Weightlifters, bodybuilders, athletes, and everyday fitness buffs personalise their workout routines with barbells and rubber bumper plates. Weight plates activate, isolate, and work a larger range of muscles than fitness machines. They also make it easier to personalise training and gradually increase resistance.
Sometimes barbells come with weights, but if you don’t like the accompanying weights or want a higher quality—it’s time to order more. Rubber bumper plates are increasingly popular, as they reduce shock, protect your floor, and the colour makes it easier to select the weight you want. Or order your Olympic weight plates in standard black.
While you’re upgrading your weight plates, consider ordering a few different types of bars to further optimise and personalise your workouts. In addition to a standard straight weight training bar, consider triceps bars, squat bars, trap bars, or bars that are either 4, 5, 6, or 7 feet wide.
Finally, you’ll need a few accessories such as a weight bench, standing or wall-mounted racks. Fitness mats provide both comfort and shock absorption. This could be a mat that you fold up and store or roll-out mats that you can connect to create a large surface area.
Not sure whether to choose rubber bumper plates, iron plates or a full barbell and plates bundle? The buying guide compares plate type, sleeve fit, home gym flooring and storage so you can buy once and train well.
Read our buying guide| Fractional Plates Set | Colour Change Plates | Bumper Plates | 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 |
| 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 |
Bundle set weights refer to total plate weight only. Bar weight is additional.
