A deadlift jack, also known as a barbell jack, is a nifty piece of gym equipment that can be extremely helpful in conserving energy and saving time for lifters.
Racking and unracking weights off barbells, then lifting the barbell to slide off the weight plates is taxing and can drain the energy needed for lifting. That’s where a barbell jack comes in handy. This tool’s design helps lift the barbell off the ground so that sliding the weight plates off is smooth and quick rather than tugging and pulling in frustration that often occurs without a jack.
Keep reading this informative article to learn more about the deadlift bar jack, what it is, how to use it, and our top three recommendations!
Table of Contents
What is a Deadlift Barbell Jack
The deadlift barbell jack is a handy tool for weightlifting workouts. It is typically used for deadlifting, hence the name “deadlift jack.”
This tool aids lifters looking to conserve energy, protect themselves from injury, and maintain performance for upcoming heavy lifts. If you want to upgrade to heavier lifting to achieve more significant gains, then you don’t want to worry about expending energy loading the bar’s weight when you can conserve it with a deadlift barbell jack.
Loading up barbells for deadlifts can be an extreme hassle, with one hand holding the bar to prevent it from rolling away on the floor and the other hand trying to push on the plate. The barbell jack helps lift the bar off the ground to prevent it from rolling and provides some space to slide the weight plate onto the barbell seamlessly. It makes for an energy-saving experience every time you need to load up each side of the barbell for deadlifts.
The Benefits of a Deadlift Bar Jack
A deadlift jack has plenty of benefits for lifters, whether in a commercial or home gym. It can help you lift more weight by conserving the energy that would otherwise be spent loading and unloading weight plates on and off a barbell. For more information on the benefits of a deadlift bar jack, continue reading!
Saves Energy & Time
A deadlift bar jack can help save you time and energy when racking weight plates onto a barbell.
It can be incredibly time-consuming to add weight plates onto a barbell before and after your lift. This can consume a lot of necessary energy for your upcoming lift, affecting the quality of your lifting performance.
Versatile Use
Though the deadlift jack is more commonly used for deadlifts in workouts, it has other uses to provide a seamless experience when lifting heavier weights.
Nearly any exercise that uses a standard barbell or straight barbell can benefit from a barbell jack, especially since there are so many different types of deadlift variations, many of which use a straight barbell. For example, barbell hip thrusts and the Pendlay row can benefit from using a barbell jack, especially since these two exercises incorporate heavier lifts.
Fits in a Gym Bag
A barbell jack is perfectly portable, fitting in gym bags for an easy travel addition to bring to your weightlifting workouts at the gym.
Though deadlift jacks vary in size and weight, most are ideally lightweight so that you can bring them in your gym bag. Most gyms have barbell jacks already, but if they don’t, it can affect your workout by consuming time and energy adding and removing weight plates that you would ideally use for your lift.
If your gym doesn’t have a barbell jack, definitely pack one to bring with you for your next gym session!
Different Variations
The barbell jack has two main variations—the regular size and the mini deadlift jack.
The standard-size barbell jack will most commonly be found in commercial gyms to be used for deadlifts and other barbell-related exercises.
The mini deadlift jack is the perfect creation for home gyms or traveling. Its design makes it easier to quickly swap out weight plates without additional people to help and by minimizing the risk of injury.
Home Gym Friendly
The barbell jack is a home gym-friendly equipment that can be extremely helpful when loading and unloading weight plates. Since most are lightweight, it’s easy to move around and set up in the home gym.
It can be a hassle racking and unracking weights from a barbell on your own. A barbell jack is handy when you want to save energy and time for your weightlifting session and don’t have anyone to help.
How to Use a Deadlift Jack Correctly
A barbell jack is a worthwhile investment for loading heavy weights onto the bar during workouts, and it can easily be packed in your gym bag if your commercial gym doesn’t have one.
But to get the most out of your deadlift jack, you must know how to use it correctly!
How to Use a Deadlift Barbell Jack
- First, hook the barbell jack near the knurl marks of the bar. This should be on the side you plan to remove or add the weight plates.
- Next, pull the barbell jack to place it in a vertical position.
- Now, it’s time to add or remove the weight plates from the barbell.
- When you are done, push the barbell jack outwards to unhook it from the bar.
Our Review of the Top 3 Best Deadlift Jacks
Looking for a barbell jack that fits your specs, whether for a home or commercial gym or portable in a gym bag, can be time-consuming. That’s why we’ve done the work for you by researching and reviewing them. Check out these top three barbell jacks for quality, design, and portability!
Top Quality—Rogue Deadlift Bar Jack
Overview
Rogue Fitness is one of the world’s most reputable gym equipment brands based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. Used in many competitive environments, commercial gyms, and the like, the brand has cemented its reputation by prioritizing only the highest quality design and materials for its products, including the Rogue Deadlift Bar Jack.
Highlights
- Product weighs: 28 lbs
- Length: 42″
- Width: 19″
- Handle Length: 34”
- 2×2” 11-Gauge Steel
- 1/4” thick-formed steel cup with protective UHMW plastic
- Designed to withstand lifting any standard barbell from floor level
- Helps lifters achieve easy unloading and loading of weight plates
Pricing
PRODUCT | DESIGN OPTIONS | PRICING |
Rogue Deadlift Bar Jack | Black/Gray | $195 |
Bottom Line
The Rogue Fitness Deadlift Bar Jack is an outstanding product and a recommended purchase. This barbell jack is too large and heavy for carrying around in a gym bag, but it functions well in a home or commercial gym, making loading and unloading a barbell a seamless and quick function.
Best Portable Option—Titan Fitness Mini Deadlift Jack
Overview
The Titan Fitness Mini Barbell Jack is the perfect portable on-the-go addition to your gym bag when traveling. It makes loading and unloading weight plates a lot less hassle, especially if you want to conserve energy for your upcoming lift.
The easy lift step design of the Titan Fitness Mini Barbell Jack ensures a painless and quick experience lifting the bar to unload and load the barbell.
Highlights
- Product Weight: 13 lbs
- Width: 4”
- Length: 18”
- Height: 10”
- Made out of 11-Gauge steel
- Can withstand a weight capacity of 600 lbs
- Cup Dimensions are 2.25” x 2.25”
- UHMW-lined cups protect the knurling on the bar
Pricing
PRODUCT | DESIGN OPTIONS | PRICING |
Titan Fitness Mini Deadlift Jack | Powder-Coated Black | $59.99 |
Bottom Line
Tired of gyms not having a barbell jack to help unload and load weight plates onto the bar? Then, the Titan Fitness Mini Deadlift Jack is the perfect portable gym equipment to purchase, transforming loading and unloading the bar into a lightning-quick process!
Best Design—Kleva Built Genesis Jack
Overview
The Genesis Jack has revolutionized loading and unloading weight plates for your workouts.
Made with an impeccable design, this barbell jack features an exclusive design for fitness enthusiasts to redefine weightlifting dynamics. Its laser-cut aluminum, lightweight, and sturdy design is perfect for aesthetics, portability, and versatility.
The Genesis Jack is top-notch gym equipment that shouldn’t be overlooked in the fitness world!
Highlights
- Super sturdy
- Lightweight
- Offers a variety of color options
- Powder coat finish
- Product Weighs: Less than 2 lbs
- Designed with integration of acetal J-hooks and ABS Feet to ensure maximum protection for the flooring and barbell
Pricing
PRODUCT | DESIGN OPTIONS | PRICING |
Kleva Built Genesis Jack | Snow, Onyx, Stone, Moss, Blood, Sea, Guava | $109.99 |
Bottom Line
The Genesis Jack is one of the top recommendations for weightlifters looking to upgrade their gym experience and decrease the hassle of loading and unloading weight plates off the barbell. Its lightweight and sturdy aesthetic design transforms it into an ideal product for home and commercial gyms or traveling on the go!