Weight Plate Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Plates for Your Training

The right plates make every session feel smoother and safer. Whether you’re building your first home gym or adding to an existing setup, we’ve got the plates to match your goals, your bar, and your aesthetic.

Quick Decision Guide

Product Comparison Table

Plates Only:

Product	Fractional Plates Set	Colour Change Plates	Bumper Plates (Black/Colour)	Iron Plates
Best For	Progressive loading	Progressive loading	Everyday strength	Heavy loading at 15kg and above, fits more weight on the bar
Plate Type	Chrome-plated steel	Cast iron	Rubber bumper	Cast iron
Plate Diameter	10.5cm (all weights)	14.8–19.8cm	45cm (all weights)	23–43cm (varies by weight)
Available Weights	0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0kg	1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5kg	5, 10, 15, 20, 25kg	5, 10, 15, 20, 25kg

Barbell + Plates Set

Product	Evolve Olympic Bar + Bumper Plate Set	Remarkables Olympic Bar + Bumper Plates Set	Cerakote Barbell + Bumper Plate Set
Best For	Everyday strength	Home gym starter	Pink gym setup
Bar Weight	15kg / 20kg	15kg / 20kg	Cerakote bar: 20kg (Pink bar: 15kg)
Bar Finish	Teflon coating	Black zinc	Cerakote (ultra-durable)
Plates Included	Black or colour bumpers	Black or colour bumpers	Pink, black or colour bumpers
Plate Weight Options	60kg or 100kg
Available Weights	5, 10, 15, 20kg
Plate Diameter	45cm (all weights)

Plate Types Explained

Wondering which type of plates to get? Here’s their features.

Rubber Bumper Plates

If you’re deadlifting, doing Olympic lifts, or just know yourself well enough to admit you’ll probably drop the bar at some point, bumper plates are your best friend. These low bounce plates are built with a rubber outer and a solid steel insert, designed to protect your floor, absorb impact and noise. The kind of plate that lets you train at home comfortably without receiving your neighbour's complaint. 

Iron Plates

The classic. Iron plates bring old-school toughness and smart design for easy gripping, lifting, and loading. From 15kg onwards they are thinner, meaning that you can load more on the bar. They’re cost-effective options to add weight to your setup. Ideal for powerlifting and when dropping from height isn’t part of the plan. Pair iron plates with rubber gym flooring to prevent noise and protect your floor. 

Change Plates

Change plates come in 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5kg pairs. They are colour-coded so you can grab one without doing the maths. Perfect for fine tuning your lifts and pushing your limits effectively. 

Fractional Plates

Sometimes 1kg feels like a big jump. Fractional plates are your secret weapon to push your record gradually. Available in 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0kg, they’re calibrated to ±10g for precision.

What To Check Before Buying

Does It Fit Your Bar?

Gym Plus plates use a 50mm Olympic sleeve, which is the global standard for Olympic barbells. If you’ve got a standard bar with a smaller sleeve, these won’t fit. Check your bar sleeve diameter first before you order. If you’re starting from scratch, pair your plates with a Gym Plus Olympic barbell and you’re good to go. 

Are You Dropping The Weight?

If yes, choose only bumper plates. Bumper plates are designed to bounce low and reduce noise and impact. Iron plates are not built to be dropped from height.

Are Bumper Plates Enough To Protect Your Floor?

Rubber gym flooring is needed to protect your floor and further reduce noise. Think of it as part of the setup, not an add-on.

Where To Store Your Plates?

Plan for storage to keep your training space tidy, safe, and ready to go every session. Weight Plate Rack and Barbell Stand keeps your gear sorted and your space sleek.

Home Gym Setup Builder

Building from scratch? You’ll also need an Olympic barbell, collars to lock your plates, rubber gym flooring, and a storage rack to keep everything organised. Add a bench to unlock bench press. Power racks open up squats, overhead press, and a lot more.  

Or simply grab a home gym package sorted in one go.

Common Mistakes

Pairing Bars With Incompatible Plates

Not all plates fit all bars. Gym Plus Olympic plates are designed for Olympic bars. If you have a barbell with a smaller sleeve diameter, Olympic plates won’t fit. Check your bar sleeve diameter before order. 

If you have a standard bar, upgrade to an Olympic Barbell so everything works together from the start. Some power racks like the Essential Power Rack with cable system feature dual sleeves that accommodate both Olympic and standard plates. Or explore plate-loaded strength equipment like Seated Row and Chest Pull Machine and Deltoid and Shoulder Press Machine which accommodate both Olympic and standard plates. 

Skipping The Small Increments

Most beginners buy only the big plates and regret skipping the small ones later. Without change plates or fractionals, you’ll hit a wall where 2.5kg is too much and progress stops.

Forgetting About Sleeve Space

At heavier weights, bumper plates are thicker than iron ones. If you’re planning to load heavy, check plate thickness against your bar’s sleeve length. Running out of sleeve space during setup is frustrating. 

Skipping Gym Flooring

Bumper plates are floor-friendly but still you need gym flooring. Dropping bumper plates repeatedly will damage the floor over time. Rubber gym flooring is essential to complete your home gym setup. Trust us on this one. For extra floor and equipment protection, pair with Weightlifting Weight Plate Drop Pads.

Service and Support

We’re here to help. 

Not sure which plate is right for you? We've got you.

Whether you're setting up your first home gym or fitting out a commercial space, the Gym Plus team is ready to help you get it right.

Customer Service

Contact us online. We usually respond within a few hours during business hours.

Call 03 5615 8001, Monday to Friday, 10am–4pm AEST.

B2B Enquiries & Partnerships

Setting up a studio, gym, or commercial space? 

Speak to our B2B team at 03 9007 2389. You can also apply for a trade account for ongoing orders.

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