How to load 160 kg on a barbell
On a 20 kg bar, load 2 × 25 + 1 × 20 on each side. That is 6 plates in all.
Updated October 2026
Loading 160 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 |
| Add 20 kg to each side | 40 kg | 160 kg |
Load the biggest plates on first, closest to the centre, and match both sides.
160 kg on a lighter bar
| Bar | Bar weight | Each side | Plates in all |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard barbell | 20 kg | 2 × 25 + 1 × 20 | 6 |
| Women's barbell | 15 kg | 2 × 25 + 1 × 20 + 1 × 2.5 | 8 |
160 kg in pounds
160 kg is 352.7 lb. The closest weight a 45 lb bar can hold is 355 lb, with 3 × 45 + 2 × 10 on each side.
What 160 kg is as a percent of your max
If your one-rep max is one of these, here is how heavy 160 kg is for you, and about how many reps you could do.
| Your one-rep max | 160 kg is | About this many reps |
|---|---|---|
| 167.5 kg | 95.5% | 2 |
| 177.5 kg | 90.1% | 4 |
| 187.5 kg | 85.3% | 6 |
| 200 kg | 80% | 8 |
| 212.5 kg | 75.3% | 9 |
| 227.5 kg | 70.3% | 12 |
| 245 kg | 65.3% | 15 |
| 267.5 kg | 59.8% | 20 |
Other weights
Questions
How many plates do I need for 160 kg?
On a 20 kg bar, load 2 × 25 + 1 × 20 on each side. That is 6 plates in all.
What does 160 kg look like on a women's bar?
A women's bar weighs 15 kg, so you add 72.5 kg to each side: 2 × 25 + 1 × 20 + 1 × 2.5.
How many pounds is 160 kg?
160 kg is 352.7 lb. On a 45 lb bar, the closest weight you can load is 355 lb: 3 × 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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