Should I Pick Up a Curl Bar??

[DesiredDad77]

So I have a pretty basic gym I put together in my basement. I have bench with squat rack, stationary bike, and dip tower. I have some dumbells, couple kettle bells, and various olympic plates. I was looking at upgrading my 7' olympic bar to something a bit better and was going to pickup a titan fitnees olympic curl bar. My question is it worth getting one? Do I even need one? I am a green gilled beginner so my current gear is really basic. I won't be doing anything crazy with weights, but just using to get toned and workout with my son. Thanks in advance.

[BuckeyeROC]

I'd recommend a curl bar. They are great to add variety to your bicep routine, and I especially like skullcrushers for triceps with a curl bar.

What 7' barbell are you considering? Hopefully you have read some posts here, bc the barbell market is fantastic right now. A lot of great bars out there.

[DesiredDad77]

I'd recommend a curl bar. They are great to add variety to your bicep routine, and I especially like skullcrushers for triceps with a curl bar.

What 7' barbell are you considering? Hopefully you have read some posts here, bc the barbell market is fantastic right now. A lot of great bars out there.

Just looking at getting the Titan Fitness Economy bar. It can can do 700lbs which is WAY more then I ever plan on lifting and more then my rack can hold anyway.

[sm1ke]

I'd also recommend a curl bar. It's nice to have for bicep and tricep work, and everybody loves curls. I'd suggest looking for a used option. I found my curl bar for $10. It's nothing special but it does the job.

I'd also suggest heading into a local fitness equipment store to get your hands on the different barbells. I haven't heard much about Titan's barbells, but in my opinion, weight capacity isn't as important as the knurl and the finish on a barbell. Mainly because both affect how the bar feels in your hands and how easily you'll be able to hold onto it. A great bar for the price is the CAP OB86B on Amazon.

EDIT: Here's a great thread on barbells. Explains everything you need to know.
https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showt...hp?t=172716751

[chadsalt]

Just looking at getting the Titan Fitness Economy bar. It can can do 700lbs which is WAY more then I ever plan on lifting and more then my rack can hold anyway.

That won't be much of an upgrade from what your likely using. I have their Atlas bar, the quality is decent but it's a bearing bar... not what you want.

The previously mentioned Cap OB86B would be my suggestion for upgrade on a budget.

[KBKB]

So I have a pretty basic gym I put together in my basement. I have bench with squat rack, stationary bike, and dip tower. I have some dumbells, couple kettle bells, and various olympic plates. I was looking at upgrading my 7' olympic bar to something a bit better and was going to pickup a titan fitnees olympic curl bar. My question is it worth getting one? Do I even need one? I am a green gilled beginner so my current gear is really basic. I won't be doing anything crazy with weights, but just using to get toned and workout with my son. Thanks in advance.

A curl bar might be nice to have, but...

I noticed that you said you had a set of dumbbells. That being the case, you don't really need a curl bar since you can use dumbbells for your curling movements.

[darrenash]

A curls bar is fairly inexpensive and can provide for a range of options for standard barbell options. I'd recommend one. I use mine for upright rows, barbell curls and even bent over rows. It's far easier than loading up an Olympic bar too.

[Northernmoris]

Get a Ivanko rackable curl.

[TheDude8734]

+1 for picking up a curl bar -

In addition to the curls and skull crushers mentioned above,
I also like using my curl bar to do straight arm pullovers to end my back workouts.
Similar to the photo below, however with a "close grip" in between the bends on the bar.

[rpark]

You said you have dumbbells? Then I don't see a need, but if you were to get one....

http://www.ivankobarbell.com/products/obz55/

https://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-curl-bar

https://www.eleikoshop.com/collectio...leiko-curl-bar

[cwcmac]

Get a Ivanko rackable curl.

Yep, have one and absolutely love the bends on it. I prefer it for tricep work but it is a great bar. it helps that I got it on CL for $100. Not sure I could justify full price

[Couloirman]

If you ask Mark Rippetoe, he thinks curl bars are garbage since you don't get full contraction of the biceps unless they are fully supinated.

If you ask me, I say get the Rogue EZ curl bar.

[rlundregan]

If you ask Mark Rippetoe, he thinks curl bars are garbage since you don't get full contraction of the biceps unless they are fully supinated.

If you ask me, I say get the Rogue EZ curl bar.

To be fair, I think that Rippetoe is all for curl bars--as long as you don't use them for curls. As noted above by several others, curl bars are great for tricep work. I'm pretty sure that Rippetoe mentions this in Starting Strength.

[KBKB]

There's this video too...

[thejosef]

To be fair, I think that Rippetoe is all for curl bars--as long as you don't use them for curls. As noted above by several others, curl bars are great for tricep work. I'm pretty sure that Rippetoe mentions this in Starting Strength.

Rip can be a little silly. Guys, it's really okay to do bicep curls with a curl bar. I do it all the time. And guess what.. my biceps gainz are tremendous!
#savethecurlbar #curlsbarsforcurlsarecool

[urbanlifter]

I still enjoy my CAP Deluxe curl bar, the bends are not as perfect as my OBZ-30 but it get's the job done. Lying triceps and 21's are it's main purpose, sometimes reverse grip bent over rows for dem bicep gainz as well

[Asjogren]

I still enjoy my CAP Deluxe curl bar, the bends are not as perfect as my OBZ-30 but it get's the job done. Lying triceps and 21's are it's main purpose, sometimes reverse grip bent over rows for dem bicep gainz as well

I agree..A decent curl bar can be used for a lot of things..I recently got a Black Widow fat grip Hammer curl bar (odd looking but works)and I alternate between that and a regular curl bar..Very versatile bars as you mentioned

[sm1ke]

I used to deadlift with a curl bar

[Couloirman]

To be fair, I think that Rippetoe is all for curl bars--as long as you don't use them for curls. As noted above by several others, curl bars are great for tricep work. I'm pretty sure that Rippetoe mentions this in Starting Strength.

OK good point. I rewatched the video he said it in and youre right.

[chadsalt]

I used to deadlift with a curl bar

Crew?

I went over 300# on carpet in tennis shoes, Cap curl bar. FTW

[d2mini]

If you don't pick up a curl bar, why buy it in the first place?


I used the Rogue EZ Curl Bar today for the first time.
I dig it.
Bicep curls felt great.
Also used it for seated tricep extensions... not sure on that one. Think I'll try it lying down on the bench next time.
Seems like it would also be great for seated calf raise. My legs fit right into the curves. Better than balancing dumbbells and more comfortable than a big straight barbell.

[Synthetickiller]

Rip can be a little silly. Guys, it's really okay to do bicep curls with a curl bar. I do it all the time. And guess what.. my biceps gainz are tremendous!
#savethecurlbar #curlsbarsforcurlsarecool

Rippetoe's take on curling:



I don't wank Rippetoe. Frankly, he rubs me the wrong way & I don't understand why people want advice from this guy vs elite lifters. Whatever, wank 5x5 and come back later when 5x5 stops working & you plateau for years, lol.
Interstingly, I have no idea why he's not pushing the Supra Curl bar, considering how you can fully rotate your wrist. I can see a cost issue here, but for those who don't own a fixed dumbbells (or power blocks) or have gym access, imho, that would be the best option for hitting the biceps through all of their range of motion, as Rippetoe pushes.

Jumping topics a hair...
Conversely, if you look at Louie Simmons (in the context of triceps work) perspective, he will push rolling dumbbell extensions since lateral head of the triceps isn't really helping you with benching. The medial head is what helps you with lockout, so target that portion of the muscle. It's contextual, depending on goals. My point is to consider the source. If anything, do both laying triceps extensions & rolling dumbbell extensions.

I used to deadlift with a curl bar

I've benched with a deadlift bar & deadlifted with a curl bar. Life is strange. Embrace it.
OP, curl with whatever bar you want to. Curl bars are meant to be curled with. If anything, Rippetoe should have specified that they are also a great tool for triceps development & a secondary movement to help with bench lockout.

[DesiredDad77]

Really appreciate the feedback from everyone so far!!

[Cleveland33]

Jumping topics a hair...
Conversely, if you look at Louie Simmons (in the context of triceps work) perspective, he will push rolling dumbbell extensions since lateral head of the triceps isn't really helping you with benching. The medial head is what helps you with lockout, so target that portion of the muscle. It's contextual, depending on goals. My point is to consider the source. If anything, do both laying triceps extensions & rolling dumbbell extensions.

wait, what's a rolling DB extension?

[DesiredDad77]

So have been looking curl bars. What's a good budget friendly bar for under $100?

[Cleveland33]

So have been looking curl bars. What's a good budget friendly bar for under $100?

Where are you? You can usually find one on CL for $15 - and that should be fine for now given your other posts.

be forewarned that the discussions of curl bars in this forum get to the point of comparing angles of the bends of the bar

[DesiredDad77]

Where are you? You can usually find one on CL for $15 - and that should be fine for now given your other posts.

be forewarned that the discussions of curl bars in this forum get to the point of comparing angles of the bends of the bar

I'm near Madison, WI.

[chadsalt]

wait, what's a rolling DB extension?

A freaking DB to the side of the head if you're uncoordinated such as myself. Thanks for that SK.

[Ramcharger310]

Where are you? You can usually find one on CL for $15 - and that should be fine for now given your other posts.

be forewarned that the discussions of curl bars in this forum get to the point of comparing angles of the bends of the bar

Don't forget rackable vs nonrackable lol.

[Bmad16]

So have been looking curl bars. What's a good budget friendly bar for under $100?

http://www.xmarkfitness.com/bars/curl-bars/

I own one of their curl bars, definitely a good buy. I just noticed they have a rackable curl bar, that is the one to get IMO, easier for tricep extensions... i’ll Probably pick one up myself.