How to Choose the Right Barbell Plates
Barbell plates determine the load for every barbell exercise. The right plates depend on your gym's needs — material, coating, weight accuracy, and thickness all affect performance and durability. All plates we carry are Olympic 50mm standard.
At UCHINOGYM, we stock barbell plates from REP Fitness and NGA. Choose from urethane-coated, rubber-coated, iron, and calibrated plates. For Olympic lifting and CrossFit, see our bumper plates.
3 Key Factors When Choosing Barbell Plates
① Material & Coating
Urethane-coated plates offer the best floor and equipment protection with low noise — ideal for commercial gyms. Rubber-coated plates provide good protection at a lower price point. Iron plates deliver excellent value for home gyms. Calibrated plates have minimal weight tolerances for powerlifting competitors.
② Plate Thickness
Thinner plates allow more weight on the sleeve — critical for short barbells and heavy loads. The NGA Urethane Olympic Plate features an ultra-slim profile, even thinner than REP Fitness's Equalizer plates at the same price point.
③ Matching Plates to Your Training
Standard urethane or iron plates suit general strength training. For Olympic lifts, CrossFit, or any training where the barbell is dropped, choose bumper plates designed to absorb impact.
Our Recommendations
For Home & Personal Training Studios: REP Fitness Urethane Equalizer Plates combine floor protection with an accessible price point. For those prioritizing a slim profile, the NGA Urethane Olympic Plate is the thinnest option in its class.
For Competition & Commercial Gyms: REP Fitness Calibrated Iron Plates offer tight weight tolerances, making them ideal for powerlifting training environments.