You performed 0 work for the fact that work means the distance of movement made on an object not the amount of force it is exposed to. 0 work because it didn't move
Particles transfer energy physically from one to the other either horizontally in a longitudinal wave, vertically in a transverse wave, or in circles in a surface wave. Waves can also be electromagnetic, which are always transverse and do not require a medium to propagate, like light waves traveling through space.
Explanation:
First consider that each hand works as a fulcrum: a pivot point where the barbell can rotate.
Now consider only the left hand. If the center of mass of the barbell is between hands (in the middle) it is displaced respect the fulcrum, therefore the weight which is pushing the bar downwards becomes a rotational force. The same thing happens to the other hand. Now, if more weight is added to the left hand the center of mass is displaced towards the left hand and depending how much weight is added, the center of mass will change its position and therefore the torque each hand experiences changes.
If the center of mass is still between hands: The torque remains almost the same changing only the magnitudes but not the direction.
If the center of mass is on the hand: there is no torque for the left hand because there is no leaver.
If the center of mass is to the left: now the torque changes direction and both hands need to stop it in the same direction.
(see diagram below)