How to Disassemble an Olympic Weight Bar

An Olympic weight bar, or barbell, is longer and heavier than a standard weight bar. Olympic barbells are 7 feet long and weigh 45 lbs. They can handle much heavier loads than a standard barbell, typically between 800 and 1200 lbs., depending on the brand. Once you load the bar with weight plates, you place collars on the ends to secure the plates. When you are done working out, remove the collars and plates and store them on a plate rack.

Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the collars. If it is a spring collar, squeeze the ends together and slide the collar off the bar. If it is a ring collar, turn the tightening pin to the left to loosen it, then slide the collar off the bar.

    • 2

      Remove the small plates from each side. You load the heaviest weights on the bar first and the smaller, lighter weights last. Pull off the smaller plates, those 10 lbs. and under, from one side, then the other. Store the plates properly.

    • 3

      Remove the large plates, one at a time, alternating sides. If the bar has two 45-lb. plates on each side, pull off one plate from one side, then pull off a plate from the other side. Repeat for the last two plates. This keeps the bar balanced.