Wondering how much weight you are actually squatting? Here’s a detailed look at squat bars and how much they weigh.
Barbells in the gym vary by weight, length and thickness.
The most common squat bar weighs 20kg (or 44lbs).
This is considered the “standard” size for barbells and is the same weight used for both Olympic and powerlifting barbells.
That said, there are some different weights with barbells.
In this article, we will look at each of them so that you can know exactly how much weight you are squatting the next time you hit the gym.
Let’s jump right in.
Squat Bar Weight – Overview
It’s difficult to argue with the fact that the squat rules the roost when it comes to muscle building and straight-up badassery in the gym.
Moving a lot of weight skywards, and using the full extent of your posterior chain, legs, and core to make it happen generates a TON of muscle.
But lifting properly means you know how much weight is on the squat bar.
And that means understanding what kind of bar you are working with.
The Different Types of Squat Bars (+ Weight)
Here is a more detailed look at all of the bars you will find for squatting in the gym, including key features and their respective weights.
Olympic barbells
The most common barbell in the gym is the Olympic barbell.
It comes in two lengths and weights, including the men’s Olympic barbell and the women’s Olympic bar.
Men’s Olympic bars are just over 7ft long, with medium knurling for added grip, and bushings to help plates rotate on the weight sleeve, the classic weight for this bar is 20kg (44lbs).
Here are some sample bars and their weights:
- Rogue Olympic Weightlifting Bar – 44lbs
- CAP Barbell The Beast – 44lbs
- Synergee Open Olympic Barbells – 44lbs
Women’s Olympic bars are lighter, with a weight of 15kg (33lbs), and are also shorter, typically 6’6”.
Here are some sample women’s Oly bars:
- Synergee Open 15kg Barbell – 33lbs
- Rogue Bella Bar – 33lbs
Powerlifting barbells
Powerlifting barbells, which are stiffer and have less whip in the bar, have almost identical dimensions as a men’s Olympic barbell (44lbs and 7ft in length).
Powerlifting barbells weigh the same as Oly bars (20kg or 44lbs) but are designed for slow, heavy lifting as they have almost no flex in the shaft.
They also have really deep knurling for added grip on the barbell. For lifters who sweat a lot, the more aggressive knurling and added shaft thickness helps keep the bar parked on the back when squatting.
See also: Olympic Barbells vs Powerlifting Bars – What’s the Difference?
Safety Squat Bars
Safety squat bars are specialty barbell that is specifically designed for squatting.
It features additional shafts that extend horizontally over the shoulders so that you can grip the bar.
This is helpful for lifters with poor shoulder mobility as it makes it easier to grab the bar.
Safety squat bars also encourage better lumbar posture when squatting, making it also helpful for lifters who don’t have great hip and ankle mobility.
These added shafts add weight to the bar. Also, because they aren’t used for competitive purposes, safety squat bar manufacturers have more options for construction and weight.
Here are some of the best safety squat bars and their respective weights:
- Titan Fitness Safety Squat Olympic Bar V2 – 61lbs
- Bells of Steel Safety Squat Bar SS3 – 44lbs
- HappyBuy Olympic Safety Squat Bar – 47lbs
- Rogue SB-1 Safety Squat Bar – 70lbs
Cambered Squat Bars
Cambered squat bars are another specialty barbell that is specifically designed to help you squat like a certified champion.
So what is it? And how camberey is it?
It’s a barbell that has a 14-inch drop off just outside rack-width, dangling your weight plates lower than usual.
This off-set weight load is a lot more difficult to balance compared to a regular barbell, but it is also somewhat easier to hold onto for lifters who have less-than-awesome thoracic and shoulder mobility.
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So how much does these specialty squat bars weigh?
- Rogue CB-1 Cambered Squat Bar – 85lbs
- American Barbell Cambered Squat Bar – 40lbs
What if the squat bar is too heavy?
Barbells, as you can see from some of the examples above, can get pretty heavy!
If you are a beginner to squats, or you are easing back into it, there are plenty of alternative forms of resistance you can use to sharpen your squat game.
Forms of resistance you can use include:
- Dumbbells (hang them by your side or hold one in front of you to do Goblet squats)
- Kettlebells (can be dangled between your legs as a modified Sumo squat or in front of you)
- Banded squats (great for activating the adductors)
Start off with bodyweight squats, do wall-sits, or whatever you have available to you.
Stronger legs, more leg muscles, and improved functional movement await!
More Barbell Guides
How Much Does a Trap Bar Weigh? The trap bar is an awesome tool for more power and muscle. Here’s a quick overview of how heavy trap bars are so you can lift with accuracy.
How Much Does the Bar on a Smith Machine Weigh? Curious about exactly how much you are lifting each time you step into a Smith Machine? Here’s a breakdown of how much a Smith Machine bar weighs.
