Weights, Weight Plates and Weights Discs There are traditionally two types of weight plates available for weightlifting:

• 1 inch Standard weight plates (approx 25mm)
  
• 2 inch Olympic weight plates (approx 50mm)
  

The 1 inch and 2 inch sizes relate to the diameter of the whole in the centre of the disc.

There are three different types of 1 inch standard weight discs available individually.

• 1inch standard chrome plates
  
• 1 inch standard rubber plates
  
• 1 inch standard cast iron plates (commonly known as standard cast discs)

Cast weight plates can also be referred to as hammertone weight plates, If you are buying 1” weight plates or standard weight discs, you will need a standard 1” bar. Olympic weight plates There are several different types of Olympic weight plates available. If you are buying Olympic weights, take the time to select the best option for you. Hammertone Olympic Plates or Cast Olympic discs are usually the least expensive. These are sometimes referred to as metal discs or metal weight plates. Metal weight plates are better from a lifting point of view as they have a handle which makes it easier to load and unload from the barbell. Rubber radial olympic discs come in numerous colours. Coloured olympic weight plates usually follow International Weightlifting Federation Standards which are:

• 10Kg Olympic Plates are Green
  
• 5Kg Olympic Plates are Yellow
  
• 20Kg Olympic Discs are Blue
  
• 25Kg Olympic Discs are Red
  

Olympic Rubber Radial discs with a handle are easier for loading and unloading your barbell however full rubber encased Olympic discs are better for Power lifting and heavier duty commercial clubs and gyms that want commercial weightlifting equipment. Olympic discs from 1.25Kg, 2.5Kg and 5Kg Olympic Rubber Plates are normally black.

Also available are technique discs or training discs / training plates. These are used to help beginners training for Olympic lifting. Training plates normally come in 2.5Kg and 5Kg. 2.5Kg Olympic technique discs and 5Kg Olympic Technique discs are the normal size of a 20Kg or 25Kg IWF weightlifting disc.