The standard Olympic barbell is 7 feet long and weighs 45 lb. with no additional weight plates added. The weight bar for a set of adjustable dumbbells may be as light as 1 lb. Despite the difference in sizes and weights, the procedure for adding extra weight to any weight bar, from the full-size Olympic bar to a tiny dumbbell weight bar and all varieties in between, remains the same.
Step 1
Push and pull, very gently, on the barbell to verify that it is in fact stable and secure on the rack. This is an issue only if you're using a full-size barbell; if adding weight to a dumbbell weight bar, you can simply hold it in your hand or rest it on a flat surface.
Step 2
Add one weight plate at a time to the bar, alternating from the left side of the barbell to the right side and then back to the left again. Alternating sides like this ensures that you don't overload one side of the barbell, which might cause it to flip off the rack. Slide each weight plate as far in on the barbell as possible.
Step 3
Continue adding weight plates, alternating from one side of the bar to the other, until you've reached the desired total weight. Make sure the weight plates are evenly distributed on both sides of the bar. Remember that the weight bar itself, if it's the typical 2-inch-circumference Olympic bar, weighs 45 lb. on its own without any weight plates added.
Step 4
Slide a collar on to each end of the bar, snug against the weight plates. Most collars are spring loaded and will tighten automatically when released; if you have collars that are not spring loaded, tighten the locking pin until the collars are securely mounted on the bar.
Tips and Warnings
- Make sure the weight plates you're adding on to the bar are the correct size for the bar. They should slide on to the bar easily but without obvious excess space between the bar and the plate.
Things You'll Need
- Weight bar
- Weight plates
- 2 weight collars
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