Alright, let’s talk about this rackable EZ curl barbell situation. For ages, I was just using a standard EZ curl bar, you know the one. Great for curls, decent for skullcrushers lying on a bench. But setting up for anything heavier, especially stuff like close-grip pressing or overhead extensions starting from a higher point? Always a hassle. Getting the bar into position safely wasn’t easy, especially when loading up more weight.
Finding the Right Fit
So, I started looking around. The idea was simple: get an EZ curl bar, but one wide enough between the collars so it could sit properly in my power rack J-hooks. Sounds easy, right? Well, not exactly. A lot of specialty bars are out there, but finding one that specifically stated it was ‘rackable’ on a standard power rack took some digging. Many are just the regular short kind.
I spent a fair bit of time scrolling through websites, looking at specs. Had to measure my rack width, check the distance between the collars on different bars online. Some looked promising, but the details were fuzzy. It was kind of annoying, honestly. You’d think it would be a more common thing.
Finally found one that seemed like it would fit the bill. The specs looked right, the pictures showed it sitting on a rack similar to mine. Decided to pull the trigger.
Getting it Set Up and Trying it Out
When the bar arrived, the first thing I did, naturally, was walk it over to the power rack. Put it up on the J-hooks. And yeah, it actually fit! Sat there nice and stable. That was the first hurdle cleared.
Then came the actual testing. Here’s what I tried:
- Skullcrushers: This was a game changer. Setting the safety pins just above my face, unracking the loaded bar from the J-hooks right above me… so much easier and felt way safer than wrestling it up from the floor or bench.
- Close Grip Bench Press (EZ Bar): Again, being able to unrack it from pins made starting the movement much smoother. Less strain on the wrists getting into position.
- Seated Overhead Extensions: Same deal. Setting the hooks high, sitting on the bench inside the rack, and just lifting it off. Much better starting position.
- Bent-Over Rows (EZ Bar): Could set the bar on lower safety pins for easy pickup without deadlifting it first each time.
How It Changed Things
Having this rackable version didn’t magically give me huge muscles, obviously. But it definitely made certain exercises more convenient and feel safer. Less faffing about getting the bar into place meant I could focus more on the actual lift. It encouraged me to do those accessory movements more often because the setup wasn’t a pain anymore.
It just integrated smoothly. Instead of needing to drag the old EZ bar over and awkwardly lift it, I can just keep this one near the rack, load it up right there, and go. It feels more efficient.
Is it essential? Probably not for everyone. If you only do basic bicep curls, the standard one is fine. But if you like using an EZ bar for triceps work or other movements where starting from the rack is helpful, it’s a solid piece of gear to have. For me, it solved a specific problem and made my training sessions just that little bit better. Worth the effort to find one, in my book.
