Intek Strength Olympic Weights

[morebarbell]

Thanks to another forum member who posted the deal, I picked up some of the 10lb Intek "armor series" urethane encased plates during the Black Friday sale. I suspect that the sale plates were new old stock but I doubt they're very old. These plates do not have the stainless steel insert shown on the Intek website and the position of the brand name is different but they look very similar otherwise... in fact, some stores still have the old photos up.

http://intekstrength.com/products/we...lympic-plates/

These are the first Intek plates that I've ever seen except in photos. And I was very pleased with the quality. The center hole is machined and the plates have a very nicely formed urethane coating. The urethane has a nice matte black finish which I prefer better than glossy black because of the grip as well as the appearance. The "armor series" is Intek's top of the line olympic plate and I haven't seen their painted iron or rubber plates.



The contoured shapes of the Intek and Iron Grip plates are a bit more ergonomic than the round holes on the GPI and Ivanko plates. ...but the Ivanko plates look cooler. One thing that I'll point out in this photo is that the hub on the Iron Grip plates is covered by urethane and the thin coating of urethane wears away. Ivanko gets around this problem by using a SUPER thick layer of urethane over the hub. In contrast, the hubs on GPI rubber (discontinued style) and Intek urethane plates are bare iron that's machined flat. Although there's no urethane coating on the hub, they have a black paint to minimize rust. I think the thick layer of urethane or the bare machined iron are both good solutions. I can see benefits to each. I haven't seen the inserts on the new plates. I wonder if the inserts can loosen like the inserts on some bumper plates... dunno.



It doesn't look like they skimped on the urethane. They're pretty thick like the urethane plates from other manufacturers.

[jtaliani]

Nice review! I have 1,200lbs of the steel version and they are very nice plates. Not quite revolvers in fit, finish, and aesthetics, but they are also a good deal cheaper. Definitely one of the nicer plates, particularly grip plates, on the market. I'd like to pick up another 800lbs or so, though I am fighting the urge to go with revolvers, solely for aesthetics.

[dumb.bell]

I am fighting the urge to go with revolvers, solely for aesthetics.

Keep fighting - Don't do it!!

[Synthetickiller]

Would it be asking too much to get the thicknesses of all the plates?

[jtaliani]

Would it be asking too much to get the thicknesses of all the plates?

Was that directed toward morebarbell or me? If me, sure, I can measure the different size plates.

[Xone]

Nice. I was going to buy them when I saw them but there was only one set left of 10s, and would have wanted at least two sets since they are expensive full price and would want some to match. Should have grabbed them anyway.

Are there any sources for new urethane plates that are nice looking and fit the bar well and aren't absurdly priced to have shipped? I just want a set of 10s, 5s, and 2.5s. Shipping seems to be killer and a lot of places have a flat freight charge.

[morebarbell]

Would it be asking too much to get the thicknesses of all the plates?

Was that directed toward morebarbell or me? If me, sure, I can measure the different size plates.

If you're talking to me, I only have the Intek plates in the 10lb size. I could also measure the 10lb Ivanko OM and vintage York plates. I no longer have the Iron Grip & GPI plates.

Nice. I was going to buy them when I saw them but there was only one set left of 10s, and would have wanted at least two sets since they are expensive full price and would want some to match. Should have grabbed them anyway.

Are there any sources for new urethane plates that are nice looking and fit the bar well and aren't absurdly priced to have shipped? I just want a set of 10s, 5s, and 2.5s. Shipping seems to be killer and a lot of places have a flat freight charge.

If you want them cheap, you'll probably have to look on the used market.

[bobcat255]

Awesome review... thank you for taking the time.

I'm still kicking myself for missing this deal

[morebarbell]

Nice review! I have 1,200lbs of the steel version and they are very nice plates. Not quite revolvers in fit, finish, and aesthetics, but they are also a good deal cheaper. Definitely one of the nicer plates, particularly grip plates, on the market. I'd like to pick up another 800lbs or so, though I am fighting the urge to go with revolvers, solely for aesthetics.

Keep fighting - Don't do it!!

I think that the differences for the painted iron plates will be obvious for the change but maybe minor for the larger grip plates. Ivanko's OM plates are fully machined whereas the Intek plates are cast. Paint may be another difference. Ivanko's paint has changed over the years but I think that the German polyester paint that they're currently using is also really nice. I'd also say Ivanko's urethane is a bit better but I think the Intek urethane plates are also super nice. And in this price range it's mostly a matter of personal preference.

[Synthetickiller]

Was that directed toward morebarbell or me? If me, sure, I can measure the different size plates.

Whoever has the plate or took the pic (who must obviously have them on hand).

[morebarbell]

Whoever has the plate or took the pic (who must obviously have them on hand).

I'm still confused. LOL. I'll take some measurements of the 10 lb plates from Intek (urethane), Ivanko (iron) and vintage York (iron). I no longer have the other plates. I replaced them with the Inteks and they're already sold and gone.

[morebarbell]

Here are some photos that Intek sent me a while back in response to an inquiry. The plates are lightly used surplus. The bars are new.

[morebarbell]

Thickness of 10 pound plates:
Intek Urethane… 1 3/8"
Ivanko OM Iron… 1 1/4"
Vintage York Iron… 7/8"
CAP Olympic Iron… 7/8"
CAP Standard Iron… 13/16"

[morebarbell]

Some painted cast iron Intek plates in black...not sure when they made these plates. There's a store in Atlanta that has some 25s and 5s in this style. The sales person told me they bought an entire truckload but only have these sizes left. I asked them to mail me a pair of 25s and she's supposed to call me back.

[Sdca7718]

If these are cast plates, hows the fit to the bar sleeve? I really like the urethane plates since they do grips even for the 10 lb plates.

[morebarbell]

If these are cast plates, hows the fit to the bar sleeve? I really like the urethane plates since they do grips even for the 10 lb plates.

The Intek urethane 10s have a very good fit. I think the center hole is a hair smaller than on my Ivanko OM 10s.

I don't have the black painted iron 25s yet. The store doesn't usually ship and it could be a while before I get them because they're having the flat rate boxes delivered and then they'll have the package picked up by the carrier. Hopefully all goes well.

[Sdca7718]

The Intek urethane 10s have a very good fit. I think the center hole is a hair smaller than on my Ivanko OM 10s.

I don't have the black painted iron 25s yet. The store doesn't usually ship and it could be a while before I get them because they're having the flat rate boxes delivered and then they'll have the package picked up by the carrier. Hopefully all goes well.

Great post showing the different rubber plates. I'm thinking my next plate purchase is going to be a set of inteks.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Congrats on the deal and awesome pics...I always liked the look of the Inteks and almost went with them until finally making my decision with the Troy GO's (A year ago).

[morebarbell]

Great post showing the different rubber plates. I'm thinking my next plate purchase is going to be a set of inteks.

Since I only have 10s I didn't mention it previously ...but I think that the diameter of the 45s is a little smaller than average. Just thought I'd mention it in case it matters to you. It won't matter for most lifts but it might be noticeable for deadlifts.

Congrats on the deal and awesome pics...I always liked the look of the Inteks and almost went with them until finally making my decision with the Troy GO's (A year ago).

Thanks!