Buzz
Ideally, gyms should provide all the equipment you need for your workout. However, their weight selection might not always meet your specific requirements. If the smallest plates available are 5 or 10 pounds, take matters into your own hands and bring smaller ones in your gym bag.
For instance, if your gym only offers 5-pound plates, you’re forced to increase or decrease the barbell’s weight in 10-pound increments. This can be particularly challenging for exercises like the overhead press, especially for beginners, where a 10-pound jump can feel overwhelming.
Fortunately, my gym provides 2.5-pound plates, which I greatly appreciate. However, not all gyms offer this option, and even when they do, there might only be one pair available. Due to their size, these small plates often go missing, only to be discovered weeks later hidden under larger equipment.
To ensure you always have access to 2.5 or even 1.25-pound plates during your workouts, consider bringing your own. If you’re looking to purchase a set, search for terms like 'fractional' or 'micro' plates. Alternatively, explore DIY solutions such as using oversized washers from a hardware store or creating a weighted loop from a measured length of chain.
While pursuing smaller plates, keep in mind that absolute precision is hard to achieve. Even standard gym plates often deviate slightly from their labeled weight, meaning one 45-pound plate might differ by a few ounces from another. Given this, obsessing over extremely small plates, such as those as light as a quarter pound, may not be worth the effort.
Stay updated with Mytour by following us on Instagram @Mytourdotcom
