Weight plate

A weightlifter holding an Olympic barbell loaded with plates ranging from 5 to 25 kilograms
A pair of adjustable dumbbells with "standard" plates
Grip plates arranged on a plate holder (or "plate tree")

A weight plate is a flat, heavy object, usually made of cast iron,[1] that is used in combination with barbells or dumbbells to produce a bar with a desired total weight for the purpose of physical exercise.

Two general categories exist: "standard" plates, which have a center hole of approximately 25 mm (one inch), and "Olympic" plates, meant to fit on the 50 mm (two inches) sleeves of Olympic barbells.[2][3] Standard plates are usually paired with adjustable dumbbells and Olympic plates with full-size barbells, although standard barbells and Olympic dumbbells exist.[4][5]

Weight plates may incorporate holes for ease of carrying (called "grip plates") or be solid discs (especially those used for competition). Non-competition plates often have variable diameters and widths, such as on the adjustable dumbbells pictured right, with heavier plates generally being larger in diameter, thickness, or both. Weight plates are typically round, although 12-sided and other polygonal varieties exist.[6] Most plates are coated with enamel paint or hammertone[7] to resist corrosion; more expensive varieties may be coated with chrome, rubber, or plastic.[8][9]

  1. ^ "Cast Iron Weight Plates". Dick's Sporting Goods. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  2. ^ "IWF technical and competition rules and regulations" (PDF). International Weightlifting Federation. p. 48.
  3. ^ Doyle, Kip. "Olympic Weights Vs. Standard Weights". Livestrong. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Bodymax 6 ft Standard Spinlock Barbell with collars". Powerhouse Fitness. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  5. ^ "Olympic Dumbbell Handle". Troy Barbell. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  6. ^ "CAP 12-Sided Olympic Cast Iron Grip Plate". CAP Barbell. Archived from the original on 21 June 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  7. ^ "York Olympic Hammertone Cast Iron Weight Plate 1 x 20kg". Workout For Less. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  8. ^ "Barbell Weight Plates – A Comparison of Iron and Rubber Models". Adamant Barbell. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference hammertone was invoked but never defined (see the help page).