How Much Does A Hex Bar Weigh?

By: Jeremy Fox, CNC, CPTUpdated: November 14, 2023

Have you tried the hex bar at your gym yet? If you have, you may have noticed that, unlike traditional barbells, there is no standard weight for hex bars. So, how much does a hex bar actually weigh?

Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered! I’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you figure out the weight of your hex bar, whether you’re using it at home or in a commercial gym.

So, next time you pick up a hex bar, you can confidently know exactly how much weight you’re lifting!

How Much Does A Hex Bar Weigh

In this guide, I’ll be covering several types of hex bars so you can determine the weight of the one you’re using. There’s even a hex bar weight calculator to help you determine the weight of the bar with plates.

Feel free to click the table of contents below to jump to a specific section to find the answers you’re looking for.

What Is a Hex Bar?

The hex bar is a piece of weightlifting equipment that gets its name from its 6-sided hexagon shape. This unique structure allows you to stand in the center of the bar during most exercises.

One of the critical features of the hex bar is that you hold the bar at your sides, using a comfortable neutral grip that prevents the bar from slipping out of your hands.

Are A Hex Bar and Trap Bar The Same?

Yes, they are the same thing! A hex bar is sometimes called a trap bar because it’s good for doing shoulder shrugs. But you can use this bar for many other exercises, too.

hex bar

Benefits Of the Hex Bar

Before we get into hex bar weights, you may be wondering why you might use a hex bar in the first place. There are a few advantages the hex bar provides, especially on deadlifts. But it’s not right in every situation, either.

Is A Hex Bar Deadlift Easier?

The hex bar deadlift is considered easier by most people. This is because you don’t have to lean too far forward at the beginning of the movement.

As a result, you put less strain on your lower back by maintaining a more upright posture. Additionally, this exercise engages more muscle groups in the legs.

What Does A Hex Bar Deadlift Work?

Hex bar deadlifts are similar to traditional deadlifts in that they target the posterior chain muscles, which include the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back.

However, the unique body mechanics involved in hex bar deadlifts also engage the quads on the front of your legs. This makes it a hybrid exercise that combines elements of both deadlifts and squats.

How Much Does a Hex Bar Weigh?

Most hex bars weigh 45-52 lbs, but they can range from 19 to 77 lbs depending on the design. Below are some examples of common hex bar types and their weight.

Table 1. How Much Does A Hex Bar Weigh?

Hex Bar Type Weight
Standard 45 lbs (20.5 kg)
Raised Handle 50-55 lbs (22.7-25 kg)
Heavy-Duty 60 lbs (27.2 kg)
Multi Handle 60-65 lbs (27.2-29.5 kg)
Open Back 77 lbs (35 kg)
Cheapo 19-28 lbs (8.6-12.7 kg)

Hex Bar Weight by Type

You probably aren’t familiar with all the different types of hex bars. So here is a brief description of each bar type and how the design affects its weight.

Standard Hex Bar Weight

First up is the standard hex bar. This bar is hexagonal with a single bar handle on each side. With its minimalist design, the standard hex bar usually weighs 45 lbs.

How Much Does A Hex Bar Weigh Standard

Raised Handle Hex Bar Weight

Also typical in gyms is the raised handle hex bar. It has an additional set of handles raised 4-8 inches above the centerline of the bar.

The extra steel used in the design can add a few pounds to the weight of the hex bar. As such, raised handle hex bars typically weigh 50-55 lbs.

How Much Does A Hex Bar Weigh Raised Handle

Heavy-Duty Hex Bar Weight

Some hex bars are made from square steel tubing instead of a solid steel bar. This heavy-duty design makes it more rigid but also adds weight. Most heavy-duty hex bars weigh around 60 lbs.

How Much Does A Hex Bar Weigh Heavy Duty

Multi Handle Hex Bar Weight

The multi-handle hex bar has one of the most unique designs. As the name suggests, it has multiple handles of various diameters, allowing you to choose your grip.

While it looks cool, the intricate design reduces the total weight capacity. And the bells and whistles give this bar an unloaded weight of 60-65 lbs.

How Much Does A Hex Bar Weigh Multi Handle

Open Back Hex Bar Weight

Another intriguing shape belongs to the open-back hex bar. Instead of wrapping all the way around, this bar is open on one side like a crescent moon.

You would think the removal of the rear bar should make it lighter. But open-back bars generally have larger dimensions and weigh as much as 77 lbs!

How Much Does A Hex Bar Weigh Open Back

Cheapo Hex Bar Weight

Last (and least) is the cheapo hex bar. These bars typically have a built-in platform on the bottom, making loading weight plates easier.

At less than $100, cheapo bars are the best deal. However, they are bolted together and made from low-strength steel. So they weigh as little as 19 lbs and aren’t built for lifting heavy loads.

How Much Does A Hex Bar Weigh Cheapo

How Much Does A Hex Bar Weigh With Plates?

Knowing the weight of an unloaded hex bar is one thing, but what about when you add weight plates? This is where things can get tedious, especially if the hex bar has an odd weight.

To make things easier, I created a hex bar weight calculator to find your total loaded bar weight quickly. All you need to do is enter the weight of the empty bar, choose the number and size of the plates you’ll be using, and let the calculator do the math for you.

Hex Bar Weight Calculator

How Much Does A Hex Bar Weigh vs Other Bars?

With such a wide range of hex bar weights, you might need a reference point to decide which is right for you. So here is a list of other typical bar types and their weights.

Table 2. How Much Do Other Bars Weigh?

Bar Type Weight
Hex Bar  19-77 lbs (8.6-35kg)
Olympic Bar 45 lbs (20.5 kg)
Deadlift Bar 44 lbs (20.4 kg)
EZ Bar 18-30 lbs (8.2-13.6 kg)
Smith Machine Bar 6-32 lbs (2.7-14.5 kg)

With this information, you’re well on your way to having more productive workouts using the hex bar. And if you found this article helpful, make sure you check out my other content below!

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By |November 14, 2023|Workouts|0 Comments
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