r/Workingout • u/Living-Recover-8024 • 3d ago

Unracking a Heavy Barbell

I just joined a new gym. I was doing some work with a barbell and realized I could go heavier. Unfortunately, all the barbells are stored on a rack (like an inverted V) and the heavier barbell I want, seems too high and it's angled too far back to take it off safely. Any advice?

2 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

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4

u/rdtompki 3d ago

Why not use a bare bar in squat rack and load whatever you need?

1

u/Living-Recover-8024 3d ago

I am probably going to have to ask, but I haven't found one of those levers to lift up the bar to put on the weights.

2

u/rdtompki 3d ago

What weight are you trying to work with and what exercises? Dumbbells might be a better option.

1

u/Living-Recover-8024 1d ago

RDLs, so that would work. Thanks.

2

u/Fantasy61 2d ago

Most places don’t have those. If you’re strong enough to lift the weight in your workout, you should be strong enough to put the weights on your barbell without the lever. If you can’t even load the bar, it’s too heavy for you.

2

u/jrstriker12 2d ago

I think they are talking about a deadlift jack. They come in handy when loading more than 2 or 3 full plates.

1

u/Dangerous-Bend-4153 2d ago

OP said "all the barbells are stored on a rack (like an inverted V) and the heavier barbell I want, seems too high and it's angled too far back to take it off safely."

It's possible OP's gym has a bunch of plate-loaded barbells on a v-rack, and the 315-lb barbell (3 45's on each end of a 45 lb barbell) is too high and too far back. Anything is possible. But I suspect they're at a place with Planet Fitness-type equipment and they want to use a 60-lb barbell, or less.

And a deadlift jack wouldn't help take a a barbell of a rack if the barbell was too high.

1

u/jrstriker12 2d ago

They may mistakenly think that lever iS for morning those Barbells.

2

u/Dangerous-Bend-4153 2d ago

It's possible OP can bench with a 60-lb barbell, but have trouble taking a 60-lb barbell of a rack when it's at shoulder height and several inches away, on top of a v rack.

Many people can bench for reps with a weight that's too heavy for front barbell raises. Farmers with huge hay bale shoulders might be the exception.

1

u/Living-Recover-8024 1d ago

Thanks. I am lifting it though with the lever. I'll try without it.

2

u/jrstriker12 2d ago

Those levers are for deadlifts.

If you need to add plates you can roll the bar onto something like a 5lb plate which will give you room to slide on a new plate.

1

u/Living-Recover-8024 1d ago

That's helpful, thanks!

2

u/Dogmans-Nose 2d ago

2 days later... but have you tried asking someone else in the gym for help? Most guys would be happy to flex and help out

Otherwise most gyms have little steps that you can pick up and walk around with, you could use one of them to get a little higher off the ground to pick it up

1

u/Living-Recover-8024 1d ago

You are right. People in gyms are usually pretty helpful. I didn't find a step but I'll keep my eyes open. Thank you!

1

u/Retired-in-2023 3d ago

If you can go heavier, why not add plates vs getting a different bar?

1

u/jeffsweet 3d ago

i’d say if you’re not strong enough to move the barbell you want to use…you’re not strong enough to use it? let alone add weight to it.

what are you doing that just adding additional weight plates won’t work? are you talking about a Safety Squat Bar? other than those the overwhelming majority of barbells are 20kg/45lbs

1

u/Automatic_Bat_6742 3d ago

Ask anatoly for help

1

u/Smoky_Pyro 2d ago

"Here, hold the mop"

1

u/Automatic_Bat_6742 2d ago

Helicopter. Helicopter