How Heavy Is a Men's Olympic Barbell?
a Men's Olympic Barbell weighs exactly
20 kg (44.09 lb)
IWF-certified men's competition bar, bare bar without discs or collars
- a bowling ball7.26 kg
heaviest ball allowed in tenpin bowling (16 lb); USBC sets no minimum weight
- a domestic cat4.5 kg
adult domestic cat (Felis catus); males larger; range 4.1–5.4 kg
- a gallon of water3.78 kg
1 US gallon (3.785 412 L) of pure water at 4 °C
- You
Open full comparison → to add more objects on one scale.
Put it in perspective
- About 2.8× a bowling ball
- About 4.4× a domestic cat
- About 5.3× a gallon of water
Sources
[1] Eleiko
IWF Weightlifting Competition Bar - 20 kg, menManufacturer
“IWF Weightlifting Competition Bar - 20 kg, men”
Value as published: 20 kg / 44.09 lbs · accessed 2026-11-11.
Last updated 2026-11-11.Report a correction (please include a source link).
Related objects
- a curling stone20 kg (44 lb)
- a women's Olympic barbell15 kg (33.07 lb)
- a men's hammer7.26 kg (16.01 lb)
- a men's shot put7.26 kg (16.01 lb)
- a bowling ball16 lb (7.26 kg)
- a women's shot put4 kg (8.818 lb)
Frequently asked questions
How much does a men's Olympic barbell weigh?
a Men's Olympic Barbell weighs exactly 20 kg (44.09 lb) — IWF-certified men's competition bar, bare bar without discs or collars.
How much is a men's Olympic barbell in pounds and ounces?
44.09 lb, which is 705.5 oz. In metric terms: 20 kg.
Is a men's Olympic barbell heavier than a bowling ball?
Yes. a Men's Olympic Barbell weighs exactly 20 kg (44.09 lb), while a bowling ball is about 16 lb (7.26 kg) — roughly 2.8×.
Where does this number come from?
Every source is listed at the bottom of this page with publisher, link, access date and a verbatim quote. Numbers are only published when a qualifying source can be verified.