Different Types of Weight Plates Explained

Weight plates are a fundamental component of strength training, but choosing the right kind can be a pain. Regardless of whether you want to set up your home gym or just expand your knowledge, you need to understand the different types of weight plates. Today, we’ll go over the most common types and by the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of each type and its features.

Let’s get into the world of weight plates!

10 Types of Weight Plates

Gym weight plates have as many types as many manufacturers. But we can broadly categorize them according to their shapes, sizes, and uses.

1. Standard-Sized Plates

You’ll find a massive quantity in garage sales and online platforms. They’re made to fit old-fashioned bars with a 1″ diameter. 

2. Olympic Plates

Despite the name, they’re not specifically Olympic barbell plates. From powerlifters and strongman contestants to fitness athletes, the majority of sports training facilities use plates with over 50 mm of collar opening.

3. Competition Plates

The specs are sanctioned by IWF and IPF, including the colors of the plates. They have tight tolerances, staying below 1% of the listed weight. They’re very hardy and costly. If you’re on a budget, search elsewhere for the best weight plates for a home gym.  

4. Technique Plates

Freshers to lifting can get their hands on technique plates and refine their cleans, jerks, and snatches. They have the same 450 mm diameter for 5lb and 10lb variants. Lifters can lift heavier weights, thus improving the technique.

5. Metal Plates

You’ll find metal plates in cast iron or steel. They are dark-toned with light-colored weight IDs and raised lips. Some are even machine-calibrated to stay true to the stated weight. You’ll find these in both standard and Olympic sizes. Titan, Rogue, REP, and all major companies produce them.

6. Rubber-Coated Plates

Bumper plates are rubber-coated to absorb shocks. You can drop them overhead. They also make little noise. Companies use recycled or high-quality virgin rubber. Some are even urethane-molded to outlast your lifting career. 

7. Specialty Plates

Group fitness classes and large commercial gyms stack up on a few specialty plates. They serve a limited purpose. For example, wagon wheels are thin and large, reducing the range of motion. They assist in block and partial deadlifts.

8. Change or Fractional Plates

They are smaller than your typical barbell plates. They enable micro-loading. With weight increments of 1-10lbs, you can gradually lift heavier sets. A few 5s and 7.5s will come in handy when doing overhead presses or heavy exercises.     

9. Grip Plates

Round plates with triangular cut-outs leave blank spots for picking them up or sliding them on/off the barbell. A strong grip gives a chance to do more resistance exercises, such as Russian twists. 

10. 12-Sided Plates

Instead of a round shape, some cast iron plates have flat edges. Although 12-sided is the right term, many people go with hex plates. They don’t roll away. However, you have to reset them before successive reps. They’re not ideal for moves that start from the ground, such as deadlifts.

Traditional vs. Bumper Plates: What are the Differences?

Step into a fitness gym or just watch Olympic weightlifting, and you’ll see a lot of different plates. They’re your trendy bumper plates. In contrast, stand the regular iron weights. They have been there for ages, and no one can say that they are any worse.

So, which ones to buy? Decide Yourself!

1. Coating

Cast iron plates are rarely lined with rubber. Nowadays, you’ll find corrosion-resistant enamel paint. It adds to the finish and durability. But rust is inevitable. Also you can’t drop metal pieces.

Bumper plates are plentifully encased in rubber or urethane. Their metal core is strong. And Olympic-style weightlifting is impossible without them. Bumpers also thicker than traditional plates. Therefore, you might’ve seen powerlifters constantly breaking iron.

2. Circumference

All bumper plates have the same circular shape and a 17.7” diameter, save the smaller weights. On the other hand, traditional gym weight plates don’t have any standard specifications. They’re generally round. But you might also stumble upon irregular shapes with eight or twelve sides.

The diameter of iron plates keeps increasing with the weight. If the 10lb plate is 250 mm. 45lb would eventually touch 450 mm standard diameter.

3. Coloration

Iron pieces are either black or gray. Several lettering and weight values may be painted in contrast. Traditional designs have witnessed a lot of experimentation in recent times. For instance, multicolor rubber coatings are a norm.

But if you’re looking for colorful weight plates, opt for bumpers. They usually conform to the below IWF standards.

Color	Kilogram (kg)	Pound (lb)
White	5	10
Green	10	25
Yellow	15	35
Blue	20	45
Red	25	55

Since sizes are identical, color coding allows quick recognition. The international organization regulates weight in only kilos. The fitness equivalent poundage is mentioned against each color. All major weight training plates are available in both metrics.

4. Cost

Budget is a great determining factor, especially when young athletes step into weightlifting. Traditional plates can help you get started in your career.

However, the “buy nice or buy twice” rule applies here.

What to Look for in Weight Plates?

1. Mode of Training

The best weight plate is the one that suits your lifting style the best. Bumpers are made for you if you’re into Olympic-style or fitness lifting. It’s as simple as that! Powerlifters and bodybuilders can choose traditional iron weights and save hundreds of dollars per set.

2. Materials & Durability

Our product selection holds durability and material quality to high standards, as none has performed below 80% on our 10-point scale. Go with any cast iron plate. They’ll stay intact if you don’t regularly slam them on floors. In case you can’t resist dropping bars, plenty of competent bumpers are there to withstand.

3. Handles

Handles are a distinctive feature of iron weights. 35s and 45s are very cumbersome. And maneuvering them isn’t easy. If you constantly change weights (as in a circuit workout) this can lead to hassle. Plates, having engineered handholds, make this process easier.

4. Weight Tolerance

Bumper plates remain closest to the weight rating. However, non-calibrated metal plates may go off by as much as 10%. Prefer products with stated weight tolerances. And do not forget to check with user reviews.

3-5% is alright if you’re not weight training for competitions.

5. Value for Money

Go for mid-grade products. You’ll maximize value without sacrificing quality. Consider overall experience when judging the price tag. Shipping, packaging, brand recognition, and warranties are characteristics to look out for.

These sleek and stylish bumper plates are top quality equipment. The rubber casing of chromed steel insert is urethane molded around the center hub. It rules out excessive bounce and damage.

You can buy an entire set of 25-55 lbs in four increments. They all share the same dimensions with distinct coloring.

The weight measurement only allows a 1% deviation, which is a top-notch. Also the durometer rating of 90 ensures minimum bounciness. Urethane bumpers make a thud.

Titan has intelligently fused a rubber ring around the steel hub. Otherwise, a barbell loaded with multiple plates generates metal-on-metal contact when smashing PRs left and right.

All in all, these are some of the best weight plates for home gym or commercial use – the only one you need for a variety of exercises.

FAQ

Are 100-Pound Plates Worth It?

You don’t need a single 100lb plate to strength train. These aren’t grip plates, and lugging them on/off the bar is challenging. Instead, a couple of 45s or 55s will come cheaper per pound. They’ll also allow different combinations when switching exercises. 

Do Rusty Plates Weigh More?

Sure! The oxygen carries mass. And once it chemically interacts with iron to form iron oxide (usually called rust). plates catch up with the weight. If anything, rusty weights are heavier than clean ones. So your workout routine needs to stay the same. 

Why Do Weights Feel Heavier at Different Gyms?

There are two possible explanations.

First is objective; weight tolerance and rust may have a say. On the psychological level, you decipher weights based on size and shape. Small-looking gym weight plates can be denser and thus heavier.

Conclusion

Buying the best Olympic plates is a wise investment. They’re long-lasting, saving you funds and the hassle of purchasing equipment repeatedly.

Dismissing a serious thought on weight plates (they’re just plates) can entail disasters for your fitness goals and space, and for your safety. Here are a few tips to avoid free weight-related injuries.

Although there are different types, bumper plates are a must-have. And Titan Urethane Plates are of no parallel. Do you use bumpers or traditional discs? Mention in the comments!

Also Read:

• Best Deadlift Bar
• Best Curl Bar
• Best Safety Squat Bar
• Best Bench Press Barbell
• Best Multi Grip Barbell
• Types Of Squat Bars
• Best Olympic Barbell
• Best Barbell Collars
• Dumbbells vs Barbells

References:

1. Keep Weight Training Injury-Free // WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/men/features/keep-weight-training-injury-free
2. Weightlifting Equipment // International Weightlifting Federation: https://iwf.sport/weightlifting_/equipment/
3. Why Do Metal Weights Feel Heavier? (Explained) // Homegymhideaway:
   https://homegymhideaway.com/why-do-metal-weights-feel-heavier/
4. Bumper Plates Vs. Iron Plates: The Ultimate Breakdown // Hulkfit:
   https://hulkfitproducts.com/blogs/the-hulkfit-blog/bumper-plates-vs-iron-plates-the-ultimate-breakdown
5. Standard vs Olympic Weight Plates: What is the Difference? // Lifespan Fitness:
   https://www.lifespanfitness.com.au/blogs/fitness-blogs/standard-vs-olympic-weight-plates
6. Photos are made by Torokhtiy Media Team