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Buyers Guide Plates
Dont know where to start?
- 1 “I’m building a home gym,
and I need weights” - 2 Iron Edge – “Sounds good, what sort
of weights are you looking for?” - 3 “I don’t know – weights?”
If you’re starting out into the world of fitness or you’re just looking for the best fit for your home or commercial gym, this will help summarise the difference between our various plates, and other plates on the market.
Plate
Fit.
As touched on in our Barbell buying guide, there are two types of barbells based on their locking mechanism: spin lock or Olympic.
Spin lock barbells will require a collar be spun to lock the weights in place (duh) and are commonly the cheaper option. There is no standardised size, and so bars and plates between company A and company B may not be compatible with each other. Companies that sell equipment with these specs will usually be significantly cheaper and lower quality. It’s very rare to see equipment of this variety being used in any commercial gym.
Olympic barbells are standardised at 50mm; all Olympic sized plates will fit onto all Olympic sized bars. The fit should be tight enough that plates remain in place for the majority of exercises, but collars can be used for additional stability.
All Iron Edge plates, bars and other relevant equipment is designed with Olympic specs in mind.
Rubber vs Bumpers.
There are two types of plates in terms of design: standard rubber or bumper plates.
Bumper Plates
Bumper plates are designed with Olympic lifting in mind. They are the same diameter regardless of their weight and can be dropped from a height. Having all of your plates the same size means that you will be picking the bar up from the ground from the same height each time; making lifts with different plates fair in competition, more consistent during training and easier to teach when learning with lighter plates. It will also spread the impact when dropping the bar, enhancing your plates’ lifespan.
Rubber Plates
Standard rubber plates become physically larger as they get heavier and are not designed to be dropped. Some versions come with holes throughout the plate to allow for easier handling.
If you’re not looking at using your plates for ground-based lifts like deadlifts or Olympic lifting, there is not much point in getting bumpers beyond aesthetic reasons. Rubber weight plates weigh the same amount and will cost less in comparison.
If you want to perform Olympic lifts, bumper plates are a non-negotiable; you need these. For deadlifts, it’s generally recommended you stick with bumpers to keep the bar height consistent, and to keep your plates safe once the weights start coming down. You can get away with using standard rubber plates if you’re slow on the way down, but as strength levels develop beyond a beginner’s level, this is much easier said than done as the weights increase.
Plate Range.
Rubber
Iron Edge rubber weight plates vary in size from 0.25kg up to 25kg each. These are made from cast iron and coated in rubber to prevent rust, as well as provide the same colouring used with traditional Olympic colouring (25kg are red, 20kg are blue etc).
The cast iron and rubberised design is highly durable but is not designed to be dropped from a height as covered above.
Our 10kg plates up to 25kg also feature several holes throughout the plate, allowing for easier handling of heavy weights.
Pro Bumpers
Our entry level bumper plates. Made of high quality rubber similar to our Elite and Competition plates, the Pro series are made more cost efficient by replacing the solid steel centre insert with a smaller stainless steel one.
As an entry level plate, the Pro series will do the job for just about any home or PT studio. More demanding environments such as Crossfit boxes and commercial gyms may require upgrading to the Elite or Competition series.
The Pro series are thinner than many other comparable lines of bumper plates, but noticeably thicker than the Elite or Competition series. Given our Barbells have sleeves measuring 40.6cm (or 16”), you’ll be able to fit 5 x 25kg Pro Bumper Plates on either side (with a bit of room to spare) totalling 270kg including bar weight. Therefore, if you’re looking at lifting more than 270kg at a time, you will want to use a thinner plate.
Elite Bumpers
Our Elite and Competition series are the best quality plates available on the market. Using top grade virgin rubber, these plates have an extreme durability and a low bounce; perfect for the abuse they will cop in a Crossfit box, elite performance gym or any other demanding environment.
The solid steel centre insert is impenetrable, and designed to be inseparable from the rubber. These plates are for those who demand the best.
The Elite series are predominantly black, with coloured embossed writing that matches Olympic standards (25kg is red, 20kg is blue, etc), with a matching coloured strip along the outer edge of the plate.
Competition Bumpers
Our Competition Plates are the same specs as our Elite series, and the highest quality plate on the market.
The difference between the two series is cosmetic: the Elites are predominantly black with coloured writing, the Competition series are coloured in accordance with Olympic standards (25kg is red, 20kg is blue etc).
Other
We also offer technique and change plates in various sizes.
Our Technique plates are available in 2.5kg and 5kg, are bumper sized but not suited for dropping. These are best suited for lifters who are learning the basics, and helps give a feel for technical lifts without loading them up like normal plates would. We also offer an economy version of our 5kg Technique plates.
Our Change plates are available in 1.25kg, 2.5kg and 5kg; these are not bumper sized and are not suitable for dropping. These are available in either Elite or Rubber models. The Elites have brighter and more prominent writing and have a consistent appearance to their bumper sized brethren.
And for the ultimate in precision loading, we have a Fractional Plate Pack with plates ranging from 0.25kg-1kg of solid steel.
Common Scenarios.
“I just want to lift, I’m not into Olympic lifts or powerlifting”
Our Modular Racks are available as a storage solution in our “equipment storage” section.You only need the rubber plates if you’re not going to be touching the ground. If you’re not into powerlifting but still want to perform deadlifts, you may wish to have some bumpers available, both in case you drop the bar or want to keep your lifts from a consistent height.
If you’re on a percentage based program or would like to incorporate progressive overload into your training, stocking up on smaller change plates is also a good idea.
Our Vertical Dumbbell Racks are available by special request. Our Premium Dumbbell Racks are sold in sets with the Premium Dumbbells only.
“I’m on a budget”
If you want to perform Olympic lifts, you’re going to need bumper plates. Stick with the Pro series.
If you’re not into Olympic lifts, you can use the rubber plates for general lifting, but depending on your budget and fondness for deadlifts you may want to look at the Pro series.
“I want to powerlift”
You’ll want bumper plates to deadlift from a consistent height, and handle the landing when you inevitably drop a weight. The Pro series should serve the majority of powerlifters, but if you’re looking at handling more than 270kg at a time you’ll want a thinner plate; either the Competition or Elite series.
Smaller change plates will allow for more precise loading are also ideal for those on percentage-based programs.
Serious trainers may also want to look into a Weightlifting Platform to help preserve the lifespan of your equipment and your floor.
“I run a commercial gym”
Depending on your set up, you’ll most likely want Elite or Competition bumper plates for your main lifting areas. Our Elite and Competition series plates boast superior durability and bounce compared to the Pro series.
If you have machines, it is a good idea to use rubber plates for easier handling and reducing unnecessary costs.
For gym owners catering to heavy lifters or a broad audience, having a Weightlifting Platform is a good idea for preserving your equipment and flooring, as well as designating a “heavy” area.
“I’m into Olympic lifting, and setting up a home gym”
You need bumper plates. Whether you use the Pro series or the Elites / Competitions will depend on the weights you’re handling and your budget.
We also recommend setting up a Weightlifting Platform to absorb the impact of repeatedly dropping weights.
“I run a Crossfit Box”
Get the Elite or Competition Bumpers; no ifs, buts or maybes. You may also want to have a couple of lighter change plates and technique plates for more precise loading.
A Weightlifting Platform will also help preserve the lifespan of your equipment and flooring.