How to load 220 kg on a barbell
On a 20 kg bar, load 4 × 25 on each side. That is 8 plates in all.
Updated October 2026
Loading 220 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 25 kg to each side | 50 kg | 170 kg |
| Add 25 kg to each side | 50 kg | 220 kg |
Load the biggest plates on first, closest to the centre, and match both sides.
220 kg on a lighter bar
| Bar | Bar weight | Each side | Plates in all |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard barbell | 20 kg | 4 × 25 | 8 |
| Women's barbell | 15 kg | 4 × 25 + 1 × 2.5 | 10 |
220 kg in pounds
220 kg is 485 lb. The closest weight a 45 lb bar can hold is 485 lb, with 4 × 45 + 1 × 35 + 1 × 5 on each side.
What 220 kg is as a percent of your max
If your one-rep max is one of these, here is how heavy 220 kg is for you, and about how many reps you could do.
| Your one-rep max | 220 kg is | About this many reps |
|---|---|---|
| 232.5 kg | 94.6% | 2 |
| 245 kg | 89.8% | 4 |
| 260 kg | 84.6% | 6 |
| 275 kg | 80% | 8 |
| 292.5 kg | 75.2% | 9 |
| 315 kg | 69.8% | 12 |
| 337.5 kg | 65.2% | 16 |
| 367.5 kg | 59.9% | 20 |
Other weights
Questions
How many plates do I need for 220 kg?
On a 20 kg bar, load 4 × 25 on each side. That is 8 plates in all.
What does 220 kg look like on a women's bar?
A women's bar weighs 15 kg, so you add 102.5 kg to each side: 4 × 25 + 1 × 2.5.
How many pounds is 220 kg?
220 kg is 485 lb. On a 45 lb bar, the closest weight you can load is 485 lb: 4 × 45 + 1 × 35 + 1 × 5 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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