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The other barbell...??

jtcedinburgh
jtcedinburgh Posts: 117 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Very quick question: the Olympic barbell weighs 20Kg, I understand. Any idea how heavy the smaller bar (shorter, and without a straight bar) is likely to be? It doesn't quite feel 20Kg. Just in case I have to use it sometime. No way to weigh it at the gym....

Replies

  • LazSommer
    LazSommer Posts: 1,851 Member
    I don't know why but I expected something less SFW when I was opening this thread.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    Here's a reference article: http://www.builtlean.com/2013/12/04/weight-lifting-bars/

    A squat bar is about 55lb and a women's bar is about 35lbs. The EZ bar can be 15lbs to 25lbs from my experience so when in doubt jump on the scale then pick up the bar and see what it weighs.
  • CindyFooWho
    CindyFooWho Posts: 179 Member
    LazSommer wrote: »
    I don't know why but I expected something less SFW when I was opening this thread.
    I did not, although I'm LMAO and now have a brand new euphemism in my vocabulary. haha
  • robininfl
    robininfl Posts: 1,137 Member
    Hold it and step on the scale.
    Put it down and step on the scale.
    That's the only way to know for sure.

    The straight bar we have is 30lb, and the curly bar is 10lb.

    I wonder why they aren't just labeled like weights are.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Ez bar at my gym is 30lbs.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    robininfl wrote: »
    Hold it and step on the scale.
    Put it down and step on the scale.
    That's the only way to know for sure.

    The straight bar we have is 30lb, and the curly bar is 10lb.

    I wonder why they aren't just labeled like weights are.

    Some are, usually they are sold with the weight known by the purchaser but if it's a gym then you need to know the standards, and they are standard weight normally so I imagine this would be why.

  • Alidecker
    Alidecker Posts: 1,262 Member
    EZ bar in my gym is 20#, I had to step on the scale to figure it out. People told me 30#, but didn't feel right
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    I brought my own scale to the gym a few years ago, since the bars obviously weighed different amounts. There were a number that were 40 lb, a few that were 45 lb, and 2-3 that weighed 50 lb. Annoying as all hell, but I brought in a sharpie and discretely marked all the ones I could weigh, so I knew what I had.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited September 2016
    This content has been removed.
  • cgvet37
    cgvet37 Posts: 1,189 Member
    The easy bars at my gym are 15 lbs.
  • kwtilbury
    kwtilbury Posts: 1,234 Member
    edited September 2016
    The standard EZ bar is 25 pounds.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,997 Member
    Every bar is different. No way to know unless you actually weigh it.

    I've got a T-bar that weighs 35#, a Hex/Trap bar that weighs 52#, a Safety Squat Yoke Bar that weighs 60#, a pair of Farmer's Walk handles weighing about 24# each plus a 20kg (44#) and a 45# Olympic bar.
  • Erik8484
    Erik8484 Posts: 458 Member
    GuitarJerry wrote: »
    It's 20 or 30.

    In case this helps, I stopped calculating that. What I do, and this might sound weird, but I only calculate one side.

    For instance, if I put 2 45lb plate on the bar, it's 90. That's it. If anyone asks, I can quickly do the math, 45x5. But, I'm not interested in my totals, just how much I need to put on one side. Lol. I know it seems funny, but it works. It also works with percentages and all that. It's an easy plan.

    It doesnt work with percentages. It also doesn't work when you swap bars.
  • CipherZero
    CipherZero Posts: 1,418 Member
    Barbells can be wildly variable. Cap-branded barbells (as seen on Amazon) can range from 15lbs to 45lbs depending on the length, construction, and purpose.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
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  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    GuitarJerry wrote: »
    Erik8484 wrote: »
    GuitarJerry wrote: »
    It's 20 or 30.

    In case this helps, I stopped calculating that. What I do, and this might sound weird, but I only calculate one side.

    For instance, if I put 2 45lb plate on the bar, it's 90. That's it. If anyone asks, I can quickly do the math, 45x5. But, I'm not interested in my totals, just how much I need to put on one side. Lol. I know it seems funny, but it works. It also works with percentages and all that. It's an easy plan.

    It doesnt work with percentages. It also doesn't work when you swap bars.

    Yeah, you have to include the 1/2 the bar weight.

    But, I use the same bars for the same exercise. Squat is always the STD 45lb bar. Curls are always the smaller bent bar. So, for me, it works.

    Plus p, don't forget, it's just lifting. It doesn't have to be exactly precise. Just lift heavy. Who cares about all the details.

    Depends on why you are lifting. For me it does matter since I have powerlifting goals in mind. For someone who is just lifting and doesn't even record their workout then I'm sure it will have less of an impact on their training goals.
This discussion has been closed.

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