Olympic weight sets – Finding the best for your workouts

You can find various plates on an Olympic weight set. Grips, plated bars, and the type of workout you intend on using the new set for, will dictate what you should purchase. For example, if you plan on doing bench press routinely, versus dead lifts, a straight bar is the superior option. If you plan on doing squats, lunges, and other lower body workouts, a curved bar might be the superior choice, as it will help reduce back strain and stress, and help you properly ground yourself for the exercises you are going to be doing regularly. Compare before you buy, learn which bars/weight plates are right for your intended workout, and then compare the top rated sets in that particular category.

For heavy lifters, something which has a solid rubber exterior is the route to go. Not only can you drop the weights heavily without having to worry if you will break or damage them, you can also avoid damage to floors and other surfaces. Further, the plates are easier to grip, place on the bar, and won’t shift when you do drop them heavily on the ground. They come in the same size and weight options as metal plates, the main difference being they are durable, and you do not have to worry about breaking them when you drop heavier weights on the ground.

All steel or metal finishes are also available. If you are doing upper body workouts solely, this is the option to consider. The plates are sturdy, they won’t wear, they allow you to stabilise your body, and you can easily balance the weight above head (or chest), depending on the type of exercise or workout you plan on engaging in. These plates are solid, they are heavy, and they are built to withstand heavy lifting as well.

Look for something with spring clamps. Basically, this is all that will keep the weight plates on the bar, in the event you start to dip, move, or if you can’t maintain the weight you are lifting. This is not only a safety precaution for you and others around you, but also to help preserve the plates, and avoid damaging the Olympic weight set you are going to invest in.

Look for more than one bar option. If you are going to use the weight set for upper and lower body, look for a straight as well as a curve bar variety. You can alternate, you can easily place the weight plates on each of the bars, and depending on the type of full body workout you are going for, these bars will allow you to modify the workout and the exercises you are going to do with the set.

Handle open grip varieties is another feature to consider. Basically, this is where you have a grip for your hands, so you can easily hold onto the bar. Some sets have 1-2 grip placements on the bar, others will have a larger amount. If you prefer wider grip, or narrow grip, or something in between, look for bars which have several grip options, for you to comfortably hold them when you are lifting weights.

Ultimately, the set you choose will depend on the budget, the design, type of plates, and the intended use you have for your Olympic weight set. But, it is worthwhile doing a quick comparison, reading reviews, and seeing online ratings, prior to investing in a new set. Doing this helps you find the best options, and also best prices. When time comes to decide on a new Olympic weight set, you can visit http://www.fitnessrocks.org/olympic-weight-set as a guide. Here you can find top rated sets, compare features and design, and find the Olympic set which is best suited for your workout needs.