Weight Plates Buying Guide – What Weight Plates do You Need?

There is a lot of selection when it comes to buy weight plates for your center or home fitness center. But What Weight Plates do I Need ? Choosing the right weight plate is crucial as different weight plates are used for different exercises. With so many options on the market, deciding which one is right for you can be difficult. We created this comprehensive weight plate buying guide to take a look at the different weight plate products available on the market today.

Below we have experienced each type of weight plate, listed the pros and cons of each type and who they are suitable for, to help you make up your mind. This buying guide will help you buy the best weight plate product for your home or commercial center by considering some factors based on the type of weightlifting and training style you plan to do.

Different Sizes of Weight Plates

If you are considering purchasing weight plates, either for home or commercial use, it is important to understand the various weight plates available on the market.

Olympic Plates have a 2″ (50.6mm) diameter center opening. These weight plates are a standard size throughout the fitness industry. This is helpful because they will fit all commercial barbells, as well as many pieces of health club equipment that have weight plates, such as our Sterling series.

Standard Plates were once the go-to choice for home gyms. But with the rise of well-equipped home gyms, that is changing. Standard weight plates only have 1-inch holes and will not fit on an Olympic barbell. So, with this use in mind, standard weight plates must be avoided!

Studio plates are specifically designed for group exercise. They are used in classes such as Les Mills’ Body Pump where people don’t usually lift too heavy loads. These plates are usually covered in rubber, are small in size, often have handles and are brightly coloured. They are easy to identify and store, and can be quickly added and removed from studio weight bars. They have a small 30mm centre hole.

Different Types Weight Plates Materials

The material your weight plates are made of can affect the type of workouts you can partake in. At the gym, you don’t have a lot of choice. When buying your own weight plates, it pays to think about how you’re going to be working out in the future. Also, some products are more durable than others. You want your weightlifting preparation to be an investment, so make sure you buy something that will last a long time without degrading too much.

1. Cast Iron Weight Plates

Cast iron weight plates are one of the most durable of all materials. Even if you drop them on the ground, they still remain resilient and you don’t have to worry about them breaking or otherwise getting damaged.

1.1 Best Budget Weight Plates – Old School Iron Plates

Pros:

• Offered in pairs as well as sets
• Classic design looks terrific in any type of home gym
• Top notch matte surface
• Single-sided with a deep lip
• Extremely affordable rates

Disadvantages:

• 3% weight tolerance
• Iron plates are prone to scuffing
• Just have a 1 year service warranty

Who’s it for: Anyone who wants a good-looking steel weight plate at an affordable price.

Since they’re bare metal plates, they’re also less expensive than polyurethane-coated plates. Overall, they’re a strong choice with an excellent cost factor. There’s naturally nothing unique about these weight plates in terms of construction or functionality, but if you’re looking for value, you’ve found it.

They are probably the cheapest option. The cheapest traditional plates are made of bare iron. This can make the gym quite noisy. These plates will clang and bang and may not be the best choice for a home gym where noise is a factor. However, you need to be careful not to place them outside or in a damp environment like a garage. They are prone to rusting, so you need to make sure they don’t come into contact with moisture. Even plates that have been repainted, powder coated, or plated in some way can corrode. This doesn’t change their weight, but it does change their appearance. This can also make them harmful to your hands.

This is why most of today’s plates are coated with one of two products. By covering the plates, you can avoid wear and tear and damage. If you opt for standard plates and have a slightly more generous budget, this is the option for you.

Another issue some lifters have with cast plates is that you can’t drop them. You could end up damaging the floor, so you want to make sure you place the weights gently on the ground after a set.

1.2 Rubber Coated Weight Plates

Rubber coated weight plates have a rubber layer that ensures safety, protection, and longevity. The rubber coating helps protect the weight plate and floor to a certain level. The coating ensures a longer life and better wear resistance for the home plate.

It is common to see terms like “non-standard Olympic weights” for rubber coated weights. Non-standard Olympic weights are weights that fit on an Olympic barbell but have a smaller circumference than traditional Olympic weights. The main reason for non-standard weights is the presence of a grip. This makes them easier to lift off the ground and rack back up after the user has completed a set. It also makes certain exercises, such as front raises, much easier.

The most common layer is rubber. Rubber is an excellent, durable, and inexpensive material. On the other hand, rubber certainly has some disadvantages, besides not being able to hold up to appearance. As a general rule, cheaper rubber smells stronger.

1.3 Urethane Coated Weight Plates

Pros:

• Ultra-durable virgin rubber
• Marginal, near-dead bounce
• The majority of dynamic shades I have actually seen
• Chrome-plated steel disc inserts
• 1% weight tolerance

Cons:

• Urethane has a global issue with being slippery (chalk up!).
• Difficult to get from the ground.
• Noisier than non-urethane bumper plates.

Who’s it for: Fans who want a sturdier plate with less bounce.

Polyurethane coated plates are considered the best of the three. The advantage is that it’s also the most durable material. Polyurethane is very durable and won’t get damaged or marred as easily as rubber. It also has a smoother, more attractive surface. Plus, polyurethane doesn’t have an unpleasant odor. For me, that’s a big advantage over rubber coated plates.

That’s why you tend to find polyurethane plates in gyms. Gyms naturally don’t want to spend money on new plates all the time because different people often break them.

It’s well known that polyurethane plates can last for years. It’s best to consider buying plates made of this material as an investment that you’ll benefit from for years.

For this reason, polyurethane plates are one of the most expensive products on the market.

Last but not least, there’s no difference in how rubber, polyurethane, or cast iron weights are used, nor in the resistance they provide. It mostly comes down to the look, feel, durability, and whether they fall easily!

2. Best Calibrated Steel Weight Plates

If you see “calibrated” in the name, it means the product is of high quality. If you see MANTA in the name, it means your expectations are doubled. These are easily the best steel weight plates I have ever used.

When a weight plate is calibrated, it means the actual weight is unlikely to vary from the nominal weight. For example, some weight plates may say 45 lbs. But if you think about it, you may get an actual weight of 40 to 50 lbs (usually, inaccurate weight plates are lighter, not heavier). Calibrated weight plates are precisely machined.

These MANTA calibrated steel weight plates are available in both kg and lb weights and meet IPF specifications with a limited weight resistance of just 15g above the prescribed weight. The 50.4mm center opening is perfect for Olympic barbells and, like other barbells with tight center hubs, may be difficult to install on cheaper barbells that are not fully IPF compliant.

These plates are very thin and are probably the best plate choice for the lifters on this list. The 55lb plate measures just over an inch, so on a typical Olympic barbell, you can load over 1,000lbs on the barbell.

Pros:

• Available in kilos or pounds
• Slim size allows for much heavier loads on the barbell
• IPF-approved
• Very tight weight tolerance (15 grams).

Cons:

• Paint is known to peel relatively quickly.
• If lying flat, it may be difficult to pick up from the ground.
• The center ring is a very snug fit and may not fit cheap barbells that do not meet IPF specifications.

Good for: Weightlifters who compete and want to make sure they’re training with accurate weight plates.

I would keep in mind that the finish on these weight plates isn’t the best. The paint peels easily, and while we didn’t use these as often as we did some of the other weight plates, they looked a lot more worn than they should have. Still, when the paint was new, they looked pretty sleek.

3. Best Bumper Plates

3.1 VIRGIN RUBBER BUMPER PLATES

Virgin rubber doesn’t come from ground-up tires. There are no adhesives to worry about. This means it has a very light odor. This is a big selling point for me and the main reason I own certain bumper plates. It also tends to be very durable. Of course, the lifespan will vary depending on the manufacturer, but in general, virgin rubber will last longer than recycled rubber.

I absolutely like my virgin rubber bumper plates from Manta Fitness. If I were starting over, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy these again. They’re tough, look great, and will definitely last a lifetime! Seriously, if you’re in the market for bumper plates, you can’t go wrong with the Manta Bumpers!

Perfect for: Anyone who needs a bumper plate of any capacity.

If you’re looking for a long-lasting, classic black bumper plate line, look no further than the Bumper Plates. These sturdy bumpers are made from pure rubber and feature a stainless steel facility ring – two factors that instantly elevate these weight plates to the top of our list.

3.1.1 STANDARD BLACK BUMPER PLATES

Standard bumper plates are designed for exercises where they come into contact with the ground in some way. They are designed to be dropped periodically, making them ideal for exercises like deadlifts.

However, the sound of a drop from a greater height can be quite loud. They are best suited for more regular activities. Use them with a standard 7-foot straight Olympic barbell, or with a barbell that also includes ground action, such as a spindle bar, a thick grip bar, and a farmer’s walk bar.

Ideal matched for: 7ft barbell, shrug bar, axle bar, thick grip bar, Swiss bar, Farmer’s walk handles (done in Olympic size).

3.1.2 STANDARD COLORED BUMPER PLATES

Colored rubber bumper plates are really similar to standard black bumper plates. Each size has a specific color so you can easily identify the weight without checking the sides.

Best for: 7-foot barbells, shrug bars, spindle bars, fat grip bars, Swiss bars, farmer’s walk handles, multi-grip strongman logs (all in Olympic sizes).

3.2 CRUMB RUBBER BUMPER PLATES

Crumb rubber bumper plates really feel slightly different to standard bumper plates. They are very strong and will bounce higher than standard bumper plates when dropped.

If you are doing high intensity Olympic lifts, then it is best to use these plates with our 7 foot Olympic 20kg barbell or Women’s 15kg Olympic barbell

You can still use them with the same barbells that you would normally use standard bumper plates with.

Ideal matched for: 7ft Olympic 20kg Barbell or Women’s 15kg Olympic Barbell.

Additional usage with: 7ft barbell, shrug bar, axle bar, thick grip bar, Swiss bar, Farmer’s walk handles, Multi Grip Strongman Log (all in Olympic dimension).

3.3 URETHANE BUMPER PLATES

As I write this, polyurethane is becoming more and more popular. This is because the price has dropped to an affordable level. Don’t be fooled into thinking they are cheap. In general, they are not. Polyurethane bumpers cost 2-4 times as much as high quality pure rubber bumpers. For you, they may be worth it

It will look like brand new for years to come. If I had the budget, I would buy polyurethane without hesitation.

The third difference is the plate thickness. Polyurethane is much thinner than rubber. This means you can fit more plates on the barbell. It also means the weight is closer to the center of the barbell. This can make a big difference in the safety of the load when lifting extremely heavy weights.

In my opinion, the colored urethane plates are beautiful. Their colors are the brightest and most vibrant of any bumper plate available.

If you decide that polyurethane is your first choice, there is no better choice of polyurethane plates than the line produced by American Barbell. If I were to purchase a polyurethane bumper, this is the only line I would consider. They are the best made and best looking line available!

3.4 COMPETITION PLATES

Competition bumper plates have a steel inner plate.

This makes them more durable and suitable for high-intensity workouts. They also have a “dead bounce” that allows you to maintain control when lowering the bar. Basically, they usually look nicer and are generally more durable and high-quality. It looks stylish, but that’s not the main function of the hub.

If you’re a competitive lifter, and by that I mean you actually compete in IWF or IPF sanctioned competitions, then it might be worth it. The main difference with competition plates is that they are guaranteed to weigh within 10 grams (0.02 pounds) of the nominal weight. Plates from all major plate suppliers are close enough to the nominal weight that this won’t bother many garage gym enthusiasts. But unlicensed plates can weigh as much as 10% off the nominal weight. That’s why competition plates have a solid steel visible centerpiece. It’s this center hub that allows for precise adjustment of the weight of the plate. If your budget allows, or you feel you need competition plates, get them.

Perfect for Olympic weightlifting, they work best with our 7′ Olympic 20kg Barbell and our Women’s 15kg Olympic Barbell. However, you can also use them with the same barbells that you would normally pair with standard plates.

Best for: 7′ Olympic 20kg Barbell or Women’s 15kg Olympic Barbell.

Additionally, you can use them with: 7′ Barbell, Shrug Bar, Axis Bar, Fat Grip Bar, Swiss Bar, Farmer’s Walk Grip, Multi-Grip Strongman Log (Olympic Size).

If you really want plates, but don’t want to spend a fortune, Manta Fitness sometimes offers specials. Check them out here!

3.5 CHANGE / FRACTIONAL PLATES

The brief version is that change plates are lighter weight plates that vary from 5 pounds. down do just a fraction of a lb each.

These types of plates are a great help with training and I recommend having them in your arsenal. For the 5 and 2.5 lb plates, I use standard polyurethane plates. Nothing special.

For weights under 2.5 lbs, I use a set of fractional plates. I love these plates and use them often.

 

Others Thought About Weight Plates Buying

As you may know, the weight plate material plays a big role in its expected lifespan. However, this is far from the only factor to consider. During your search, you may find that not all weight plates look the same. You may find that there are certain differences, so it is necessary to consider the type of exercises you plan to do with your weight plates to ensure that you can be sure that you are purchasing the best weight plate for your needs.

• OVERAL SHAPE & EDGE

Another piece of information to note about standard barbell plates is their shape. There are many aspects to their design that will certainly add to their usefulness. Since they can vary greatly between manufacturers, it is important to understand where the differences may appear.

Many barbell plates are round or sleek. However, you will also find barbell plates in some gyms that are hexagonal with several flat surfaces. Most of the time, this is a minor visual distinction. However, hexagonal plates are a bit more stable when lying flat on the ground and will not roll as much. The downside is that deadlifting with hexagonal plates can be difficult. If the flat surfaces do not roll correctly, it can disrupt your rhythm and range of motion.

For some reason, you’ll find 8 and also 12-sided weight plates right here as well as there. When doing any type of lift that ends or starts on the ground, you want the plates to be round. If they are not round, the flat area on the outside edge of home plate can cause the plates to move.

• HANDLES

Another aspect of the plate design is the reinforced handles on the plates themselves. For example, with 5- and 10-pound plates, it’s pretty easy to pick them up and attach them to the bar. But with 35- and 45-pound plates, it becomes much more cumbersome. That’s why several weight plates manufacturers craft hand holds right into their plates. Often, there is just a rim around the outside of the home plate, like the old-fashioned iron plates. Other times, there is an actual handle.

Most of the things you want to avoid are smooth round plates. They look great, but are more difficult to put on or take off. Another advantage of handles is that they allow you to use the plate itself as an actuator. Whether it’s for shrugs, lateral raises, or deadlifts, having an easy and secure grip allows you to use it even when it’s not mounted on a barbell.

However, if you purchase a plate with handles, then you can perform a lot of other exercises. You can use the plate alone to perform a range of weightlifting exercises that help work muscle groups that you wouldn’t normally work. Some of the exercises you can do with the handles include: Overhead Press, Side Bends, Squat Extensions, Squat Presses, Chest Squeeze Presses, Front Shoulder Raises, etc. So, it’s a great way to mix things up and keep your workouts interesting. It’s a little easier to navigate and position yourself on the barbell when the plate has openings or handles.

• BEVEL

An often overlooked aspect of a plate’s layout is its bevel. The bevel is a notch cut from the outside edge of home plate so it’s not perfectly square. This notch serves two purposes.
It allows you to pick the plate up off the ground when it’s lying flat. Without the bevel, the edge of the home plate would be flush with the ground and you wouldn’t be able to get your fingers under it to pick it up.

Second, it allows you to separate plates as they’re sitting on your bar. When removing plates, it’s much easier to pull each plate away from the next if there’s a bevel.

Do you need bumper plates?

Bumper plates are more popular now than they were before. You can put them down without damaging the floor. They are quieter. They are easier to work with and in my opinion, they look much better than traditional barbell plates. Their popularity has been spurred by CrossFit, because the type of weightlifting in CrossFit requires bumper plates instead of traditional barbell plates. This does not mean you need to do CrossFit at home to use bumper plates. You don’t. I don’t do CrossFit type workouts, nor do Olympic weightlifting (another type of training that requires bumpers), and I still like to use bumper plates primarily.

Bumper plates and regular plates

• SIZE

One of the most noticeable differences between bumper panels and standard bumper panels is the outer diameter. For traditional bumper panels, the thickness and diameter of the bumper panel change as the weight of the bumper panel changes. For bumper panels, the dimensions remain the same, only the density changes.

However, there is a difference in the consistent dimensions of some brands of bumper panels. Sometimes 15lb and 10lb bumper panels are slightly smaller in diameter. This is because they are less durable due to lack of thickness. By making them slightly smaller, only the heavier, more durable weight hits the floor when the load bar is lowered. The smaller size of the weight does not cause impact, so damage to the bumper panels can be avoided.

Better manufacturers will just make the 10lb and 15lb bumper plates more durable, so keep them the same diameter. This is one of the reasons I chose the bumper panels I have now. By making them slightly smaller in diameter, when the load bar is dropped, only the heavier and more durable weight will fall to the ground. The smaller diameter weight does not touch the ground, preventing damage to the plates.

Better manufacturers simply make their 10 and 15 pound plates more durable, thus keeping them the same diameter. This is one of the reasons I chose the weight plates I use now.

• SHAPES

Unlike the typical plates explained above, the bumpers are round. No unusual hexagonal plates to avoid. This shape can be safely put down.

With the exception of the occasional smaller 10 and 15 lb plates I mentioned earlier, all weights are the same diameter. This is another difference from traditional plates.

Unlike traditional plates, the bumpers are a little harder to handle. This isn’t a big deal, but it’s worth noting.
Especially after a deadlift, when your grip and fingers are weak to begin with!!!

All else being equal, try to buy plates with a good bevel. You’ll be thankful for this little detail.

• COLORS

Another very obvious difference between a bumper plate and a tabletop is the color. Traditional plates are usually black or gray. However, there are many brightly colored versions available.

The purpose of the color difference is to help you easily identify the weight of the plate. Since they are all the same diameter, it is difficult to tell them apart.

The colors used by most manufacturers represent the program standards of the two major weightlifting federations. The IWF (International Weightlifting Federation) and the IPF (International Powerlifting Federation) have actually developed a standardized set of colors for use in competitions.

Plain black is definitely the cheapest, but if you want to add some character to your garage or basement weights, you can always spend a little more and get colored ones! For those on a budget, simply adding colored electrical tape around the edges of a black bumper works really well.

How to Choose the Most Effective Weightlifting Plates for Your Garage Gym

Weight plates, like all other home gym equipment, are subjective. The best weight plate for you may not be the best weight plate for someone else. (That’s why we have so many categories of weight plates in this guide).

To choose the best weight plates for your home gym, consider the following factors and buy the ones that best suit your needs in each category.

Materials and Construction

Rubber or steel? That’s the question—at least the first one. There’s more to weight plates than just “rubber vs. metal,” but to limit your choices, it’s the first thing you should consider. Do you need a cushioned plate, or will a steel plate suffice?

Once you’ve determined that, consider which subcategory of material you need. If you choose a cushioned plate, would a recycled rubber type (like shredded rubber) be a good choice for you? Or do you need a denser, less resilient material, like polyurethane rubber? If you choose steel, research the differences between cast iron and steel plates. If you’re a competitive weightlifter, try looking for custom steel plates.

Be sure to check what the center ring on any weight plate you’re interested in is made of. Stainless steel center rings are the most durable. Any type of finished steel, such as galvanized steel, will deteriorate over time, or it may rust if it is not properly maintained in a climate-controlled environment. Some center hubs are made of brass, which is soft and can deteriorate easily.

Your Training Goals

This goes hand in hand with materials and construction. Your training style and fitness goals will largely determine which weight plates are best for your home gym. As mentioned above, rubber weight plates are best for Olympic lifts, functional training, or anyone who has any chance of dropping the barbell. Metal plates are for powerlifters and anyone else who doesn’t plan on lifting heavy weights.

Durability

Again, we go back to materials and construction. As you might expect, more expensive plates are usually (but not always) more durable than cheaper plates. For example, polyurethane rubber plates are more expensive than shredded rubber plates; polyurethane is more durable than shredded rubber and can last for many years. When it comes to steel plates, it’s worth spending a little more money on powder-coated, e-coated, or rubber-coated plates to delay wear and rust.

Your Home Gym Setup and Location

When choosing your plates, consider things like flooring and insulation. If you live in a townhouse and your garage borders your neighbor’s garage on two sides, consider buying high-quality bumper plates to keep bounce and noise to a minimum. But if you happen to own 10 acres and a barn-turned-gym, who cares how loud your plates make?

Working out on unprotected surfaces like bare concrete? First, I recommend buying some inexpensive horse-delay floor coverings from your nearest Tractor Supply Company store, but if that’s not an option at the moment and you’re ready to buy plates, bumpers may be a better fit for your floors (and they’ll last longer on bare concrete floors than metal plates).

Budget Plan

Of course, your budget plan ultimately determines which plates you can buy. More cash will get you better weight accuracy, longer life, and higher-quality materials. A tighter budget means you’ll need to sacrifice some elements of a quality barbell plate, such as weight accuracy, or in the case of bumper plates, marginal bounce.

Finally, which weight plate to buy?

This weight plate buying guide perfectly showcases the different types of weight plates used for different training modes. Keeping in mind your central target market or your own fitness goals will help you determine which weight plates will suit your needs.

Your weight plates will be with you for a long time. They are one of the three key must-have pieces of equipment that you place in your home gym. Take your time to pick the best for you. On the low end, you can buy plates that are made for the track. Start there if you need to. In the long run, if you are on a budget, stick with simple plates. Find used ones if you can. They won’t be the prettiest things in the world, but they will work. This is the kind of weight plate that Arnold Schwarzenegger used for most of his career. This type of weight plate is still used by some of the top barbell clubs in the world. It is a choice that brings a sense of grit, history, and effort.

Another aspect of plate design is the addition of handles. Sometimes, like with old-fashioned iron plates, there is only one edge on the outside of the plate. With traditional plates, the thickness and diameter of the plate will vary as the weight of the plate changes. These types of plates are valuable training aids and I recommend having them in your arsenal. For the 5lb and 2.5lb boards, I use traditional polyurethane boards.

If you need something quieter, easier to move, and better looking, go with a rubber or polyurethane coated board. You will spend more on each product, but in my opinion, it is worth the investment.

If you don’t mind the smell, go with rubber and save some money. If you mind the smell and want your board to look like new for years, go with polyurethane.

Ultimately, a 45lb board is going to weigh 45lbs no matter which type you buy. Don’t get too hung up on things. Make a budget plan and go from there.

If you are going to spend the money on a bumper plate, go with pure rubber or polyurethane.

FAQs About Weight Plates

What are the best barbell plates for weightlifting?

Since weightlifting includes slower lifts—squats, deadlifts, and bench presses—and you’re not giving up any barbells because of the expense, you can use any barbell plates you like. Many weightlifters choose cast iron or steel plates. If you compete in weightlifting, it’s a good idea to purchase calibrated or mechanical weight sets in kilograms to ensure accuracy.

What are the best barbell plates for Olympic weightlifting?

Competition plates are by far the most suitable for Olympic weightlifting. You may want to buy in kilograms rather than pounds since Olympic weightlifters use kilograms in competition. Competition plates offer better weight accuracy than many regular rubber plates; they are thinner and can hold more weight on the Olympic bar, and they can be safely lowered from the charge or front rack position.

What are the most effective barbell plates for CrossFit?

Regular bumper plates are the best choice for CrossFit. If you’re going to drop the barbell (or maybe even throw it away – who knew? This is CrossFit), polyurethane bumpers are less flexible than Hi-Temp or other shredded rubber pieces.

Will you put down the metal barbell plates?

You should never put down steel plates, even if they have an outer rubber layer. Not only will you damage the floor, but you will also damage the barbell and plates themselves. Plus, when the metal plates jingle, it’s loud and annoying, so your nosy neighbors may complain about your awesome garage gym. We don’t want this.

How accurate are barbell plates?

The accuracy of different brands of barbell plates varies greatly and depends heavily on whether the weight has been adjusted. Price is also an indicator of accuracy: the cheaper the plates, the wider the weight tolerance range. If you can’t afford the higher end plates, the weight resistance range is around 5%. More expensive plates typically have a weight resistance range of 1 to 2 percent. Competition plate weights should not deviate from the specified weight by more than 15 grams.

How much do barbell plates cost?

Barbell plates can vary in price based on their weight resistance, construction, and durability. For example, our budget pick, the Fitness Classic Iron Plates, is $160 for 45 pounds, while the Rogue Competition Plates are $334 for 20 kilograms (about 45 pounds).

Why You Trust Us

There are so many weight stacks on the market, and we highly doubt any other guide to the best weight stacks is written by people who have tested as many weight stacks as we have. We’ve tested just about every weight stack there is, including every bumper stack, iron stack, steel stack, and competition stack on the market.

We’ve researched pricing, delivery, warranty, and construction; we’ve also squatted, deadlifted, and Olympic lifted with these weight stacks—and dropped them overhead when appropriate—to create this comprehensive guide to the best weight stacks for you.