Tricep bars, also known as hammer curl bars, are a type of specialty barbell. Find out if this fitness equipment option is worth it for you.
In short, tricep bars can be worth it for individuals with wrist issues who want to do bicep and tricep isolation exercises.
If the weight limits of these bars are not too low for your strength level, you could use tricep bars for exercises like bent-over rows, shoulder presses, and bench presses too.
It is true that tricep bars are not completely unique when it comes to these things.
However, people who already have weight plates will find that tricep bars are a relatively budget-friendly addition to their collection. If you like the extra comfort, the neutral grips could be worth it.
Additionally, the higher your budget for workout equipment and the more tools you already have, the more straightforward it becomes to invest in a tricep bar.
So you want to weigh the details below against each other for your personal situation. This should make it at least somewhat clearer whether a tricep bar is worth it for you.
Is the tricep bar good for your workout goals and strength?
To decide whether a tricep bar is worth it to you, you first need to think about what your training goals are. Similar to other equipment options, the tricep bar is good for certain things and not that good for others.
Some exercises you can do with this specialty barbell include hammer curls, tricep extension variations, shoulder presses, bench presses, front raises, pullovers, etc.
However, something to note is that while individual models vary, tricep bars tend to have a weight capacity of around 200 pounds (90.7 kg).
For more advanced lifters, tricep bar bench presses may not be a (good) option due to lack of a challenge. On the other hand, beginners and intermediates may find this limit more than enough for their training goals.
On the other hand, even for these advanced individuals, tricep bars typically offer enough potential resistance for many other exercises.
Especially bicep and tricep isolation exercises. Another potential benefit of tricep bars is that they engage stabilizing muscles less in these movements compared to dumbbells. Some people like this.
Additionally, being interested in changing up your workouts with certain of the exercises mentioned can make the tricep bar more worth it.
Are tricep bar alternatives uncomfortable on your wrists?
Being able to challenge your muscles with enough weight is an important principle. Once that is checked off in the exercises you intend to do, you can start to think about other things.
One of the other important tricep bar benefits is that they can make a variety of exercises more comfortable on your wrists than a barbell.
The main examples of this include bicep curls and tricep extension variations but this can also be the case for shoulder presses, bench presses, and bent-over rows.
For some people with wrist issues, a few of the exercises are not an option with regular equipment. For others, investing in a tricep bar makes their many workouts just a bit more comfortable.
Do you already have equipment besides a tricep bar?
Tricep bars may offer valuable benefits for your personal situation and you may have the budget for them but even in that case, other fitness equipment may currently be a higher priority.
Individuals with a small budget who currently have no fitness equipment likely want to start with simple yet effective tools like running shoes and resistance bands.
Even if you do have a budget, a barbell with weights and a squat or power rack may be more important since they enable valuable compound lifts like deadlifts, back squats, bent-over rows, bench presses, and shoulder presses.
Once you have these and enough weight plates to keep things challenging, you can start to consider tricep bars and other fitness equipment.
These are general equipment guidelines for optimal health benefits.
You could have a big preference for bicep and tricep isolation exercises and prefer not to use resistance bands. In that case, going straight to a tricep bar could theoretically be worth it.
Price of a tricep bar and your budget
This was already briefly mentioned in the previous section but budget is a relevant factor.
Both in terms of actually being able to afford a hammer curl bar with weight plates and potentially getting more health benefits per dollar with other fitness equipment.
The best tricep bars are not that expensive but they do require an extra investment, typically around 70 to 100 dollars at the time of writing. Keep in mind that you also need weight plates.
Whether it is worth investing this amount in tricep bars depends on the other areas in this article.
Additionally, how much you like alternatives dumbbells, EZ curl bars, and swiss bars matters too.
How much room do you have?
One of the things that positively stands out in hammer curl/tricep bars is how compact they are. Other equipment options like a barbell and dumbbell set require more room to use and store.
Tricep bars tend to be around 34 inches (86.36 cm). This could be better for your workout room and the storage space you have available.
Is a tricep bar worth it for you?
You want to think about the state of your body and the other areas in this article. These details ultimately decide whether a tricep bar is worth it for you.
Generally speaking, many people will prefer to get certain other equipment options first. At the same time, doing exercises with an uncomfortable feeling in your wrists is definitely not great.
If you like the feeling of tricep bars, have a big budget, plan to do tricep bar exercises, and already have a lot of fitness equipment, a tricep bar is likely worth it for you.
