The selection of weight plates for a home gym or commercial fitness center is an important consideration when building out a weightlifting system. When you are looking to build a weightlifting system, it is important to select the right weight plates for a home or commercial gym. There are many types of plates that can be used, however the Olympic plate set has been considered as the highest quality. What is the difference between Olympic weight plates and standard weight plates and which are right for you.
Olympic Versus Standard Plates Here at Commercial Fitness Outlet we get this question often “what are the differences between Olympic plates and standard plates and which commercial fitness pieces should I get in my facility to utilize them to the fullest?” If by the end of this page you’re not sure why a majority of commercial gyms and serious bodybuilding facilities choose to invest their money into Olympic plates you’ll be by the end of this page.
What Are Olympic Plate Sets?
Olympic plate sets are the adjustable weight plates used with the Olympic barbells. They feature a 2-inch center hole to ensure a snug fit on any Olympic barbell. These plates are commonly used at professional gyms, at weightlifting competitions, in CrossFit boxes and in advanced home gyms.
Standard plates just aren’t cut out for the demands of strength training, particularly the heavier loads and occasional drops that can occur during lifts like deadlifts, cleans and snatches. Olympic plates are designed to withstand even the most intense training and are made with heavier materials to support a wide range of strength training applications.
Key characteristics of Olympic plates include:
- 2-inch center hole diameter
- Compatible with Olympic barbells
- Designed for heavy-duty lifting
- Durable construction such as rubber-coated or bumper plates
- Commonly used in commercial exercise equipment setups
- Olympic plates are long lasting and can be used for a variety of training, making them the benchmark for all strength training facilities.
What Are Standard Weight Plates?
Standard weight plates have a 1” center hole allowing for use with standard barbells and dumbbell bars.
These plates are great for any beginner home gym or light weight fitness center where lifting very heavy weights is not required.
Key features of standard plates include:
- 1-inch center hole
- Lower weight capacity
- Usually cheaper than Olympic plates
- Suitable for basic strength training
Although inexpensive and relatively easy to install, standard plates are rarely found in commercial or high-end pieces of fitness equipment due to their limitations when dealing with heavy weight capacity issues.
Olympic Plate Sets vs Standard Plates: Key Differences
The Olympic and Standard Plates have the following major differences.
1. Hole Diameter and Compatibility
The most obvious difference is the center hole size.
- Olympic plates: 2-inch hole
- Standard plates: 1-inch hole
Olympic plates will fit only an Olympic barbell with a rotating bar. These are good for reducing strain on the wrists in most lifts. Standard plates only fit on standard bars and will not fit on an Olympic barbell.
2. Weight Capacity
These Olympic plates are designed for heavy lifting. They are perfect for a variety of strength training workouts such as:
- Deadlifts
- Squats
- Bench press
- Olympic lifts
Standard plates are more suited to lighter weightlifting and are not always suitable for high intensity weightlifting gyms. There's a good reason that almost every commercial gym and all commercial pieces of fitness equipment use Olympic plates.
3. Durability and Construction
Olympic plates are built using materials such as:
- Cast iron
- Rubber coating
- Urethane coating
- Bumper plate rubber
These materials help protect floors and increase durability.
Standard plates are made of basic cast iron and can chip or crack with heavy use.
4. Stability and Safety
Olympic barbells with its rotating sleeves, allows the plates on the bar to rotate during lifts. This helps to decrease the strain on the wrists and elbows.
The difference between a standard bar and an Olympic bar is that the Olympic bar can rotate. This lack of rotation in the standard bar makes certain movements more challenging, and in some cases, less safe.
Due to this design Olympic plates are far safer for advanced strength training.
Why Olympic Plate Sets Are Ideal for Commercial Gyms
When designing a gym or purchasing commercial equipment, the Olympic plate set is generally preferred.
Here’s why:
1. Built for High Traffic
Gyms are open for business every day of the year. Olympic weights are expected to withstand many heavy drops and be used many times every day.
2. Versatile for Many Exercises
Olympic plates support a wide variety of strength training exercises including:
- Powerlifting
- Olympic lifting
- Functional training
- CrossFit workouts
This is an essential equipment for professional training facilities
3. Long-Term Investment
Olympic plates are expensive, but they are used for longer as compared to the standard weight plates. No matter the cost, its long term capacity makes it cost-effective especially if an individual is planning to open a gym.
It looks like you’re looking to upgrade your gym!
1. Rubber Coated Olympic Plate Set
Rubber coated Olympic plates are a very popular option in gym’s due to the reduction in noise and protection to the floor.
Features include:
- Durable rubber coating
- Easy grip design
- Suitable for home and commercial gyms
- Excellent for heavy lifting
Plates for a Commercial Gym Please note: Plates must be handled with care and are not intended for dropping. They will dent if they are dropped.
2. Olympic Bumper Plate Set
The most common application of Olympic bumper plate set is CrossFit and Olympic lifting gyms.
Key benefits:
- Made entirely from thick rubber
- Safe for dropping from overhead
- Ideal for explosive movements
- Protects gym flooring
Athletes perform with high-intensity training hence bumper plates are essential
3. Cast Iron Olympic Plate Set
Sometimes lifters may prefer to train with other pieces of equipment that they are more used to, such as conventional strength apparatus. If that is the case then our cast iron plates can provide a good base.
Benefits include:
- Extremely durable
- Compact design
- Cost-effective for heavy lifting setups
- Compatible with Olympic barbells
The most common use of adjustable dumbbells are commercial health and fitness centers that focus on weight training or strength training.
How to Choose the Right Olympic Plate Set
When purchasing Olympic plates, consider the following factors.
1. Training Style
Olympic Lifting/CrossFit: Bumper plates Powerlifting: Iron/Rubber-Coated Plates
2. Gym Environment
Ideal for commercial premises, gym or studio environments our commercial exercise equipment is manufactured to meet the highest standards of durability and safety.
Rubber or urethane-coated plates are often the best choice.
3. Budget
Olympic plates are more expensive than regular plates, but are worth the extra cost because they last longer and perform better.
Upgrading to a higher quality Olympic Plate Set is a great way to make your gym equipment last longer.
FAQs
1. What are Olympic plate sets?
These weight plates have a 2-inch center hole to fit over an Olympic barbell. Often seen in professional gyms and strength centers.
2. Are Olympic plates better than standard plates?
Yes, Olympic plates are typically preferred for heavy lifting because they carry more weight and are much more durable.
3. Can beginners use Olympic plate sets?
Yes. A good place to start is with Olympic plates if you plan to progressively over-load the weight lifted.
4. Why do commercial gyms use Olympic plates?
Most gyms use Olympic Plate Sets for their clubs because of their durability, versatility, and compatibility with the professional and commercial apparatus.
5. What is the difference between bumper plates and Olympic plates?
Bumper plates are Olympic plates made out of 100% rubber and are intended for dropping during Olympic lifts.
6. Are Olympic plates worth the investment?
Yes. Although Olympic plates are more expensive than entry level plates, they are a far better value to you in the long run. They will last longer and perform better in your most intense workouts.
7. Can Olympic plates fit standard bars?
No. Olympic plates require Olympic barbells with a 2-inch sleeve.
8. What materials are Olympic plates made from?
Common materials include cast iron, rubber coating, and urethane.
9. Are Olympic plates suitable for home gyms?
Yes, a great deal of people will choose to go with Olympic weight sets because they want good quality fitness equipment for their home gyms.
10. How long do Olympic plates last?
All of our Olympic plates are of a high standard and will last for many years. Even in the most demanding and commercial of environments.
Final Thoughts
Choosing Olympic plates vs standard plates depends on a couple of things. Your goals and the gym you are training in. However, if you are looking for plates that are of the highest quality, are super versatile, and lift with the most effectiveness then going with an Olympic plate set is your best bet.
Whether you’re setting up a home gym or looking to furnish a commercial facility, Olympic plates offer the strength, safety and durability needed for a serious strength training program.
Using high quality Olympic plate sets will ensure that your training continues to progress and that your plates last for years to come.