Different Types of Weight Plates
Weight plates are one of the most critical parts of commercial gym equipment, but also for home use. When building a gym, you simply have to start with weight plates as they are an essential part of all workouts. In this article, we will tell you more about different types of weight plates you can find online, but also in shops across Ireland.
Olympic Plates
Olympic plates go with Olympic barbells, and they are a standard in the fitness industry. They have a 2 inches center hole, and they fit on most bars you can find lying around gyms.
Competition, Bumper, Training, Technique
These are all different terms used to describe specific kinds of Olympic weight plates. Essentially, to a casual lifter, there's not much difference. For example, competition plates are carefully weighed, and they have certificates that confirm the exact weight. Training plates, on the other hand, are not like that, as they have varying depth, and are not as tightly regulated competition plates. Rubber weight plates have a rubberized finish, which makes them much more drop-friendly than bare iron/steel plates. All in all, for a casual lifter, all that doesn't really matter. Just get the cheapest pair of rubberized bumper plates, and you will be just fine, your muscles don't know the difference, they only know it's hard.
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Standard Plates
These are a lot cheaper than Olympic plates and are generally used in home gym equipment, rarely commercial. These types of weight plates are widely used nowadays. The central hole standard plates are 1 inch, enough for a standard bar, but not enough for the Olympic barbell.
Plastic Plates
Plastic or rubber weight plates are also known as studio plates are usually for group exercises, such as Less Mills Body Pump. These are wide in diameter, but much lighter than they look, as they are plastic and not steel. The center hole is much narrower, 30 mm.
How To Know Which Plates To Get?
Because standard plates and bars aren't as durable, and can't withstand serious weight (we won't even mention plastic equipment), your best approach is to go for Olympic plates and barbells. The best idea is to get bumper plates (Available with extra 10% OFF* - Limited Time), as they can take up severe beating, and won't damage the floor, nor break.
Unless you are getting ready for powerlifting or Olympic lifting competition, you don't need competition plates; training plates will do just fine.
The best approach is to go for the cheapest weight plate price, as you have to get a lot of them. All types of weight plates listed above are good for your gym workout, you just need to pick them as per your convenience.
Go ahead and visit StrengthAndFitness. We offer the best prices in Ireland, and a great choice of various kinds of weight plates, for all purposes.
Conclusion
That was our short post that explained different types of weight plates, and what you can expect from each. Remember, plates won't exercise on their own, so make sure you are willing to dedicate your time to work out on a consistent basis. Only then start thinking about equipment.
