We all know that when you’re learning the technique for an exercise or trying to correct bad lifting habits you should start with a light weight that allows you to perfect the movement pattern.  Aside from anything else, going too heavy when you’re learning is a quick road to injury and poor form. Olypmic lifting is no exception to this rule, especially as it requires such a high level of skill to be performed correctly. Olympic lifting actually has one of the lowest injury rates of any sport because so much emphasis is put on technique, but that really is the key: those who are serious about it learn to do it right.  Anyone who wants to dabble in it should approach it as if they were going to compete. Olympic lifting is highly complex and requires a very high skill level.  It is also done with standardised equipment – the barbell is 20kg (well, the men’s barbell is but this is the weight that is most commonly used outside of competition) and the plates are of 450mm diameter. Until now, it has been very hard to get Olympic plates under 10kg, so this means that learning the lifts with [...]

Weight plates come in various qualities, with various price tags attached.  You want to figure out which ones are going to best suit your needs.  The following is a summary of a few different types of weight plates for standard Olympic (50mm) barbells and which ones represent best value for money depending on what you want to use them for. Rubber Weight Plates These weight plates vary in size with 15kg and heavier being of standard Olympic 450mm diameter.  These plates are the cheapest you will find to fit a standard Olympic barbell.  These weight plates are perfect if you don’t plan to rough them up too much – so for things like squats and bench press they’re perfect, and even deadlifts if you avoid dropping the weight back to the ground. Economy Bumper Plates If you’re looking for a plate that can handle being dropped and can survive the rigours of Olympic lifting, but doesn’t come with the hefty price tag that comes with most bumper plates, these could be right for you.  These plates are 100% solid rubber with a thick brass bushing.  The economy bumper plates won’t have the lifespan of a more expensive bumper plate, but [...]