Weight plates
Buy weight plates for your strength training
Weight plates are a must for any home gym and are used for
with barbells. But also some fitness equipment is loaded with weight plates to intensify the workout. All weight plates in our online shop have a diameter of 30 mm and therefore fit on any standard dumbbell bar. Our chrome weight plates are particularly practical. These are equipped with handles for additional exercises and are available in many weight increments.When buying weight plates you should make sure that they are optimally suited to your intended use and that they are compatible with each other and with your
in terms of bore and diameter. In addition, different materials and sheathing provide differences in durability, workout feel, and feel and look.What weight should the weight plates I buy be?
Weight plates allow you to optimally adjust your training weight and combine them as needed. They come in weight units depending on the hole diameter:
- 0.5 kg
- 1.25 kg
- 2.5 kg
- 5 kg
- 7.5 kg
- 10 kg
- 15 kg
- 20 kg
- 25 kg
Your ideal training weight depends on the exercise you choose and your fitness level. In general, weights with which you can do between 6 and 20 repetitions are best for building muscle. Depending on the exercise, you will therefore need a wide range of weight plates to be able to combine the right weight. Furthermore, you should remember to have enough weights so that you can increase in the long term. Otherwise, stagnation will quickly set in and your body will no longer adapt to consistent training stimuli. A set of weight plates such as the is ideal for getting started with 30 mm bars and can then be expanded as required.
Furthermore, make sure to have at least 2 discs of the same weight unit in order to be able to load the barbell evenly. When buying weight plates for
also note that the weights are distributed over 2 dumbbells and you therefore need more plates in total and 4 plates each for an even load. The combination of different discs makes fine gradations possible, which allow you to make lasting progress.What materials and coatings are available?
When it comes to weight plates, it's not just about the weight and the bore, the surface should also be chosen consciously. Depending on the area of use, different materials have their advantages.
How do I use a cast iron weight plate and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Cast iron weight plates are particularly durable and practically indestructible. Cast iron is ideal if you are looking for a rough and natural look. They are available with
- diameter as well as with 50 mm. Therefore, be sure to buy cast iron discs with the appropriate hole diameter for your bars. Cast iron weight plates are available at particularly low prices, are robust and also come with handles, making them ideal for price-conscious beginners. A disadvantage, however, can be the increased noise level caused by setting down the weights. When training, make sure that you use a floor protection mat or a rack to avoid damaging your floor.Bumper plates vs. cast iron weight plates: What's the difference?
Unlike cast iron weight plates, bumper plates have a wider and softer surface. This makes bumper plates particularly easy on the floor in your training room. Furthermore, bumper plates have a standardised diameter. This can make loading and unloading the dumbbells more difficult. Cast iron weight plates are larger the heavier they are and are therefore more space-saving with small weights, which is especially relevant on a weight plate rack.
Cast iron weight plates are available with different hole diameters, whereas bumper plates are only available for 50 mm barbells and have no handles. Bumper plates are therefore particularly suitable if you have sufficient space and do not need small weight increments, but noise and floor protection are important to you. Heavy weights can be used with both cast iron and bumper plates. Weights up to 25 kg per plate are common with both families of plates.
What are the advantages of chrome dumbbells?
Chrome dumbbells look particularly high quality and bring glamour to your home gym! The natural silver dumbbell and barbell bars as well as silver star fasteners are the best visual match for chrome weight plates. To keep their shiny surface for a long time and to reduce the noise level, you should use floor protection mats during training. The weight plates often have rounded corners so that the plates are easy to insert. Chrome-covered weight plates usually have a 30 mm hole for your barbell and dumbbell, weights up to 10 kg per plate and no grip holes. They are therefore very suitable for light to moderate weights and for use on a padded surface.
What are weight plates with PU coating?
Weight plates with
are very robust and scratch-resistant. The non-slip coating ensures reduced noise during training and also allows them to be set down on sensitive surfaces. PU weight plates have handles and are available in all weight units from 1.25 - 25 kg, but only with 50 mm bore. Weight plates with PU coating are therefore ideal if you want to train safely and quietly and have or want to buy an Olympic bar.Weight plates with rubber surface
Similar to weight plates with PU coating, rubber-coated plates protect the plate itself as well as your floor and other training equipment. This means you train more quietly than with iron plates. Weight plates with rubber coating are available in different weight units for 30 mm and 50 mm bars.
Weight plates made of plastic
Weight plates with plastic coating often contain sand or concrete in the core. The plastic surface makes them gentle to use, but they are not as robust as cast iron or PU-coated discs. They are therefore mainly suitable for fitness beginners. If, on the other hand, you are looking for durable and visually appealing weight plates, you are well advised to use chrome, cast iron or PU-coated weight plates.
What size weight plates are recommended?
In addition to the diameter of the weight plate itself, the diameter of the hole is also important. This dimension must be identical for your weight plate and your barbell, otherwise you cannot use them together. Therefore, before buying weight plates and bars, pay attention to the hole specification.
Weight plates 30 mm
Weight plates with a hole diameter of 30 mm are available in weights up to 10 kg and are often used at home because of their smaller size. They are often made of iron and coated with rubber or polyurethane to protect surfaces. With chrome dumbbells such as the the sheathing ensures a particularly beautiful disc surface.
- hole diameters are secured to your 30 mm dumbbell or barbell with a screw or clamp fastener, depending on the barbell.
If you already own or would like to buy weight bars with a 30 mm bar diameter and also value stylish equipment that takes up little space, 30 mm weight plates are the right choice.
50 mm weight plates
Weight plates with a bore of 50 mm are altogether larger and usually available in weight units of 1.25 kg - 25 kg. Therefore, these discs are particularly suitable for exercises such as squats or deadlifts, where heavier weights can be handled. Therefore, weight plates with 50 mm bore are also called Olympic plates.
However, they are also suitable for beginners due to the fine gradations of the weights and can be combined as desired. Unlike 30 mm discs, weight plates with a 50 mm diameter are usually only intended for use on the
, as dumbbells almost exclusively have a 30 mm disc holder.Thefollowing therefore applies: discs with a 30 mm bore fit on dumbbell bars and barbell rods as well as SZ bars with a 30 mm diameter. Weight plates with 50 mm bore fit almost exclusively on barbell bars with 50 mm diameter (so-called Olympic bars), but not on dumbbell bars.
Many 50 mm discs, such as the
also have handles. These are particularly practical for you if you want to change the weight frequently during a workout or want to place several 50 mm discs. Before buying, make sure that you also use a bar with a 50 mm diameter on the plate holders such as the or order it directly with the product.Bumper Plates
Bumper plates are a special form of the Olympic 50 mm weight plates. They do not have a standard disc diameter and only fit on 50 mm disc holders. This means that the distance of the barbell from the floor is always the same, which is indispensable for advanced athletes and competition athletes, e.g. for deadlifting or Olympic weightlifting. Furthermore, bumper plates have a softer surface and even allow the loaded barbell to be dropped without damaging the floor or making a lot of noise.
On the other hand, bumper weight plates do not have grip holes, which can make it difficult to pick up the barbell from the barbell rack. Furthermore, the gradation of the weights is not as fine as with other 50 mm discs, as the standardised diameter of 46 cm does not allow for weights smaller than 2.5 kg. Bumper plates are therefore mainly relevant for advanced and professional users, although the softer surface and lower noise level are also suitable for beginners, especially in the home gym.
If grip and the use of small weight units are decisive criteria for you, on the other hand, go for normal 50 mm discs made of cast iron or polyurethane.
Weight plate stand
If you have a lot of different plates at home, a weight plate stand is also recommended. Here you should also consider the diameter of the hole of your plates and the maximum load capacity. For 30 mm plates, the
with a load capacity of up to 160 kg is suitable. Weight plates with 50 mm or bumper plates, on the other hand, require a .Weight plates with handles
Many weight plates made of cast iron or with PU coating have grip holes in the plate. This makes it easier to load your dumbbells and to put the plates on the weight plate stand. Especially with heavy weights, this is an important advantage that can make your workout more comfortable and efficient. Due to the increased grip, you can even use the plates individually without a bar like a dumbbell as a training tool. Suitable exercises include
- Bent over rowing
- Front lift
- Push press
- Goblet Squats
- Standing Twists
Especially if you want to change weights more frequently within a workout, weight plates with handles are useful.
What are the closures for securing the dumbbells?
To ensure that your workout is not only effective but also safe, you should secure your weight plates to the bar. To do this, consider the type and diameter of your bar.
Clamp locks
The simplest form of barbell securing is a clamp. These are available for both 30 mm and 50 mm bars. The
, for example, already includes 2 of them so you can get started straight away.Screw caps
Screw caps can be found on dumbbell bars that have a thread on the disc holder. When buying bars or caps, please note that screw caps need a thread and will not hold otherwise. They therefore need a little longer to be loosened and tightened, but they hold extremely tightly. They are only available for 30 mm rods.
Star-shaped fasteners
This type of fastener is suitable for 50 mm poles. By means of a simple lever mechanism you quickly tighten the Closure in star shape on the end of the bar and release it again. This ensures quick changes of weights and a strong hold.
Screw locks for Olympic barbell bars
With this 50 mm screw cap you secure your weights on the Olympic bar. Unlike screw locks for 30 mm dumbbells, these
do not require a thread on the bar, but instead tighten a screw on the lock on the bar. This gives you a particularly firm hold and you can still release the fasteners quickly.Where can I test weight plates?
Still need help making your decision? Then simply visit us in our HAMMER stores and get expert advice.
Alexander Seifried
Personal Trainer, B. Sc. Nutrition Management and Dietetics, M. Sc. Clinical Sports Therapy and Sports Physiology