No products in the cart.
Olympic Weight Plate Buying Guide
strength | July 28, 2022
So, you’re ready to step up your weightlifting game with a pair of Olympic weight plates? Olympic plates offer many advantages over standard weight plates, such as greater durability, higher quality materials and the ability to perform more advanced powerlifting. But with these extra features comes a lot more variation. While this is great for weightlifters as it allows to greater choice and more personalisation of equipment, it can be daunting to decide what plate is going to suit your needs the most. Here is a rundown of everything you need to know before buying yourself a pair of Olympic weight plates so you can make your decision with confidence.
Standard vs Olympic
When it comes to weight plates there are two main categories: Olympic and standard. The most important practical difference is sizing. Standard weight plates and Olympic weight plates will have a hole at the centre through which the barbell is fitted. Standard weight plates will have a centre hole designed to fit a 25mm diameter standard bar, meaning that only bars with the same size will be able to fit your plates. Olympic bars, on the other hand, have a standardised 50mm diameter, meaning they can’t be used with standard plates, and vice versa for an Olympic weight plate on a standard bar. While it is technically possible to fit an Olympic weight plate onto a standard bar, as the Olympic hole will be bigger than the standard bar’s diameter, it’s not recommended as the weights will not be properly secured, making them unsafe to use.
Tri-Grip
These plates offer a smooth, user-friendly experience with three gripped handle positions. The handles make them a great option if you plan to use them by themselves, as well as easy handling when mounting them either on a bar or gym station. They’re made of heavy-duty rubber to protect your floors and range from 1.25kg, 2.5kg up to 20kg.
Black Series Bumper
These plates are built with high density rubber to create extra protection for your floors, walls and workout area. The Black Series bumper plates are perfect for compound lifts such as deadlifts, clean and jerk, snack and jerk variations. These start at 5kg up to 25kg, and have a regulation diameter of 450mm, along with a steel ring core for easy sliding on and barbells.
Competition Bumper
Competition bumper plates are a type of Olympic plate use in competition powerlifting, and as such are required to be commercial grade with standardised measurements. These measurements are set by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) to meet the requirements of competitive events. This is also the reason why Olympic bumper plates will come in specific colours, as these are also mandated by the IWF, and are an internationally recognised colour coding system. Commercially graded Olympic bumper weights are required to withstand a greater amount of stress, and handle being dropped. These bumper plates encase a steel core in a rubber coating to protect both the weight and the floor. They are made with a high-density PolyUrethane coating, designed to reduce bounce back and endure high intensity usage. If you plan on using your plates for deadlifts, cleans, jerks or anything where you may be dropping the weights at any point, you’ll want to grab a pair of Olympic bumper plates.
Shape and Thickness
Thickness is an important consideration in choosing the right weight plate. Competition plates will be noticeably thinner to allow more to be loaded onto a barbell or gym station. Most plates will have a thicker edge called a ‘lip’ that allows for an easier grip. While both are suitable for individual use, some users prefer a plate without the Tri-Grip design as it forces them to train their grip strength. As always, find opportunities to try out all options and make a decision that works best for you.
While the shape of the plate won’t matter too much if you’re just planning on loading them onto a bar, if you’re using you’re plates by themselves, you may want to consider a Tri-Grip plate. These are designed with three handles built into the side, making for easier use when used independently, and is generally preferrable for individual use. It will also make it easier to load on and off bars.
Are Weight Plates Accurate?
The majority of the time you can be rest assured that the weight plates you buy will be the correct weight that’s advertised or very close. However, it’s not unusual to find weights with a small deviation from the advertised number. CORTEX’s Olympic plates will have a low variance in weight, and the competition plates will have an even lower variance. These are usually matter of a few digit grams, so it won’t be something that most users will need to be concerned about. However, for advanced users and serious, competitive weightlifters, the competition bumper plates offer the extra guarantee of a more precise weight accurate to the advertised size.
Olympic Barbells
Along with the Olympic plates themselves, the accompanying barbell is designed to meet competition standards, designed to carry a heavier load and support rotational bar movements. Most competition barbells will be made with carbon steel, with the exception of the SPARTAN205 and ZEUS100, which are made with highly durable Chrome Molybdenum Steel and Sring-Tempered Stainless Steel, respectively. There are also different coatings, including chrome, black oxide and hard chrome, which offer different types of protection, grip-strength and feel. Manufacturers will also usually produce separate size bars for male and female lifters, proportional to average shoulder width between men and women.
You can find a more comprehensive guide to buying Olympic barbells here.
Which Olympic plate is right for you?
If that was a lot of info for you, here’s a quick breakdown of the different types of Olympic plates and what will suit your situation best. If you’re planning to your plates more as free weights or independent of a bar, the Tri-Grip plates will be your best option. Having said this, they are also handy for use in plate loaded gym stations, as they make for easier handling when removing or attaching plates to the machine. These will also suit those with a minimal home fitness setup or less space, as they can be moved around easier and allow for more convenient storage. Black series bumper plates are a great option for those wanting to accelerate their weightlifting, while competition bumper plates will offer the absolute highest quality experience for serious lifters.
Conclusion
Buying yourself some Olympic weight plates will ensure you’re using the best equipment and getting the most out of your weight training. They are one of the most effective tools at your disposal for accelerating your strength training, muscle growth and improved stamina. It’s important to find something that personalised to your needs, and there are definitely a few options to consider.
Speak to our friendly team members today and we’ll be able to help you on your fitness journey.
Latest Posts
Cardio | June 22, 2026
EOFY Home Gym Upgrade Guide: Where to Invest in Treadmills, Bikes & Strength EquipmentThe end of financial year is coming up, which we believe is one of the best times to evaluate your long-term fitness...
Read more
Cardio | June 09, 2026
Low-Impact Cardio Machines for Home: Best Options for Joint-Friendly WorkoutsAre you someone who's avoided running because you're worried about your knees? Maybe you've taken a break from cardi...
Read more
gift | May 05, 2026
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas 2026This year, get your Mum a gift that's functional and life-enhancing. If you've got a Mum who likes early morning jog...
Read more
Training | May 01, 2026
Lifespan Fitness Customer Transformations: Bec ChristensenFor most people, a fitness journey starts with a simple goal. For Bec Christensen, her initial drive to get her fitn...
Read more
Exercise | April 24, 2026
How to Stay Consistent with Home Workouts Over Long Weekends & HolidaysMost people will say that they lose motivation over long weekends, but that's rarely the real issue. What actually d...
Read more
Cardio | April 15, 2026
Treadmill vs Exercise Bike vs Cross Trainer: Which Is Best for Your Home?Treadmills. Exercise Bikes. Cross Trainers. These are the big 3 when it comes to home cardio equipment. While most o...
Read more
Treadmill | April 02, 2026
Scott Clark’s 24-Hour Marathon JourneyOn the morning of 15th March, a battered Scotty Clark was lowered into an ice bath, feeling the cool sting calm his ...
Read more
Training | March 10, 2026
Meet the Man Who’s Running for 24-Hours StraightThis former AFL sports trainer is taking ultra-marathons to another level with his 24-hour treadmill challenge.
Read more
Ice baths | February 20, 2026
A Cold Plunge to HealthIn 2002, British long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe won the 10,000m gold medal at the European Athletics Champions...
Read more
Cardio | February 06, 2026
Effects of Exercise on Mental HealthDid you know that regular physical exercise can actually increase the volume of parts of your brain? Namely, the par...
Read more
Cardio | January 12, 2026
Belt Slipping: Cause and CureBelt slipping is what happens when the belt moves out of sync with the treadmill motor and rollers. This can happen ...
Read more
gift | December 19, 2025
Christmas Gifts for Gym Lovers: The Ultimate Holiday Fitness Gift GuideDo you have someone in your life who's a meal-prepping, gym-obsessed, endorphin-chasing fitness junkie? Then you hav...
Read more
Cardio | December 08, 2025
12 Days of Christmas Fitness: Unwrap Your Best Self with These Holiday WorkoutsThe 12 Days of Christmas Fitness is a simple, engaging way to stay motivated during the holidays. Each day introduce...
Read more
November 06, 2025
Your Questions Answered: Our Most Common Service & Product QueriesEvery day, we hear so many interesting and unexpected questions from customers in-store, online and over the phone. ...
Read more
November 05, 2025
Kettlebells vs Dumbbells - Which is Best for You?They may look the same (and have very similar names), but dumbbells and kettlebells can create very different workou...
Read more
October 20, 2025
The Different Types of Weight Plate (and How to Tell them Apart)If you're at all serious about building a solid home fitness setup, you can't skip on weight plates. They have a spe...
Read more
Exercise | October 02, 2025
Gym Rubber Flooring: How Good Is It for Home GymsTo build the home gym of your dreams, you've got to start from the ground up. Gym flooring often gets overlooked, as...
Read more
Treadmill | September 22, 2025
Lifespan Fitness WalkingPad M2 Featured on SunriseOur WalkingPad M2 treadmill was recently featured on Sunrise, where wellness expert Lizzie Williamson showed just h...
Read more
pilates | September 12, 2025
Lifespan Fitness Contour Pilates Reformers Featured on The BlockWeek 6 of The Block saw police-officer duo Britt & Taz take a bold leap: transforming their rumpus room into a P...
Read more
pilates | September 05, 2025
The Ultimate Guide to Reformer PilatesYou’ve probably heard all the buzz around Reformer Pilates. Post-COVID has seen a huge surge in interest in this near...
Read more
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Join our subscribers list to get the latest news, updates and special offers delivered directly in your inbox.
Connect with us
