How to measure barbell weights?

[Gracie]

I should know this, but when people say "I'm using a 20 pound barbell," what exactly are they measuring? Do they mean they have 20 pound plates on either side of the bar (meaning a total of 40 pounds added to the bar) or 10 pounds on either side (totalling 20 pounds of added weight).

And/or are they counting the weight of the bar itself?

Thanks! I'm new to Cathe (just bought a DVD pack), this forum, and using the barbell, so I'd appreciate the advice. Unfortunately, I've gotten lots of different answers from my friends already on this question.

 

[LHK]

Gracie,
I believe it means the total weight of the bar is 20. Including the bar and the plates.

 

[shaan]

When I put 2 x 10# plates on the bar, I count that as 20LBS. I don't include the weight of the barbell as I don't know how much that weighs.

 

[Beets]

If you want to know how much your bar weighs and therefore, the total weight that you are lifting, you can weigh yourself on a scale without the bar and then with the bar--that will tell you how much the bar weighs. An unloaded barbell (not the Olympic size) generally weighs around 15#.

 

[nbergren]

I believe it means the total weight of the bar, ie. plates and bar. Couldn't you just weight your bar on a scale to find out it's weight? Why do you recommend weighing yourself with the bar first?

 

[Beets]

YOu could probably just weigh the bar itself. I only weighed the bar plus me because I did not think my scale would be accurate for such a light weight.