Equipment
The 10 Best Change Plates
What are the best change plates?
For any athlete working on strength training in the gym, weight plates are an essential piece of the puzzle.
When you’re looking to add weight in smaller increments so you can surpass plateaus and smash PRs, change plates are the way to go.
This article covers bumper plates, iron plates, and rubber plates from a range of brands that are designed to improve your weightlifting and strength training.
The 10 Best Change Plates
Each weight plate on this list was found by researching the best-reviewed products from the most reputable web sources.
Our goal is to provide you with unbiased information about change plates so you can make an informed decision on what to purchase.
Here’s our list of the 10 best change plates:
In A Rush? Here’s Our Top Pick:
10. Valor Fitness Change Plates
Hit your PRs and build upper body strength with the Valor Fitness change plates.
Designed for incremental weight increases during a lift, these change plates are ideal for progressive overload training or when you need just a few more kilos to hit a PR.
In vibrant green, you won’t hesitate to add this change plate to your barbell at the gym.
Pros
- Polyurethane base material designed for durability
- Weigh 1 kg each (about 2.2 pounds)
- Measure 6.25″ across and 15mm thick
- Meets IWF standards for Olympic weightlifting
- Color-coded change plates for easy swapping
- Come in a set of 4
Cons
- Made for Olympic-sized barbells only
- May slide a bit on the barbell
Bottom Line
Reviewers love the Valor Fitness green change plates when they need a little extra weight to hit a personal best or during training.
As you build strength, lighter change plates can help you maintain new weight maximums and build confidence in your lifts.
These change plates are great to have whether you’re a beginner at weightlifting or a seasoned pro.
9. Serious Steel Fitness Fractional Plates
Blast through plateaus and build consistent strength with the Serious Steel Fitness fractional plates.
Snatch, clean, jerk, deadlift, and more with these steel plates.
Olympic-calibrated steel plates help lifters safely increase their incremental weights without causing too much strain on the muscles.
This set includes 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1-pound steel plates for safely adding weight, so you can chase that PR.
Pros
- Precision-cut from a stainless steel tube
- Designed for a 2″ Olympic bar
- Powder coated with epoxy and polyester resin blend
- Comes with 4 weights in total
Cons
- Some reviewers say the paint flakes after heavy use
Bottom Line
During strength training, the body doesn’t always allow for major incremental weight gains over 5 or 10 pounds.
In this scenario, fractional plates are ideal, so you can continue adding weight but in smaller amounts that won’t cause strain or injury.
Serious Steel customers love these steel plates for their design, quality, and what they help lifters achieve.
If you’re plateauing with your deadlifts or cleans and need the added benefit of extra weight, check these steel plates out. You won’t regret it!
8. Titan Fitness Change Plates
Leave your previous PRs in the dust with the Titan Fitness change plates.
Get every pound out of your heavy lifts with these durable plates.
Complete with an internal ring made from steel inserts to maintain the plate’s shape, you’ll be lifting heavier and feeling stronger in no time.
Pros
- Color-coded text for easy identification
- Available in pairs include 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 5 KG
- Rubber-coated plates for durability
- Rubber collar center opening
- The full set weighs 25 kg (55 pounds)
- Compatible with a standard Olympic barbell
Cons
- Only designed for Olympic barbells
- Some reviewers say the plates slide
Bottom Line
Chase your personal best and achieve your goals with some of the best weight plates money can buy.
Titan Fitness is a huge name in weightlifting, and for good reason. The brand just knows what lifters need and has no problems providing it.
These rubber-coated change plates will help you knock out your previous PR and set your sights on new heights in weightlifting.
Build confidence and strength in a commercial gym or in your home gym, wherever you do your heavy lifting.
7. Rep Fitness Change Plates
Improve your lifts with the Rep Fitness durable change plates as the perfect training tool.
Whether you’re focused on Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, or bodybuilding, change plates are an essential tool to have at your disposal.
The rubber plates ensure the perfect fit on a your favorite barbell while ensuring less movement as you weightlift.
Pros
- Color-coded for easy identification
- Come in 0.5 kg, 1.0 kg, 1.5 kg, 2.0 kg, 2.5 kg, and 5 kg weights
- Rubber coated for durability
- Just heavy enough to post 1RMs (one rep max)
Cons
- Some users say they are noisy when loading the barbell
- More expensive option
Bottom Line
As you build a home gym, weight plates, and change plates are great tools to have in your arsenal.
Rep fitness change plates come in bright, vibrant colors, so you can easily add them to your barbell in between lifts.
Designed for modern training regimens, these change plates are durable and built to last. Lifters love them for their easy use and the fact that they help add incremental weight to hit PRs.
6. SKEWCOOL Change Plates
For budget-friendly change plates that get the job done, SKEWCOOL is a great brand to explore.
Slowly increase your weight-bearing load with these change plates with a steel core and a highly durable rubber coating.
Designed for professional training, SKEWCOOL fractional plates will help you smash your weightlifting goals and do so in a safe, manageable way.
Pros
- Made from high-density rubber and a steel core
- Set of 8
- Great price point
- Waterproof and crack proof
- Won’t scratch the lever
Cons
- Some say they’re noisy putting on the barbell
Bottom Line
While avoiding injury in weightlifting isn’t always completely possible, change plates can help prevent muscle strain from trying to PR before you’re ready.
By adding lighter, fractional plates to your barbell sleeve, you’re protecting yourself and building muscle mass along the way.
SKEWCOOL offers efficient, lightweight change plates that will help you on your journey to getting swoll while avoiding injury in the process.
5. HoPro Olympic Change Plates
Increase your bench press, deadlift, squat, and many other movements with the HoPro Olympic change plates.
Power your upper body and work through shoulder exercises with fractional plates that you’ll barely notice on the bar.
Pros
- Sized for 2″ Olympic bars
- Includes 6 plates total
- Made from heavy-duty rubber and rubber coating
- Comes with a pair of 1.25, 2.5, and 5-pound weights
- Different colors for easy identification
Cons
- For Olympic-sized barbells only
- Paint comes off easily for some reviewers
Bottom Line
For durable metal plates that don’t smell or wear down after use, HoPro Olympic change plates check every box.
Designed for both commercial and home gym settings, weightlifters will build muscle mass and gain confidence as they slowly increase weight.
Target smaller muscle groups and get big gains with HoPro change plates.
4. Papababe Change Plates
Complete your weight set with the Papababe change plates.
When you need a small weight increase to hit your PR, a weight plate is the best way to achieve your goals.
Break through any training plateaus by slowly increasing the weight on your bar and see what a difference it makes.
This set of 8 metal plates will build muscle strength as you’ve never seen before.
Pros
- Includes 2 x 1.25 pound, 2 x 2.5 pound, 2 x 5 pound and 2 x 10 pound change plates
- Metal core and a thin rubber coating
- Bright colors for easy addition to your bar
- Fits any trap bar well
Cons
- Expensive price point
- Slightly tighter fit than other plates
Bottom Line
The rubber and metal materials on these Papababe change plates prevent bar damage as you drop the bar after your heaviest lift yet. When you work smaller muscles via the best biceps exercises, smaller weight increases can make a significant difference.
Reviewers love Papababe change plates for their durability and thin design, saving you space on the bar during lifting.
Where other bumper plates come up short, Papababe offers some of the best plates on the market.
3. EVERYMATE Change Plates
Improve your strength training and get the best bang for your buck with the EVERYMATE change plates.
As you increase the amount of weight on your barbell, each EVERYMATE change plate adds more weight without causing strain or injury.
Whether you’re shopping for a home gym or a commercial gym where multiple people will use change weights, these calibrated plates will provide confidence and durability during lifts.
Pros
- Improved durability for heavier weightlifting
- Low bounce for less risk of damage
- Add stability to bumper plates
- Plates come in 1.25, 2.5, and 5-pounds
- Larger diameter at 47″ thickness
- Inside grooves prevent slipping
Cons
- Expensive price per pound
- May be loud in the gym
Bottom Line
Reviewers love these bumper plates for the perfect fit on an Olympic barbell and their durability.
For lifters who are looking for a change from cast iron plates, these bumper plates are a solid option.
Most rubber plates offer some variation of protection to the barbell and the plates themselves, and this is a major benefit for some lifters.
2. Synergee Rubberized Change Plates
To hit PRs, overcome lifting plateaus, and for progressive overload training, nothing works better than the Synergee rubberized change plates.
Regardless of your strength training and skill level, every weightlifter can benefit from using many plates throughout their workouts.
Slowly increase the amount of weight you can lift with a rubber change plate on each end of the bar.
Synergee rubber change plates are thoughtfully designed with low bounce and are ideal for standard barbells in a home gym.
Pros
- Made with a high-quality rubber coating
- Easily grips the barbell without sliding off
- Rubber coated for protection and durability
- Low bounce to protect your barbell
- Designed for standard barbells
Cons
- Expensive price point
- May be noisy on the barbell for some users
Bottom Line
All in all, the Synergee fractional plates are designed for lifters of all calibers who want to add weight slowly and safely.
Whether you’re working out in a home gym or in a commercial setting, having these steel and rubber plates in your corner will guarantee new PRs in no time.
Don’t believe us? Experience these plates for yourself!
1. Iron Crush Fractional Change Plates
We’ve made it to the number one spot for fractional plates on this list!
When selecting the top change plates on the market, we took into consideration the reputation of the brand, user reviews, quality, and durability.
Additionally, it’s important to know the number of plates you’ll be getting and at what weight.
Overcome barriers and smash your strength goals with the Iron Crush Fractional Change plates.
Enjoy quick, easy transitions when you slide these bumper plates onto your barbell.
These change plates are versatile and can also be used for strength training workouts, lower body exercises, and much more.
For these reasons and so many more, Iron Crush earned the number one spot on our list of change plates.
But don’t take our word for it… see for yourself why they’re the ultimate weightlifting tool!
Pros
- Covered in virgin rubber
- Precision-fit collar design
- 2″ opening for Olympic bars
- 1.25-pound, 2.5-pound, and 5-pound plates
- Stack up and store away easily in between workouts
Cons
- Expensive price point
Bottom Line
Keep your bar, floors, and muscles safe with the Iron Crush cast iron weight plates.
Each iron plate is coated in heavy-duty rubber for a boost of protection in the gym. These iron change plates slide on easily and won’t damage the bar as you lift.
Reviewers love these iron change plates for their CrossFit workouts, strength training, powerlifting, and weightlifting exercises.
Whether you’re looking to build massive strength or level up your current plateau, the best iron plates are there to keep you safe and strong.
FAQs About Change Plates
Choosing weight plates for your barbell takes a bit of research and consideration.
Get all your questions answered about the right change plates for you in this section.
Q: Why are they called change plates?
Also known as fractional plates, change plates get their name from the ease with which they can be added or removed from a barbell during weightlifting.
Change plates allow lifters to add small incremental weights to the barbell to slowly add more weight to surpass their personal bests.
They can also provide a major boost in confidence for weightlifters who are struggling to surpass their current plateau.
By adding a small amount of weight, like less than 3 pounds, lifters can hit a new PR and continue to build strength and confidence.
Q: What is the point of change plates?
Change plates are designed to safely increase the weight you can lift over a short time period.
Rather than adding upwards of 5 pounds at a time, change plates allow lifters to add smaller increments, like 1.5 pounds, 2 pounds, or 3.5 pounds at one time.
In doing so, they’re still adding weight to the barbell but aren’t loading themselves down and risky injury by lifting an amount that’s too heavy.
Q: What is the difference between bumpers and plates?
Bumper plates are traditionally wider than metal plates because they’re typically coated in thick, durable rubber over the metal center.
Bumpers tend to bounce more when dropped and are typically used in Olympic weightlifting or with powerlifting plates.
Traditional metal plates have minimal bounce and are more likely to damage your barbell or the floor when dropped.
Q: What plates do gyms use?
Most gyms offer traditional metal plates for weightlifting.
The shape and size often vary, with most weightlifting gyms carrying plates upwards of 45 pounds and as light as 5 pounds.
Metal weight plates are designed to be more durable for heavy use and can last for many years in a commercial gym.
Q: Are change plates worth it?
Whether you’re new to weightlifting or have been at it for a while, adding change plates to your fitness equipment is highly recommended.
You can invest in high-quality, durable change plates that will last for a long time or buy cheaper options that you can use as you build strength.
That’s the benefit of this type of equipment; there are affordable and more expensive options that you can choose from as your fitness goals change.
Summary
Taking baby steps during weightlifting is just part of the process; once you’ve hit a plateau, you’ll need change plates to help you get to the next level in your strength journey.
Change plates allow weightlifters of various skill levels to test their strength, boost their confidence, and successfully hit PRs.
Investing in change plates for your home gym is a wise move for fine tuning your strength and discovering how powerful you really are.
Here’s a quick recap of the 10 best change plates:
- Iron Crush Fractional Change Plates
- Synergee Rubberized Change Plates
- EVERYMATE Change Plates
- Papababe Change Plates
- HoPro Olympic Change Plates
- SKEWCOOL Change Plates
- Rep Fitness Change Plates
- Titan Fitness Change Plates
- Serious Steel Fitness Fractional Plates
- Valor Fitness Change Plates
