If you manage a gym or own old and heavily used weight equipment, it is a common occurrence that weight plates, barbells, and dumbbells have missing numbers. Labels fall off, or the paint chips, taking the number with it. When weight plates, bars, or dumbbells in the gym are missing labels, it is easy to find the weight. Take into account the weight of the bar in addition to the attached end plates and you are back in business.
Correcting Mislabeled Weight Plates
Step 1
Place the plate on the scale, if the plate can be separated from the bar. Record the number, then take the marker or label maker, and mark the plate. Repeat for all weight plates that need to be marked correctly.
Step 2
Weigh the barbell bar if needed. Standard 7-foot barbell bars weigh 45 lbs. without any weight plates on them. Adding the same size weight plates to each end of a barbell bar means the total weight of the barbell is 45 lbs. plus two times the weight at each end. For example, 35 lb. plates added to each end result in a barbell that weighs 115 lbs.
Step 3
Hold the barbell while stepping onto the scale if the barbell is preloaded with weight plates that cannot be removed. It's important to make sure the barbell does not exceed your capacity to lift it. If you think holding the barbell will be too much for you, first practice lifting the barbell and holding it for 10 seconds. If that does not cause loss of proper form with the core musculature, then step on the scale with the barbell. Record the total weight, and subtract your weight to obtain the weight of the barbell.
Tips and Warnings
- Most standard barbell weight plates come in 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 35 and 45 lbs. If the gym has a weight rack, you can use the weights that are labeled and compare them with the mislabeled weights.
- Never lift with your back; always bend your knees to pick up a barbell from the floor. Activate your core muscles by contacting your abdominal muscles. This will make your lower back muscles respond and give you the proper form to carry the barbell to the scale.
Things You'll Need
- Marker or label maker
- Scale that can hold up to 300 lbs.
- Scratch paper or calculator
- Weights that need to be measured
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