If you decide to equip a home fitness room, then an important point will definitely be the selection of the right discs (plates) for barbells and dumbbells.
In this article we will answer the question: How to choose discs for barbells and dumbbells, what material the discs are made of, what diameter and weight of weights you can find on sale and which discs are especially popular among athletes.
Discs (plates) are a component of a barbell or dumbbell that allows you to adjust the weight of the apparatus depending on the load required by the athlete. The standard weight of a barbell varies from 5 to 20 kg. For dumbbell bars, depending on the material, the weight starts from 1 kg. If you need to increase the weight for training, use athletic discs (plates) for barbells and dumbbells.
In addition, plates have another function: they allow you to keep the bar at the required level when the apparatus is on the floor. Therefore, some discs with low weight (2.5-5 kg) have an increased diameter.
Who needs weight plates?
Barbell plates are special plates designed for lifting weights. They are uniform in diameter and made of dense rubber that won't bounce too much if they fall from the top level.
Think about how you lift a barbell.
Are you lifting it this way and planning to drop the barbell from above?
In a home gym, weight loss may not be ideal, especially if your gym is inside your home.
If you train with bench presses, squats, deadlifts, and your barbell never hits the ground in an uncontrolled manner, steel barbell plates may be a better option.
Which barbell plates are better to choose, rubber or cast iron?
Iron plates take up less space than rubber plates and are easier to load with a weight of 300-350 kg. For weight lifting or powerlifting, using steel plates is better than rubber plates.
Of course, rubber barbell plates are thinner so you can add more weight to one side, but overall cast iron wins in terms of maximum weight on each side.
Iron plates also tend to be cheaper on average than rubber plates.
Types of weight plates
The quality of your barbell plates really matters in terms of the longevity of the plates. You want them to be strong and durable and you want them to look good too!
Cheap plates may have colors that are not consistent, as two plates that should be the same color are actually two different shades, or may arrive with spots, inclusions, or unfinished edges.
The problem is that all the plates look the same online, so this article will help you choose the best pancakes for you.
There are three main types of slabs that are available:
- competition standard,
- educational standard
- technical barbell plates that are very simple (but very durable).
If you're shopping for plates for your home gym or want to set up a CrossFit gym, then a basic set of training plates is probably your best choice.
The difference between barbell plates and regular steel and iron plates is that plates are made of rubber and are designed to drop, while regular steel plates can provide more weight on the barbell.
Rubber weight plates for barbells have a uniform diameter. They vary in thickness, but not in diameter. This makes it lighter on the bar.
If you are looking to place as much weight on the barbell as possible, then steel plates are generally better.
But if you plan to do any serious heavy lifting where the barbell will inevitably fall, you need rubber plates.
Another advantage of rubber plates is that they lift the barbell higher off the ground than cast iron plates. This is another reason why they are ideal for deadlifts.
Bar[edit | edit code]
Choosing
rods
(from German
Stange
- “rod, rod”) - a sports equipment for lifting weights in weightlifting, bodybuilding and powerlifting.
Vulture
The collapsible rod has bushings at the ends to secure the load, consisting of disks of various weights and locks.
History[edit | edit code]
In ancient Egypt, warriors lifted iron and stone beams to develop strength. The ancient Greeks made dumbbells. Soldiers of medieval England (XIV-XV centuries) competed in lifting iron beams. Chronicle of the end of the 16th century. describes a stick with lead weights attached to the ends—the first mention of a variable-weight barbell. Ball barbells have always had a bar 1 m long. The literature describes the manufacture of dumbbells: “Cast lentil-shaped balls are put on a small iron barrel and attached to it with a small spike. The barrel is riveted and wrapped in leather.” The barbell was made in the same way.
In addition to cast rods, there were also hollow rods of variable weight. Sand or shot was poured into them.
The collapsible rod appeared in Germany in the mid-19th century. Since the 1896 Olympic Games, only a collapsible barbell has been used in competitions. A special place is occupied by the Apollo axle - the axle of a trolley with a diameter of 50 mm and a weight of 165 kg, named after the nickname of Louis Uni[en] (France), who lifted it daily on the stage. The main difficulty was that the axis did not turn. Only 30 years later, the Olympic champion of the 1924 Olympic Games, Charles Rigoulot[en] (France)[2], was able to lift it. A barbell with a rotating bar was invented by the German engineer Berg at the beginning of the 20th century. For the first time at competitions - at the European Championships in 1929. Later, at all major international competitions, a barbell with rubber-coated discs was used.
Kraevsky bar[edit | edit code]
“The Father of Russian Athletics” V.F. Kraevsky created a collapsible barbell of an original design, with three marks: one in the center of the bar for lifting with one hand, and two on the edges; and discs 2 - 10 lbs. Starting from the Russian Championship in 1897, it was used in competitions. Later it was improved before the revolution by S. D. Dmitriev (Moscow) and in Soviet times by Jan Sparre (Moscow) and N. I. Koshelev (Leningrad).
Advantages of rubber plates for barbells
The reason barbell plates are used in sports like CrossFit and other functional fitness regimens is because they are designed to fall.
They are made of thick rubber that won't bounce around too much. The rubber plates also have the same diameter regardless of weight, so they hit the ground more easily if dropped, causing less damage.
Natural rubber plates have a higher density than crumb rubber. Virgin rubber is harder, has less rebound and is more durable.
However, because virgin rubber is hard, it is louder than crumb rubber when you drop it. They are also more expensive since the raw materials must be new.
How to choose weights for a barbell?
Competition or training?
First, you need to decide what type of plate you want, for most it will be a basic, training, or technical plate.
They are very durable and can be dropped from above without being damaged. Training plates are great for beginners looking to deadlift or lift, and they are similar to competition plates but may not be accurate as they can be off by a few grams in weight.
Barbell training plates are less expensive than competition plates, so that's an advantage.
How much bounce should barbell plates have?
What you should look for in all barbell plates is “dead bounce.”
A dead jump is where the plates fall but don't bounce back into the air afterward. The best weight plates are unlikely to bounce even when dropped on the floor.
Look for dense rubber - this is the material that is least likely to bounce much.
Check the quality of the center ring
Another factor to pay attention to is the metal ring in the center, if it is of poor quality or material then the plate will not last long.
The center ring must be properly integrated into the plate to prevent it from coming loose.
Look for center rings that are made of steel and that are secured. You won't be able to see the hooks - they are built into the rubber from the inside. The secured inserts keep the insert from shifting or moving when the plate is dropped.
Type of rubber
High quality barbell pads are made from rubber, recycled rubber or recycled soft rubber.
- Natural rubber: more expensive, denser, thinner profile, durable, less bounce and stronger.
- Recycled rubber/soft rubber: more expensive and durable. The pancakes are held together.
Exercises that are performed using a barbell
Several types of strength exercises are performed using a barbell:
- jerk;
- push;
- presses;
- deadlift;
- squats;
- rises;
- shrugs.
This is interesting!
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Most straight bars have a special notch that allows you to work with different weights without fear of the bar slipping out of your hands. This effect is achieved by the fact that the notched grooves contain air, which prevents the palms from sweating.
The snatch deadlift is an exercise called the Chinese deadlift or panda deadlift. This training allows you to build up the muscles of the shoulder girdle and develop their endurance. The athlete makes a jerk, then comes out on his toes and slowly lowers the projectile. If you need to include the lower back and thigh muscles in the work, then the exercise is performed with straight legs.
The bench press is a basic exercise, during which the pectoral muscles work intensely, the shoulder muscles receive increased load, and variations of presses are possible that work individual muscle groups.
The push is the active phase of performing an exercise with a barbell. At the moment of the push, all muscle groups are involved in the work, the athlete experiences enormous physical stress.
Deadlift is an exercise that also belongs to the basic ones; there are several options for its implementation. The grip for deadlifts can be wide, narrow, parallel, mixed or lock. The exercise is performed with a straight back, with a uniform vertical load, to avoid injuries to the spinal column.
Barbell squats place significant stress on the muscles of the legs and shoulder girdle. The barbell can be held by the athlete both on the chest and on the shoulders. Depending on this, a certain muscle group develops and muscle mass increases.
Shrugs are a strength exercise that involves lifting the shoulder while using various weights. Performing a shrug helps to shape and build the muscles of the upper shoulder girdle.
In addition to the main sports equipment - the barbell, weightlifting requires a number of special equipment: a bench, a barbell rack and other items. The need for them arises when performing a certain set of exercises. Before starting training, a special program is drawn up for each bodybuilder, which is written taking into account such physical parameters as:
- height;
- weight;
- health status.
This program is designed for one or two months of training; in the allotted time, the athlete must learn to correctly perform a given set of exercises and fit into the allotted time. After completing the first program, the trainee’s physical fitness is monitored and a new cycle for training is developed. The main task of drawing up such programs is to comprehensively work out all muscle groups during the training process, with a gradual increase in strength load.
The best weight plates
Lite Weights Rubberized barbell d-26 0.5kg RJ1030
Review: These economical hard rubber weight plates have a sleek black finish that will look great in your garage or home gym.
These plates are ideal for heavy lifting because their thin profile means you can lift the barbell with more weight than other brands that have thicker plates.
pros
- Made from rubber.
- Thin width means you can stack more weight on the bar
Minuses
- The indicated plate mass is not always accurate.
These barbell plates are affordable, attractive, and great for heavy lifting.
Collapsible pancakes from Hi-Temp
Their design shows attention to detail with features like an integrated steel collar that leaves room for the plates to sit close together on the rod so they won't scratch or damage the floor if you slide the plate onto the floor.
They are made from recycled soft rubber and are more durable than others.
pros
- Specially treated for durability
- Affordable and high quality.
- The built-in steel collar allows the plates to sit tightly together.
Minuses
- Softer rubber means they bounce a little more than others.
These are great barbell plates at a budget price.
Set of sports bars Starfit BB-401 20 kg
Overview: These plates are made of thick rubber. They have a uniquely secured steel insert that stays in place even if the plates are frequently removed from the rod.
These plates are also thinner than the competition, meaning you can pack more weight onto the bar.
pros
- Beveled edge
- Natural rubber material is thinner and denser – accommodates more weight on the bar
- Durable hooked steel inserts last longer and stay in place better than competitors.
Minuses
- Black design makes it a little difficult to determine the weight
Set of sports bars Original FitTools FT-PUMP-SET-02
Review: They are the same as the black sport pancakes, but with contrasting lettering added for quick and easy identification. These barbell plates feature the same high quality hooked steel inserts that stay in place even after being dropped many times.
pros
- Contrasting lettering on each side for easy identification.
- The hooked steel insert stays in place even if the weight drops.
- Thick rubber means the plates are thin, so you can accommodate more weight.
Minuses
- You pay a little more for contrasting letters than for all-black plates.
They have contrasting letters and thick rubber so you can fit more on the bar. This is a decent option for the home gym or professional level.
Set of sports bars PROFI-FIT 20090
Review: They are carefully designed and manufactured with tough, durable rubber and are specially designed with steel inserts that lock into the rubber and will not spin on the shaft or pop out.
These barbell plates are so strong that you can drop them from the 4th floor without cracking.
pros
- The integrated and anchored steel ring does not move.
- High density, low rebound.
- Color-coded pancakes for easy weight identification.
The brand has the most durable barbell plates available on the market today.
Reebok barbell (bar + set of discs) RSWT-10090
Overview: Barbell plates are designed according to standards and are designed for athletes for training.
They are precise down to the gram, made of special rubber that is scratch-resistant and stabilized. They can be used for many years without deteriorating in quality like standard rubber pancakes.
pros
- Color coding of finishes.
- Certified
- Wear-resistant rubber that is stronger than standard rubber.
Minuses
- Expensive.
These are the ideal training plates for athletes who plan to compete.
Les Mills SMARTBAR™ G2 Weight Set, weight: 2 x 1 kg, 2 x 2.5 kg, 2 x 5 kg
Review: These high quality colored barbell plates have steel inserts that will withstand abuse and corrosion better than other metals.
They are easy to weigh and have a uniform diameter.
pros
- Color coded for easy weight identification.
- Accurate within 5 grams.
- Steel inserts.
Disc MB Barbell MB-AtletB31 15 kg
Review: These barbell plates are premium. They are sold in pairs and are made from a mixture of recycled rubber with a steel insert.
These pancakes have a cast iron core and have very little bounce when dropped.
pros
- Made from recycled rubber.
- Steel insert, superior to inserts made from other metals.
- Cast iron core.
Rubberized disc 31 mm Atlet – 10 kg
Review: This is an economical choice for your home or garage gym. There is color coding for easy identification and weights are listed in both pounds and kilograms.
pros
- Affordable.
- Weight is recorded in kilograms and pounds on each plate.
Barbell plate “3 HANDLE” D-26, 5 kg
Review: These plates are made from high quality rubber with high styrene content so they are durable and have very little bounce.
They are equipped with steel inserts and are color coded, making them easy to identify.
pros
- Steel inserts.
- Color coded for easy weight determination.
- Hard rubber with high styrene content.
Bar weight
The bar itself is also a certain mass. Many beginners forget to mentally add it to the weight of the weighting discs. The exact weight of the barbell depends on the model you are training with. For example, an Olympic bar weighs 20 kg for men and 15 kg for women. This is the heaviest type of model for professional weightlifting.
Classic training bars have less weight. For example, a straight bar is almost twice as light as an Olympic bar – its weight can range from 5 to 10 kg. The weight of the other classic models is approximately the same: EZ-shaped model - 6.5 kg, W-shaped - 6-8 kg, Smith machine bar - 7-15 kg.
Attention. You can buy the Mega Horizontal Bar by going to the appropriate section on the website.
