Strength is fun and fabulous, but building strength may sometimes be a drag. Weight plates have been an essential piece of equipment for any gym.
There are different types of weight plates in the market that include bumper plate sets, fractional plates, adjustable dumbbells, powerlifting bars, etc. However, when it comes to buying them, several options make your shopping experience more challenging.
The options may vary in cost and also the type of exercise they are best suited for.
In this article, we will assess the most popular weight plate choices to find the ones that may be best for the workout routine.
Let’s take a closer look!
# Different Sizes Of Weight Plates:
You must know the size of weight plates your gym has if you are considering purchasing weight plates.
Olympic Discs: They have a diameter of about 450mm and a thickness of about 50mm. Made from solid cast iron, they may usually weigh 45 lbs/ 20 kg each. The weight is evenly distributed over the complete surface area. This makes them safe to use even with overhead presses.
Standard Discs: These were once a staple for fitness enthusiasts interested in working out at their homes.
Studio Discs: These are specifically designed for group exercise. They work during classes where participants won’t be working with heavy loads.
# Advantages Of Using Weight Plates:
The weight plates are much safer, for starters. They may use them during overhead presses than those with a more evenly distributed weight. They even offer some versatility in training, allowing you to work your upper and lower body separately. Weight plates do help in targeting specific muscle groups in particular areas.
1. These are more stable and offer a secure grip. For this reason, they are used in high-intensity training.
2. Weight plates are more versatile than standard plates as they may be used to do much more than bench presses and squats.
3. Weight lifting bars are built to hold the total weight and are perfect for those who can’t lift much.
4. Most weight benches and power racks come with at least one set of Olympic weight plates. Some people also choose to purchase separately as well.
#Types Of Weight Plates:
Weight plates come in a variety of weights and styles. Some are rubber coated, while others may be a technique or fractional weighted. Powerlifting bars also exist for the athletes who participate in competitions with sets having various collar heights. Some of them are:
Rubber Weight Plates:
These are the common types coated in rubber to reduce noise and skin irritation from repeated pressing during workouts. They are of high quality, durable, and less susceptible to cosmetic damage. They may have the exact dimensions as rubber plates but may withstand more abuse than regular ones.
Fractional Plates:
These include different discs like 0.5kg, 1kg, 1.5kg, 2kg, 2.5kg, and 5kg. They provide a more gradual increase in weight while covering the same range as their larger counterparts.
Olympic fractional plates are designed to use with EZ- bars such as curls, lunges, overhead press, and triceps extensions.
Powerlifting Plates:
Powerlifting plates usually come in sets of two or four. These are used specifically for powerlifting exercises like squats, bench presses, barbell rows, and deadlifts. These may be safely dropped during the course of a lift as these are calibrated to offer consistent weight distribution.
What are you waiting for when you have everything in your hands. Just shop for all your requirements with the best online stores offering versatile and quality equipment. When the bar says “No”, you say “Yes”!