Best weight plates buying guide
Are you looking to build a home gym? Well, one of the most important parts of your gym is the weight that you push. Weight plates are necessary for a home gym, and you can’t really work out without them.
To achieve hypertrophy and strength gains, you must perform progressive overload. The best way to do this is to increase the weight load of each exercise progressively. That doesn’t mean that you have to go out and buy every single weight in the market. You’ve gotta pick the right types for you.
back to menu ↑What are the best weight plates?
There are 4 main types of weight plates that you can get. We have chosen these 4 for being the most popular and best weight plates for different user requirements.
back to menu ↑The types of weight plates
back to menu ↑Olympic Plates
These plates are clearly the most expensive. They are the most durable, as well as the most evenly distributed. They have been optimized to help you lift more weight, and they require a thick 2-inch bar to use. They are pretty safe, and they are common in gyms. They are less common in home gyms.
back to menu ↑Standard Plates
These are the most common type of weight plates in home gyms. It uses a smaller 1-inch bar (keep in mind). They can be bought in rubber to prevent damage and injury, however, most come in iron. These are not as optimized as Olympic plates but are a lot cheaper and more appropriate for a home gym since you can get them at a slightly smaller size. They are durable as well.
back to menu ↑Bumper Plates
These are essentially really bouncy plates. They are coated in a thick rubber to prevent injury and damage. They don’t make as much sound when hitting the floor. They can take the most use and damage and still be usable. A couple of things to note are that they don’t look as good or clean as Olympic or standard plates do, and they are definitely not as optimized as Olympic plates.
back to menu ↑Studio Plates
These are very different kinds of plates. They are usually safe and weigh less than other ones. They look the most eye-catching and have a fun and motivating design. I would really only recommend this if you are doing group workouts or posting motivating workouts online.
back to menu ↑How to choose the right weight plates for you
back to menu ↑Weight
This is obviously one of the most important factors when it comes to buying weights. You need to pick the weight amounts! In order to get this right, you’re going to need some calculations based on the exercises that you want to do, and how much weight you can currently lift. If you want to do a bench press, squat, and row, then you are going to need to get a set of weight plates that add up to each weight capacity for each exercise. You must also get a smaller, lighter set to add on as you get stronger.
back to menu ↑Size
The size also plays a big role. Make sure you get ones that not only fit wherever you want to put them but also fit on the bar that you may own. An Olympic plate will not fit on a standard bar, and vice-versa. This is extremely important because you probably don’t want to go through the hassle of returning them.
back to menu ↑Safety
Read reviews. Safety is also extremely important. Make sure no customers leave bad reviews and make sure that nobody mentions anything that could be potentially dangerous such as slipperiness.
back to menu ↑Price
Clearly, price matters. If you cannot afford an Olympic set of plates, then please do not buy a set of Olympic weight plates. Make sure that all of your equipment is compatible and fits your needs. After that, purchase the appropriate weight set according to your budget.
back to menu ↑What exercises can you do with weight plates?
You can obviously perform most resistance weight training exercises. Of course, they will need to be performed with a barbell.
- Bench press
- Squats
- Weighted barbell lunges
- Deadlift
- Barbell rows
- Overhead press
All of these exercises have different variations which are worth trying.
back to menu ↑Benefits of using weight plates
- Build muscle size
- Build muscle strength
- Increase strength
- Lose weight
- Improve stamina
- Boost mental health
- Increase bone and joint strength
- Improves general health
Tips for using your weight plates
- Take it slow and steady
- Practice form
- Stay hydrated
- Set realistic goals
- Make sure it is safe
- Stop if any pain
- Keep them organized
Conclusion
Now that you know how to pick the best weight plates, it’s time to get out there and train like crazy. Pick the right ones for you, and overload your muscles. These resistance plates are extremely important when trying to gain or preserve muscle. Good luck with your home gym!
Happy training!
Rich
Rich is an avid bodybuilder who has dedicated over 20 years of his life to the sport. He has a strong passion for health and fitness, living a clean lifestyle with a commitment to helping others educate themselves and fulfil their true potential.
