Weight Plates Buying Guide
Every great gym starts with the basics, and BLK BOX weight plates are built to deliver. Whether you’re equipping a home gym, upgrading a commercial facility, or supporting elite athletes, the right plates provide precise weight, reliable barbell performance, and long-lasting durability for every training session.
This guide breaks down what to look for, the different types available, and how to choose the right plates for your space.
What to look for in good weight plates
Accuracy and Consistency
High quality plates should be calibrated to their stated weight. This ensures reliable progress tracking and fair competition style training.
Durability
Choose plates designed to withstand repeated lifting, drops, and daily use. Materials such as urethane and high grade rubber help extend lifespan and protect your equipment.
Low Bounce
Plates with controlled or minimal bounce provide a safer lifting environment and reduce movement across the floor when dropped.
Noise and Impact Control
If you train at home or in a mixed use facility, look for shock absorbing plates that reduce noise and vibration on impact.
Aesthetics and Identification
Coloured or clearly marked plates help with fast weight selection and can add a professional finish to your training space.
Types of Weight Plates
Heavy Duty Impact Bumper Weight Plates
Our Heavy Duty Impact Plates are built to handle heavy lifts while protecting your flooring and equipment. They offer sound dampening and shock absorption when dropped, making them ideal for home gym setups or commercial spaces focused on functional fitness.
HD GripX Bumper Weight Plates
The HD Weight Plates are durable, low bounce, and easy to handle thanks to stainless steel inserts and a GripX bevelled edge with added knurl. Made from virgin rubber and suitable for indoor or outdoor use, they are ideal for daily strength and conditioning work. Available in black and IWF colours.
Utility Bumper Weight Plates
The Utility Bumper Plates offer dependable performance and great value for home gyms, PT studios, and independent facilities. Made from durable vulcanised rubber with a smooth finish, they feature a precise 450 mm diameter and a weight tolerance of ±0.8 percent. Tested to withstand 50,000 drops and designed with zero bounce, they provide accuracy, safety, and reliable stability for everyday training.
Competition Plates
The Competition Weight Plates meet full IWF standards and are built for durability and precision. With a rubber flange to prevent plates from touching and high quality virgin rubber for resilience, they deliver consistent performance under heavy use. The GripX bevelled edge with added knurl provides a secure grip for easy handling during training. Available in black and IWF colours.
Dual Grip Plates
Dual Grip Plates make loading, unloading, and handling easy and safe. With ergonomic handles, they're ideal for various exercises. Suitable for commercial use, including plate-loaded machines, sleds and strength exercises.
Coloured Urethane Weight Plates
Our Colour Urethane Plates are built for high performance, offering elite durability, minimal bounce, and smooth loading. Made from high durometer polyurethane and designed to IWF specifications, they provide consistent resilience under heavy use. They deliver long lasting accuracy and easy handling in any professional training environment.
Custom Competition Weight Plates
The Custom Competition Weight Plates are IWF compliant and designed for high-performance lifting. Made from durable urethane, they can be fully personalised with colours and branding to showcase your gym, team, or identity.
Oversized Technique Plates
Oversized Technique Plates are lightweight, used to teach beginners how to pull from the correct starting position. Ideal for youth athletes, rehabilitation settings, or technique focused sessions.
HD Change Weight Plates
HD Change Plates are ideal for achieving steady progress in any lifting routine. Designed to support small and precise increases in weight, they give lifters the flexibility to adjust their training loads with control and confidence. Durable, accurate, and easy to handle, they are perfect for building strength step by step.
Competition Change Weight Plate
The Competition Change Weight Plates are built for precision and durability, offering a secure grip on any standard Olympic bar. Designed for athletes who want to push for personal bests, these high accuracy fractional plates provide exact loading increments that support progressive strength gains. Ideal for Olympic lifting and competitive training environments.
How to choose the right weight plates for your gym
Training Style
Olympic lifting and CrossFit benefit from HD or Competition plates, offering precision and durability for frequent lifts. General strength programmes work well with Utility or Dual Grip plates, providing versatility for everyday training.
Noise Levels
For home gyms or shared spaces, opt for shock-absorbing plates like Heavy Duty Impact or Urethane-coated options to reduce noise and vibration during workouts.
Budget
Utility or HD Plates offer excellent value for daily training, while Competition Plates provide premium durability and accuracy for long-term performance.
Space and Storage
Competition Plates maximise loading in compact areas, while HD GripX or Colour-coded Urethane Plates make handling, organisation, and quick weight changes easy.
Athlete Level
Beginners and youth athletes benefit from Oversized Technique Plates to safely learn lifts. Intermediate and advanced lifters may prefer Competition Plates for precise, progressive training.
Why BLK BOX Weight Plates?
BLK BOX plates are engineered for performance, durability, and real world training demands. Our range is trusted across home gyms, elite sports facilities, strength and conditioning centres, and functional fitness studios.
Built for strength
Every plate is tested for impact resilience, accuracy, and long term durability.
High quality materials
From premium urethane to shock absorbing rubber, BLK BOX plates are created to withstand heavy daily use.
Options for every athlete
From technique plates and HD plates to competition standard discs, there is a plate for every training style and facility.
Customisation available
Bring your brand to life with customised urethane plates designed to match your identity.
FAQs
What plates are best for a home gym?
HD Weight Plates or Heavy Duty Impact Plates are ideal due to their durability, controlled bounce, and reduced noise.
Do weight plates fit all barbells?
All BLK BOX plates are designed for Olympic barbells with a 50 mm sleeve.
What plates should I use for Olympic lifting?
Competition plates or calibrated training plates provide the accuracy, thin profile, and controlled bounce needed for lifts such as the snatch and clean and jerk.
What are change plates used for?
Change plates allow for smaller increases in load, making them ideal for PB attempts and progressive overload.
How do I maintain my weight plates?
Wipe down your weight plates regularly with a damp cloth to remove sweat and dirt. Check them for signs of wear or damage, and store them securely on racks or stands to keep them safe and prolong their lifespan.
Are urethane-coated weight plates better than rubber-coated plates?
Urethane-coated plates are more resistant to chipping and cracking, offering a smoother, premium finish and long-lasting durability. Rubber-coated plates remain highly durable, providing excellent floor and equipment protection at a more affordable leve
