Olympic Bar durability

[JohnnyCage]

I sometimes do barbell punches in circuit training and strength workouts. I put one end on my olympic barbell against the concrete wall wrapped in thick clothes at the end (so it doesn't scratch or dent) and I load the other end with two 45lb plates and hold the loaded end of the bar in my hand and preform a punching motion. I know the bar can hold that easily, but how much weight do you think it can hold like this?

[queenofthedamned]

there are different grades of lifting bars, some are designed to hold more weight than others....take a look at this site and see if you can find the bar you are talking about...

http://www.performbetter.com/SearchResult.aspx_Q_CategoryID_E_242

[p.s.]

Mmmmmm......Texas power bar.......

In answer to your question Johnny the way you're using the bar will not hurt it or cause it to bend etc, so you'll be fine. Most bars get bent due to 1) the gym bought cheap bars to begin with 2) heavy squats (500++) being performed with said cheap bar 3) placing a heavily loaded bar across a bench. If you have a non chromed bar then chances are that it'll take a ton of punishment, as most cheap bars are bought more for looks (chrome) than durability (they are usually only rated for 500 lbs or even less).

Even so if your bars are rated to handle big poundages I suggest that you still treat them with respect and don't lay them across a bench etc when loaded. If you're really concerned then find an old bar that may already be beat up/bent and use that one for this exercise.

[JohnnyCage]

I cant tell which one it is, all the bars look the same. Its a 45 lb bar and it is chromed. The one I use for this exercise is slightly beat up the chrome is scratching off at one end, and it has a deep dent near the middle of the bar (about a cm deep).

[p.s.]

I cant tell which one it is, all the bars look the same. Its a 45 lb bar and it is chromed. The one I use for this exercise is slightly beat up the chrome is scratching off at one end, and it has a deep dent near the middle of the bar (about a cm deep).

Stick with the beatup bar, as it's pretty much seen all the heavy squatting/deads it can handle, but it's fine for what you want it for or for light lunges etc.

[JohnnyCage]

So its better for plyos, light weight exercises and other stuff pretty much

[p.s.]

So its better for plyos, light weight exercises and other stuff pretty much

Ya a bar like the one you describe has seen the last of its heavy days.