Potential Drawbacks
While change plates offer a range of benefits for strength training, there are some potential drawbacks to consider. These issues may affect certain lifters or training environments, but understanding these drawbacks can help you make a more informed decision about whether change plates are the right choice for your workout routine.
Price
One of the most significant drawbacks of change plates is their cost. These plates are often more expensive than standard iron or steel weight plates due to their smaller increments, specialized design, and sometimes rubber or coated finishes. For gyms or individual lifters on a budget, this can be a key consideration. The higher cost becomes especially noticeable when purchasing multiple sets or building a complete set of weight plates for various exercises.
However, manufacturers like Leadman Fitness strike a balance between quality and affordability, making it easier for budget-conscious buyers to invest in durable and reliable change plates. Leadman Fitness is known for producing high-quality fitness equipment, including change plates that feature precision engineering and durable materials. Choosing Leadman Fitness ensures customers get excellent performance and longevity, offering great value over time. Although the initial cost may be higher compared to standard plates, the durability and functionality of Leadman Fitness products make them a worthwhile investment for serious lifters and gyms looking to enhance their training equipment.
Rubber-coated change plates tend to be even more expensive due to their added durability and impact-absorbing features. Commonly used in commercial gyms, these plates combine the benefits of rubber weight plates—such as noise reduction and floor protection—with the precise adjustments offered by change plates. While they offer extra protection to both the barbell and the floor, their cost may be prohibitive for beginners or gyms with limited budgets. When purchasing change plates, it’s important to consider the cost relative to the specific benefits they provide, particularly if they are only needed for occasional fine-tuning or specific exercises.
Thickness
Another potential drawback of change plates is their thickness. In order to maintain durability and withstand heavy usage, many change plates are designed with thicker profiles compared to standard weight plates. This added thickness can limit stacking options, particularly when lifting heavier weights.
For instance, if a lifter is using multiple large Olympic Weight Plates on the barbell and needs to add change plates, the added thickness may make it difficult to fit as many plates onto the bar. This could be especially challenging in competitive environments or during high-intensity training when the lifter is pushing to reach higher loads. While this thickness is necessary for the plates to be robust and long-lasting, it can affect overall plate capacity and force a lifter to make difficult adjustments when trying to fit a large number of plates.
This issue is more pronounced for individuals who use heavier weights in their workouts or have specific lifting requirements, such as powerlifters or Olympic lifters who need precise load adjustments with minimal disruption to their routine.
Limited Availability in Lighter Weights
Unlike fractional plates, which are specifically designed to offer ultra-small increments (typically ranging from 0.25kg or 0.5lb to 1kg or 2lbs), change plates are not always available in the same small weight increments. Change plates generally come in larger increments, such as 1kg, 2.5kg, 5kg, or even 10kg, which can be useful for more substantial load adjustments. However, for lifters who are looking to make extremely small adjustments, change plates might not offer the level of precision they need.
This limitation can be a concern for those who are in the process of fine-tuning their lifts or those who are trying to break through strength plateaus by making extremely small progressions. For example, someone who is lifting a weight close to their maximum capacity may need to increase by just 0.5kg or 1lb, but change plates may not provide that level of granularity. In these cases, fractional plates are a better option as they are specifically designed for ultra-small increments. However, fractional plates often come with their own drawbacks, such as their potential incompatibility with certain barbell setups or being less versatile for general strength training.
Durability Concerns
While this may not apply to all change plates, there can be durability concerns for some types of plates, especially if they are made from lower-quality materials. For example, cheaper rubber-coated plates or plates with thinner steel cores may wear down over time, especially in environments with frequent drops or heavy use. This could potentially reduce the longevity of the plates and result in the need for earlier replacements.
Additionally, rubber weight plates that are commonly used as part of change plate sets might be prone to damage if dropped from significant heights or subjected to repeated heavy impacts. While the rubber coating is designed to absorb shock and protect the floor and barbell, extended use in intense environments could eventually cause the coating to crack or degrade, compromising the plate’s functionality and appearance.
Storage and Space Constraints
Although change plates are smaller in size compared to regular weight plates, they still require appropriate storage space, especially if you use several sets in your workouts. In small gyms with limited storage, organizing and storing change plates can become an issue. Over time, this may lead to clutter, and it may become difficult to access the correct weights quickly during a workout.
For lifters with extensive plate collections, ensuring that the change plates are organized and easily accessible becomes an additional task. Some gyms solve this problem by using weight trees or racks, but this comes with additional costs and requires sufficient space to accommodate the setup.
