What is the advantage of using Olympic plates over standard ones?

Asked by: Franchise Terry

Olympic bars are sturdier, heavier, are a well-known and well-followed standard, and allow you to do the fast lifts (cleans, jerks, snatches) much easier. It’s easier and safer to load them with lots of weight. Standard bars are good, particularly to start with.

Why are Olympic weights better than standard?

The extra weight of an Olympic bar comes from the higher quality steel, its length, width, and the ends of the bar (bar sleeves). As they’re designed to hold heavier weights, Olympic bars are longer, wider, and have larger bar ends. Olympic bars are designed to withstand much higher weights than standard bars.

Are Olympic plates better?

Olympic plates are less disruptive while lifting, more adaptable and they are the weight of choice for competition. However, standard plates are often priced lower and are fine for lifters who aren’t looking to go too heavy.

What is the difference between standard and Olympic weight plates?

The most obvious difference between the plates is the size of the hole used to mount them onto the barbell. Olympic plates have a 2 inch hole, whilst standard ones only have a 1 inch hole. Because of this displaced space, Olympic plates are generally slightly larger than standard ones of the same weight.

Can I use Olympic plates on standard bar?

A lot of people have standard bars but end up with some Olympic weights. No, you can’t just use the Olympic plate on a standard bar! They will slide around and the shifting weight puts dangerous strain on your body!

What is the difference between bumper plates and Olympic plates?

Bumper Plates are larger than an Olympic plate, and they are all the same size in diameter. Bumper plates come in 5lb, 10lb, 25lb, 35lb, 45lb, and a 55lb. They are all the same diameter but obviously a different width.

Are standard weight plates accurate?

Weight accuracy



A 2% or 3% variation is not uncommon, with plates from some manufacturers frequently being 10% or more over or under (a 45-lb plate can weigh as little as 40 lbs, or as much as 50).

Are Olympic weights accurate?

Rogue Machined Cast Iron Olympic Plates



Weights are accurate to within 2%/-0%. Sold in pairs and a 245-pound set.

Why do Olympic weights feel heavier?

This is because the iron in the weight reacts with oxygen and water, which increases the weight of the plates on a molecular level. When speaking of dumbbells, those that are made of rubber can have a very different weight distribution than the more traditional dumbbells that use iron plates.

Are Olympic bars heavier?

Barbells Function



When it comes down to it, Olympic barbells are longer and heavier than regular, powerlifting barbells. Most gyms and commercial fitness centers have Olympic barbells because they hold more weight and are more durable than a regular barbell.

Can you use an Olympic bar for bench press?

Stay two inches away from your chest pause at the bottom and drive straight up make sure that you're pushing your shoulders. Down towards your hips. And you inhale. Here exhale there.

Can you squat with standard bar?

You can bodybuild, do Olympic weightlifting lifts or do general strength training with an Olympic barbell. But you can’t perform weightlifting movements with a standard barbell. If you squat anything around 200lbs or more then you really shouldn’t be using a standard barbell.

How do you put an Olympic plate on a standard bar?

These all right so here are two of the adapters. That i just made i'm just going to slide those over the bar as such and i'm just going to put the weight. On the adapter. I'm going to go ahead.

Can you use an Olympic barbell for powerlifting?

While a powerlifting bar is generally the same dimensions of the Olympic bar, it can also be longer and/or thicker to allow for more weight to be added. Also slightly different are the markings on the bar; or the knurling.

Can you leave weights on the bar?

Yes it is. You can do whatever you want with your bar. If you want to be a lazyass and leave it loaded all the time, that’s fine with me. If you think no more of your gym than that, cool.

How heavy is a standard barbell?

Standard Barbell



Your standard straight barbell weighs 45 pounds, is about 7 feet long, and can be used for most lifts, including squats, deadlifts, bent-over rows, overhead presses, and even biceps curls, says Wickham.

Why do Olympic bars spin?

Olympic barbells are supposed to spin in order to reduce torque during explosive movements and make it safer for the wrist, forearm, and elbow. For Olympic weightlifting exercises like a snatch or clean and jerk, a spinning barbell sleeve is essential to minimize injury and improve comfort.

Is it harder to bench with a thicker bar?

In pulling exercises, the thicker bar lead to lower 1 rep maxes compared to thinners bars. Not a surprise, since a thicker bar makes gripping the bar more difficult (1 & 2).

How much do Olympic plates weigh?

Olympic plates range from 0.5kg (1.1lb), to 30kg (66lb). Powerlifting plates begin at 0.25kg (0.55lb), and go up to 25kg (55lb). Standard weight plates come in a variety of weights.

Why do plates stop at 45?

But why do weight plates stop at 45 lbs. and not go right up to 50? It seems the main reason for this type of weight distribution is that the Olympic standard for the largest weight plate is actually 20 kilograms. This equals to 44.09 pounds, making a 45-pound Imperial weight plate the closest corresponding size.

What are Olympic plates made of?

Olympic weight plates are typically made of cast iron, and can be either round or octagonal. Some Olympic weights, known as bumper plates, are coated with rubber to protect both the weight plates and the gym floor, if a loaded barbell is dropped.