How to choose set of plates for home gym?

[joshlete]

I'm 50 years old, unfit, skinny and reading (and re-reading) "The Barbell Prescription".

I'm looking into the possibility of setting up a simple home gym for weight lifting (a squat rack and bench, essentially). But I'm not sure what I should buy when it comes to the weights. I also have limited space (not much more than an 8' x 8' floor). Something like this maybe?

2 x 20Kg

4 x 10kg

4 x 5kg

6 x 2.5

6 x 0.5kg

BTW I'm also planning on using the programme for Novice Masters aged 50-59 that the book recommends. It doesn't include any dumbbell sets, just barbells, some chins and back extensions.

 

[simpleinchrist1]

@joshlete I'm unfamiliar with kg, but in lbs all you need is:

45lbs bar
2x45lbs
2x25lbs
2x10lbs
4x5lbs
2x2.5lbs

That will cover you up until you get to 225, in which case just add 2 more 45lbs plates and you're good up until 315lbs.

I would suggest getting barbell clamps as well for the end of the bar. It will help you when you have a lot of plates on there.

With those weights you can literally hit every weight from 45lbs-220lbs

135 - 2x45

140 - 2x45 + 2x2.5

145 - 2x45 + 2x5

150 - 2x45 + 2x5 + 2x2.5

155 - 2x45 + 2x10

160 - 2x45 + 2x10 + 2x2.5

165 - 2x45 + 2x10 + 2x5

170 - 2x45 + 2x10 + 2x5 + 2x2.5

175 - 2x45 + 2x10 + 4x5

180 - 2x45 + 2x10 + 4x5 + 2x2.5

185 - 2x45 + 2x25

190 - 2x45 + 2x25 + 2x2.5

195 - 2x45 + 2x25 + 2x5

200 - 2x45 + 2x25 + 2x5 + 2x2.5

205 - 2x45 + 2x25 + 2x10

210 - 2x45 + 2x25 + 2x10 + 2x2.5

215 - 2x45 + 2x25 + 2x10 + 2x5

220 - 2x45 + 2x25 + 2x10 + 2x5 + 2x2.5

 

[ronv]

@simpleinchrist1 This is the right answer. If you want to microload you can also pick up 2x1.25lb if you can find them, or just use some ankle weights or something.

 

[texasbookworm]

@joshlete Your list should be fine to start. Make sure they are olympic weights (different hole size than some). Although your deadlift and squat will need more weight before too long. Also, make sure to get a decent 20kg (45 lb) olympic bar.

 

[godinwolfsclothing]

@texasbookworm Def this, don't skimp on the bar. I've learned the lesson of false economy and am now on my third bar in as many years. I'm hoping that going for a more expensive and better quality one will pay off.

 

[magster1]

@godinwolfsclothing Care to explain why you're on your third bar? My bar just seems standard and nothing fancy, but never had any problems. Just trying to understand what I'm missing.

 

[godinwolfsclothing]

@magster1 Bent out of shape, rotators on the bar links snapped etc. Just fell apart, wasn't up to the weight I and my son's lift. It was cheap so not surprising really.

Fyi the last one bent beyond use after a 165kg deadlift. Not even that much weight by many people's standards.

 

[prestontg]

@texasbookworm 45 lb | 20.4 kg

[sup]metric[/sup] [sup]units[/sup] [sup]bot[/sup] [sup]|[/sup] [sup]feedback[/sup] [sup]|[/sup] [sup]source[/sup] [sup]|[/sup] [sup]stop[/sup] [sup]|[/sup] [sup]v0.7.6[/sup]

 

[romansonesixteen]

@joshlete I'd get a decent barbell, six 20 kg, two each of 10, 5, 2.5 and 1.25kg, and eight 0.25kg. That way you can practically have any weight from 20 kg to 180.5 kg, in 0.5 kg steps.

 

[werewolf]

@joshlete r/homegym

 

[nathchristian]

@joshlete deleted [sup][sup][sup]What[/sup][/sup][/sup] [sup][sup][sup]is[/sup][/sup][/sup] [sup][sup][sup]this?[/sup][/sup][/sup]

 

[trappermike1]

@joshlete How much do you want to spend? I'm not the best with kg, but in lbs its generally:

2x 1.25lb (optional depending on linear program)

2x 2.5lb

2x 5lb

2x 10lb

2x 15lb

2x 25lb

2x 35lb

2x 45lb

2x 55lb (optional depending on strength level)

You can get a cheap set of iron weights.

Or you could get a relatively inexpensive set of bumper plates. (Plus some change plates).

I'm a fan of Titan Fitness' equipment. Its great for home gym use and the price is right. I have their T-2 series power rack and their 2" Olympic Weight Plate Rack Tree. I also got lucky and bought a bunch of stuff from MDUSA before they closed. I have 415lbs of bumpers, change plates, and a couple nice Pendlay olympic bars. That being said I started off with an inexpensive bar off of Amazon.

Hope this helps, I'm happy to answer any other questions.

 

[dawn16]

@trappermike1 I would get way more use out of like 4x 10lb and 4x 25lb, and drop say 35 and 55.

At least my workouts I would rather add 10s per set going up then take off a 25 to add a 35....

 

[2himibelong]

@dawn16 35 is such a pointless plate.

 

[prestontg]

@dawn16 10 lb | 4.54 kg

25 lb | 11.3 kg

[sup]metric[/sup] [sup]units[/sup] [sup]bot[/sup] [sup]|[/sup] [sup]feedback[/sup] [sup]|[/sup] [sup]source[/sup] [sup]|[/sup] [sup]stop[/sup] [sup]|[/sup] [sup]v0.7.7[/sup]

 

[trappermike1]

@dawn16 To each their own, I like the versatility. I generally rest 60-90 seconds between sets and it takes me 20-30 seconds to change the plates.

 

[brianmacbadger]

@joshlete I bought a 300lbs set, complete Olympic plates for $145 with a 7 foot Olympic bar and 2 collars. Also bought a standard bench for $40. From play it again sports.

Bought a squat rack off Amazon, delivered to the house. This one...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01N4I8FOY/ref=ya_aw_oh_bia_dp?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Works great. But I wouldn't trust the rack with over 600 lbs on it.... not that I'm threatening that anytime soon. Lol

 

[alex32]

@joshlete Buy a good bar then get some used weights off of Craigslist or something. It's not like they go bad or anything.

 

[brerdo]

@joshlete I just picked up whatever cheap weights I found. I've got a bench, two bars, six dumbs, 2x25kg big plates, about 20 x 5kg, 10 x 2.5kg 4 x 1.25kg. Mostly I just use the 5kg ones, adding 10kg total between sets. I did 5x10 sets/reps because that's what I like. e: I've even given away a few sets on dumb bells for people who use them. I loan them on a three month trial, if they're still using them after three months I'm happy for the steel to get some use. I've lent plenty to friends wanting to get fitter only to have the weights sit in the corner for three months. edit2: you use kg? Are you in Melbourne, Australia? I might be able to hook you up.

 

[joshlete]

@brerdo Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, I'm in London UK (where it rains all the time) but there might be people here that do loans.