A great barbell setup is essential for any home gym; you can use barbells for deadlifts, barbell rows, squats, bench presses, overhead presses, and a host of other strength training exercises.
To get the most out of your barbell exercises, you’ll need the right weight plates. We offer a variety of different weight plates, including plates for standard and Olympic barbells.
Standard weight plates are designed to fit standard barbells. They have a 1-inch / 2.54 cm diametre hole. Standard weight plates are typically offered in a smaller range of increments than Olympic weight plates; 2.5, 5, 10, 25, and 50 lbs / 1.1, 2.3, 4.6, 11.3, and 22.6 kg standard weight plates are common. Standard plates are often made of metal like cast iron and then coated in rubber. They’re an excellent choice for people just starting their weightlifting journey, as they tend to be more affordable than other weight plates.
Olympic plates are designed to fit Olympic barbells. They have a 2-inch / 5.08 cm diametre hole. Olympic weight plates are available in a wide range of different weights, including 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 35, and 45 lbs / 1.1, 2.3, 4.5, 15.9, and 20.4 kg for tighter control over how much you lift. There are rubber-coated steel and iron Olympic plates available. They’re very durable and the perfect choice for anyone interested in competitive weightlifting.
Bumper plates are made almost entirely of rubber, which makes them different from traditional steel plates or cast iron plates. They’re typically built with 2-inch / 5.08 cm diametre holes, so they can be used with Olympic barbells. You can drop bumper plates onto the ground from a distance thanks to their rubber composition, which makes them ideal for snatch as well as clean and jerk lifts. They are available in the same weights as Olympic plates.
Competition bumper plates are similar to standard bumper plates but they feature steel inserts. They are thinner than traditional bumper plates, allowing you to fit more plates onto a single bar; they’re also more durable. They are available in the same weights as Olympic and standard bumper plates; they’re the perfect choice for competitive weightlifters working on their snatch as well as clean and jerk lifts.
Technique plates are designed to help you master lifting techniques; they’re an excellent choice for beginners or seasoned athletes trying to master technique without injuring themselves. They are lightweight and typically made of high-quality polymers but they have the same diametre as large Olympic weights. Typically, technique plates weigh 5 to 10 lbs / 2.26 to 4.5 kg.
Rubber plates, like bumper plates, and rubber-coated plates are a little different—rubber-coated plates are typically made of cast iron or steel, and then covered in rubber. The softness of the rubber reduces the risk of damage to your floors; rubber also improves the durability of plates. You can find standard and Olympic rubber plates in a variety of weight increments.
Urethane plates are similar to rubber-coated plates but use a urethane coating instead. Urethane is incredibly durable, bounces less than rubber plates (they have what is sometimes called a “dead bounce”), and is available in more vibrant colours than rubber-coated plates. Typically, urethane plates are seen in commercial gyms thanks to their durability. They are available in a wide variety of weight increments. Typically, urethane is reserved for Olympic barbells, so they use a 2” / 5.08 cm diametre hole.
We carry standard and Olympic weight plates from some of the top companies in the industry. The brands we carry include:
Not sure which brand or style of weight plate is right for you? Talk to our experts today. We can help you find the perfect weight plates for your fitness goals.
For over 30 years, Fitness Experience has provided Canadians with high-quality fitness equipment and expert advice. Many of our staff members come from athletic and training backgrounds—they are personal trainers, coaches, and competitors. No matter what your fitness goals are, one of our staff members has the expertise and know-how to help you pick the right weight plates for your needs.
We’re invested in supporting your long-term fitness goals; as a Canadian company, we want to help Canadians get healthier, both mentally and physically. Whether you’re interested in strength training, functional fitness, competitive lifting, or just about anything else, you can count on the team at Fitness Experience to support you on your fitness journey.
We can deliver all of the weight plates you see on this page directly to your home. Add any of the weight plates to your cart, use the chat feature to talk to our experts if you want help selecting the perfect weight plates for your home gym, and keep browsing if you need barbells, barbell collars, or anything else.
Want to try before you buy? We have locations across Canada; check to see if there’s a location near you, then visit one of our showrooms to try our incredible selection of weight plates!
