How Much Does The Bar Weigh At Planet Fitness?

At Planet Fitness, the barbell typically weighs 20 pounds (9.07 kg), which is lighter than standard gym bars. Compared to standard gym bars that usually weigh 45 pounds (20.41 kg), the barbell at Planet Fitness is about 25 pounds (11.34 kg) lighter. The weights of bars at Planet Fitness are indeed designed for beginners. To know exactly how much the bar weighs at Planet Fitness, it will depend on the gym location you visit, as some venues use different Smith machines. Newer gyms typically use Hammer Strength Smith machines, which have a starting resistance of 20 lbs, while older gyms often have Precor machines with a 25 lbs bar weight.

Knowing the bar weight at Planet Fitness is important for accurate progress tracking, avoiding injury, and wokrout consistency. On the other hand, if the bar weight is unknown or not accurately calculated it can lead to undertraining, or worse, overtraining, and injury. Here is my overall answer, without going into specifics like the types of plates on the bar, whether it’s unloaded, or the types of Smith machines. However, if you’re interested in more details, I will explain below how much the bar weighs at Planet Fitness and, most importantly, how you can check it for yourself.

What is the average weight of the bar at Planet Fitness?

The average weight of the bar at Planet Fitness can vary depending on the specific type of Smith machine they have in each location. In some cases, such as with Hammer Strength machines, the bar has a starting resistance of 20 lbs (9 kg) when unloaded.

Unlike the standard 7-foot Olympic-size barbell that weighs 45 lbs (20 kg), there is no standardized weight that a Smith machine barbell weighs. The weight of the unloaded Smith machine bar will depend on the manufacturer.

So the weight of the Smith machine bar can differ between Planet Fitness gyms, especially in older facilities that may have a mix of Precor and Life Fitness equipment, each with its own bar weight. Therefore, it’s a good idea to check the user guide label attached to the machines or ask the staff at your specific Planet Fitness location to get the accurate weight of the bar you’ll be using for your workouts.

What is the average weight of the bar at Planet Fitness with no additional weights?

At Planet Fitness, the average weight of the bar without additional weights varies because they use equipment from different manufacturers like Life Fitness, Precor, Cybex, and Hammer Strength. Unlike the standard 45-pound Olympic barbell, there’s no universal weight for the barbells at Planet Fitness, with each gym potentially having different types. Therefore, the weight of an unloaded bar at Planet Fitness can range, depending on the specific equipment model and manufacturer at that location.

Do All Planet Fitness Bars Weigh The Same?

No, not all Planet Fitness bars weigh the same due to their use of various equipment brands. Each brand manufactures different machines, including smith machines and barbells, with varying weights and technical specifications. As a result, the weight of the bars at different Planet Fitness locations can differ, unlike the standardized weight of a 7-foot Olympic barbell.

I’ve been a Planet Fitness Black Card member for many years and thanks to my work, I was able to visit multiple locations (over 100 to be precise). One thing I will tell you is that the weight of the Planet Fitness bars is not universal for all of their gyms.

In some of the newly opened Planet Fitness gyms, I’ve seen Hammer Strength machines. These are the typical purple smith stations with 11 bar racking positions and the bar path that follows a seven-degree angle. They have standard eight-weight plate storage horns on each side and adjustable safety stops that help to block the weight and prevent it from dropping on the floor. I always use these stops for my deadlifts.

Those Hammer Strength bars have starting resistance of 20 lbs (9 kg), which means the weight of the bar is 20 lbs when is unloaded. According to the label attached to the machine, the maximum weight on the bar is 660lbs (299 kg). In older gyms, I’ve seen a mix of Precor and Life Fitness equipment (which also have different bar weights).

On the other hand, older Planet Fitness locations have Precor Smith machines, where the bar is counter-balanced and has a starting resistance of 15 lbs (6.8 kg).

What’s the Impact of Adding Olympic Plates to the Bar Weight at Planet Fitness?

Adding Olympic plates to the bar at Planet Fitness, which typically uses a counterbalance system, affects the perceived weight differently than on standard bars. The counterbalance system in their smith machines reduces the net weight of the bar, making it feel lighter than its actual 20 lbs.

This creates a disparity between the weight you think you’re lifting and the true external load, which can impact training consistency if you switch between different gyms. According to Dr. Jakob Vingren, a professor at the University of North Texas, counterbalance systems should not be used to measure performance in explosive resistance exercises due to altered weight perception. However, they are acceptable for use in commercial gyms like Planet Fitness.

What’s the Maximum Load the Bar Can Handle at Planet Fitness?

At Planet Fitness, the bar itself weighs about 20 pounds (9 kg), and with the maximum load of 7 plates per side, if each plate is 45 pounds (20.4 kg), the total weight would be 670 pounds (304 kg). This includes 315 pounds (143 kg) from each side (7 plates x 45 pounds) plus the 20-pound bar. Therefore, the bar at Planet Fitness, when fully loaded with 7 plates on each side, can handle a substantial total weight of 670 pounds.

How Much Does The Bar Weigh At Planet Fitness with Olympic Plates Added?

With Olympic plates added, the bar at Planet Fitness weighs around 20 pounds (9 kg) plus the weight of the plates, which come in 2.5, 5, 10, 25, and 45-pound increments. So, the total weight would be the sum of the bar weight and whichever combination of these plate weights you choose to add.

How Much Does The Bar Weigh At Planet Fitness with two 10 lb plates on each side?

With two 10 lb plates on each side, the bar at Planet Fitness weighs a total of 60 pounds (27 kg).

How Much Does The Bar Weigh At Planet Fitness with two 25 lb plates on each side?

With two 25 lb plates on each side, the bar weighs a total of 100 pounds (45 kg).

How Much Does The Bar Weigh At Planet Fitness with two 45 lb plates on each side?

With two 45 lb plates on each side, the bar weighs a total of 160 pounds (72.5 kg).

How Much Does The Bar Weigh At Planet Fitness with a Barbell Pad?

With a barbell pad added, the bar at Planet Fitness weighs approximately 20.44 pounds (9.2 kg), with the bar’s standard weight being 20 pounds (9 kg) and the average weight of Planet Fitness barbell pads being ‎0.44 pounds (0.2 kg). This addition of the pad slightly increases the overall weight, a factor worth noting for those who meticulously track their workout progress.

Should you include the weight of the Planet Fitness bar in your calculations?

Yes, you should count the weight of the Planet Fitness bar in your workouts when designing a precise exercise plan. This is because it adds a significant 20 lbs to the total weight you’re lifting, which is crucial for accurately tracking your progress, especially in exercises like squats where 20 lbs might not make a huge difference.

An extra 20 lbs to your weight can have varying impacts depending on the exercise and muscle groups involved. For instance, in a barbell squat with 80 lbs, this extra 20 lbs might not be a significant issue, but for upper body exercises like overhead presses or bench presses, especially for females with typically weaker upper bodies, it’s crucial to account for the bar weight for accurate resistance levels in workout plans.

However, you might choose not to count the weight of the Planet Fitness bar, particularly for exercises where the added weight is a substantial increase in resistance. For instance, in upper body exercises like overhead presses or bench presses, especially for those with relatively weaker upper bodies like many female clients, not accounting for the bar weight can help in setting more achievable and gradual resistance increases.

Is It Important To Know The Bar Weight At The Planet Fitness?

Knowing the bar weight at Planet Fitness is crucial if you’re following a structured workout program. Understanding the exact weight of the bar, which can range between 20 to 30 lbs depending on the machine, helps in accurately calculating your 1RM (one-rep max) and adhering to workout protocols based on percentages of this max.

This is especially important for programs focused on progressive overload, where you’re required to increase the load incrementally, or for hypertrophy routines aiming for muscle gain with weights between 60 to 85% of your 1RM. In contrast, at typical gyms with uniform Olympic-size barbells, this isn’t a concern. However, for beginners or those not following a specific program, the exact weight of the bar at Planet Fitness might not significantly impact their training

How much do the squat bars weigh at Planet Fitness?

In general, squat bars at Planet Fitness weigh between 20 to 30 lbs, depending on the location. Some of the gyms that use Precor Smith machines have starting weights of 15 lbs, whereas other gyms that use Hammer Strength have 20 lbs bars.