How Much Does a Barbell Weigh?

Have you ever found yourself in a gym loading a bar up with some weight, getting yourself pumped up for a big deadlift, when the thought crosses your mind, “How much weight am I about to lift?” It happens often, and probably more than we want to admit. I even get a little lost in the numbers from time to time, and I’ve been using Olympic barbells and weight plates for over two decades. We don’t always go to the gym wanting to do math, but it’s essential to mark our continual progress.

The beginning of any barbell movement (naturally) starts with a barbell. Therefore, to determine how heavy you are lifting, we need to answer the question: How much does a barbell weigh? The answer to that isn’t simple, though, because it largely depends on what kind of bar you’re using. Let’s dive deeper into the different types of barbells you can often find in commercial gyms and CrossFit boxes, what they weigh, and when to best use them. We’ll also go over other factors worth including when determining how much weight is on a bar.

Types of Barbells And Their Weight

Different barbells have been created for different needs and exercises. The different types of barbells can vary in thickness, length, and (of course) weight. There are even finer points and differences within the same types of bars. Listed below are some of the more common types of barbells you’re likely to see in a gym, as well as some less common bars, and how much they weigh. 

Standard Barbell

• Weight: Varies, but typically 13-20 lbs
• Length: Typically 5-6 feet
• Weight Capacity: Up to about 250 lbs
• Best For: Beginners performing basic exercises

The name “Standard” is a little deceiving when it comes to this barbell, as this is often not the typical barbell you would see at most commercial gyms. The biggest difference in standard bars is that the diameter of the entire barbell, shaft, and sleeves is 1 inch. Only standard weight plates can be used on these barbells, as well. Most bars and plates are made with a 2-inch barbell sleeve in mind, meaning a standard barbell has very little crossover to other brands and products. 

In addition, the sleeves do not rotate like most bars, meaning you should not use this barbell profile for complex movements like a clean and jerk or snatch. It has a lower weight capacity compared to other barbells, as well, with most capable of supporting up to 250 pounds. Because of its lower price point, I would only recommend a standard barbell for beginners, those considering starting a home gym, or athletes who aren’t sure if they’re ready to invest in a full-fledged free weight setup.

Olympic Barbell

• Weight: 20 kg (44 lbs)
• Length: 86.6 inches
• Weight Capacity: Varies, but typically 700-1,500 lbs
• Best For: Serious lifters who want a versatile barbell

The Olympic barbell is the most common barbell you will see in any gym you visit. Of all Olympic barbells, the most produced and used is the 20-kilogram (44-pound) bar, often referred to as a”men’s barbell.” Although it’s called a “men’s bar,” women can (and do) use this barbell in a multitude of ways, including in powerlifting competitions. Like with most barbells on this list, there are variations between bars, but those differences are slight.

More often than not, you can expect a straight barbell just over 7 feet long with an inch-wide shaft and barbell knurling patches for better grip. Some barbells also utilize a center knurling patch for when the bar rests on the shoulders or neck. The sleeves are 2 inches wide, meaning most Olympic weight plates can be used easily with this type of barbell, too.

The great thing about Olympic bars is that they have rotating sleeves, meaning the sleeves and weight plates can rotate free from the rest of the barbell. This makes this barbell ideal for controlling the weight through Olympic weightlifting movements, like the snatch and the clean and jerk. This rotating nature can be useful in slower movements, as well, like the deadlift or overhead press.

The sleeves rotate via either bushings or bearings. Bearings can get you a better spin and keep that rotation for longer, but will also raise the price of the barbell. Bushings have a bit less spin, but can handle most exercises you throw at them. If you are interested in Olympic weightlifting, get a barbell with bearings; otherwise, it depends on what you’re willing to spend on your barbell.

Women’s Olympic Barbell

• Weight: 15 kg (33 lbs)
• Length: 79.1 inches
• Weight Capacity: Varies, but typically 500-1,200 lbs
• Best For: Anyone with smaller hands

A women’s Olympic barbell follows the same principles as the men’s barbell, but the weight is lighter at 15 kilograms, and the bar is shorter in length. In addition, the women’s bar has a smaller shaft diameter (25 millimeters), intended for an easier grip. Although anyone can use this type of bar, it’s marketed toward women because they typically have smaller hands, according to studies¹. Women’s bars can be great for youth athletes, as well. The sleeves are also 2 inches, allowing for use with Olympic plates.

One big change from the men’s Olympic barbell is a lack of center knurling. The rest of the knurling patches are present and allow for a solid grip on the bar when lifting, which is necessary for heavier exercises like a clean. All Olympic barbells (men’s and women’s) have high tensile strength, too, meaning they can absorb force from power movements pretty well—a must-have for weightlifting.

Training Bar

• Weight: 10 kg (22 lbs)
• Length: 66 inches
• Weight Capacity: May be as low as 200-300 lbs
• Best For: Beginners or youth athletes looking to learn barbell exercises

Yet another variation of the Olympic bar is the training, or “junior” bar. This barbell can be ideal for beginner or youth strength athletes, particularly when it comes to the Olympic lifts. The lighter weight keeps the focus on form, and you can also a smaller-diameter shaft for an easier grip. Weights can vary depending on the brand, but most I’ve handled are 10 kilograms, or 22 pounds.

Powerlifting Barbell

• Weight: 20 kg (44 lbs)
• Length: 86.74 inches
• Weight Capacity: Varies, but typically around 1,500 lbs
• Best For: Powerlifters who want a stiff bar with minimal bend

Powerlifting events have three disciplines: The back squat, the bench press, and the deadlift. A powerlifting barbell is made and designed with those three exercises in mind. Compared to an Olympic barbell, powerlifting bars will have a wider shaft diameter as well as a higher tensile strength, making them a more rigid barbell for strength movements. Usually, these bars are made with bushings, as barbell spin is not as big of a factor in these slower strength exercises.

If your primary barbell exercises are the squat, deadlift, or bench press, or you compete in powerlifting, a powerlifting bar is a great investment.

Trap Bar

• Weight: Varies, but typically 40-70 lbs
• Length: Typically 55-88 inches
• Weight Capacity: Typically 500-1,000 lbs
• Best For: Those looking for a unique barbell shape

A trap bar, also known as a hex bar, is a bar that splits into a hexagonal shape in the center with an opening large enough for the lifter to stand in. The bar has grips in the center that are typically the same diameter as an Olympic barbell. 

The design of this barbell can help keep the center of gravity more, well, central in relation to the lifter during a lift from the floor, whereas a normal barbell has the weight distributed toward the front of the lifter. Although used primarily for deadlifts, trap bars can also be used for other exercises, like farmer’s carries.

The weight can vary, but trap bars often weigh between 40 and 70 pounds. The trap bar’s design has also changed over the years. Recently, open trap bars have hit the market with a design that leaves one side of the hexagon profile completely open, allowing for the athlete to easily step into the center of the bar. Additionally, the bar can be propped up on one side to easily load or unload the weight from the bar.

Safety Squat Bar

• Weight: Varies, but typically 45-70 lbs
• Length: Varies, but typically around 80-90 inches
• Weight Capacity: Typically 700-1,500 lbs
• Best For: Anyone with upper extremity injuries

Weighing between 45 and 70 pounds, a safety squat bar has a center padding with two handles protruding from the bar where you can grip the bar without reaching back for the actual barbell. This can be helpful for someone dealing with a shoulder or arm injury who can’t comfortably grip a normal weightlifting bar.

While these barbells can be great for working through an injury, the safety squat bar is also a fantastic way to change up your training. The structure of the bar shifts the weight more forward, giving you a center of gravity that is somewhere between a back squat and a front squat. This creates a different stimulus for your training and can add variety to your programming.

EZ Curl Bar

• Weight: Varies, but typically 25-35 lbs
• Length: Typically around 48 inches
• Weight Capacity: Typically 200-1,500 lbs
• Best For: Those looking for a barbell that’s great for arm exercises

An EZ curl bar is made primarily for upper body exercises like bicep curls or tricep extensions. The shaft is bent into a “W” shape to allow for a more natural and comfortable grip through the wrists. Most curl bars are short, too, for easier weight management during said movements. Be mindful, though, that this does compromise the bar’s ability to fit within a standard squat rack or bench press. A typical EZ curl bar weighs between 25 and 35 pounds.

Swiss Barbell

• Weight: 35-50 lbs
• Length: Typically 87-85 inches
• Weight Capacity: Varies, but typically 300-1,000 lbs
• Best For: Strength athletes who want a unique grip

A Swiss barbell, also known as a multi-grip barbell, can be a unique way to train different grips with one piece of fitness equipment. Weighing between 35 and 50 pounds, the middle of the bar is designed like a ladder, with multiple “rungs” that can be used for varying grip setups. You can have a close grip, a wide grip, or an angled grip in most designs. The Swiss bar is a specialty bar, often used for presses and focusing on muscle groups in the upper body. 

The varying grips often work great for those with a history of shoulder injuries, as you’re able to tuck your elbows a bit more with a neutral grip on the bar compared to having your elbows flare out to the side with a standard barbell. As such, many find this to be a much more comfortable on the shoulders.

Axle Bar

• Weight: Typically around 25 lbs
• Length: 84 inches
• Weight Capacity: Typically 500-1,000 lbs
• Best For: Athletes looking to train their grip strength

The axle bar is a thick, two-inch bar with no rotating sleeves used primarily for grip training. The wide diameter requires a strong grip to hold and exercise with the equipment. Additionally, the lack of rotation in the sleeves makes any rotating movement feel like a lot more due to the momentum of the bumper plates loaded onto the bar. Typically weighing 25 pounds, an axle bar can be a great grip trainer that is often used in strongman training.

Smith Machine Bar

• Weight: Typically 15-25 lbs
• Length: Varies, but typically 80-87 inches
• Weight Capacity: Typically 300-1,000 lbs
• Best For: People who prefer to train with a fixed bar path

Most commercial gyms will have a Smith machine somewhere in the facility. This piece of gym equipment is unique in that it’s a squat rack with a bar connected to rails, allowing the barbell to only move in one plane of motion (usually up and down). 

While I’m more of a fan of functional movements and free weights, the Smith machine can be useful for some exercises to vary your training, such as rows or a bench press. However, as a weightlifter and coach, I would always recommend you learn how to squat outside of a Smith machine, where you will also get the most functional benefits.

A Smith machine bar’s weight varies greatly from machine to machine. Some machines will attach a 45-pound Olympic barbell, while others will use a specific bar for the machine, weighing as little as 10 pounds. A typical range, however, is between 15 and 25 pounds. Despite the lighter bar, most machines can still hold several hundred pounds.

Another thing to factor in is a Smith machine’s use of counterbalances. The counterbalances in the Smith machine redistribute some of the weight of the bar, making it feel lighter than it really is. For example, a 25-pound bar may only feel and act like 22 pounds if counterbalances are employed. Usually, if this is the case, the weight the bar is replicating is displayed on the side of the machine.

Factoring in Collars and Plates

So, we’ve gone over the types of bars you could be using in the gym, but what else do we need to add up in order to determine how much weight is on a barbell? Well, obviously, the weight plates are a big part of it, but there are also the spring clips or clamps used to keep the weights in place during training.

Weight Plates

The biggest thing to remember about weight plates is whether you are using kilogram plates or pound plates. As a competitive weightlifter, I deal a lot with kilograms, but your gym may only have pound plates available. 

Either way, the weight of each bumper plate should be clearly marked on the outside of the profile; the heaviest kilogram plates are 25 kilos, and the heaviest pound plates are typically 55 pounds. When adding weights together, I let the plates determine how I do math to ease the process; if I use kilo plates, then I treat my bar as a 20-kilogram bar (44 pounds), but using pounds, I will add my bar up as 45 pounds. This just helps keep the math a lot easier instead of having to convert kilos to pounds or vice versa.

Clips, Clamps, and Collars

Most of the time, I use spring clips on the ends of the bar, and these weigh ounces, so I don’t factor them into the working weight total. At most, you are adding a half-pound to the bar, which is negligible. However, some clamps and collars are weighted, and these should be added to the total weight of the loaded barbell. I’ve seen some clamps add a total weight of 1 kilogram, and in weightlifting, a single kilo can win or lose a competition. I would recommend adding clamp weight if your clamps or collars have any heft.

Competition barbell collars are the heaviest barbell security measures weighing in at 2.5 kilograms apiece, so using them adds 5 kilograms to your barbell (roughly 11 pounds). If you are using these in training, add them to your total weight!

So Really, How Much Does a Barbell Weigh?

The simplest answer to give is: It depends! There are a variety of barbells out there, each made for a different purpose or need. Determine what your needs are, find a barbell matching those needs, and get to training! In closing, here are a couple of things to remember:

• The men’s and women’s Olympic barbells are the most versatile options for general use.
• Although many other barbells are specialized for specific movements or muscle groups, they can still fit most programming needs and should not be neglected.
• To determine your barbell’s total weight before a set, add the barbell’s weight with any plates loaded on the bar, as well as any collars that noticeably add heft to your setup. Simple as that! 

Here’s a comparison chart that shows the weights and recommendations for various types of barbells:

What’s Next?

Now that you’ve gotten your crash course in barbell weights, it’s time to choose your next barbell. Be sure to check out our barbell buyer’s guide to find the right model for your training needs.

How Much Does a Barbell Weigh: FAQs

References

1. Gupta, S. (2017). Index/RING finger ratio, hand and foot index: Gender estimation tools. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5535485/