Barbell bar calculated in total weight?

[Julie Stottmann]

Hi Cathe! I was wondering when you lift weights using the barbell if the weight of the bar is part of the total weight. For instance if I was going to lift 20 pounds, would I load my bar with 15 pounds of plates plus the 5 pound bar to equal 20? Thanks!

 

[spyrosmom]

The weight includes the weight of the bar. It's the TOTAL weight you're lifting.

I've made the happy mistake of adding wrong before and realizing I could lift more than I thought! "Why is this so heavy??" Recount. "Oh, that's why!" But I did it!!!

Nan

 

[Julie Stottmann]

The weight includes the weight of the bar. It's the TOTAL weight you're lifting.

I've made the happy mistake of adding wrong before and realizing I could lift more than I thought! "Why is this so heavy??" Recount. "Oh, that's why!" But I did it!!!

Nan

Thanks! I kind of had a "duh!" moment on that one! I haven't been adding that in so now I feel way stronger!! Lol. Now I have to go back and recalculate my "one rep max" totals