Picking Plates - Cheap Weights

In today's video we take a look at cheap plates and why I prefer to avoid them. I understand many people think "weight is weight," but you'll soon see this often isn't the case.
Make sure you check out the other videos in this series!
Why I Sold My Rogue Competition Plates: • Picking Plates - Why I...
Cheap Plates - • Picking Plates - Cheap...
Don't Buy Bumpers - • Picking Plates - Don't...
Buy Used! - • Picking Plates - BUY U...
Machined/Milled: • Picking Plates - The B...
Social Links:
Instagram: / basementbrandon
Twitter: / basementbrandon
Snapchat: BasementBrandon
[e-mail]
#gym #powerlifting #workout

[@tremerefury]

When buying weights at walmart, grab a scale from the bathroom department and bring it to the weights. Save yourself the trip. Lol

[@BasementBrandon]

😝

[@psychohippie2003]

i understand its not cool to reply to old comments but i thank you a lot for your incredible idea

[@EnlightenedRogue24]

That’s if you trust the accuracy of a bathroom scale. ☝️🥴

[@johnmarquez7572]

@@EnlightenedRogue24 both very good points 👍

[@raphaelmejia319]

I'll actually did that, saved a ton of money cause I just need them to be accurate in the weight :)

[@erickheera2176]

Me: is content with home gym, total is 1200$ Brandon: I'd rather spend a little money more long term Me: ok, ur right Also Me: total after new purchases, 10,000$

[@mmullane31]

Erick Heera I feel this

[@BasementBrandon]

Haha easy for it to get out of hand!

[@jimmyp9105]

Thats alil culty

[@MichaelAveryMusic]

*People in the USA right now* $1200 you say? 🧐

[@jamesm8584]

@tahlin how do i get a mold for them

[@alvinprettyman1802]

I live 5 miles from a really great used sporting goods store made my home gym with used equipment made my own pulley system and my own squat rack 65.5 years old still lifting

[@BasementBrandon]

Nice dude!

[@A.kennedad8791]

You definitely gotta do the bumper plate video now🤷🏽‍♂️

[@BasementBrandon]

Looks like it.

[@A.kennedad8791]

😱

[@AApril261992]

@@BasementBrandon Fringe Sport bumpers too! They've got a crazy durable design.

[@MarkReadsReddit]

Bro, the cast iron plates don’t come seasoned. You just gotta break em in a bit, follow these steps: Scrub plate well in hot soapy water. Dry thoroughly. Spread a thin layer of melted shortening or vegetable oil over the plate. Place it upside down on a middle oven rack at 375°. (Place foil on a lower rack to catch drips.) Bake 1 hour; let cool in the oven.

[@BasementBrandon]

sounds like a better use for them

[@ckennedy1973]

😂

[@alvinprettyman1802]

now I know what I was doing wrong

[@dustinodunne3572]

Make them more rust resistant, and if done correctly, theyll be a beautiful shiny black :)

[@HooDRidEWhiteY]

I mean it works with cast iron pans, why not with plates!

[@BrendanTietz]

Great vid! I’ve weighed so many cast irons and they’re always off! I explain that to my clients all the time! Same with the dumbbells.

[@BasementBrandon]

You know I never even considered dumbbells being off!

[@bobmash607]

I am shocked at how many comments Brandon reads and replied to. It’s impressive. I don’t know how you have time for all of them.

[@BasementBrandon]

Hah if I keep up on them for a few minutes each day it's not that bad!

[@robertspence1356]

Yes, please do a bumper plate video. Cost vs quality comparison like this one, as well as the different materials used and their benefits. Love your videos and thank you for letting the world know about Strong Arm bars.

[@BasementBrandon]

Thanks Robert!

[@martinstrength8532]

Good information as always, I was originally going to go with the cheaper plates, but will not be doing that now, thx!

[@BasementBrandon]

All depends on what you want to get out of it!

[@adammedfit5122]

ALL THE VIDEOS. I'M EATING THESE UP LIKE BREAKFAST. I promise Im not yelling. Just excited. I love you, dad.

[@BasementBrandon]

hey now

[@tomk3478]

Yeah, count me into the bumper plate video-wanting camp. Not that I haven't already bought bumper plates, but, well...

[@BasementBrandon]

Haha will do

[@adammeirinho6698]

I want all the videos MR. Diamond

[@BasementBrandon]

Hey now

[@JoelP1961]

The old cast iron plates from the 70's are more accurate. I bought a pair of Cap plates, poor quality to say the least. My 40 year old Weider kilo set is surprisingly accurate.

[@BasementBrandon]

Agree, the old plates (even machined/milled) seemed to be so much better.

[@yerwrng]

That's not always true if you ever weighed the old York plates back in The early 90s they were certainly not accurate, and that comes from having weighed them as they get weighed for comps .

[@joeshmoe7967]

I am still using my weider plates I bought when in high school '78. Surprisingly accurate, a 10lb plate is 10lb plate. I got the 'fancy' ones with the gold finish. LOL!. Still using the wooden bench I built in wood shop class. Working my way to a 4 x my age bench next Jan, 2022 when I will turn 60. - Cheers

[@fedguy9182]

My York new standard plates are pretty good. All my 45’s are within 2% based on my digital scale. York rep told me me they switched foundries recently and the standard plates are molded very accurately and they will be moving the milled plates to that facility too. The Rep recommended them over their milled for the price savings. I’m very happy with them.

[@BasementBrandon]

Good to know!

[@fareedingram4626]

You got a link for purchase on those plates !!

[@NoFate247]

Well thought out video. Thanks for the break down

[@BasementBrandon]

Thanks for taking a look!

[@FyrFytr998]

Great video. I found the best bang for the buck is if you can find used old York American cast steel plates. Milled ones are a bonus. Actually cobbled a set together at my firehouse gym from all the weights at the different stations in town. Especially when they have a nice patina to them. Pretty much all cast plates come out of China nowadays. I think Iron Grip is the last American company casting general usage plates.

[@BasementBrandon]

Right on!

[@darrencunningham8346]

Thanks for the video Brandon. Very helpful

[@BasementBrandon]

Thanks DC!

[@SinaSyndrome]

Yess. We need a bumper plate video too

[@BasementBrandon]

Gotcha

[@fs3994]

I have collected a 600 plus lb set of 12 sided Marcy grip plates I restored in hammertone gray. Very proud of these even if slightly heavier than stamped weight.

[@BasementBrandon]

Nicely done!

[@LightningN1NjA]

Dig the video! Bumpers next!

[@BasementBrandon]

Haha will likely get to it at some point.

[@kennethsteelhammer]

Once I weighed some plates on a bad scale. Talk about total mess!:)

[@BasementBrandon]

Hah yeah that's a good point, most people dont' have calibrated scales anyways!

[@warwickdennis4114]

You and Coop have helped me a lot in my purchases, Thanks

[@BasementBrandon]

Glad to help

[@kolecarterbenches]

I have weighed a bunch of metal plates at the gym I go to. I just weighed them on the scales and wrote on them what they actually are. The diameter is all the same for most 45 pounds plates but They vary from 41 pounds to 47 pounds. When you are benching in the 500-700 pound range a few pounds can really throw you off.

[@BasementBrandon]

Wouldn't know :(

[@dakotaplatz1961]

Please do a video on bumpers from Rogue 🤞👍

[@LightningN1NjA]

Dakota Platz yes!

[@BasementBrandon]

I can likely do that, anything specific you'd like to see?

[@brandonhoover2120]

@@BasementBrandon At least something on Comp vs Training. Maybe something about that urethane stuff

[@dakotaplatz1961]

I agree, Rogue echo bumpers 👍

[@ckennedy1973]

Eleiko too

[@skeggoxoverland4824]

Please teach us about bumber plates. q: Are they as or even more variable than iron?

[@BasementBrandon]

Depends on the type! But I can probably do a video.

[@drivecheckvanguard3026]

Brandon Campbell Diamond yes pls! Thanks!!

[@tonytaylor5165]

Only down fall to bumpers they bounce to much doing deadlifts

[@happyhopper]

Bumper plates next please! What are your thoughts on Titan Fitness bumper plates?

[@BasementBrandon]

I've heard good things actually

[@raylopez4351]

Understand the concept of plates having variable weight differences, but as long as they match , such as brand. I'm good with it. Thanks for the great information

[@BasementBrandon]

Yeah def doesn't matter for all!

[@Astropin]

The problem is that they never match. You end up with a different amount of weight on each side of the bar.

[@gregnoble8083]

Great series!!

[@BasementBrandon]

Thanks Greg!

[@green15838]

Good run of videos!!

[@BasementBrandon]

Thanks man!

[@keepit100kg]

I got pretty lucky with the CAP plates I bought, they're all within a couple of lbs of each other. The price was hard to pass up, so I bit the bullet on them.

[@BasementBrandon]

Nice!

[@HeylMarketing]

Yes please do the machined and calibrated. As I'm rebuilding, I'm leaning toward calibrated for best accuracy, so would love your thoughts, and hell why not bumpers too :)

[@BasementBrandon]

Lol

[@mrmrlee]

Over weight plates can be drilled with a press to lighten them and create uniformity, but it's probably more trouble than it's worth. I do like the vintage small plates for loading dumbbell handles, they have a nice look in a home gym.

[@BasementBrandon]

If you take the time to drill you could always calibrate them yourself too, as you mention, prob not worth it thought!

[@matthewtuel2747]

Great advice all around. Being that I was buying during COVID, quality plates were unobtainable even online in a lot of cases. Also, a lot of the used CAP plates were going for $3 per pound which beyond stupid. I go a hold of a smaller set used for $1.50, cast Sports Authority. They do exhibit some of the problems discussed but I am ok with it given they are pandemic plates. I can’t wait to buy some decent machines plates from Rogue once they are actually in stock.

[@BasementBrandon]

Right on! In this market you get what you can while you can!

[@justtraining4702]

This gonna lead us eventually to what you decided to go with? I learned something new today.....didn’t realize that cast & milled were actually different.

[@BasementBrandon]

I'll get there, not sure these videos will be a clear path like the rack series though, people just seemed to want to know why I did/didn't go with certain plates.

[@skepticalroot]

Last month, I bought 12 45lb cast iron plates from Titan Fitness. They were on sale, and had (and still have) free shipping and arrived in a couple of days. They are stated spec'd within 2% weight, "448 mm" in diameter and with a 50.5mm center hole. I found all of this to be true once they arrived. I weighed each plate and found them within 1% if I'm not mistaken. Center holes I measured with a caliper and found them all to be 50.55 to 50.7 mm, and the 2 mm difference in the plate diameter seemed to be just to say they aren't 450 (compared to the two old standard 45's I had - they seemed to match up exactly). I had a couple of small chips in the finish, and one of the center holes seemed a little rough (turned out to just be a finish imperfections). I still can't tell if I lucked out or if they are really that good, but I was impressed with the purchase. The boxes called them "calibrated" plates, but they seem like they mean they were machined after casting. I was going to get the York G-2 cast iron grip plates (which were\are also on sale) but weren't spec'd to a percentage and would have run an extra $125 in shipping. However the price with shipping is currently less than the non-sale price of the Titans. Not that you are looking for them, nor do I still think you'd seriously look at them now, but I thought the info was relevant to the video topic.

[@BasementBrandon]

Glad to hear! I remember when they first came out with these, they advertised them as regular diameter but were actually only 15" so they pulled them all from the site.

[@rossMIE]

Do one about dinner plates? Plain or patented, floral or abstract, China or earthenware, these are the question we need answers to. Nice video. I think the morale of the story is you get what you pay for.

[@BasementBrandon]

Paper plates FTW

[@rossMIE]

@@BasementBrandon paper plates suffer from a lack of rigidity, inches matter here Brandon. No one wants a floppy... plate 👍

[@nikhilsrl]

Hey Brandon, Thanks for this video and I would certainly like to hear from you about machined, milled etc. It would also be great to know what your opinion is on used plates.

[@BasementBrandon]

I think I'll try to cover the used market next, but need to get out some other videos first!

[@nikhilsrl]

@@BasementBrandon Great, thanks.

[@kreyzor]

More videos!!! Also it would be really nice to have a , home gym build if you live in Europe, there is not that much info running around. Saw some good reviews on ATX racks but thats about it. Great Vids !

[@BasementBrandon]

I've heard good things about ATX

[@AB-ft7gg]

Hi Temp bumper plates. Work great for my routine. Involves a little bit of dropping, but not excessive.

[@BasementBrandon]

S E my issue there is you can’t fit more than 4 per side, so pretty limited in progression.

[@AB-ft7gg]

Brandon Campbell Diamond that’s because you are an animal!

[@AB-ft7gg]

But I agree, for powerlifting it is not ideal.

[@lvaldezr]

Finally! I’ve been waiting for the plate videos.

[@BasementBrandon]

Hah will get to them all eventually!

[@TriassicIceman]

Sir I'm considering the REP PR-5000 it has a nice lat pulldown attachment; is that a good way to go sir?

[@BasementBrandon]

I would hold off until summer if you want that rack, I believe they will be updating it around August.

[@MrPetey51]

Great video. My plates at the moment (REP V2) have an overall diameter of 17.5 inches. It is about a quarter inch off of comp specs. I have a set of comp bumpers and when I lay them on top of the comp bumpers the difference in diameter is there but not glaring. That is why I have been looking at strength co plates. What do you think? Issue or non issue?

[@BasementBrandon]

Don't think it's a big issue TBH!

[@justtraining4702]

Any thoughts on the rubber coated ( not bumpers) joints? Been eyeing IVANKO’s Encased EZ lift sets

[@BasementBrandon]

Most of the ones I see don't age very well.

[@GoGoZebras]

This was super informative!

[@BasementBrandon]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GoGoZebras]

@@BasementBrandon ya man I failed a lift recently with cast iron plates and I wondered why it felt so heavy. This has convinced me to use machined or calibrated plates at my gym.

[@reginaldchesterfield8110]

The jokes, the inches... hahahah oh man. You don’t find anyone else doing humor and gym reviews like this hahah

[@BasementBrandon]

Niche market :)

[@cmiz8589]

Would you say Rogue bumper are higher in the spectrum of better than cast iron plates? With diameter, stated weight, finish?

[@BasementBrandon]

They can be, but they are also pricier and take up too much room on the bar IMO

[@reginaldchesterfield8110]

Hi Brandon, have you noticed if the metal insert on bumper plates or the iron plates cause a difference in more or less wear and tear on the barbell sleeves?

[@BasementBrandon]

I haven't!

[@paulhopkins686]

Hi Brendan. Thank you for your videos. What would you say is the best of both worlds? Would a mix of larger bumpers and smaller cast iron plates?

[@BasementBrandon]

I think most can get away without bumpers at all. However in today's market you buy what you can lol

[@paulhopkins686]

@@BasementBrandon very true. Thanks

[@fusionsportsperformance8380]

Good video. Here's a question not related to plates: when editing, do you set the volume higher on purpose?

[@BasementBrandon]

I set it so that it peaks around -3db, which is considered average. I find people often don't set the volume properly (too low).

[@fusionsportsperformance8380]

Brandon Campbell Diamond that’s a good point, and thanks for the reply. I started a channel recently so I’m trying to pick up little tips like that from successful youtubers.

[@johndim11]

Love the Crowder reference😂

[@darrencunningham8346]

I missed it. What was it?

[@johndim11]

Darren Cunningham it’s about 20 seconds into the video

[@BasementBrandon]

It's the "change my mind" guy :)

[@darrencunningham8346]

@@BasementBrandon Duh. Thanks guys!

[@ryanfoht4833]

What are your thoughts on the Rogue Machined Olympic plates? I was going to purchase a set and 4 extra 45lb pairs

[@BasementBrandon]

They're nice!

[@mrdisco8616]

I didn't know about the diameter thing. But I think for me it's just another thing to look out for when buying used. The weight variance is not a big deal because you can weigh plates and just buy the ones within a pound or less.

[@BasementBrandon]

Def true.

[@johnh6928]

Rogue echo bumpers, 1% weight difference and I believe $129 for a pair of 45s. Cheap af

[@PronatorsaurusTricepsus]

But you can't fit much weight on the bar with them

[@davideldridge1124]

You can fit 605lbs on a bar with them. Not a huge amount but with even 2 calibrated plates it can easily hold enough.

[@BasementBrandon]

Def some good value.

[@PronatorsaurusTricepsus]

@@davideldridge1124 yeah, and it will wobble like crazy. Ive had 325kg on the bar with mostly comp steel plated. Felt more comfortable than 250kg in bumper plates (equipped benchpress). And that was with a powerbar.

[@johnathonolavarria7432]

I have the 360lb set of echo bumpers. They are only off by ounces and both plates weigh the exact same. I also have iron plates from rogue they range from 43.5-44.8 lbs, not terrible.

[@willcusic2557]

Hey Brandon, any experience with Bells of Steel? They’re a Canadian company and have the cheapest prices I’ve found plus free shipping. I have their reverse hyper (they call it “back swing”) machine and love it so far. Might be popular amongst the budget-conscious folk like myself. Thanks man

[@BasementBrandon]

I have a few of bells/strongarm bars actually! Also have heard great things about the strongarm calibratred plates.

[@Corey_1997]

I want to see a video of best number plates that are not too pricey or cheap bumpers that are not tire crumb. Thanks love the content been watching you for years.

[@BasementBrandon]

Great suggestion!

[@maxdennehy4624]

I would like to see a video on bumper plates, thank you

[@BasementBrandon]

Will put it on my list.

[@kayots]

Basically: if you’re just trying to get big at home and not participate in professional competitions you’re okay going the cheap route, but consider that cast iron plates can be wrong by usually ~5 pounds (up or down)

[@BasementBrandon]

Really just depends like most things in life.

[@Badabinger]

Thumbs up just for the Crowder nod 👍 Nice place info as well though.

[@BasementBrandon]

Thanks man!

[@logansublett891]

What is your opinion on the REP Fitness Equalizer plates and/or REP Cast Iron plates?

[@BasementBrandon]

The equalizer plates look good from a spec/price standpoint. They've just had issues keeping them in stock.

[@HKX_ORANGECHICKEN]

For garage gyms... how often do you have to maintain weights, bars, etc??

[@BasementBrandon]

Weights not much, bars depends on the finish and your environment.

[@josephshatrowsky]

I bought a pair of cast iron from REP and one is 44.6, the other 45.4, pretty happy with that. 129.99 free shipping and no tax.

[@BasementBrandon]

Right on!

[@MrXman506]

Man, I have an entire gym in my basement: rack, cable machine, lat pull, etc. I bought all of my equipment in 2000 and for weight plates I got CAP cast iron. Never had a problem with them. Also, I spent about $15,000.00 for my gym equipment and that was in 2000. Cast iron plates were 47 cents/lb where steel plates were close to 4-5 dollars/lb. I couldn't afford any more. If I bought my stuff now, I know it would easily run over $30,000.00+.

[@BasementBrandon]

I think you could come in under those numbers if you shopped around, some great offerings these days, just depends on what kind of build you want!

[@oscara9852]

Great video. I've trained in places where where my numbers were suspiciously high. I figured it was because they had lighter weights. Its annoying lol and definitely throws you off.

[@BasementBrandon]

Prob made you feel pretty good at the time lol

[@jugglingbob321]

bumper plates. I work out solo and I want to be able to dump them if I need to

[@BasementBrandon]

Gotcha

[@24mrich]

I have a standard diameter 45lb bumper plate. All my iron plates are smaller than that, so deadlift is at the right high, but i hace a deadlift bar so i don't get the full benefit of it. Works for my home gym

[@BasementBrandon]

I had issues with a set up like that (the captain america plates), as when the weight got heavy all the impact just went to the 2 bigger plates.

[@chrisweintraub3245]

@@BasementBrandon I am about to have the same setup as 24mrich. deadlift bar, 2 45 rogue bumpers at standard height, the rest of my 45's are Weider iron cast with smaller diameter. Why does 24mrich say "don't get the full benefit of it"? would a deadlift bar's efficiency somehow be impacted by there being weights that don't touch the ground? Hopefully you can clear this up for me because I hope that's not the case. I understand the impact going to the 2 bigger plates could damage them over time but unfortunately I don't have any other options at the moment. Ive seen people drop 700+ with a similar setup without damaging the larger plates before... so hoping I will have the same luck as them. Any feedback would be appreciated!

[@BasementBrandon]

@@chrisweintraub3245 I think the thought was that since all plates aren’t touching you won’t get as much whip (benefit of deadlift bar) but in my experience it has no impact.

[@chaseingeverything]

Will you please do a review on bumper plates budget bumper plates and high quality bumper plates reviews thanks appreciate your videos keep up the good work two health and fitness

[@BasementBrandon]

Check out the channel "As Many Reviews As Possible" he recently did a video that covered most of the above!

[@jaypark974]

Hey Brandon. I need your opinion on my plates.. my max lift is 315 at the moment. My choice is cast iron weight tolerance 3% vs machined plates weight tolerance2%. would weight tolerance 3% be good enough for my use or would you recommend going with 2%? It is 1% difference but Asking because of price difference. Thank you.

[@BasementBrandon]

Really up to you, if your key concern is budget, get the cheaper ones, just know they may have some trade offs.

[@touringteg]

Around 2015 I picked up some used Weider plates and an Olympic bar for $200 cad. 22, 33, 44 lbs. I finally refinished then this weekend. Time to weigh them and see how accurate they are. The only issue I have is I purchased a tree to hold them and these weights scrape up the arms and also are chipping away at the plastic end caps. Otherwise no issues.

[@BasementBrandon]

Nice!

[@XploMC]

Hey man do you know any places that sells plates for a decent price currently in Europe?

[@BasementBrandon]

I don't sorry :(

[@nomaanalwi9495]

Hi Brandon, How do you even go about finding plates when everything is sold out online? I don't want to pay for shipping, and the only two sites I've come across that offer free shipping are Fringesport and Vulcan Strength.

[@BasementBrandon]

Even sites that offer "free shipping" usually has those fees built into the product cost. Stuff doesn't last long in stock these days so you have to check daily.

[@CeroAshura]

I have a bunch of plates that are over the rated weight, and a few below. Got them stickered so i use the lower ones on my weaker days and higher ones on the stronger days. It all comes down to budget though. Who wouldn't want 2 full sets of calibrated zink coated plates

[@BasementBrandon]

appreciate the response

[@bmstylee]

Last time I was this early Brandon still rocked CrossFit plates. What do you think about the Rep Fitness zero gap incline bench?

[@BasementBrandon]

Wild Bill looks dope but their nice stuff is creeping up in price. It’s $500 before shipping and that’s near Rogues zero gap offering

[@bmstylee]

@@BasementBrandon Hmmm. Only a $50 difference in price. That makes it a difficult choice. The Rep one looks more like the Rogue ab2 bench. Which is$800.

[@XxEliteStrikerXx]

Just sold my 35 lbs pair for $159. Adding that towards the 6 shooters when in stock!

[@BasementBrandon]

Damn it!

[@cody4916]

You’ll definitely need to use the rogue stock bot to have a chance at buying those. Probably won’t even be in stock for a minute.

[@joemomma7]

I care about all that but I have no other choice but to get the cast iron. 3 kids one on the way no way I can get some of them nice ones. Maybe I'll put it on my bucket list. I will say for the cheap ones that I do have I guess I got lucky because they all the same size the center hole same size and they do weigh on point. Bedside to it is like you said my deadlift I have to control it all the way down and I cannot bench too much because I'll be afraid to drop my weights off onto the floor, well cuz it could be ugly. But I do appreciate you for your heartbreaking but honest truth about the weights.

[@BasementBrandon]

Awesome to hear, congrats on the 4th!

[@julioamador261]

talk about bumpers. me weightlift. me like bumpers

[@BasementBrandon]

Will do

[@geosmith2726]

I’ve got 45lb, 35lb , 25lbs, 10lbs and 2.5lbs all standard barbell weight plates and they do the job. Those weights has help built me a great body and has got me very strong! These were pasted down from my grandpa, they are still in great condition and I still use them now. I feel no need to buy expensive weights when these are perfect in my opinion but what works for me might not work for anyone else…

[@BasementBrandon]

some people starting new might not have that option, but totally get it!

[@themonk51]

Thank you.

[@BasementBrandon]

Sure thing!

[@Massenomics]

Please do a video on those painted decorative dinner plates that old people hang on their walls.

[@BasementBrandon]

You mean you want to see my nascar plate collection?

[@jefferylord3068]

i have one set of cheapies,”vtx”, and i use them thusly. deadlift day i put 3 yorks and then when i get to 4 plates i slide on the cheapies which have a smaller diameter and go on oh so easy, and there you have it friends!!!!

[@BasementBrandon]

Haha smart thinking! VTX is owned by Troy I believe.

[@reggie7716]

Ha, this video made me run down stairs and weigh my plates. I have "standard" cast Iron plates that I ordered from Rogue. Went with cast Iron because of the low cost and because I like the sound of metal plates clanging. Anyway all mine seem to be a pound or two heavier than what they are supposed to weigh.

[@Nick-ih5em]

Same here except my 50's, they weigh 49.6.

[@BasementBrandon]

That's not too bad IMO, better to be lifting more than less! If they're within a pound it should be a 2% variance, which is the sweet spot.

[@Grendelbc]

Well, I dunno. Bought all my 45 and 100lb Oly plates (4x100 and 14x45) on craigslist and they all seem to be the same diameter. My old Weider 44's are a tad smaller so I put them on last.

[@BasementBrandon]

Yeah those old Weiders are notorious for being smaller!

[@giddydigs9040]

2:33 What type of plate would you use for snatch?

[@BasementBrandon]

bumpers

[@Wolfie_96]

Is it ok as long as one pair (or more) of the weights are 45cm in diameter? The set I'm looking at is 45 at the higher weights, but gets smaller as it goes lower.

[@BasementBrandon]

In the long run it shouldn't matter too much if at all.

[@ElijahG98]

How much does a tight fitting plate reduce the volume of the bar hitting the plate? I've noticed that my deadlifts are insanely loud even with my rubber tiles and trying to control the bar. what I just figured out earlier is that its the bar hitting the plate. Trying to solve this.

[@BasementBrandon]

It can def help, but easiest/cheapest solution is to control the descent more.

[@josecantu5876]

Does the same go for dumbells ? Because I feel like the weight is always different

[@BasementBrandon]

Not to my knowledge

[@Kparris7]

My old University used to have cheap plates to the point where I would have to pick up a bunch of 45s before finding a pair that were the same.

[@BasementBrandon]

Def know the feel!

[@jayflynn9832]

Is the York 300lb Barbell set good?

[@BasementBrandon]

Eh, if it's available. To be honest York has seriously dropped in quality over the decades. Their older stuff is better than the new stuff.

[@EJ-wc3ew]

A reduction in diameter of 2.00" will only drop you 1.00"...

[@BasementBrandon]

You get the point

[@cokehockey1523]

A second hand equipment video would be nice! I don’t have much money. Specifically Craigslist in the Indiana area

[@BasementBrandon]

I did a home gym build on craigslist video awhile back, but it's slim pickings right now.

[@philipdebacker]

I just purchased 2 sets of Rogue Olympic plate, the standard barbell. I'm very happy, the plates fit snug over the bar and the weight is dead on...

[@BasementBrandon]

nice!

[@disacane8459]

What if i put something under the irregular plates so to put it at about the same eight from the ground?

[@BasementBrandon]

Do what you got to do!

[@NorrinRadd64]

Any company that offers colored metal plates closer to standard metal plate pricing vs colored bumper plate pricing?

[@BasementBrandon]

Not outside of competition steel plates, but you could always paint them yourself as many do with 2nd hand plates they buy.

[@latora100]

Can you make a video of the ader plates

[@BasementBrandon]

Prob not worth a stand alone video

[@watchman9198]

Cool video m8 but can you make one about bumper plates?

[@BasementBrandon]

Not sure if you're kidding as I put that one out a few days ago :)

[@cerealgye]

I have some cap plates... Does that wobble shit all the time... Unless I have at least three plates on each side.

[@BasementBrandon]

appreciate the feedback

[@Justin-ow3yr]

Hey, do you know if the competition bumpers last longer than the regular bumpers? I am trying to decide between these two: www.fringesport.com/collections/bumper-plates/products/color-bumper-plates-pairs and www.fringesport.com/collections/bumper-plates/products/kilo-color-competition-bumper-plates

[@BasementBrandon]

For home use it shouldn't matter either way. The comp bumpers typically will last longer for the material, but you may have to tighten the hubs on occasion.

[@sheldonm3535]

I wish watched this video before I started building my home gym. I didn’t buy a lot so that’s ok. I started buying used Olympic 2” weight plates. They are from the 70-80s. And they are machined. Troy and AFS plate weights. Well used but I’m prob gonna refurb them to remove the rust.

[@BasementBrandon]

Troy is solid.

[@michaellovell2518]

2" difference in diameter =/= 2" difference in distance of bar from ground... It would be only a 1" difference, but your point is still valid, since an inch could be significant on a heavy deadlift.

[@BasementBrandon]

I'm using rough numbers. Some plates are more or less than a 2" difference

[@michaellovell2518]

@@BasementBrandon Right, but the difference in distance from the floor would be the same as the difference in radius, not diameter... It would be half the difference in diameter, just as the radius is half the diameter. Once more, your point is valid, your math is just off. I'm currently pulling with a cheap set that is just under 16", but that only puts me less than an inch closer to the floor than the olympic standard. I got a cheap 300 lb. set (just started lifting this year at 56 y/o), and I need some more weight. I'm trying to decide whether it makes sense to spring for a beefier set rather than just buying plates because my bar is only rated at 300 lbs. I thought about getting another 300 lb. set for $200 for the plates, then see how long it takes to destroy the cheap bar, but that will leave me almost certainly needing to still get a better bar, but stuck with a bunch of cheap plates... I'm poor, so money is an issue. I don't even have a rack yet, so I'm loading squats from my bench, which is not even close to optimum. I have to lift it from pretty low, and can't get directly under the bar to do so.

[@jacksonc652]

Would you recommend cast iron for only benching

[@BasementBrandon]

Makes the most sense I think.

[@biknjak]

Yeah. I bought a cheap, home gym. I assumed everything was "standard" and after a few workouts started strutting around the house marveling at how quickly I was gettin' powerful. Then I weighed my cheap, Chinese bar and realized it was only 37 pounds. Wind outta my sails. So, being the OCD guy I am, I bought a brand new Ohio Bar. Now I'm lifting my cheap, non-standard, too short, cast iron plates in style....

[@BasementBrandon]

Haha all good, just keep movin!