The 6 Best Cheap Weight Plates For Your Home Gym
Looking to complete your home gym setup with the best affordable weight plates? We’ve compiled a list of top budget-friendly weight plates to help you achieve your fitness goals without breaking the bank.
Additionally, we’ll explore the distinctions between iron and rubber bumper plates and discuss the range of exercises you can perform with these cost-effective weight plates. Stay tuned for insights into building an efficient and budget-conscious home gym.
How To Find Cheap and Affordable Quality Weight Plates
When it comes to finding affordable weight plates, Amazon is a convenient choice, especially with its free shipping for Prime Members. However, while we aim for budget-friendly options, we don’t want to compromise on quality. We’ll be evaluating a few key factors to identify the best weight plates at the best prices. Our focus is on high-quality plates that can withstand rigorous cross-training, powerlifting, Olympic lifting, and various exercise routines.
So, without further ado, let’s explore the top-notch yet budget-friendly weight plates available on Amazon, complete with the added benefit of free Prime shipping.
The Best Affordable Weight Plates For Your Home Gym
Cap Barbell offers a diverse range of affordable weight plates, known for their practical designs, including both standard and Olympic options. Many feature a durable black baked enamel finish and are designed with three poles for easy handling. While the weights are marked in pounds with no kilogram option, the variety in weight ranges and designs, including simple, hole-free plates, make them a top choice for budget-friendly weight plates.
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Yes4All has taken a unique approach to affordable weight plates, focusing primarily on 1-inch plates. While some companies offer a mix of 1-inch and cheap Olympic plates, Yes4All’s 1-inch standard weight plates are the main attraction. They also produce a series of 1.15-inch plates, a less common size.
These cast iron plates are designed for barbells and dumbbells that accommodate 1-inch size plates. They typically feature a semi-gloss black paint finish to provide protection against the elements. Yes4All’s design is straightforward, and their standard plates do not include carrying holes or fancy designs.
One important detail to note is that they usually do not produce plates heavier than 25 pounds, although you may occasionally find slightly heavier options. These plates are primarily intended for lighter weights.
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ynergee offers a wide range of affordable cast iron weight plates, including competition plates, rubber bumper plates, and standard plates. These plates feature three carrying holes for easy handling and ergonomic grip design. They are available in both pounds and kilograms, with weight information raised on the plate. The dark finish adds an industrial touch, and the weights range from 2.5 pounds to 45 pounds.
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HulkFit offers enamel-coated cast iron weight plates that start at 2.5 pounds and go up to 45 pounds. These plates have garnered over 2800 total customer reviews on Amazon, making them a popular choice. Given HulkFit’s reputation for weightlifting equipment, these plates are ideal for individuals looking to increase the weight on their barbells for exercises like bench presses and squats.
These plates are available in both cast iron Olympic weight plates and standard 1-inch plates, providing versatility for strength training workouts. They feature three grip holes for easy handling and display weight in both pounds and kilograms, with raised lettering on the plate for clear identification. While they have some additional markings and design details, they offer a basic plate at an affordable price point.
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XMark stands out as an ambitious weight plate company on this list. They exclusively offer Olympic plates with a wide variety of options, making it convenient for those looking to purchase in bulk. These plates have a unique design, featuring a rubber-coated exterior for enhanced durability and protection against rust and corrosion.
Despite the rubber coating, the inserts remain solid steel, ensuring easy attachment and removal from barbells. The weight is displayed in both pounds and kilograms. One potential downside is that the rubber coating may result in a slight odor upon arrival, but it should dissipate over time. Overall, XMark’s Olympic plates offer a different but noteworthy option for weight lifters.
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A2ZCare offers basic and highly affordable weight plates with a minimalistic design. These plates are straightforward and lack elaborate aesthetics, making them a top choice for budget-friendly weight plates. They primarily produce lower-pound plates, suitable for beginners in weightlifting but not ideal for experienced strength trainers.
A2ZCare provides both 1-inch and 2-inch iron Olympic size weight plates, and they offer various cheap weight sets, both individually and in sets. However, their weight plates are only labeled in pounds, with no kilograms specified. These plates do not have hand grips but feature a semi-gloss black paint finish for durability and protection against wear and tear.
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Why Are Weight Plates So Expensive?
The price of weight plates can vary significantly based on several factors. One of the main determinants is the material used, with iron being the most affordable but less durable, while steel and bronze are pricier but offer better durability and other benefits.
A great place to look for cheap weights is on Facebook Marketplace. You can sometimes find used plates for low prices.
Additionally, the size and weight of the plates can affect their cost, with larger and heavier plates generally being more expensive. Buying weight plates in sets can sometimes be more cost-effective than purchasing individual plates.
Lastly, market demand can influence prices, with high demand potentially leading to higher prices and vice versa. These factors should be considered when shopping for weight plates to find the best option for your budget and needs.
The Difference Between Weight Plates and Bumper Plates
When buying gym equipment like plates and rubber bumpers, it’s important to consider the differences between them to choose the right weight plate set for your needs.
Weight plates are versatile for adding resistance to various exercises, and they come in different sizes and shapes, including Olympic and traditional styles. Common options include solid cast iron or steel plates, known for their durability and ability to withstand high pressure without breaking.
On the other hand, rubber bumper plates are made from dense rubber and often feature bright colors. They have a raised lip around the edge to prevent sliding during use, making them ideal for workouts like CrossFit, powerlifting, Plyometrics, and Olympic lifting. Bumper plates offer some bounce and shock absorption when dropped, which differs from the minimal bounce of traditional stainless steel or solid cast iron plates commonly found in gyms. Understanding these distinctions can help you make the right choice for your fitness routine.
The Difference Between 1-Inch and Olympic 2-Inch Plates
2 inch weight plates, also called Olympic plates, have a larger center hole in the middle of the plate, which fits barbells and dumbbells with a 2-inch cap.
1 inch weight plates, sometimes called standard plates or standard weight plates, have a much smaller hole in the middle of the white plate and can only fit on barbells with a smaller, narrow endcap. These 1-inch plates cannot fit on Olympic barbells.
The width of the barbell will be different depending on what preference you have. The ends of the bar will be a slightly different size, depending on your preference and use case.
A traditional weight plate can only fit traditional barbells, while a weight plate with a 2 inch center hole can fit both traditional and Olympic plate barbells.
Regardless of the weight plate size, both types (standard weight plates and Olympic weight plates) can be used for Olympic lifting or just general weightlifting, powerlifting, and strength training in general.
What Can You Use Weight Plates For?
While plates are most commonly used on barbells and dumbbells for various exercises, many can be done with the best plates, even with no bar.
For example, farmer walks are a great strength training workout by simply carrying the best weight plates in each hand. It’s not weight lifting, but it is lifting weights and is fantastic for endurance training.
Lat raises and front raises are a simple set of exercises that can be done as well.
Weight Plate Alternatives
There’s not much you can do when it comes to weight plate alternatives.
If you’re looking to add weight to a barbell or a dumbbell, weight plates are your only option.
You could hang a kettlebell from the handle, but that’s unsafe and not advised.
If you want to add weight to your barbell, you will have to go with some cheap plates.
How Much Weight Do I Need?
The amount of weight you need for your home or garage gym will depend on several factors. First, your fitness level and knowledge of exercise and weight lifting greatly impact how much weight you will need.
Those newer to working out might want to start with no more than 25 pound plates, while those who are more experienced might want to get the top 45 lb plates.
Looking for a great weight bench to hold your new cheap weights? Check out our article of the best weight benches with a leg extension HERE.
The type of exercises you will do will also be a factor when choosing the right weight plate weight. Some exercises will require more weight than others to be effective.
For example, bench press exercises can usually be done with more weight than bicep curls. Knowing the types of exercises and workouts you will do is a factor when selecting how much weight you need.
What Size Barbell Is The Right Size For Me?
When setting up your home gym, choosing the right size barbell is crucial. Olympic barbells weigh 45 pounds, while 1-inch barbells range from 17 to 25 pounds. The wider bar shaft of Olympic barbells requires a broader grip, whereas traditional barbells have a narrower shaft, better for those with smaller hands.
Olympic bars are generally pricier due to their use of more materials, often stainless steel. Your choice of barbell is as important as selecting your solid cast iron weight plates for your weightlifting journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weight of Olympic barbells for home gyms?
Olympic barbells for home gyms typically weigh 45 pounds.
How heavy are 1-inch barbells commonly used in home gyms?
1-inch barbells used in home gyms typically range from 17 to 25 pounds.
What is the difference in grip width between Olympic and traditional barbells?
Olympic barbells have a wider bar shaft, requiring a broader grip, while traditional barbells have a narrower shaft, suitable for those with smaller hands.
Why are Olympic barbells generally more expensive?
Olympic barbells tend to be pricier because they use more materials, often stainless steel, in their construction.
How important is the choice of barbell in home gym setup?
The choice of barbell is crucial in a home gym setup, as it impacts your lifting experience, alongside selecting solid cast iron weight plates for your fitness journey.
Our Final Thoughts On Budget Weight Plates
No matter how cheap or expensive weight plates are, they are no good to you unless you use them to perform muscle-strengthening exercises and other types of training. The best cheap weight plates that the ones you will actually use.
Any options on this list can help you reach your fitness goals. It’s important to not worry too much about a plate’s features or designs and spend more time thinking about what you will do with them in your home gym.
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