Is it critical to stack the weights on the bar just right?

[DORKtoDIVA]

I always will rearrange the plates to ensure the heaviest are on the inside and both sides are symmetrical.

My husband is kind of lazy, though. If he wants to add another plate, he'll just slap it on the outside even if it's a larger plate than the ones already on there.

Also sometimes he doesn't arrange each side identically.

I haven't really said anything, because I don't know if it's no big deal or if he should really spend the extra 30 seconds arranging the plates right. What say you?

[stikfigure]

Originally Posted by DORKtoDIVA

I always will rearrange the plates to ensure the heaviest are on the inside and both sides are symmetrical.

My husband is kind of lazy, though. If he wants to add another plate, he'll just slap it on the outside even if it's a larger plate than the ones already on there.

Also sometimes he doesn't arrange each side identically.

I haven't really said anything, because I don't know if it's no big deal or if he should really spend the extra 30 seconds arranging the plates right. What say you?

in my opinion it's important to balance both sides of the bar for sure! especially if we're talking about bench presses.

[Karmalife]

Good question!! I'm actually going to do a search for you because I'm curious.

My first instinct is to say I agree with stikfigure. But I'm very big on symetry in most areas of life..lol.
Seriously though, I think it makes sense to have the weight evenly distributed. If the heaviest plate is on the outside of one side, and the inside of the other, it seems it would throw ones balance off..

[Padz2003]

I think it's just a mental thing, 2 plates seem easier (if you see what I mean) than 3 plates each side even though the weight would be the same. there's no safety aspect to it as far as I know. Plus, if you jump in with someone else on sets it's often more considerate to remove/replace the weights on the bar quickly so that you don't disrupt their session too much.

[DORKtoDIVA]

Originally Posted by Padz2003

Plus, if you jump in with someone else on sets it's often more considerate to remove/replace the weights on the bar quickly so that you don't disrupt their session too much.

Well, he might be doing just that. We usually lift together, and it does take a heck of a long time to change out the darn plates every few minutes. We have a 6 foot bar with screw-on caps. That works ok for us but there's about 3 feet of screw length (I'm exaggerating of course...) though I don't see how I'm ever going to need that much length. Like, my ultimate goal is to bench press my body weight; I'm only going to need a 45 and a 25 on each side if I ever because seriously buff (and no, I'm not remotely there yet). Obviously my husband can and will be able to lift more, but even so, it seems like a ridiculously long set of screw threads, and it takes forever to spin the caps off and back on again. Sigh. (The dumbells are not a big deal, though)

Then again - him not rearranging the plates doesn't affect screw on/off time. But yeah, it does add maybe another 45 seconds or so to rearrange, which can add up if we're working together.

[Padz2003]

ah, ok. I didn't realise you had screw cap ends. I understand now why he does what he does! You could buy a set of spring clip collars to fit it, that may be a lot easier. There are a few for sale on ebay if that helps you out.

Good luck with lifting your body weight - it's always good to have a goal.

[Fittaylor]

I have to agree. it's not about being anal, its about balancing the weight. If you have a heavy plate first on one side and then on the other it's like the 3 plate out, then that could cause some balance issues and cause you to work one side differently then the other.

Try to explain it to hubby without mentioning it as a lazy thing but as a you want to keep improving the best you can.