How to load 120 kg on a barbell
On a 20 kg bar, load 2 × 25 on each side. That is 4 plates in all.
Updated October 2026
Loading 120 kg, step by step
| Step | Adds | Bar weighs |
|---|---|---|
| Bar | 20 kg | 20 kg |
| Add 25 kg to each side | 50 kg | 70 kg |
| Add 25 kg to each side | 50 kg | 120 kg |
Load the biggest plates on first, closest to the centre, and match both sides.
120 kg on a lighter bar
| Bar | Bar weight | Each side | Plates in all |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard barbell | 20 kg | 2 × 25 | 4 |
| Women's barbell | 15 kg | 2 × 25 + 1 × 2.5 | 6 |
120 kg in pounds
120 kg is 264.6 lb. The closest weight a 45 lb bar can hold is 265 lb, with 2 × 45 + 2 × 10 on each side.
What 120 kg is as a percent of your max
If your one-rep max is one of these, here is how heavy 120 kg is for you, and about how many reps you could do.
| Your one-rep max | 120 kg is | About this many reps |
|---|---|---|
| 127.5 kg | 94.1% | 3 |
| 132.5 kg | 90.6% | 4 |
| 140 kg | 85.7% | 6 |
| 150 kg | 80% | 8 |
| 160 kg | 75% | 10 |
| 172.5 kg | 69.6% | 13 |
| 185 kg | 64.9% | 16 |
| 200 kg | 60% | 20 |
Other weights
Questions
How many plates do I need for 120 kg?
On a 20 kg bar, load 2 × 25 on each side. That is 4 plates in all.
What does 120 kg look like on a women's bar?
A women's bar weighs 15 kg, so you add 52.5 kg to each side: 2 × 25 + 1 × 2.5.
How many pounds is 120 kg?
120 kg is 264.6 lb. On a 45 lb bar, the closest weight you can load is 265 lb: 2 × 45 + 2 × 10 on each side.
More free tools
Lift does this maths for you
Lift is a strength log for iPhone. It fills in every set with the weight and reps that beat last time, works out your warm-ups, and tracks your estimated one-rep max for every lift. It is coming soon to the App Store.
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