01/28/2026
A few years back, I broke down the real difference between the OBZ 30 and the Gopher because a lot of people couldn’t clearly explain why they felt different. With the recent conversation around efficiency and grip, it felt like time for a refresher.
The main difference between the Gopher and the OBZ 30 is moment arm length.
The Gopher’s design places the bar’s center of mass closer to the elbow, which reduces the amount of force required to curl the same weight compared to the OBZ 30. This is what makes the Gopher more efficient. Using my arm the Gopher has a shorter moment arm at about 10.5 inches, while the OBZ 30 has a longer moment arm at about 12 inches.
Using the same 190 lb load, the Gopher requires less torque to curl than the OBZ 30. The OBZ’s longer moment arm increases the torque demand, making the same weight harder to curl.
Same weight does not mean the same difficulty. Bar geometry changes leverage, and leverage changes how hard the curl actually is.
But this is where ex*****on matters.
If you do not hold the Gopher in the deepest part of the bar and instead slide your hands closer toward the center, you increase the moment arm length. That increases the torque required and makes the curl less efficient, bringing it closer to how the OBZ 30 behaves.
You can also lengthen the moment arm if the bar is angled to stay parallel with the floor instead of parallel with your forearms. The bar should track in line with the forearms. When the bar angle drifts to match the floor, leverage worsens and efficiency drops.
Obviously, there are tradeoffs. Finding a grip that you like and that feels comfortable is important. Just understand that the most comfortable option is not always the most efficient one.
That said, if a slightly less efficient grip allows you to apply more force, maintain better control, or stay more consistent, you can still come out ahead. If the end result is a net positive in performance, it is a win.
Efficiency matters, but it is not the only variable.
