Cemco, York or Hampton-opinions solicited

[pumping4life]

I have a variety of plates. Some of them repainted and some have some chips with very little, if any, rust. Some are in near-new condition. I have been considering replacing the majority of them with one style of plate. With this kind of an investment, I thought it would be nice to get some rubber-coated weights so that I don't ever have to worry about getting them chipped and needing painting again. I am looking at 3 options and wanted some opinions. I won't be replacing all of my current weights, but around 960#. The most helpful will be anyone who has actually handled these weights and can give an educated opinion, but all are welcome to chime in.

1st are the Cemco plates. The best price I was quoted came from G2 Fitness for $1,719.00.

Next are the York ISO-grips. I can buy them locally at $1.79/lb for a total of $1718.40.

The third option are the rubber-encased Hamptons. These are available locally at $1.70/lb for a total of $1632.

The prices are fairly equal for this volume, so that isn't an overwhelming factors. I included some pics. What do you all think?

[animalfan]

i've never used any of them, but i like the look of the cemcos best.

[Wildtim]

I am getting to be more and more of a classicist. I just like the plain old plates.

[Keetman]

I thought they were all pretty sexy. I am jealous!



That doesn't really help you, sorry. I just saw cool plate porn and drooled.

[sushii]

I have a variety of plates. Some of them repainted and some have some chips with very little, if any, rust. Some are in near-new condition. I have been considering replacing the majority of them with one style of plate. With this kind of an investment, I thought it would be nice to get some rubber-coated weights so that I don't ever have to worry about getting them chipped and needing painting again. I am looking at 3 options and wanted some opinions. I won't be replacing all of my current weights, but around 960#. The most helpful will be anyone who has actually handled these weights and can give an educated opinion, but all are welcome to chime in.

1st are the Cemco plates. The best price I was quoted came from G2 Fitness for $1,719.00.

Next are the York ISO-grips. I can buy them locally at $1.79/lb for a total of $1718.40.

The third option are the rubber-encased Hamptons. These are available locally at $1.70/lb for a total of $1632.

The prices are fairly equal for this volume, so that isn't an overwhelming factors. I included some pics. What do you all think?

I have a set of the rubber cemco plates (rubber) and I'm pretty happy with them. They are super easy to pick up and super quiet.

btw if you are in Southern California I can get a real good deal on the cemco plates.

[pumping4life]

I have a set of the rubber cemco plates (rubber) and I'm pretty happy with them. They are super easy to pick up and super quiet.

btw if you are in Southern California I can get a real good deal on the cemco plates.

You West Coast tease, you. Alas, I am in the middle of the country.

If you have any desire to come to Illinois with the equivalent of 4 large adults in your trunk, let me know.

[sushii]

You West Coast tease, you. Alas, I am in the middle of the country.

If you have any desire to come to Illinois with the equivalent of 4 large adults in your trunk, let me know.

haha i'll keep that in mind.

[ironwill2008]

One word, OP--Ivanko.

[jfindon]

Cemcos.

[4MEandThem]

I have a set of the rubber cemco plates (rubber) and I'm pretty happy with them. They are super easy to pick up and super quiet.

btw if you are in Southern California I can get a real good deal on the cemco plates.


I might be interested in a deal on Cemco's. It would have to be worth a road trip.
Please PM me the details.

[C5VetteLS1]

I love them all but have never used any of them. My preference based on appearance is as follows:

(1) Cemco
(2) Hampton
(3) Iso Grips

[triplechris]

Definitely the Hamptons. Love that thick hub but thin edges, so when you load up the bar it looks like cooling fins on a motorcycle engine. Really you can't lose with any of these options. Jealous +1

[Essexlad]

I am getting to be more and more of a classicist. I just like the plain old plates.

I'm with Tim. I'd save some cash and get the solid hamptons or something similar.

Used the York ISO grips before, they were.... ok. Seemed well made, fitted the bar well to as I remember. I love their 'anti pinch' technology, talk about a problem that doesn't exist.

[stubbynr]

About a year and a half ago, I considered getting either the same CEMCO or York rubber plates. I went with the Yorks because of a couple of small York advantages: the fatter hubs (which means individual weights are easy to grab, because edges are @ an inch or so apart), and because the Yorks have grip holes on all of the plates (others you mentioned don't have grips for 2.5 and 5 lb. plates).


Not convinced? How about this? - I paid @ $1.10 a pound with shipping (vs. $1.79 you were quoted locally).

It's been a while, prices could be a little higher now, but I'm pretty certain you could still save a lot by contacting the York rep, Allison Foreman, and ordering from her (last I heard was still a 30-40% crossfit discount) if you decide on York.

Allison Foreman, York Barbell
allisonforeman@aol.com
(614) 785-9266 office
(614) 785-9322 fax
(614) 284-6455 cell

Happy with my purchase, especially when I think about how much extra $$$ I could have spent. You'll probably have a strong rubber smell with any of these plates for a while, but it'll fade away.

Good luck.

[Wildtim]

You need grips to handle the 2.5 and 5# plates? Sorry , not a selling point to me.

[rdog3]

I am drooling. All of those plates are nice but I'd have to go for the cemcos.

[animalfan]

You need grips to handle the 2.5 and 5# plates? Sorry , not a selling point to me.

lol, that's kinda what i thought. really, though, i'm fine with my regular plates, i just like the way the cemco and ivanko grip weights (with the round hole, not the slots) look. those are the only plates i'd consider spending a bunch of money on.

i'm not crazy about the york plates linked here, i prefer the regular yorks to those.

[C5VetteLS1]

One word, OP--Ivanko.

It would be hard to find a better looking plate. Grips look great to handle as well!

http://www.ivankobarbell.com/Photo/OUEZ45sm.gif

[stubbynr]

You need grips to handle the 2.5 and 5# plates? Sorry , not a selling point to me.

Thanks for that observation. Obviously, you don't need grip holes for 5 and 2.5 lb.plates, but if you are considering aesthetics when buying plates (vs. cost only) like pumping4life seems to be here, it could possibly matter. The thicker hub, though; does make for a little easier handling with the York plates. (Ironcompany has a good side view of several York plates on a bar showing this - I don't have enough posts here to include the link. Try a quick search engine check of images).


I listed the couple of small possible advantages I could find in comparing the Yorks to the others, before I mentioned the really big deal clincher for me - the several hundred $ I saved with the Yorks (a failed attempt at subtle humor). Totally ignoring price, I too was lusting after the Ivankos. But bottom-line price was a factor for me because I was also wanting other equipment for my home gym. I "settled" for the Yorks, got a big discount, and saved enough to buy a top end GHD with the difference.

[racertomtom]

One word, OP--Ivanko.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o119/racertomtom/ivankorubber.gif

[RHINO240]

Rubber coated plates are for pussies! Gotta hear that iron clang when you put on another plate! I'm "old school" too.

[RemainDieHard]

I have a set of the rubber cemco plates (rubber) and I'm pretty happy with them. They are super easy to pick up and super quiet.

btw if you are in Southern California I can get a real good deal on the cemco plates.

How is the fit on the bar? PM me with price on the Cemcos also out of curiosity.


One word, OP--Ivanko.


http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o119/racertomtom/ivankorubber.gif

I agree. I LOVE the 7 hole design. Fit and finish are top notch. When I had a gym membership they had the rubber 7 holes. I have some 7 holes myself but not rubber. The holes on the Ivankos are larger and probably make them more comfortable and easier to handle. If I was buying new I'd still consider the Cemco's as a cheaper alternative.

http://i28.tinypic.com/8w9og1.jpg

[pumping4life]

One word, OP--Ivanko.
Way too expensive. The Cemco style is very similar as are the stats(e.g. +/- 2% weight difference, etc.). If I were made of money, though, that would be a no-brainer.


I'm with Tim. I'd save some cash and get the solid hamptons or something similar.

Used the York ISO grips before, they were.... ok. Seemed well made, fitted the bar well to as I remember. I love their 'anti pinch' technology, talk about a problem that doesn't exist.
I really want plates with the grips. I cut my teeth on solid plates and still have many of them, but now that I have had grips, I don't want to go back.

I rarely pinch myself on a plate, but I do occasionally lay plates down on the ground. It would be nice never having to push the plate against something to get my fingers under it.


You need grips to handle the 2.5 and 5# plates? Sorry , not a selling point to me.
Absolutely not, but it is cool from a design standpoint.


Rubber coated plates are for pussies! Gotta hear that iron clang when you put on another plate! I'm "old school" too.
I will definitely miss that. For that very reason, I will not be selling all of my steel plates. The ones that are deep-dish and that I spent hours painting will stay.

[Skidmarx]

one word, op--ivanko.

+ 1

[pumping4life]

+ 1

I'm seeing a trend here. I've been hoping for some practical points of view,however. Any advice on grip, fit, finish, overall satisfaction, et cetera would be very welcomed.

[C5VetteLS1]

Personally after reading more here about the Hampton's, I'm sold on them! It's a damn good looking plate, and having the thicker hubs that space the plates edges apart from each other would make them a pleasure to deal with when loading the bars. IMO, the thicker hubs of the Hampton's make it a selling point for me. Sure wish I could afford a couple thousand pounds of these. I have a couple products from Hampton and they're clearly top notch quality.

http://www.ironcompany.com/ProductImages/hampton/plates/HOG-rubber-lg.jpg

[RemainDieHard]

I have a couple products from Hampton and they're clearly top notch quality.

http://www.ironcompany.com/ProductImages/hampton/plates/HOG-rubber-lg.jpg

Same here. Hampton 1500 lb test bar and Hampton multi-hex trap bar. Both are VERY nice. I hear their regular plates are excellent also.

[rdog3]

personally these are my favorite plates by appearance. I never used them but they look really nice to me. I'm pretty sure they'll take a nice chunk out of your wallet but they look so nice. I'm okay with my old school circular regular plates(I love the sound of iron clinging).

http://www.hamptonfit.com/shop/images/Fusion_lg.jpg
They area called hampton fusions by the way.

[sushii]

Rubber coated plates are for pussies! Gotta hear that iron clang when you put on another plate! I'm "old school" too.

Not when you live in an apartment 3 stories up with a grouchy old lady who lives below you. She once complained that my tv was too loud, and I don't even have an entertainment system. what the ****. My rack is right above her bedroom too, could you imagine if I had cast iron plates?! lol

I'll stick to my rubber plates, thank you. :)

(until I have my own garbage, some day!)

[ironwill2008]

I'm seeing a trend here. I've been hoping for some practical points of view,however. Any advice on grip, fit, finish, overall satisfaction, et cetera would be very welcomed.

Look at it like this; you'll only ever buy one set of Oly plates in your lifetime (not counting adding a few plates later on). In the grand scheme of things the extra money for the best isn't really all that much.


I have nothing at all against the other manufacturers you listed, and their stuff is good quality, but Ivanko makes precision machinery.

[pumping4life]

Just to let everyone know, I contacted Allison Foreman that Stubbynr had mentioned and she beat the above price by $400. She also stated she could offer 30% off retail prices. I will probably start a seperate thread on this just because that's a significant savings.

[C5VetteLS1]

Just to let everyone know, I contacted Allison Foreman that Stubbynr had mentioned and she beat the above price by $400. She also stated she could offer 30% off retail prices. I will probably start a seperate thread on this just because that's a significant savings.

Damn, sounds like Stubbynr has some serious Reppage coming! Great savings ... good for you bud.