Fitness Flohmarkt · Guide
EZ curl bar or straight bar: when the curl bar is truly worth it
The SZ bar doesn't replace a barbell, it complements it for a very specific part of your workout. Here is which one, and when you can save your money.
In short
The EZ curl bar is worth it as soon as you regularly train biceps and triceps in isolation. Its curvature turns the wrists slightly inward and takes pressure off the joint. For squats, deadlifts, and bench presses, the straight barbell remains the right choice: it is longer, can handle heavier loads, and can be racked. Neither replaces the other.
Basics
What is an SZ rod?
An SZ bar is a 120-cm-long barbell bar with a grip section that is curved twice in opposite directions, so that the hands are not positioned flat next to each other but are slightly turned inward. In search results and everyday language, it’s usually called a “curl bar,” but it refers to the same piece of equipment. The following explains which weight plates belong on which bar and why diameter is more important than length: Buying Guide for Bumper Plates The SZ bar is designed for exercises in which you control the weight exclusively with your arms—such as bicep curls, reverse curls, and tricep presses. The dimensions are similar across all models: 120 cm in length, a 28 mm grip diameter for the classic versions, and a weight ranging from 7 to 9.7 kg. The key factor is the mounting diameter, as it determines whether your existing weight plates will fit at all. Everything else—from the chrome plating to the knurling—is a matter of comfort and not a fundamental issue.
The difference between this and the straight bar is therefore not a gradual one, but a functional one: The straight bar is used for major compound exercises with heavy loads, while the SZ bar is used for isolation exercises with light loads and many repetitions. If you confuse the two, you’ll buy the wrong bar. An older but still useful overview of both systems can be found in the article on Barbells and Weight Plates.
The decision
When is the SZ bar better than the straight bar?
The EZ bar is always a better choice if you feel a pulling sensation in your wrist or on the outside of your elbow during curls or triceps presses. When doing curls with a straight bar, the forearms are fully externally rotated, and the wrists remain in this end position throughout the entire movement. The curve of the bar takes some of that rotation away, the hand position becomes more neutral, and the load is distributed differently across the joint. Then there’s the starting weight: The SZ Bar 50 mm weighs 8.6 kg, which Olympic barbell 20 kg. That’s a difference of 11.4 kg before a single weight plate is even loaded, and for many people, an empty 20-kg bar is already too heavy for clean curls. Conversely, the opposite is just as true: as soon as the focus shifts from joint angle to load, the straight bar has the advantage. It can handle more weight, has a wider grip, and can be safely placed in the rack.
| Feature | SZ Bar 50 mm | Olympic barbell 50 mm |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 120 cm | 220 cm |
| Dead weight | 8.6 kg | 20 kg |
| Handle diameter | 28 mm | 28 mm |
| Internal handle dimensions | 85 cm | 131 cm |
| Length of the disc mount | 16 cm per side | 41 cm on each side |
| Max. Load | 250 kg | 450 kg |
| Droppable | no | Yes |
| Storage | Ball bearing | Needle bearing |
| Grip width marking | no | Yes, IMF |
| Price | CHF 65.- | CHF 150.- |
The factor that matters most in everyday use is the loading length. 16 cm versus 41 cm means 25 cm less space on each side. Let’s break this down using actual discs: The colored Bumper Plates discs from our lineup range in thickness from 25 to 95 mm, depending on their weight. So, a 16-cm mounting surface can accommodate one thick and one thin disc—totaling 120 mm—and the rest is taken up by the clasp. With flat 50 mm cast iron weight plates You'll get further because they require less vertical clearance per kilogram. Both are fine for arm workouts, but things get tight for heavy sets. That's exactly what the bar isn't designed for.
The Variants
SZ, Super SZ, or Fat Bar: Which bend is right for you?
The three curl bars differ in exactly two ways: the degree of curvature in the grip area and the thickness of the handle. The standard SZ bar has a moderate curve and an inner grip width of 85 cm, so you grip it almost as wide as you would on a straight bar, but with your wrists turned. The Super SZ version narrows the grip zones to 82.5 cm and curves them more sharply, causing your hands to be positioned at a much steeper angle. This further reduces strain on the wrists but limits the grip width. The Fat Bar takes a different approach: It isn’t more curved, but has a 50-mm grip diameter instead of 28 mm, with a grip circumference of 157 mm. This allows you to train your forearms and grip strength at the same time, and you’ll inevitably be working with lighter weights. Price-wise, all three range from CHF 65 to CHF 75, so the decision comes down not to your budget but to your wrists. You can find all three in the category Barbell bars with a 50-mm socket.
SZ Bar 50 mm | Curl Bar
- 8.6 kg net weight
- 120 cm length
- 28 mm handle
- up to 250 kg
- CHF 65.-
Solid steel, chrome-plated, with ball-bearing mounts so that the discs rotate with the curl instead of pulling on the wrist. The 85 cm inner grip length allows for both a narrow and a wide grip. Clips are not included.
Ideal for: Anyone looking for their first curl bar who doesn't want to commit to a specific model.
For the SZ Bar 50 mm
Super SZ Bar 50 mm | Curl Bar
- 9.7 kg net weight
- 120 cm length
- Inner handle width: 82.5 cm
- Width: 17 cm
- CHF 75.-
The more pronounced curve positions the hands at a steeper angle and noticeably reduces strain on the wrist during overhead triceps presses. The trade-off is less flexibility in grip width. One kilo heavier, with a load length of 17 cm—one centimeter longer per side.
Ideal for: Anyone who still experiences wrist pain when using the standard SZ bar.
To the Super SZ Bar
ATX SZ FAT Bar 50 mm | Curl Bar
- Handle diameter 50 mm
- Grip circumference 157 mm
- two grip widths: 18 and 46 cm
- Recording 23 cm
- CHF 65.-
Powder-coated steel tube, load-bearing up to 200 kg. The large diameter forces forearms and hands to assist, which is why you consciously work with less weight. The 23 cm long sleeves are the longest here.
Ideal for: Advanced users who want to specifically train their forearms and grip strength as well.
Regarding the ATX SZ FAT Bar| Strange | Recording | Dead weight | Handle | Internal handle dimensions | Loading length | Max. Load | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SZ bar 30 mm | 30 mm | 7 kg | 28 mm | 80 cm | 18.5 cm | 150 kg | CHF 20.00 |
| SZ Bar 50 mm | 50 mm | 8.6 kg | 28 mm | 85 cm | 16 cm | 250 kg | CHF 65.- |
| Super SZ Bar 50 mm | 50 mm | 9.7 kg | 28 mm | 82.5 cm | 17 cm | 250 kg | CHF 75.- |
| ATX SZ FAT Bar 50 mm | 50 mm | not specified | 50 mm | 18 and 46 cm | 23 cm | 200 kg | CHF 65.- |
Only the 30 mm variant comes with collars: two spinlock collars. For all 50 mm bars, you add them separately, for example Lock-Jaw collars for CHF 10.-. A minor detail, but the most common reason why a new barbell is still not ready for use on the first day of training.
Application
Which exercises work with the curl bar and which do not?
With the curl bar, you can work out any exercise that involves moving your arms in front of or above your body with your arms bent: underhand bicep curls, overhand reverse curls for the forearms and brachialis, overhead tricep extensions, lying tricep extensions, and close-grip bench presses. For many, upright rows and front raises are also more comfortable with this bar than with a straight bar. The SZ bar is not suitable for squats, deadlifts, heavy bench presses, or overhead presses. It lacks three key features for these exercises: length, load capacity, and the ability to drop the bar. With a total length of 120 cm and 85 cm between the two plate holders, it does not sit securely on two rack hooks; the weight limit ranges from 200 to 250 kg depending on the model, and the manufacturer explicitly states that none of the curl bars are designed for dropping weights. Anyone who drops the loaded bar anyway risks permanently bending the grip area, which cannot be straightened afterward.
If you are currently setting up your home gym, the order is therefore clear: first the straight bar including plates, then the curl bar as an addition. Conversely, you'll end up with a setup that allows you to train biceps, but not squat. Which combination fits your space and budget is sorted out by the Page with all buying guides.
Before buying
What you should consider before buying
The only point where a wrong purchase really hurts is the hole diameter. Your plates either have a bore of 30 to 31 mm or 50 to 51 mm, and the bar has to match. If you already have a 30 mm set at home, the 30 mm curl bar for CHF 20.- the logical choice, even though its weight limit is 150 kg. If you’re training with 50 mm plates, choose one of the three 50-mm bars. Then there are three smaller questions to consider: whether collars are included, whether the loading length fits your plates, and where the bar rests between sets. For the last point, a clear wall is usually sufficient, since 120 cm is exactly 100 cm shorter than the 220 cm of an Olympic bar and thus fits in corners where a barbell can no longer be stored.
One detail is worth a look: the bearings. The 50 mm models run on ball bearings, so the sleeves rotate as well. You only notice this during a curl once you've held a bar without this rotation in your hand. All bars ship from our warehouse in Liestal, available via delivery or for pickup.
Recommendation
What is worth it for whom
Beginners Setting Up Their First Home Gym
First buy the barbell and plates for the main exercises. The curl bar comes after that, and then the Standard version for CHF 65.-, not the special version.
Sensitive wrists
If the normal curvature is not enough, the more strongly curved one is Super SZ Bar the more consistent solution. A ten-franc surcharge for a significantly steeper hand position.
Advanced with a focus on arms
A normal EZ curl bar plus the Fat Bar with a 50 mm grip covers both stimuli. The thick bar doesn't replace grip strength training, but it trains it on the side.
Studios, clubs and physiotherapy practices
Two curl bars instead of one, plus weights in fine increments. For beginner courses, the 30 mm series is often the better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
SZ Bar: The Most Important Answers
How heavy is an EZ curl bar?
Between 7 and 9.7 kg, depending on the model. The 30 mm variant weighs 7 kg, the SZ bar 50 mm 8.6 kg, and the Super SZ bar 9.7 kg. This puts the starting weight well below the 20 kg of an Olympic barbell, which is the decisive advantage for doing clean curls with little added weight.
Is the EZ curl bar really better for the wrists?
For most yes, but not for all. The curve takes some of the external rotation out of the forearm and makes the wrist more neutral. Anyone who feels nothing when curling with a straight bar gains little from this. Anyone who knows a pulling sensation in the wrist or on the outside of the elbow will notice the difference from the first repetition.
What is the difference between an EZ curl bar and a super EZ curl bar?
The degree of the bend. The Super SZ variant has a more pronounced curve and, at 82.5 cm, has a narrower inner grip width than the standard SZ bar at 85 cm. As a result, the hands are positioned at a steeper angle, which further relieves strain on the wrists, but limits the possible grip widths. It weighs 9.7 instead of 8.6 kg and costs CHF 75.- instead of CHF 65.-.
Can I also train my triceps with the curl bar?
Yes, the triceps is the second main purpose alongside the biceps. Typical exercises are overhead triceps extensions, lying triceps extensions on the bench, and close-grip bench press. Especially with overhead variations, the curved grip zone is more comfortable than a straight bar because the wrists do not have to bend in the extended position.
How much weight fits on an SZ curl bar?
This is not limited by the weight capacity, but by the loadable sleeve length. The EZ curl bar 50 mm offers 16 cm per side, the Super EZ curl bar 17 cm, and the fat bar 23 cm. For comparison: An Olympic barbell has 41 cm. Thick bumper plates fill this length quickly, whereas thin cast iron plates do so much more slowly.
Are closures included with the curl bar?
Only with the 30 mm variant, which includes two twist-lock collars. The three 50 mm bars are delivered without collars, so you will need an additional pair. Lock-Jaw collars cost CHF 10 and can be opened and closed quickly with a lever, which is practical for frequent plate changes.
Do I need an EZ curl bar if I already have a barbell?
Only if you train your arms in isolation and experience discomfort or want more variation. A barbell technically covers curls and triceps pushdowns. The EZ curl bar improves joint positioning and lowers the starting weight by over 11 kg. Anyone who exclusively does compound exercises doesn't need them.
The Right Bar for Your Arm Workout
All curl bars and barbell bars ready for shipping from our Swiss warehouse, with personal advice on putting together your set. Discs, collars, and dumbbells to go with them: Buy dumbbells.
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