If you’re setting up a home gym or just getting into weightlifting, you might be wondering how much do Olympic barbells weigh. It’s a fundamental question, as the bar’s weight is a critical part of your total load.
How Much Do Olympic Barbells Weigh
The standard answer is 20 kilograms, or approximately 45 pounds. This is true for most men’s Olympic bars you’ll find in commercial gyms and used in competition. However, that’s just the starting point. The actual weight can vary depending on the bar’s type, purpose, and manufacturer.
The Standard Olympic Barbell Specs
A men’s Olympic weightlifting bar is a precise piece of equipment. Its weight isn’t arbitrary. Here are the key specifications that define it:
- Weight: 20 kg (44.1 lbs)
- Length: 2.2 meters (7.2 feet)
- Diameter (Grip Section): 28mm
- Diameter (Sleeve): 50mm
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 415mm
- Knurling: Has a center knurl and grip knurl with a specific pattern for control.
- Whip/Flex: Designed to have a certain amount of flex to absorb impact during lifts like the clean.
Different Types of Olympic Bars and Their Weights
Not all Olympic bars are created equal. Different sports and training styles require specialized bars. Here’s a breakdown:
Women’s Olympic Weightlifting Bar
This bar is shorter, thinner, and lighter to better suit female athletes. Its specifications are:
- Weight: 15 kg (33 lbs)
- Length: 2.01 meters (6.6 feet)
- Diameter (Grip): 25mm
- The smaller diameter makes it easier for smaller hands to grip securely.
Powerlifting Barbell
Power bars are built for stability during the squat, bench, and deadlift. They have less whip than a weightlifting bar. They typically weigh 20 kg (45 lbs) but have distinct features:
- Knurling: More aggressive for a better grip, especially on deadlifts.
- Whip: Stiffer to provide more control during slow, heavy lifts.
- Tensile Strength: Often higher to withstand extremely heavy loads.
Training Bars
These are great for beginners, warm-ups, or lighter technique work. They follow the Olympic sleeve standard but are lighter.
- Common Weights: 10 kg (22 lb), 15 kg (33 lb), or even 5 kg (11 lb) technique bars.
- They allow you to practice form without the full 20kg load.
Specialty Bars
These bars serve unique purposes and their weights can vary widely. Always check the manufacturer’s specs.
- Deadlift Bar: Longer and whippier, usually still 20 kg.
- Trap/Hex Bar: Weight varies, commonly between 25-45 lbs. You need to weigh it or check the manual.
- EZ Curl Bar: Not an Olympic bar, but often used with Olympic plates. Typically weighs 10-15 kg.
How to Determine Your Bar’s Weight
You can’t always trust that a bar is exactly 20 kg, especially in a busy gym or if it’s a lesser-known brand. Here’s how to find out for sure:
- Check for Markings: Look at the end of the sleeve or the center of the bar. Many manufacturers stamp the weight there (e.g., “20 kg”).
- Read the Product Manual: If you bought it, the manual will state the exact weight.
- Weigh It Yourself: The most accurate method. Use a calibrated bathroom scale.
- First, weigh yourself alone and note the number.
- Then, pick up the bar and weigh yourself again.
- Subtract your solo weight from the total to find the bar’s weight.
Why Knowing the Bar Weight Matters
Understanding exactly how much your bar weighs is crucial for several reasons. It’s not just a minor detail.
- Accurate Training Load: If you think you’re lifting 100 kg but the bar is actually 15 kg, your total is off by 5 kg. This effects your progression tracking.
- Safety: Using the wrong bar for a lift (e.g., a whippy deadlift bar for squats) can be unsafe if your not prepared for the different feel.
- Competition Preparation: In competition, you’ll use a precise 20kg or 15kg bar. Training with a bar of a different weight or feel can throw you off on game day.
- Programming: Proper program design requires knowing the exact starting load. This is especially true for percentage-based programs.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
Let’s clear up some frequent errors people make regarding barbell weight.
- “All 7-foot bars are 45 pounds.” False. While common, some training bars are 7 feet long but weigh only 35 or 25 lbs.
- Including the Bar in Plate Math: Always remeber that the bar is part of the total. 2 x 20kg plates + a 20kg bar = 60kg total, not 40kg.
- Assuming Gym Bars are Standard: Gym bars see heavy use and may be from various brands. Two bars that look identical might have slight weight differences due to wear or model.
- Confusing Olympic with Standard: “Standard” bars (1-inch sleeve diameter) are not Olympic bars. They are lighter, often 10-15 lbs, and use different plates.
FAQs: Your Quick Questions Answered
Is an Olympic bar always 45 lbs?
No, not always. While the men’s Olympic weightlifting standard is 20kg (~45 lbs), women’s bars are 15kg (~33 lbs), and many training or specialty bars deviate from this weight.
How much does a typical gym barbell weigh?
In most commercial gyms, the 7-foot barbells on the main floor are likey to be 20 kg (45 lb) Olympic bars. Always check for markings to be certain, as some may be lighter training bars.
Do you count the bar weight?
Yes, absolutely. The bar is a significant part of the load. When you say you lifted 225 pounds, that total includes the weight of the bar plus the plates on it.
How much does an empty Olympic barbell weigh?
An empty men’s Olympic barbell weighs 20 kg or 45 lbs. An empty women’s Olympic barbell weighs 15 kg or 33 lbs. “Empty” simply means without any plates loaded on the sleeves.
What is the weight of a barbell?
This is to broad of a question without context. Ask specifically: “Is this an Olympic, powerlifting, or standard bar?” or “Is it a men’s or women’s Olympic bar?” to get the correct answer.
Final Tips for Choosing and Using Your Bar
Knowing the weight is the first step. Here’s how to apply that knowledge practically.
- For Home Buyers: Research carefully. Decide if you need a true 20kg weightlifting bar, a power bar, or a lighter training bar based on your primary exercises.
- Always Verify: When you join a new gym, take a moment to identify their bars. Weigh yourself with and without a bar if your unsure.
- Log Your Weights Accurately: In your training journal or app, note the bar type if possible, especialy if you switch between different bars regularly.
- Maintain Your Bar: Regular cleaning and occasional rotation of the sleeves will keep the bar functioning well and its weight accurate (no rust buildup adding grams).
Understanding barbell weight is a basic but essential piece of knowledge for effective training. By starting with the right information, you ensure your lifts are measured correctly and your progress is real. Now you can load your bar with confidence, knowing exactly what your lifting.