifting isn’t your goal, a standard weight capacity of 200–400 pounds or less should be enough for easy-to-moderate lifting.

Knurling

Knurling is an essential design element on the shaft of a barbell that helps increase friction between your hands and the bar. It typically has a crosshatch pattern, and improves your grip while preventing slipping. Depending on your needs, deeper knurling will be best for heavy lifts, since it stabilizes your grip more, while center knurling keeps the barbell stable while squatting. Deeper knurling, however, can sometimes hurt your hands, so be sure to wear weight gloves.

Grip angle

Grip angle is important for allowing your wrists, elbows and shoulders to fall into a natural and neutral position while holding a curl bar. The wider the grip angle, the more you work your inner biceps. The closer the grip angle, the more you work your outer biceps.

Materials

Material plays a huge role in a curl bar’s longevity and durability. Look for high-quality and long-lasting materials, such as high-strength solid steel construction, in addition to a chrome or black phosphate finish for increased corrosion resistance. Having a tough, sturdy bar matters, especially when you’re lifting heavy weights, since this can help prevent injury and slippage.

Coating

Curl bars often come with different finishes, such as chrome, black manganese phosphate, black oxide and zinc. All finishes essentially serve the same purpose, and that’s to protect the bar from rust. Black phosphate finishes tend to give better rust protection, while chrome finishes offer a sleeker look. At the end of the day, it comes down to which finished look you prefer best.

Price

Curl bars have a wide price range of under $100 to well over $400. Consider your budget and how much you’re willing to invest in your home gym. Be sure that the bar you buy is justifiable for the price point for how much weight it can hold, its finish or coating and its construction.

Curl bar exercises

You can complete a variety of upper body exercises with curl bars. Here are the most common.

Drop sets

Drop sets are a type of weightlifting technique where you complete an exercise with a heavy weight until failure—or in other words, until you burn out. Once you can’t do any more reps, you lower the amount of weight you’re lifting (for example, by 10–20 percent), then repeat the process until you burn out once more. Most people complete three total sets in a typical drop set workout.

Reverse curls

Reverse curls, also known as reverse biceps curls, are similar to a traditional biceps curl with one small variation: Instead of holding the weight with your palms up, you grip the curl bar with your palms facing down. Then, you bend your elbows to lift the weights towards your shoulders.

Upright rows

Upright rows are common curl bar exercises where you hold the weight with an overhand grip, lifting the curl bar straight up to your collarbone. Then, you slowly lower it back down and repeat.

Biceps curls

Biceps curls can be done with a number of weightlifting equipment, such as adjustable dumbbells or barbells. If you’re doing biceps curls with a curl bar, you hold the bar with an underhand grip and slowly bring it to your shoulders by bending your elbows. Then, reverse the curl and repeat. You can also do a slight variation of biceps curls with preacher curls, which follow the same routine but are done in a seated position with a slanted preacher curl bench for added stability.

Overhead triceps extensions

Overhead triceps extensions are isolation exercises that target your triceps muscles. This exercise is typically performed seated if done with a curl bar, so you’ll want to use a weight bench. Hold the bar with an overhand grip and raise it straight over your head. Then, slowly lower your arms back behind your head by bending your elbows until you feel a burn in your triceps. Repeat until you complete the desired amount of reps. You can also do overhead triceps extensions with a kettlebell.

Close-grip curls

Close-grip curls are similar to biceps curls, except that you’ll put your hands much closer together on the EZ curl bar. This helps isolate the peak of the biceps and contributes to bodybuilding goals. Close grip curls are generally held with an underhand grip at hip-width or closer.

Curl Bar FAQs

Can I use a curl bar to do squats?

There is some debate as to whether or not curl bars can be used to do squats. Some say curl bars should be strictly used for upper-body exercises, while others say curl bars can, in fact, be used to do squats if they’re done with the right form and technique. Those in favor of using curl bars for squats lean toward doing the following exercises, but avoid standard back squats:

• Front squats (curl bar in front of your chest with an underhand grip)
• Zercher squats (curl bar resting on the insides of your elbows with your hands folded together)
• Overhead squats (curl bar raised above your head with an underhand grip)

Can you bench with an EZ bar?

Yes, you can bench press with an EZ bar, and it’s a fairly easy exercise. Simply lie on your back on a bench, hold the EZ bar over your chest with your arms straight and slowly lower the bar until it gently touches your chest. Then, push the bar back up to return to starting position and repeat.

Can I deadlift with a curl bar?

While deadlifting with a curl bar sounds like a great idea, it’s actually not the most effective way to complete the exercise. That’s because an EZ curl bar typically has a much lower weight limit than a straight bar, so you’ll be limited on the amount of weight you can lift. That being said, if you want to deadlift with a lighter amount, then an EZ curl bar can serve as an alternative to a straight bar.

What's the difference between a curl bar and a straight bar?

The main difference between a curl bar and a straight bar, aside from the look, is the type of grip that you’re able to achieve. A straight bar keeps the angle of your wrists straight, while a curl bar keeps your wrists slightly angled. This curved angle allows you to use a more natural grip and perform a larger variety of exercises. A curl bar also puts less pressure on your wrists and forearms. Straight bars, on the other hand, are best for exercises that don’t require angled grips, like squats, bench presses and deadlifts.

What is a good weight for a curl bar?

Depending on your fitness level and strength training goals, your ideal curl bar weight may differ. A standard curl bar can hold about 200 pounds, which should be enough for most lifters. In fact, many lifters with a few years of experience may even lift half of that. If you’re looking for heavy or Olympic lifting, however, you may want to seek out an Olympic barbell, which has a much higher weight capacity. A good rule of thumb is to start with a weight that’s comfortable for you, then slowly move up in 10-pound intervals as you build up your strength and fitness levels.

Is a curl bar better than dumbbells?

Both curl bars and dumbbells have advantages and disadvantages for lifters, so one isn’t necessarily better than the other; it simply depends on your exercise goals. Dumbbells allow for a greater variety of exercises and range of motion, and may also be easier for you to balance, since you’re not holding a large bar. Curl bars, on the other hand, help reduce wrist pain and target biceps muscles more specifically than dumbbells, depending on the exercise.

Final Thoughts

Having a curl bar at home is a great asset for upper body workouts. It’s a sleek, effective and affordable addition to incorporate into home and garage gyms, and fits well with both manual and smart fitness equipment or machines. If you’re regularly doing biceps and triceps exercises, a curl bar can also help take pressure off of your wrists and forearms, protecting you from injury or overuse. Before buying an EZ curl bar, be sure to review price, weight capacity, coating and construction to find a curl bar that’s built to last.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.