How Much Does a Bench-Press Bar Weigh?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 25, 2020

The standard bench-press bar weighs 45 pounds without any weight added to it. As of 2014, in some gyms, 55-pound bars are becoming more widely used.

There are also different styles of bench-press bars that distribute weight differently. Some bench-press bars are thicker but center the weight toward the center of gravity so that it feels as if the bar weighs less because it is easier to balance. A bar can also feel lighter or heavier depending on the thickness of the bar. Thinner bars are easier to grip, allowing the muscles in the hand to put in less work than when a thicker bar is gripped.