If you have in mind to add some serious weights to your home gym, the question “how much do weight plates cost?” is inevitable, and the answer is provided below.
Weight plates cost anywhere from $1.83 to $4.50 per pound – depending on their type, the materials, and whether it is new or pre-loved. The materials of the free weights also affect the price, with cast iron being the cheapest, followed by bumper plates and coated weight plates being the most expensive.
- Discover the right weight plates for your needs with this comprehensive guide.
- Understand the cost of weight plates and what influences their price.
- Learn how buying used weight plates can be a budget-friendly option.
What are the different types of weight plates?
Following are the different types of weight plates.
Standard plates
This type of weight plate has a 1-inch insert meaning it can accommodate adjustable or one-inch diameter barbells.
Standard weight plates are further classified into:
Cast Iron Plates
These are budget-friendly weights made entirely from cast iron. They’re great if you’re short on space, but keep in mind they can break easily and might not last as long as other types.
Cast Iron Grip Plates
These weights have triangle-shaped holes that make them easy to hold, which is something that sets them apart from regular iron weights. But there are better choices if you’re planning to do deadlifts.
Olympic plates
Olympic weight plates are the kind you usually see in competitions. They’re made to very specific standards and can be a bit pricey. You’ll also find these in big gyms, where athletes use them for heavy lifting.
Different types of Olympic weight plates are:
Rubber bumper plates
Bumper plates are weights that have a thick rubber coating. They come in different colors such as green, red, and yellow, and each color usually stands for a different weight.
They’re good at bouncing back when dropped, they last a long time, and they’re great at absorbing shock. But keep in mind, they can cost a lot, and they take up quite a bit of space.
Hi-temp bumper plates
These weights are made from recycled, vulcanized rubber, making them both durable and environmentally friendly. But because they’re made from recycled materials, they might not look as nice as other weights.
They’re quieter than iron plates and safer for your floors, but being produced by a limited number of companies, they might be a bit challenging to find.
Technique bumper plates
These types of bumper plates are available exclusively in 5lbs and 10lbs, making them the weight of choice for beginners. On the flip side, the limited weight and high price tag are among the top drawbacks.
Competition bumper plates
As their name implies, competition bumper plates are mainly used for competitive sports and professional training and are color-coded according to their weight capacity. Competition bumper plates have high accuracy and weight tolerance but are among the most expensive.
Urethane bumper plates
These weight plates come with a urethane cover and are among the most durable. Urethane bumper plates are also ideal for power and heavy lifting but are expensive and noisy.
Rubber grip plates
This is another type of bumper plate that has a thick rubber coating with an iron core. Rubber grip weight plates usually come with three holes, making them effortless to grip and lift. However, rubber grip plates are vulnerable to damage.
6-shooter plates
These weight plates come with six holes and are very similar to grip plates, so they are easy to load/unload and transport. However, 6-shooter plates are very noisy and cannot be dropped, so you cannot use them for deadlifting.
12-Sided plates
These weight plates, which have 12 edges and are often made of cast iron, have the advantage of being very stable when placed on the floor.
However, performing heavy lifts like deadlifts can lead to injury due to their pointy edges.
Therefore, using these plates for deadlifting is not ideal. If you don’t have any other plates around, I recommend a piece of equipment called HexBumper, which transforms 12-sided hex plates into circular bumper plates.
Iron plates
Also known as steel plates, these weight plates are made entirely of cast iron and come with raised lips near the edges, making them easy to grip and transport.
They have an enamel coating and are very durable and rust-resistant. The only drawback of iron plates is that they are noisy and are not recommended to be dropped during heavy lifting.
Change plates
As their name suggests, weight plates are easy to change/add during workouts. This type of cast iron plate comes with weights of 1.25 lbs to 10 lbs and smaller diameters, making them very beginner-friendly.
However, the weight limit of change plates is also their biggest drawback, meaning serious lifters will likely need a heavier plate.
Fractional plates
These are among the lightest cast iron plates with weights as little as a quarter a pound and maxing at one pound. The advantage of fractional plates is the ability to use them for micro-loading, but they can be too small for power/heavy lifters.
Speecialty plates
True to their name, specialty weight plates are used in fitness studios.
Wagon wheels
Wagon wheels, as the name implies, are shaped like wagon wheels, with multiple spokes extending out from the center. These specialty weight plates are usually used for deadlifting, even for amateur lifters.
According to one research, beginners who incorporate weight plates during resistance training see improved muscle mass, which is fantastic. However, wagon wheels require a good amount of storage space.
Studio plates
Another type of specialty weight plate is studio plates, which are almost exclusive to group fitness facilities with a lot of people.
Studio plates come with several holes, making them effortless to load/unload. However, these specialty plates are available in either 15 or 20 lbs which can be limiting for some lifters.
Price of weight plates
The price of weight plates can look like the table below:
| Weight plate (in lbs) | Price (New) | Price (Old) |
| 45 | $200 | $100 |
| 30 | $130 | $65 |
| 20 | $100 | $50 |
| 10 | $60 | $30 |
How much do bumper plates cost?
The cost of bumper plates ranges from $1.50 to $2.84 per pound on both extremes, clocking an average of $1.95 per pound.
Generally, the price of bumper plates is higher than some weights plates such as cast iron.
| Bumper plate weight (in lbs) | Price per lb |
| 45 | $1.22 to $2.49 |
| 35 | $1.47 to $2.66 |
| 25 | $1.4 to $3.06 |
| 10 | $1.75 to $4.5 |
How much do rubber-coated plates cost?
Rubber-coated plates carry a similar price tag to bumper plates – from $1.78 to $2.46 per pound on both extremes and averages at $2.41.
| Rubber plate (in lbs) | Price per lb |
| Rubber coat | $1.78 to $2.46 |
| Urethane coat | $2.0 |
How much does cast iron cost?
Weight plates made of cast iron are among the most affordable, with an average price of $1.42 per pound.
| Cast iron (in lbs) | Price per pound |
| 45 | $1.09 to $1.78 |
| 35 | $0.97 to $1.83 |
| 25 | $1.2 to $2.1 |
| 10 | $1.21 to $2.43 |
How should you choose a weight plate?
If you plan to add weight plates to your gym, be sure to take these factors into consideration.
Your lifting style
Consider your lifting style – are you a powerlifter or an Olympic weightlifter?
Olympic weight lifting requires lifting the plates above your head and dropping them on the floor. In this case, choosing bumper plates is the best option as they can take a lot of beating and last longer.
If you are not an Olympic weight lifter, you can get away with other types of weight plates.
Gym space
Is your home gym located on the top floor, and/or are you low on space? In this case, coated weight plates are your best choice as they are not as noisy and don’t take up a lot of space.
Budget
Cast iron-weight plates are the most budget-friendly, while coated plates carry a premium price tag.
However, cast iron plates require robust flooring, sound-dampening carpets, or deadlift pads, which can kick up the overall cost.
With bumper or coated plates, you only pay for the weights, so consider your options before you make a transaction.
Why are weight plates so expensive?
Considering the per-pound price, weight plates can be very heavy on your wallet, but there are several reasons behind this cost, as follows:
Cost for materials
Weight plates are made of different materials, including iron, steel, and heavy-duty rubber – that require mining and processing to make them into weight plates.
Since weight plates are heavy and bulky items, they require a ton of raw materials which adds to the overall cost of materials.
Besides, materials such as high-density rubber, a steel core, and coloring used in the finishing of the plates also carry a higher price tag than traditional materials such as iron or steel.
Good Quality
Good quality weight plates usually have better finishing and are made to last longer.
Premium quality weights are also made in accordance with strict regulatory specifications and have the exact weight, especially if they are to be used in competitions. The advantage of highly calibrated plates is that they are also very accurate.
In addition, high-quality weight plates are made of steel with better knurling and are coated for optimum performance.
Learn More: Why are Weight Plates so Expensive?
The Weight
Heavier weight plates understandably cost more than lighter ones as they require more raw materials in construction.
Apart from the materials, heavier-weight plates also require more labor – from manufacturing to handling and shipping, making them pricier overall.
Shipping, handling, and storage
Another factor that kicks up the overall cost of the weight plates is the shipping, handling, and storage.
Weight plates take up more space, require more resources/labor, and occupy more space during transportation from the factory to the retailer.
Since the manufacturer has to pay a substantial amount for shipping, the price of the weight plates goes up by the time it reaches your gym.
Durability
The durability of weight plates often contributes to their higher price point.
These plates are classified as high-grade, indicating they’re crafted from premium materials.
Due to their robust construction and quality, these plates can withstand intense workouts and heavy usage, ensuring longevity.
What is the cheapest type of weight plate?
Weight plates made from cast iron are some of the most affordable options when you consider the cost per pound. This is because these plates are typically designed for beginners and are usually made to fit 1″ barbells, which can hold up to 25 lbs.
Should you buy used weight plates?
If you’re on a tight budget, buying used weight plates can be a smart choice. One of the biggest benefits is that you won’t have to pay the full price since these weights have been used before.
Plus, you can often avoid extra costs like taxes or shipping fees, which can make a big difference to your wallet.
Don’t worry about ending up with old or damaged weights. The idea that all used weight plates are in bad condition is a myth.
In fact, you might find a great deal. For example, someone might be selling their weights because they’re moving or because they’ve upgraded their equipment. That means you could get a set of weights that’s almost like new, but without the new price tag.
Some of the top platforms to look for used weight plates are:
- Craigslist
- Yardsales
- Gumtree
- Mercari
- eBay
How much do use weights cost?
Used weights cost anywhere from 30% to 70% less than brand-new ones. So used weights can cost $0.50 to $3.00 per pound, depending on the weight plates type, model, and brand.
Plates that carry a premium price brand new usually cost more than their cheap counterparts, even when they are put up for sale on the used marketplace.
FAQs
Can weight plates break?
It is not common for weight plates to break. Although instances of rubber plates breaking due to sharp impact can happen. Chances of steel plates breaking have also been observed among the weightlifting community.
However, cosmetic damages such as dings and scratches, chips on metal plates, and peeling of rubber coating in weight plates are very common.
Can you make cast iron plates quieter?
Yes, there are several strategies you can employ to make your cast iron plates quieter.
First, consider installing a weightlifting platform. This not only dampens the noise but also helps prevent floor damage.
Another effective method is laying down thick, heavy rubber mats with some grip, which can significantly reduce noise.
Using cloth-based tape can also help lessen the noise created when plates hit each other, particularly while stacking them.
Consider adding sandpits to the strike zones in your home gym, which can further decrease noise levels.
Lastly, try to improve your weight lifting technique to avoid dropping the plates suddenly, as this often results in a lot of noise.
