Weight Plates

Standard Weight Plates

Standard plates come with a 1-inch diameter hole, which means they are only compatible with standard bars—not Olympic bars. These are affordable and ideal for beginners or home gym setups on a budget. They also offer flexibility; if you already have standard bars, you can easily share the plates between equipment, which saves space and cost in your home gym.

Olympic Weight Plates

Olympic plates have a 2-inch diameter centre hole, which is the industry standard. This size is used across commercial gyms and in competitions, meaning the barbell you train with at the gym will be the same as the one used in competitions in terms of weight, thickness, and length. Olympic plates are more versatile than standard plates, providing a greater range of exercises with added stability on the bar. They are perfect for advanced lifters, as the wider sleeve on the bar allows more weight to be loaded. Additionally, most power racks and weight benches are designed to accommodate 7ft Olympic bars.

Studio Weight Plates

Studio plates are designed for group exercise classes, such as exercise to music classes or HIIT workouts. These plates are typically small, rubber-coated, brightly coloured, and often feature handles, making them easy to identify, grip, and store. They usually have a 1.18-inch centre hole. While studio plates are great for high-rep, low-weight classes, they aren’t suitable for heavy lifts like squats, deadlifts, or bench presses. For those, Olympic plates and barbells are a better choice.

Bumper Weight Plates

Bumper plates, often referred to as bumpers, are designed for 50mm (Olympic) barbells. They feature an iron or steel core with a thick rubber coating to absorb shocks, meaning they can be dropped from overhead without damaging the bar, the floor, or the plates. These plates are popular for Olympic lifts, as they reduce noise and wear. Manufacturers use either recycled rubber or high-quality virgin rubber. Some bumper plates are urethane-moulded, making them extremely durable—perfect for long-term use.

Rubber-Coated Plates

Rubber-coated plates have an iron or steel core with a layer of rubber on top. This makes them tougher and safer to use while also protecting your floors. You’ll see them in most gyms, and they don’t have the strong smell some rubber products have. These plates are strong, durable, and built to last.

Urethane Bumper Plates

Urethane bumper plates are known for being more durable than rubber plates. Urethane is harder, meaning these plates resist cuts, scratches, and general wear much better. They also handle compression well, so they can take a lot of heavy use. What’s great about urethane plates is that they don’t fade or break down in sunlight, making them ideal for outdoor or garage gyms. Another bonus—they won’t leave marks on your floors or walls, and they don’t have the strong rubber smell you get with some other plates.

Competition Weight Plates

Competition-grade bumper plates are built to meet strict International Weightlifting Federation IWF standards. They’re designed with a steel core and a rubber coating, and they’re thinner than regular bumper plates, so you can fit more weight on the bar. These are ideal for serious lifters who need high-quality plates for heavy lifts.

Fractional Plates

Fractional plates are small weight plates that allow for incremental increases in load, starting from as low as 0.125kg. They’re ideal for those who want to progress gradually, especially advanced lifters who need smaller jumps in weight to push their limits safely.

Technique Weight Plates

Technique weight plates are perfect for safely practising complicated Olympic lifting. They are the same size as competition plates but much lighter, so you can focus on getting your form right without the pressure of heavy weight

Cast Iron Plates

Cast iron weight plates are the old-school, tough choice for lifters. They have a simple, rugged design—usually dark with easy-to-read weight markings—and come in both standard and Olympic sizes. These plates are built to last and are perfect if you’re looking for something durable and affordable. They’re great for strength training, as long as you’re not dropping them from overhead. If you want something reliable without the extra bells and whistles, cast iron plates are a solid pick.

Tri-Grip Weight Plates

With three handles on their circumference, tri-grip weight plates are easy to carry and load onto bars, perfect for plate-based exercises such as Russian twists, front raises, goblet squats, plate drags, and halo rotations. This design reduces the risk of the plates slipping from your hands. However, they’re not meant to be dropped, so they’re best suited for controlled lifts, not Olympic lifting.

Hex Weight Plates

Hex weight plates are very practical due to their hexagonal shape which keeps them from rolling around, making them perfect for studio classes. The hex shape ensures the plates stay put. However, they’re not ideal for deadlifts, where round plates make things smoother.

Crumb Rubber Plates

Made from recycled rubber, crumb rubber weight plates are an environmentally friendly option. They are durable, provide a good bounce for controlled drops, and are typically more affordable than urethane plates. Due to their recycled nature, colours may vary, and they can yellow slightly over time if exposed to direct sunlight, but this doesn't affect their performance or durability.

Colour Options

Weight plates come in various colours, following a standardised colour-coding system set by the IWF and International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). This makes it easy to identify weights quickly in both training and competition settings. You’ll find options from traditional black to vibrant, competition-standard colours. Here's the common colour and weight scheme:

Beginner:

Advanced:

Expert:

Accessories:

Don’t forget to complete your gym setup with essential accessories. These items help keep your space organised and make it easier to switch between exercises.