Trying to pick Weight Plates

[Braveheart91]

Having trouble picking a type of weight. Which one would you guys think is best for a home gym?

Cast-Iron Simple:
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/9229/prd6953b43097a04a37ab72.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/prd6953b43097a04a37ab72.jpg/)

Tri-Grip (Sorry about the pic size)
http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/1654/prdf2c55547887e459c9783.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/prdf2c55547887e459c9783.jpg/)

Also the above or these Polygonal Rubber ones:
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/1285/prd0bcb6cb2a83f4f938be5.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/848/prd0bcb6cb2a83f4f938be5.jpg/)

[KeithTheSnake]

Me, personally, I'd stay away from the fancy-schmancy stuff. I'd just go with the normal, run of the mill olympic weights for the olympic bar and plain-Jane standard plates for the machines because the price per pound is cheaper than olympic.

This way, you can always get a break on more weight on craigslist. That's my first choice.

I really like Ivanko plates and other older plates that have a nice lip on the edge to grab onto when loading the bar, but that's just my personal preference. Some cheaper plates have holes that are bigger than you may really want.

If you want to have padding to keep the floor from being pulverized, you can buy rubber matting or stack up old carpeting. Or, you could build a wooden platform. Once, I scored some rubber truck mud flaps for either side of my power rack.

This is probably more of an exhaustive reply than you were hoping for. It's the coffee.

[Braveheart91]

Me, personally, I'd stay away from the fancy-schmancy stuff. I'd just go with the normal, run of the mill olympic weights for the olympic bar and plain-Jane standard plates for the machines because the price per pound is cheaper than olympic.

This way, you can always get a break on more weight on craigslist. That's my first choice.

I really like Ivanko plates and other older plates that have a nice lip on the edge to grab onto when loading the bar, but that's just my personal preference. Some cheaper plates have holes that are bigger than you may really want.

If you want to have padding to keep the floor from being pulverized, you can buy rubber matting or stack up old carpeting. Or, you could build a wooden platform. Once, I scored some rubber truck mud flaps for either side of my power rack.

This is probably more of an exhaustive reply than you were hoping for. It's the coffee.

Nah, solid reply =] cheers!

[TomMutaffis]

I would go with the simple cast iron plates, the others do not offer any real value in terms of functionality other than being a bit easier to load/move (but you will pay a significant amount more).

[justinluck]

I own Body-Solid Rubber Grip Plates and do not regret the decision at all. When you consider how often you load and deload plates during every single workout, comfort is definitely a factor.

[chorscroft]

I'm assuming you're looking at plates from fitness superstore?

If so then the last time I checked, the tri grip plates were actually cheaper or the same price as the simple plates.

I have the same tri grip plates but the rubber coated bodymax versions from powerhouse fitness and think they're great for the money, very easy to load and unload.

[chorscroft]

Oh and on another note, I definitely wouldn't get the polygonal plates. I've never used them personally but it seems they would be very inconvenient when doing any pulls from the floor, deadlifts, power cleans etc.

[tmonkey]

i ended up with the body solid steel grip plates

they are great plates and have had no issues with them. they are easy to grab and take on and off etc..

but now i feel locked in to these plates and some days i wish i just went with cheap plates and other days I wish i started with nicer ones :confused:

I have 1252.5 lbs in plates now and i am planning to pick up some more real soon. I feel like I have to stick with the bs grips now and there are only a couple of places that sell them (at a good price)

fitness factory has free shipping on sets this weekend so i am probably going to pick up another 500lb set


not pictured 10 standard 45lb. plates
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5462269871_f97da48876_z.jpg

[Braveheart91]

i ended up with the body solid steel grip plates

they are great plates and have had no issues with them. they are easy to grab and take on and off etc..

but now i feel locked in to these plates and some days i wish i just went with cheap plates and other days I wish i started with nicer ones :confused:

I have 1252.5 lbs in plates now and i am planning to pick up some more real soon. I feel like I have to stick with the bs grips now and there are only a couple of places that sell them (at a good price)

fitness factory has free shipping on sets this weekend so i am probably going to pick up another 500lb set


not pictured 10 standard 45lb. plates
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5462269871_f97da48876_z.jpg

Looks sick man! Was very tempted to get the tri-grip plates but for some reason I went ahead and bought a couple York Olympic Standard Plates. feelsweirdman.

Yea I tried to buy from fitness superstore but for some reason they wouldnt accept my card so ended up going to fitnessmegastore (lulz) cards being a retard so couldnt buy everything I wanted, meh!

Might be tempted to buy some Tri-Grips in the future as they're practically the same price as the Standards ( though **** brands)

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/597/fitnessolympicweightpla.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/146/fitnessolympicweightpla.png/)

[bethanyboo]

The rubber polygon ones are pretty but I agree that they're a pain. They're annoying for anything off of the floor like deadlifts, rows, and cleans.

[KBKB]

Of those three, I'd go with the Tri-Grip plates. I find grip plates much easier to carry than the old-style plates with the lip. That said, those old style plates have their uses. You can, for example, put them on the floor, flat side up and stand on them if you need a bit of elevation.

[AttyGuy]

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/597/fitnessolympicweightpla.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/146/fitnessolympicweightpla.png/)

That other stuff is just pretty. Black iron is old school. They're weights for hard men (and women).

[Braveheart91]

Yea the York ones definately feel alot more appopriate! :D Only problem with the York ones is with Shipping and VAT it's like £40 for 1x20kg Plate. Whereas those body-power ones are like £33 with vat etc etc.

[justinluck]

What is the promo code? When I add two 45lb rubber grip plates to a cart, the shipping cost is still there.


i ended up with the body solid steel grip plates

they are great plates and have had no issues with them. they are easy to grab and take on and off etc..

but now i feel locked in to these plates and some days i wish i just went with cheap plates and other days I wish i started with nicer ones :confused:

I have 1252.5 lbs in plates now and i am planning to pick up some more real soon. I feel like I have to stick with the bs grips now and there are only a couple of places that sell them (at a good price)

fitness factory has free shipping on sets this weekend so i am probably going to pick up another 500lb set


not pictured 10 standard 45lb. plates
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5462269871_f97da48876_z.jpg

[jormone]

What is the promo code? When I add two 45lb rubber grip plates to a cart, the shipping cost is still there.

weight sets only

http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Images/email/2011-05-26/20110526-3.gif

[tmonkey]

What is the promo code? When I add two 45lb rubber grip plates to a cart, the shipping cost is still there.


weight sets only

http://www.fitnessfactory.com/Images/email/2011-05-26/20110526-3.gif

yep sets only

i was kind of pissed because i was only going to pick up 8 x 45's and 2 x 5's but i will probably just get the 500lb set now instead instead of paying the $100 shipping.
I am also going to see if they will swap out the 7' bar for the 5' - i always wanted a 5' bar but didn't want to pay for one so maybe this is a blessing in disguise

[Braveheart91]

yep sets only

i was kind of pissed because i was only going to pick up 8 x 45's and 2 x 5's but i will probably just get the 500lb set now instead instead of paying the $100 shipping.
I am also going to see if they will swap out the 7' bar for the 5' - i always wanted a 5' bar but didn't want to pay for one so maybe this is a blessing in disguise

500lb sounds expensive as fawk :D

I literally can't fit a 7' Olympic Bar in my shed, I'm forced to use a 5' hahaha, have to lift outside in the garden if i wanna use the 7'

[justinluck]

I'm not quite sure why the deal doesn't extend to plates. The weight sets weigh a heck of a lot more all together than pairs of plates, even 45 pounders. The sets also include 7' bars that are awkward to ship.

I remember reading a post on this forum about someone we should contact at Fitness Factory if we want to inquire about deals. Anyone remember his name?

[Corbi]

I'd try and score whatever you can off Craigslist and pay no attention to what style they are. Last year I got 280 lbs of solid weights plus a bench for $100. Picked up a leg press/hack machine with 520 lbs of Body solid weights for $500. Nice pretty matching weights are cool if you have the $$$, otherwise just go with used old school iron.

[tmonkey]

I'm not quite sure why the deal doesn't extend to plates. The weight sets weigh a heck of a lot more all together than pairs of plates, even 45 pounders. The sets also include 7' bars that are awkward to ship.

I remember reading a post on this forum about someone we should contact at Fitness Factory if we want to inquire about deals. Anyone remember his name?

problem is i am sure they will be closed until this deal is over

i am going to order this weekend and call them on tuesday


corbi is right if you can find stuff on cl it is a great way to go. i also got my hack squat/ leg press from c/l with 10 45's cheaper then i could get the plates


and yeah i want my plates to match now - stupid i know

[Keetman]

I'm not quite sure why the deal doesn't extend to plates. The weight sets weigh a heck of a lot more all together than pairs of plates, even 45 pounders. The sets also include 7' bars that are awkward to ship.

I remember reading a post on this forum about someone we should contact at Fitness Factory if we want to inquire about deals. Anyone remember his name?



It's really not that hard to understand. My father told me over and over when I was growing up that nothing in this world is "free". I thought he was crazy when I was 10, but I understand him full well now.

Those plates aren't shipped "free". The purchaser may not be "paying" for them, but somebody is. If I sell you 500lbs of weights I can hide the cost or redistribute across the cost of multiple items...that is I have more items to make a profit on. If I sell you a 2.5lb plate it will absolutely cost me something to ship it.....as will a 500lb set. If you think I can ship either to you for "free" and still stay in business......well....you aren't shipping much.

It may seem simple, and in some ways it is. The fact is, the whole "sale" is probably a loss leader in that they're just trying to get people to look at their site and buy something. They may take a little hit on the shipping, but if they're getting you to buy something that at least costs $300....its a small hit and they can account for it. If they have to take the hit on every single person that wants a 45lb plate....the shipping costs will accrue rapidly and they'll have no profit to show for it.

The only reason they're selling plates is to turn a profit.

[Braveheart91]

I'd try and score whatever you can off Craigslist and pay no attention to what style they are. Last year I got 280 lbs of solid weights plus a bench for $100. Picked up a leg press/hack machine with 520 lbs of Body solid weights for $500. Nice pretty matching weights are cool if you have the $$$, otherwise just go with used old school iron.

I'm a ***git and have no idea how to use Craigslist but daamn those are some sweet deals!

[tmonkey]

It's really not that hard to understand. My father told me over and over when I was growing up that nothing in this world is "free". I thought he was crazy when I was 10, but I understand him full well now.

Those plates aren't shipped "free". The purchaser may not be "paying" for them, but somebody is. If I sell you 500lbs of weights I can hide the cost or redistribute across the cost of multiple items...that is I have more items to make a profit on. If I sell you a 2.5lb plate it will absolutely cost me something to ship it.....as will a 500lb set. If you think I can ship either to you for "free" and still stay in business......well....you aren't shipping much.

It may seem simple, and in some ways it is. The fact is, the whole "sale" is probably a loss leader in that they're just trying to get people to look at their site and buy something. They may take a little hit on the shipping, but if they're getting you to buy something that at least costs $300....its a small hit and they can account for it. If they have to take the hit on every single person that wants a 45lb plate....the shipping costs will accrue rapidly and they'll have no profit to show for it.

The only reason they're selling plates is to turn a profit.

i ordered the 500lb set today and got credit back on the bar and collars :)
I am pretty sure they would sell any of the sets and you could make any change you want and still get free shipping - as in trade in 35 + 10 lb plates for 45's ;)

but yeah clearly they want a fixed minimun $$$ amount for the sale.

they are open and i talked to matt - i think he may be the only one there today since i called twice and he answered both times

[IvankoBarbellCo]

Just a couple of off-the-cuff thoughts:


I would go with the simple cast iron plates, the others do not offer any real value in terms of functionality other than being a bit easier to load/move (but you will pay a significant amount more).

The so-called "grip" plate is a really old design, but some gyms have favored grip plates because they claim there's more light that's allowed in the gym (because the light shines through the grip holes or slots) when a gym is packed with plate loading equipment. Whether it's a significant factor for most people, I don't know, but it seems to be one reason. Another is that grip plates are easier for some to take on an off a machine or a bar. It takes all kinds and there are different gym demographics. There's also the (alleged) safety factor. I write "alleged" because I don't know if there are any statistics out there whether plates that are easier to grip cut down on injuries. And even though there's liability waivers, people still get hurt, and there's (in the US at least) litigation that comes from that despite, it seems, what a gym member signs.



The rubber polygon ones are pretty but I agree that they're a pain. They're annoying for anything off of the floor like deadlifts, rows, and cleans.

I've always thought this way too. Maybe if you're working out on a steep hill or incline or something, there's a benefit to no roll plates. I've always preferred round plates, but would like to hear from anyone who thinks differently.