How much does a barbell weigh is one of the first questions many gym goers ask themselves when they start training with free weights
It is important to understand the weight of the barbell you are using as it must be added to the total weight you are lifting
Different barbell types come with different base weights
But all barbells within a certain type have the same
The most common type of barbell is the Olympic barbell
However, there are also special barbells for heavier movements, such as squats and deadlifts
These barbells weigh more as they require a higher tensile strength
Contents What are the different types of barbell? How much does an Olympic barbell weigh?
How much does a squat bar weigh? How much does an EZ bar weigh? How much do smaller barbells weigh? Final Thoughts
What are the different types of barbell?
Answering the question of how much a barbell weighs is more complicated than it seems
There is not just one standardized barbell
While knowing the type and weight of the barbell you use is not critical, especially for your daily gym user, it is helpful to have an accurate understanding of the amount of weight you are actually lifting
Below are the nine different types of barbells and their most common weights
Standard barbell: 20 kg/44 lbs
Men’s Olympic Barbell: 20 kg/44 lbs
Women’s Olympic Barbell: 15 kg/33 lbs
Kids/technique barbell: 5 kg/11 lbs
Powerlifting barbell: 20 kg/44 lbs
Safety squat bar: 32 kg/70 lbs
EZ curl bar: about 5 kg/11 lbs
How much does an Olympic barbell weigh?
When people ask how much a barbell weighs, they are usually talking about the Olympic barbell
Olympic barbells are the ones you’ll find in most gyms
A standard Olympic barbell weighs 20 kg – or about 441 lbs
Although there is a quality difference between an Olympic and a standard barbell, they both weigh the same
This is why we usually find these Olympic standard bars to be more expensive
A standard barbell you are likely to find in a commercial gym will be stiffer and have less spin
The dedicated weightlifting bar for women’s Olympic weightlifting – this one weighs just 15kg (about 33lbs)
How much does a barbell squat weigh?
Squat bars are a type of powerlifting bar designed to stay stiff and reduce whiplash, but they can handle huge amounts of weight – unlike a standard barbell
The squat bar is a term we usually hear used for the Texas power bar – a high-quality piece of equipment that also weighs 20 kg/44 lbs
The safety squat bar is a different piece of equipment, with handles to reduce shoulder strain
These weigh 70 lbs or about 32 kg
How much does an EZ bar weigh?
The EZ Curl bar weighs different amounts depending on the type you buy
How much do smaller barbells weigh?
This is a barbell designed for technique training and normally weighs no more than 5kg
There is one more question: how much does the smith machine barbell weigh?
This is like the EZ curl bar – it depends on the specific product and there is no standard weight
Because they are supported by the rails, you will probably only see about 5-10 lbs of actual rod weight
As with the curl bar, the most important thing is that you keep adding weight to it consistently over time
Barbells are an important piece of training equipment
Anyone who lifts weights in the gym needs to understand the effect of barbell weight on their exercises
A standard barbell weighing 20kg can be enough alone to get some people started lifting
Adding too much weight to the bar increases the risk of injury
However, it is equally important to be able to answer how much a barbell weighs
It is also important to understand what type of barbell you are using