Fractional plates, light plates, etc

[fuzz]

I know a bunch of people have mentioned in their journals how they wish there was some way to add a small amount of weight to dumbbells, so you don't have to make the jump from, say, 50 lb dbs to 55's. I just thought I'd post a link to a company that offers light, magnetic plates:

http://www.theplatemate.com/

They are called platemates - there are three kinds, the hex version and the donut version look like the best bet.

Hope that helps someone...

[jiacstrap]

Thats a awesome idea but there really expensive. Im thinking about the 1.25 or 2.5 ones.

[Brewsir]

Go to www.mcmaster.com (a hardware site) and enter 90108A046 in the search field. These are large washers with a 2 1/8" inner diameter. They fit perfectly on an Olympic bar and weight about 10 oz. each (so 2 of them is about 1.25 lbs). You get 8 of them for about $10. Heck of a lot cheaper than PlateMates.

[Brewsir]

I made my post assuming you are using an Olympic DB. Working out at home, I forgot that commercial gyms have preset DBs that you can't add weight too. That's just one reason why I hated commercial gyms.

BTW, if you are using standard adjustable DBs, you can enter the product code 90108A040 at the McMaster site and get washers that fit on standard bars and weight about 1/4 lb. each.

[millertime]

I see no reason for using these add-on plates, if you cannot get the 55lbs for one rep, you have no reason to stop using the 50lbs.

[jiacstrap]

Originally posted by millertime
I see no reason for using these add-on plates, if you cannot get the 55lbs for one rep, you have no reason to stop using the 50lbs.

5 pounds an arm is a big jump, thats the only thing I don't like about using db's.

[millertime]

Originally posted by jiacstrap


5 pounds an arm is a big jump, thats the only thing I don't like about using db's.

If you can get 50lbs for 12 reps you have to get 55lbs for at least one.

[fuzz]

Microloading (adding the smallest amount of weight possible to progress) is a very effective strategy for slowing but continuously adding strength. For some people, it works very well to just add a small amount of weight each workout, instead of jumping 10 lbs (5 lbs per dumbbell).

[Alke]

Thanks for the post, I would be interested in those.

[bigkevin20]

Originally posted by millertime
I see no reason for using these add-on plates, if you cannot get the 55lbs for one rep, you have no reason to stop using the 50lbs.

Yanked the words rite out of my mouth. If you cant do it go lighter I never thougt maybe I can do 1.25 pounds more yeah!!...



NO!!! Dont think so. I dont se the big deal or the point.

[bigkevin20]

Maybe 2.5 pound weights for wrist work but then again they make 2.5 plates. Thats the only muscle I feel a 10 pound gain is a good bit.

[jiacstrap]

Originally posted by fuzz
Microloading (adding the smallest amount of weight possible to progress) is a very effective strategy for slowing but continuously adding strength. For some people, it works very well to just add a small amount of weight each workout, instead of jumping 10 lbs (5 lbs per dumbbell).

Exactly, I try to do at least one more rep or add a small amount of weight every workout.

[Brewsir]

To each their own. I like to strictly stick to a specific rep range (6-8, 8-10, etc.) and microloading allows me to do this on exercises with low weights.