June 18, 2023 3 min read
Weight plates, also known as standard weight plates or Olympic weight plates, are a must-have for any home gym. They are designed to improve your overall balance and strength, and come in a variety of different weights to suit your fitness needs. Weight plates are made from solid cast iron and can be used with standard Olympic barbells. The plates come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 1.25 kg to 25 kg, so you can choose the perfect weight for your fitness goals.
Shop The Collection: Weight PlatesUsing standard weight plates can help you get stronger and improve your overall balance. They are an excellent way to increase resistance when lifting weights, making it easier to build muscle mass and tone your body. Weight plates also help to improve your posture, as they require you to engage your core muscles while lifting the barbell. This helps to strengthen your back and abdominal muscles, which can improve your posture and reduce any pain caused by poor posture.
Shop The Gear: MAGMA Standard 1-inch Grip Plates, from $5.00 CADIn addition to increasing strength and improving balance, using weight plates can also help to improve your coordination. Weight plates require you to use both your arms and legs simultaneously, helping to improve your motor skills and coordination. This is especially beneficial if you’re looking to improve your performance in sports such as basketball, volleyball, or soccer.
If you’re new to using standard weight plates, there are some important safety considerations to keep in mind. Before you start, make sure that you have a spotter nearby who can help you lift the weight off the ground. It’s also important to wear the proper safety equipment, including a weight belt, knee pads, and wrist wraps, to ensure that you don’t injure yourself while lifting the barbell. Finally, make sure that you warm up properly before each workout session to get your muscles ready for the exercise.
Once you’ve warmed up, you’ll need to select the right weight plate for your fitness level. To do this, start by selecting the heaviest weight plate that you can comfortably lift. From there, you can add lighter plates as you become stronger. When you’re ready to start lifting, position the weight plates on the barbell and then grasp the barbell with both hands. Lift the barbell off the ground and bring it up to chest level. Once you’ve reached chest level, slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position.
When you’re finished with your set, place the weight plates back onto the barbell and store them in a safe place. Make sure that the weight plates are not left on the barbell unattended, as this can be dangerous. Also, make sure that you take regular breaks during your workout sessions to allow your muscles to rest and recover.
To get the most out of your balance exercises, it’s important to focus on form and technique. Start by standing on one leg with your eyes closed. Hold a weight plate close to your chest and focus on maintaining your balance. If you feel like you’re losing your balance, take a step forward with the opposite leg and regain your footing. As you become more comfortable with balancing on one leg, try adding additional weight plates to increase the challenge.
You can also improve your balance by performing single-leg exercises with weight plates. These exercises include exercises such as squats, lunges, deadlifts, and calf raises. For these exercises, start by standing on one leg with a weight plate held close to your chest. Perform the exercise slowly and with control, focusing on maintaining your balance throughout the movement. As you become more comfortable with the movements, you can increase the weight of the plates or increase the number of repetitions.
Finally, you can also improve your balance by incorporating weighted exercises into your yoga practice. To do this, incorporate weighted poses such as Warrior III, Half Moon Pose, or Chair Pose into your routine. Hold a weight plate close to your chest as you perform the poses, focusing on maintaining your balance throughout the movement. As you become more comfortable with the poses, you can increase the weight of the weight plate.
Standard weight plates are an excellent tool for improving your balance and strength. They are simple to use and can be used in a variety of different exercises to improve your overall fitness level. By incorporating standard weight plates into your workouts, you can increase resistance, build muscle mass, and improve your posture and coordination. Start by selecting the proper weight for your fitness level and performing exercises with control and focus on maintaining your balance. With a bit of practice, you’ll soon be reaping the benefits of using standard weight plates.