Olympic/Powerlifting Barbell Flex Calculator

Health, Fitness, Well-Being

The MyFitness Olympic/Powerlifting Barbell Flex calculator is a scientifically-proven calculator that can be used to accurately find how much bend a barbell will display given your chosen units, type of lift, barbell, grip length, weight lifted, and plate width.

Barbell flex/bend affects the range of motion of your lifts. For the bench press, the barbell flex and therefore the possible whip of the bar can destabilize your lift and cause the lift to be more difficult; if used properly the barbell whip can be used beneficially if performing the touch-and-go bench press. For the Squat, the flex of the barbell can introduce whip which can be used to benefit coming out of the hole when timed correctly when performing a high-bar squat. For the deadlift, the greater the bar whip or flex, the better the starting the position of the lift and the greater mechanical advantage it provides.

The barbell flex/amount of bend shown is from the middle center of the barbell to the plates (ex. the amount of slack taken from the barbell before the plates leave the ground in a deadlift).

Note: This calculator assumes that the plates are loaded heaviest first (Ex. 365 pounds would be loaded with three 45 pound plates on each side then a 25 pound plate at the end on a 45lb/20kg barbell) and with the plates touching up against the collar. Weight plate loading on the barbell is shown in Step 4. All inputs required except where specified. Find out your One-Rep Max using the MyFitness One-Rep Max (1RM) Calculator.

Typical Barbell Characteristics

Barbell	Ring Grip Length (inches | cm)	Max Grip Width (inches | cm)
Eleiko NxG Competition Bar - Women - 15kg	36.0 | 91.4	51.6 | 131.0
Eleiko NxG Competition Bar - 20kg	36.0 | 91.4	51.6 | 131.0
Rogue Ohio Power Bar - 45lb	31.9 | 81.0	51.5 | 130.8
Rogue Ohio Power Bar - 20kg	31.9 | 81.0	51.5 | 130.8
Rogue Ohio Deadlift Bar - 45lb	31.9 | 81.0	56.0 | 142.2
Rogue Ohio Deadlift Bar - 20kg	31.9 | 81.0	56.0 | 142.2

Step 1: Choose Units

Units: Choose Units US (lb/inch) SI (kg/cm)

Step 2: Choose Lift

Lift: Choose Lift Back Squat Bench Press Deadlift

Step 3: Choose Barbell

Barbell: Choose Barbell Eleiko Competition NxG Weightlifting Bar - Women - 15kg Eleiko Competition NxG Weightlifting Bar - 20kg Rogue Ohio Power Bar - 45lb Rogue Ohio Deadlift Bar - 45lb Rogue Ohio Power Bar - 20kg Rogue Ohio Deadlift Bar - 20kg

Step 4: Enter Weight Lifted

Weight Lifted: lb/kg

Step 4.5: Choose Plate Width (optional)

Plate Width: Choose Plate Width IWF Official Calibrated Bumper Plates IPF Official Calibrated Steel Plates Regular Gym Cast Iron Plates Regular Gym Urethane Grip Plates

Step 5: Set Grip Width

Grip Width: inch/cm
Note: Range is from a minimum of 0 to the maximum dictated by sleeve length. Use the chart above for guidance. Example: 0 inches/cm represents gripping at the center of the bar, 36 inches (91.4 cm) represents gripping the Eleiko NxG competition bar with your middle-finger on the rings.

Step 6: Calculate Barbell Flex

Calculate Barbell Flex     Reset Values

Result: Calculated Barbell Flex

Find out your IPF Points Powerlifting Score by using the MyFitness IPF Points Score Calculator.

If you are looking to calculate your Sinclair Score (Olympic Weightlifting), please visit our MyFitness Sinclair Score Calculator.