Exercise guide
EZ Barbell Standing Single Arm Neutral Wrist Curl
- Intermediate
- Isolation
- Rep-based
- Lower arms
- Upper arms
This unilateral isolation exercise targets the brachioradialis and forearm extensors by using the unique angles of an EZ bar to provide a comfortable neutral grip. It is highly effective for building forearm thickness and improving grip stability without excessive wrist strain.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in your knees.
- Hold the EZ bar at the center of the inner 'V' curve with one hand using a neutral (hammer) grip.
- Let the arm hang naturally at your side with the elbow tucked firmly against your torso.
- Engage your core and keep your shoulders pinned back to maintain a stable base.
How to do it
- Exhale as you curl your wrist upward toward your forearm, keeping the rest of your arm completely stationary.
- Squeeze the forearm muscles at the top of the movement for a one-second pause.
- Inhale as you slowly lower the bar back to the starting position using a controlled 2-second tempo.
- Complete the full set of repetitions on one arm before switching to the other side.
Form checklist
- Keep the elbow locked against your ribcage to prevent the bicep from taking over.
- Ensure the movement occurs strictly at the wrist joint.
- Avoid leaning your torso toward the weighted side to compensate for the load.
- Maintain a firm grip on the bar throughout the entire range of motion.
Pro tips
- Focus on the mind-muscle connection by imagining you are trying to touch the back of your hand to your forearm.
- Use your non-working hand to lightly hold your working elbow in place if you struggle with arm swing.
- Experiment with the different curves of the EZ bar to find the specific angle that provides the most tension in your brachioradialis.
Make it harder
- Implement a 3-second eccentric (lowering) phase to increase time under tension.
- Add a 'dead stop' at the bottom of each rep to remove momentum and force a stronger initial contraction.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the ez barbell standing single arm neutral wrist curl work?
- The ez barbell standing single arm neutral wrist curl primarily targets the forearms, and also works the biceps as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the ez barbell standing single arm neutral wrist curl?
- The ez barbell standing single arm neutral wrist curl uses ez barbell.
- Is the ez barbell standing single arm neutral wrist curl good for beginners?
- The ez barbell standing single arm neutral wrist curl is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.