Rubber weights have become more and more popular in gyms today. Over the many years I’ve been working out, all I remember are weights made of different types of conventional metal materials. There have been several times I’ve witnessed people in the gym drop a weight on their foot and face serious pain and injuries. I’ve had some very close calls myself, but thankfully my toes have always made it through. As a gym owner, I need to think about keeping my clients as safe as possible. With the recent trend of rubber weights, this is a must have in any gym. In this guide I’ll discuss the many advantages of having rubber weights and discuss some different options when you’re ready to purchase rubber weights.
The first reason I prefer rubber plates over conventional metal plates, I briefly mentioned above. There are ten little guys that would hate you if a metal plate fell on them. Your toes can easily break from that. I’m not saying it will feel good to drop a 45lb rubber plate on your toes, but since they’re made from rubber there’s a bit of give on the impact. The chances of breaking your toes or dealing with a serious injury are greatly reduced.
Not only is the individual training protected, but the gym floors and Olympic bars are also protected. Rubber weights will save from wear and tear on the floors and bars since they won’t dent or scratch any of the equipment. When someone drops a plate the noise is also reduced compared to metal plates.
Having the equipment in the gym looking like it’s new at all times is a must for me. It used to really bother me when I had iron plates that were chipping or cracking. With rubber weights, there’s no more of this. They won’t crack, rust, flake, and chip like most metal plates do.
There are a few different styles of rubber weights available. The two types I’ve come across are grip rubber encased weights and kraiburg rubber weights. I chose to go with grip rubber weights since they’re easier for my clients to maneuver. They have open spaces in the circular part of the weight so that one can grip the weight and move it as needed. Both of these styles can be matched with all different styles of Olympic plate racks.
Some of the better brands on the market I’ve come across are Hampton Fitness, Iron, Body Solid, Troy and Upper Limits. All these brands make high-end rubber weights which are odorless and extremely durable. Depending on the quantity of rubber weights you’re looking for or the size of the plates, prices obviously vary. I recently purchased a 500lb set made by Troy. This set was a variety of different rubber weights and including the bar it cost $999.00.
I hope this guide has helped you understand some of the many advantages of rubber weights. There are many options to choose from you’re looking for a few weights or an entire set, but this is the safer option! Good luck!