15 Ways To Pick Weight Plates For Home Gym in India?

Choose the Right Weight Plate Sizes for Your Needs.

Weight plates come in a variety of sizes, ranging from small 1.25 kg fractional plates to large 25 kg plates.

It is important to choose the right size based on your current strength level and the exercises you will be doing.

If you are just starting out with weightlifting, it may be a good idea to start with smaller plates and gradually work your way up to heavier weights. 😁

Rubber, Iron, or Plastic Weight Plates?

Weight plates can be made from a variety of materials, including rubber, iron, and plastic.

Each type of material has its own pros and cons.

1. Rubber bumper plates are a good choice for home gyms because they are quieter than iron plates and are less likely to damage floors or equipment.
2. Iron plates are more durable and can last longer, but they are louder and may be more expensive.
3. Plastic plates (PVC) are a budget-friendly option, but they are not as durable and may not be as accurate in terms of weight.

Ensuring the Weight Plates are True to their Listed Weight.

It is important to choose weight plates that are accurate in terms of their listed weight.

This is especially important if you are using smaller plates and need to add weight in small increments.

Make sure to check the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure that the plates are accurate.

If you are buying it from a reputed company, like SF healthtech or ATE or any, in India then this won’t be necessary to check. 

(Give my code: "MENSQUATS" for getting additional 5% off when buying with them.)

Choosing Weight Plates that Fit Your Equipment.

Make sure to choose weight plates for home gyms that are compatible with your existing equipment, such as barbells and machines. Standard weight plates have a 1-inch hole in the centre designed to fit a standard barbell.

If you have speciality equipment, such as Olympic barbells with 2-inch holes, make sure to choose weight plates that are compatible.

We highly recommend, refraining from standard plates, and always going with Olympic-size plates, which can go with every other piece of equipment. 

Finding the Right Price Point for Your Weight Plates.

Weight plates can range in price from a few rupees per kg to several thousand per kg.

Consider your budget and choose the best option that fits your needs and budget.

Urethane weight plates are the most expensive plates, while the Calibrated steel plates or rubber bumper weight plates are slightly lower in price and other iron plates are the cheapest. It’s not even worth considering PVC plates in this list.

They are really BAD!

Pick anyone based on your budget and the number of plates/ or total KG of plates you need.  

The Importance of Weight Plate Grip

Some weight plates have textured surfaces or grip holes to make it easier to hold onto the weights while lifting.

Others have FLANGES, to grip the plates.

This can be especially useful if you are using heavier weights or if you have sweaty hands. If you have concerns about safety, consider weight plates with these features.

Choosing Weight Plates that Fit Your Aesthetic

While not as important as the functional aspects of the weight plates, the appearance of the weights can be a consideration for some people.

Weight plates come in a variety of colours and designs, so you can choose ones that match your personal style or the look of your home gym.

✔️ Calibrated iron plates come in rich colours which is the best you can get. 😁

Choosing a Reputable Weight Plate Manufacturer

There are many reputable brands that manufacture weight plates, and it is important to choose one that has a good reputation for quality and accuracy.

Do some research and read reviews to find a brand that other weightlifters trust.

Some brands manufacture their plates in-house, while others source it from China or Australia.

As far as we know, ATE- Anand & track field equipment make their plates in India and has been doing it for almost 100 years. 

Deciding the Best Option for Your Home Gym

Weight plates can be purchased as a set or individually. If you are just starting out with weightlifting, it may be a good idea to buy a set that includes a variety of sizes.

This way, you can gradually increase your weight as you get stronger.

Though gyms usually buy the whole 150 kg set or 200 kg set, in multiple lot sizes to satisfy their vast customer needs.

For home gym owners, they can buy a single 150 kg set or buy more of those plates, if they want to use more. 

Choosing Weight Plates that Fit Your Home Gym Layout

If you have limited space in your home gym, choosing weight plates that are compact and easy to store may be a good idea.

Some weight plates are designed to be easily stackable, while others are designed to take up less space on the floor.

Consider the layout of your home gym and choose weight plates that fit your space constraints.

For example, thin profile iron plates occupy less space on the bar and in the storage area and can be kept in large numbers. 

Selecting Weight Plates with the Right Amount of Increments

Some weight plates are only available in certain weight increments, such as 2.5 kg or 5 kg.

Consider the weight increments most useful for your workouts and choose plates that offer those increments.

If you need smaller increments for certain exercises, such as 2.5-kg plates for bicep curls, make sure to choose a set that includes those increments.

For example, iron micro plates come in 0.5 kg, 1 kg, 1.25 kg, 2 kg, and 2.5 kg increments whereas in rubber plates you would get 1 or 2 fewer increments. So choose wisely.  

Choose Weight Plates that Can Stand Up to Heavy Use

Weight plates will endure a lot of wear and tear over time, so it is important to choose gym plates that are durable and can withstand heavy use.

Consider the material of the plates and look for ones that are made to last.

Rubber plates can last overtime if you drop them, however, they do break after a point. Iron plates aren’t meant for dropping and thus last a lifetime. 

Protect Your Investment with Weight Plates that Come with a Warranty

Weight plates are a significant investment, so it is a good idea to choose ones that come with a warranty.

Look for a manufacturer that offers a warranty on their weight plates to ensure that you are protected in case of any defects or issues.

Look for Weight Plates with Positive Feedback from Other Lifters

Look for weight plates that have positive reviews from other users.

This can give you an idea of the quality and performance of the weights, as well as any potential issues or drawbacks.

Choose Weight Plates that are Easy to Care For.

Some weight plates may require regular maintenance, such as cleaning or coating to prevent rust.

Consider the maintenance requirements of the weight plates and choose ones that are easy to care for.

If you have limited time or do not want to spend a lot of time maintaining your weights, it may be a good idea to choose low-maintenance plates that require minimal upkeep.

Like iron plates require the maximum maintenance against rust, and so do rubber bumper plates which look dirty after use.

Get a cleaning kit and maintain a habit of keeping your equipment.

✔️ Weight plate exercises can be effective for building muscle and strength, particularly in the upper body.

Examples include shoulder presses, bent-over rows, tricep extensions, and lateral raises.

It’s important to use proper form and gradually increase the weight and reps over time, and to pair them with a balanced program of cardio, flexibility, and core training.

Both have their pros and cons. Rubber plates are generally quieter, more durable, and less prone to rust and damage to floors. However, metal plates tend to be more accurate in weight and typically have a better grip.

Ultimately, the choice between rubber and metal plates often comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of your workout space.

Weight plates can come in a variety of colours, including black, grey, silver, red, blue, and green. Some weight plates are also available in multiple colours.❤️

Some brands offer colour-coded weight plates to make it easier to identify the weight of each plate.

For example, a common colour coding system is to use RED for the heaviest weights (such as 25 Kg) and lighter colours for smaller weights (such as green for 10 Kg or black/ grey for 5 Kg).

Some common weights for machine plates are:

• Standard weight machine plates: These plates are typically used on weight machines, and they come in a variety of weights, such as 1.25 kg, 2.5 kg, 5 kg, and 10 kg.
• Olympic weight machine plates: These plates are typically used on weight machines that are designed to accommodate Olympic barbells. They typically weigh 2.5 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, and 25 kg.

You can check the owner manual or the company website for the exact weight of your machine.😁

A weight plate with the number “20” on it typically refers to a 20-kg weight plate. It’s also common to see weight plates labelled with LB instead of kg, which would indicate a plate of 20 pounds is 9 kg.

Most commercial gyms use both standard (lbs) and Olympic weight plates (kg) and you can use them interchangeably depending on the equipment you are using and your preference.

Bumper plates are not strictly necessary for deadlifts, as you can also use traditional steel plates.

However, bumper plates do have some advantages over steel plates.

First, bumper plates are made of rubber or other durable materials, which means that they can withstand being dropped from a significant height without being damaged.

This is especially useful for snatches, as we will often drop the weight plates from overhead at the end of the lift. But not so with deadlifts, you can even use iron plates. Just use good lifting platform underneath!