Most of the time, it is easy to walk up to different pieces of gym equipment and immediately find out how much they weigh. Dumbbells and plate weights are usually clearly marked and it's not necessary to ask someone, yet alone use a scale, to know exactly how much these items weigh.
Unfortunately, the process isn't as simple for finding out the exact weights of barbells, particularly Olympic-sized barbells. When you throw in all of the barbells that are capable of loading Olympic-sized plates, this process gets even trickier.
Today, we are going to discuss the most common Olympic barbell weights. The next time you go for a maximum effort attempt, you'll know exactly how much your new PR is!
Common Olympic Barbell Weights
Olympic barbells actually have a lot in common when it comes to their respective weights. The vast majority of these barbells weigh 45 lbs for men and 35 lbs for women or, if the bar is denominated in kilograms, they weigh 20 kilograms (closer to 44 pounds) for men and 15 kilograms (closer to 33 pounds) for women.
If you walk into a gym, grab a bar, place it in the squat rack, and start loading it up, you can be confident that if it appears thicker and longer, it is one of the standard men's weights (45 pounds) and if it appears thinner and shorter, it is one of the standard women's weights (35 pounds).
General Purpose Olympic Barbell Weight
If you’re discussing barbells and no specific characteristics are mentioned, the conversation usually involves general purpose Olympic barbells (oftentimes referred to as "standard Olympic bars"). These are barbells that have Olympic-sized proportions and can accommodate Olympic-sized plates, but are not designed to facilitate a specific fitness discipline or activity.
In most cases, general purpose barbells will be more budget-friendly, but will still support common training programs and can be used to perform a number of different exercises. They may or may not include such features as a center knurling or knurl rings. The knurling itself is almost always perfectly neutral, making it easy for all lifters to grip.
If you do not have any specific training program in mind, a general purpose Olympic barbell makes a good first bar for your home gym. They weigh as much as other standard Olympic-sized barbells.
Olympic Weightlifting Barbell Weight
Olympic weightlifting barbells are specially engineered to facilitate competitive weightlifting athletes and people interested in performing the snatch, clean and jerk, and related movements.
Unlike most other Olympic barbells, Olympic weightlifting barbells usually include bearings in each sleeve. Bearings help to propel a faster spin, helping lifters to handle the rapidly moving barbell in their hands. These barbells also include dual knurl rings to help lifters properly position their hands for the snatch movement.
Many Olympic weightlifting bars are approved by the International Weightlifting Federation and are authorized for use in officially sanctioned competitions. However, whether officially authorized or not, these bars almost universally weigh 45 or 35 pounds.
Powerlifting Barbell Weight
As the name suggests, powerlifting barbells (also known as "power bars") are primarily used to perform movements such as the bench presses, squats, and deadlifts. They always include a center knurling in the middle of the barbell, which provides slightly better grip when performing squats, and bushings next to the sleeves to ensure slow, and efficient barbell spin.
Due to the nature of the sport of powerlifting, where heavier weights are lifted than in other sports, power bars typically have a higher weight capacity than other Olympic barbells. This is partially due to their larger tensile strength rating, which is mainly used to evaluate the overall durability of the bar, and ensures that the bar is less likely to break when loaded with heavy weights.
Power bars' knurling is usually more aggressive or harsher than other Olympic bars. Like other Olympic barbells, powerlifting bars weigh 45lbs for men and 35lbs for women (20 kilograms and 15 kilograms, respectively).
Safety Squat Bar Weight
A Safety Squat Bar can be classified as a "specialty" barbell (as opposed to other standard barbells), but, like the other bars on this list, can accommodate Olympic weight plates. These niche pieces of equipment are exclusively used in training and are not permitted for use in any type of weightlifting or powerlifting meets.
Unlike other shorter and lighter barbells, Safety Squat bars can weigh up to 80 lbs and are long relative to smaller Olympic bars.
The look of a Safety Squat bar is also quite different than other barbells. The bar is balanced by a padded groove that fits around the lifter's neck and shoulders. It is held in place by two handles that extend from this groove that the lifter grasps during their workout. This unique design helps lifters to achieve a better overall range of motion and to sit lower in their squats.
An Olympic Barbell Doesn't Weigh THAT Much ... So Get Lifting!
When you're first starting your weight training journey, a 35 or 45-pound barbell can feel heavy at times, especially during a few specific exercises. However, the weight isn't so heavy that you should be intimidated from using barbells or from training in general.
Knowing how much your bar weighs provides you with valuable information about the total amount of weight you're using during your workouts. This can help you determine appropriate resistance for different exercises while also making it easier to track your progress.
Now that you have all the information you need to calculate your weights and resistance, it's time to load the barbell, whether it's a power bar, Safety Squat bar, or a general purpose Olympic barbell, and get lifting!
Frequently Asked Questions
As we've seen so far, not all barbells weigh the same. Because of this, you probably have a few additional questions regarding Olympic barbell weight.
How much does a hex bar weigh?
There is a rather large weight disparity between different hex bars with some of the lightest weighing 30 pounds while some of the heaviest weigh closer to 70. Although the hex bar is a less common piece of equipment, if you do decide to use one in your training, you may need to physically weigh it to find out its exact poundage.
How should I choose a barbell?
The most important aspect of your barbell selection process should be your intended use for and goals with your barbell. If you plan to devote a lot of time and effort to powerlifting or Olympic weightlifting, your barbell choice should reflect these objectives. If you don't have specific goals or purposes, opt for a general purpose Olympic barbell.
Should I trust that my barbell weighs the standard 45 (or 35) pounds?
There is always going to be a little bit of disparity between barbells and you'll rarely find a bar that weighs exactly 45 pounds. However, barbell companies are generally quite precise with their manufacturing practices so rest assured that your barbell is the advertised weight.
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