How much does a barbell weigh?
A standard Olympic barbell weighs 20 kg (44 lb), and the pound version is 45 lb. A women's Olympic bar weighs 15 kg (33 lb). Everything else, from EZ bars to trap bars and Smith machines, varies by model, so the table below gives the usual ranges and how to check yours.
Updated 2026-10-17
Barbell weights by type
| Bar | kg | lb |
|---|---|---|
| Men's Olympic barbell 7.2 ft (2.2 m), 28 to 29 mm grip. The standard gym bar. | 20 kg | 44 lb |
| "45 lb" barbell (US gyms) The pound version of the Olympic bar, sold as 45 lb. | 20.4 kg | 45 lb |
| Women's Olympic barbell 6.6 ft (2.01 m), thinner 25 mm grip. Often sold as 35 lb. | 15 kg | 33 lb |
| Powerlifting and deadlift bars Stiffer power bars and longer, whippier deadlift bars. | 20 kg | 44 to 45 lb |
| Technique or training bar Aluminium bars for learning the lifts. | 5 to 10 kg | 10 to 25 lb |
| Standard (1 inch) barbell Home-gym bars for plates with a 1 inch hole. | 7 to 11 kg | 15 to 25 lb |
| EZ curl bar Olympic EZ bars sit at the top of the range. | 7 to 11 kg | 15 to 25 lb |
| Trap or hex bar Varies a lot by model: check the stamp. | 20 to 32 kg | 45 to 70 lb |
| Safety squat bar Padded yoke with forward-angled handles. | 27 to 32 kg | 60 to 70 lb |
| Smith machine bar Many are counterbalanced to feel lighter. Check the label on the machine. | about 7 to 25 kg | about 15 to 55 lb |
Ranges are typical for gym equipment. Specialty bars differ by manufacturer.
The Olympic barbell
The bar in the squat rack or on the bench press in most gyms is an Olympic barbell: 2.2 metres long with rotating 50 mm sleeves that take Olympic plates. The men's competition version weighs exactly 20 kg. In the United States the same bar is usually made to weigh 45 lb, which is 20.4 kg, so a 45 lb bar and a 20 kg bar are close enough to treat as the same for training.
The women's Olympic bar is shorter, has a thinner 25 mm grip for smaller hands, and weighs 15 kg (often sold as 35 lb in pound gyms). It is not only for women: anyone with smaller hands, and many lifters on overhead presses, find it easier to hold.
Specialty bars
Trap bars, safety squat bars, cambered bars and Swiss bars are heavier than a regular bar because of their extra steel, and their weight is not standardised. Most are stamped with their weight; if yours is not, the manufacturer's site will have it.
Smith machines and leg presses
Machines are the hardest to pin down. Smith machine bars run on rails and many are counterbalanced, so the starting weight can be anything from close to zero to a full barbell. Leg press sleds also vary widely. Check the plate on the machine, and log your weight the same way every time so your progress stays comparable.
Doing the maths
Total weight is the bar plus every plate on it. A 20 kg bar with a 20 kg plate on each side is 60 kg; a 45 lb bar with two 45s a side is 225 lb. The plate calculator does this in both directions, and SigmaGains does it inside every logged set.
Questions
Is the bar at the gym 45 lb or 20 kg?
Almost always one of the two, and they are nearly the same: a 20 kg bar is 44.1 lb and a 45 lb bar is 20.4 kg. Pound gyms usually stock 45 lb bars, kilo gyms 20 kg bars. The weight is often stamped on the end cap.
Should I count the bar weight when logging?
Yes. The weight you lifted is the bar plus the plates, and every program, percentage and strength standard assumes that. For a Smith machine or leg press, pick one convention and stick to it so your log stays comparable.
How much does the bar weigh on a Smith machine?
It depends on the machine. Unbalanced Smith bars weigh about the same as a regular bar or a little less, while counterbalanced ones can feel as light as 7 kg (15 lb). Manufacturers usually print the starting weight on the frame.
How can I tell what my gym's bar weighs?
Look for a number on the end cap or the sleeve. A bar with a thin 25 mm grip and no centre knurl is usually a 15 kg women's bar; a thick 28 to 29 mm bar is usually 20 kg. If there is no marking, weigh it on a scale.
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