If you have ever loaded plates onto a hex bar — also called a trap bar — and wondered whether you should add the bar itself to your total, the short answer is yes. The bar has real weight, and on a heavy deadlift day, a 25 kg bar is the difference between a 140 kg pull and a 165 kg pull. That matters whether you are tracking progress, comparing lifts with friends, or just being honest with yourself about how much you lifted.

In this guide, we break down exactly how much a hex bar weighs, why different bars weigh different amounts, and how to factor the bar into your training. We will also cover how hex bar weight compares to a standard Olympic barbell, and what to look for when buying one in the UK.

What Is a Hex Bar?

A hex bar, short for hexagonal bar, is a barbell shaped like a hexagon (or trapezoid) that you stand inside. Instead of the bar resting in front of your shins like a conventional deadlift, the handles sit at your sides. This design shifts the load closer to your body’s centre of mass, which many lifters find easier on the lower back.

Hex bars are a staple in home gyms across the UK because they are versatile. You can use them for deadlifts, shrugs, farmer’s carries, and even overhead presses. For a deeper look at other bar types, see our guide on how much an Olympic barbell weighs.

How Much Does a Hex Bar Weigh? Standard Weights

There is no single universal standard for hex bar weight the way there is for an Olympic barbell (20 kg for men, 15 kg for women). Instead, hex bars fall into a few common weight classes:

1. Standard closed trap bars: 20–25 kg

The most common hex bars on the UK market — from brands like Mirafit, Strength Shop, and Wolverson — weigh between 20 and 25 kg. A typical 2-inch Olympic-sleeve trap bar from these brands sits right around 25 kg (55 lb). These are built from thick steel tubing and are rated for loads of 250–300 kg or more.

2. Open (trap) bars: 18–25 kg

Open-ended hex bars, which have a gap at the front so you can step in rather than lift the bar over your head to get inside, tend to be slightly lighter. Many weigh 20–23 kg because they use a little less steel. Some budget open bars dip to around 18 kg.

3. Heavy-duty and rackable bars: 25–32 kg

Longer “rackable” hex bars designed to rest on power rack J-hooks are built from thicker steel and can weigh 27–32 kg. These are less common in home gyms but popular in commercial facilities.

4. Budget and kids’ bars: 10–18 kg

Cheaper bars with 1-inch (standard) sleeves rather than Olympic 2-inch sleeves are noticeably lighter, often 10–15 kg. Technique bars aimed at beginners can be as light as 10 kg.

Hex Bar vs Olympic Barbell Weight

A men’s Olympic barbell is standardised at exactly 20 kg (44 lb). Hex bars are usually a little heavier because of their shape — all that extra steel in the hexagonal frame adds up. Here is a quick comparison:

• Men’s Olympic barbell: 20 kg (44 lb) — standardised
• Women’s Olympic barbell: 15 kg (33 lb) — standardised
• Typical hex bar: 20–25 kg (45–55 lb) — varies by brand
• Smith machine bar: varies, often 10–20 kg — see how much a Smith machine bar weighs

The key takeaway: if you switch from a conventional barbell deadlift to a hex bar deadlift and your numbers jump, part of that jump is simply the heavier bar. Track the bar weight so your comparisons stay honest.

Why Hex Bar Weight Varies So Much

Several factors explain the 10+ kg spread between the lightest and heaviest hex bars:

• Steel thickness: Thicker tubing means more weight and higher load ratings.
• Sleeve type: Olympic 2-inch rotating sleeves add weight compared with fixed 1-inch sleeves.
• Open vs closed design: Closed bars use more steel.
• Length: Rackable bars are longer and heavier.
• Handle options: Bars with multiple handle heights (high/low handles) carry extra steel.

How to Find Out Exactly What Your Hex Bar Weighs

Manufacturer listings are not always accurate, especially for budget bars. Here is how to check yours:

1. Check the product listing. Reputable UK retailers such as Mirafit and Strength Shop list bar weight in the specifications. Start there.
2. Use bathroom scales. Stand on the scales holding the bar, note the number, then stand on the scales without it. Subtract to get the bar’s weight. For accuracy, do it twice.
3. Use a luggage scale. Hang the bar from a luggage scale for a direct reading — handy for lighter bars.
4. Ask the gym. Commercial gyms usually know the specs of their equipment; staff can often tell you.

Should You Count the Bar in Your Total?

Yes — absolutely. The bar is weight you are lifting, so it belongs in your total. If your hex bar weighs 25 kg and you load 100 kg of plates, you deadlifted 125 kg. The NHS recommends adults do strength exercises working all major muscle groups at least twice a week, and tracking your numbers accurately is how you know the programme is working.

This matters most when:

• Comparing lifts between different bars or different gyms
• Following a programme with percentage-based loading
• Competing in any strength sport with standardised equipment
• Tracking personal bests over months and years

Buying a Hex Bar in the UK: What to Look For

If you are shopping for a hex bar, weight is only one part of the picture. Also check:

• Load capacity: Look for at least 250 kg for serious training.
• Knurling: Good knurling on the handles keeps your grip secure.
• Sleeve length: Longer sleeves fit more plates — important if you deadlift heavy.
• Handle height options: High and low handles let you adjust range of motion.
• Storage footprint: Open bars are easier to store upright in a corner.

Expect to pay £100–£250 for a solid home-gym hex bar in the UK, with premium rackable models running higher. For more on gym bar weights generally, read how heavy a barbell is.

Hex Bar Weight and Your Training Numbers

Here is a practical example. Suppose your programme calls for 5 sets of 5 at 70% of your 150 kg max — that is 105 kg on the bar. If your hex bar weighs 25 kg, you load 80 kg of plates (40 kg per side). If you mistakenly treated the bar as 20 kg, you would load 85 kg of plates and overshoot by 5 kg. Over weeks of training, small errors like that add up and can stall progress or cause missed reps.

Write your bar’s weight on a strip of masking tape stuck to the frame. Future you will be grateful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a hex bar heavier than a normal barbell?

Usually, yes. A men’s Olympic barbell is 20 kg, while most hex bars weigh 20–25 kg. The hexagonal frame simply contains more steel.

How much does a Mirafit hex bar weigh?

Mirafit’s standard Olympic trap bar is listed at approximately 25 kg. Always check the current product specification, as designs can change.

Do you count the trap bar weight in a deadlift?

Yes. The bar’s weight is part of the load you lift. A 25 kg bar plus 100 kg of plates equals a 125 kg deadlift.

What is the lightest hex bar available?

Technique and junior trap bars can weigh as little as 10 kg. These suit beginners, teenagers, and rehabilitation work.

Are open hex bars lighter than closed ones?

Generally, yes — open bars use slightly less steel and typically weigh 18–23 kg compared with 20–25 kg for closed bars, though heavy-duty models overlap.