Knowing how much weight you’re lifting is foundational to any good strength training program. If you’re not tracking your weights accurately, you’re flying blind, making it difficult to gauge progress and significantly increasing your risk of injury.
But here’s the thing: not all barbells are created equal. There’s a huge variety out there, from standard bars to Olympic bars to specialty bars designed for specific exercises, and they all weigh different amounts. That leads to the question: just how much does the bar weigh?
This article is your complete guide to understanding barbell weights. We’ll cover the most common types of barbells you’ll encounter, their standard weights, and why knowing this information is so vital to your weightlifting journey.