Which Weight Plates Should You Buy? A Simple Guide for the Average Lifter
When it comes to setting up your home gym, the variety of equipment options can be overwhelming—especially when it comes to weight plates. From powerlifting plates to Olympic bumpers, it’s easy to feel lost in the sea of choices. But the truth is, unless you’re competing at a high level, you don’t need the fanciest or most expensive plates on the market.
As someone who’s been training for years and helping others build their gyms, I’ve found that keeping it simple is the best way to go. Here’s my advice on how to choose the right weight plates for your home gym without breaking the bank.
Do You Really Need Powerlifting or Olympic Bumper Plates?
First things first, let’s get this out of the way: unless you’re a competitive powerlifter or Olympic weightlifter, you don’t need to invest in powerlifting plates or Olympic bumpers.
Powerlifting Plates: These are solid steel, calibrated, and built to strict weight tolerances. They’re essential for competition, but for the average lifter, they’re overkill.
Olympic Bumper Plates: If you’re not going to be doing Olympic weightlifting, you don’t need these either. They’re designed to be dropped from overhead, which most average lifters won’t be doing regularly.
The Essential Setup: Bumper Plates for Deadlifting
Here’s the one exception: If you plan on deadlifting, I recommend investing in a pair of bumper plates. Bumper plates are crucial for setting the bar at the correct height when performing deadlifts. Without them, it is going to be harder to do them with correct form.
Even if you’re not deadlifting right now, you may decide to do them later. Deadlifts are one of the best functional exercises you can do for long-term strength and mobility. Think about it—every time you pick up a suitcase or groceries, you’re doing a deadlift. If you want to keep doing that when you’re in your 70s and 80s, start deadlifting now.
Start Simple: A pair of 20kg bumper plates will get you to 60kg for your deadlift, which is a great starting point for beginners. You can also add some lighter plates for warm-ups or accessory lifts.
Why Tri-Grip Plates Are a Game Changer
For the rest of your weight plates, Tri-Grip Olympic Plates are the way to go. These plates have been a staple in my gym for over a decade, and for good reason—they’re versatile, durable, and incredibly easy to use.
Deadlifting Made Easy: Once you’ve got your bumper plates on the bar, sliding on the tri-grip plates is a breeze. You won’t need a deadlift jack or wedge—just load and unload with ease.
Versatility in Training: Tri-grip plates aren’t just for barbell exercises. You can use them for all sorts of movements—farmers walks, clean and press, lateral raises, and more. Their built-in handles make them easy to grip and use for various exercises beyond the barbell.
Plate-Loaded Machines: If you’ve got a plate-loaded machine like a lat pulldown machine, tri-grip plates make the loading process quick and simple. No more struggling to manoeuvre heavy bumper plates onto the machine. This is a huge time-saver and makes plate-loaded equipment much more appealing.
Keep It Simple, Save Some Cash
At the end of the day, the fancy, expensive weight plates aren’t necessarily better for the average lifter. What matters is finding the right balance between functionality and affordability. For most people, a mix of bumper plates for deadlifts and tri-grip plates for everything else is more than enough to get the job done.
Remember, don’t get caught up in the hype of elite-level gear if you’re just an average gym-goer. Keep it simple, keep it basic, and your home gym setup will serve you well for years to come.