Strength Building Weight Equipment ~ Weights Sets, Kettlebells, Free weights, dumbbells & barbells

Buyers Guide to Standard Weight Disc, Olympic Weight Discs, Weight Sets, Standard Weight Training Bars & Olympic Weight Training Bars

There is no question that weight training has become tremendously popular. Men have always embraced it but now women have also realised its potential.
Weight training is critical for almost every goal, from injury prevention and post rehabilitation to better sports performance and weight loss.

However to achieve success from any weight training programme you must choose the right equipment and use it properly. The cheapest way to get started is with a selection of weight training discs and bars. This method of weight training is known as free weight training and is the preferred choice of bodybuilders and serious weight trainers

Buying your Free Weight Training Fitness Equipment

The first thing to appreciate is that there are two types of free weight training bars and discs.

• Standard Weight Training Bars & Discs
  These are by far the most popular for home use. In the UK the diameter of the weight training bar and the hole in the disc is one inch (25.4mm). However there are one or two stores that sell the 30mm European weight training bars and discs. Keep in mind once you have bought that size you will only be able to get additional weight training discs from those stores, considerably limiting your ability to shop around or buy locally. Standard weight discs come in the following sizes 1.25kg, 2.5kg, 5kg, 7.5kg, 10kg, 15kg, 20kg & 25kg. They are perfect for the beginner and intermediate weight trainer as most barbell bars will take up to 120-130kg. If you think you will be lifting more than that then look at buying Olympic weights and bars.
  
  
• Olympic Weight Training Bars & Discs
  With a two inch (50.8mm) diameter bar and disc hole these weight training bars and discs are bigger than their standard counter parts. They are designed for the experienced and serious weight trainers. Olympic barbells start with a 250kg weight capacity and go up to 750kg. The Olympic discs have a starting weight of 1.25kg and then go up in similar
  increments as the standard range but to a maximum weight of 50kg.

Both Standard and Olympic weight training bars and discs can be purchased in specific weights sets. Buying this way can be cheaper in the first instance but you may be buying weight discs that may be either too small or too large and that you don't particularly want.

Common Weight Training Bars Explained

• Barbell:
  This is a long straight bar. They can start at four foot (122cm) and go up to seven foot (213cm) in length. They are available in both standard and Olympic sizes. They can be used for a variety of exercises including bench press, shoulder press, arm curls and dead lifts.
  
  
• Dumbbells:
  These are short straight bars and usually used in pairs. They are available in both standard and Olympic sizes. Nearly every exercise in the book can be performed by all weight trainers with a pair of dumbbells.
  
  
• Curl Bar:
  Designed to do a particular job, to assist in targeting specific arm muscles. Its curly shape helps turn the wrist inwards so to help isolate the bicep muscle.
  
  
• Tricep Bar:
  Again designed for a purpose. This time the shape of the bar allows the weight trainer to grip the bar in such a way that it focuses on the tricep muscles.

All the bars above can be used with free weights where you slide your desired weight training discs on to the bar. Barbell, Dumbbell and Curl bars can also come with fixed weights were the discs are welded or already fixed onto the bar and you buy them complete. They can be finished in chrome, rubber or cast iron.  These are usually sold as professional gym equipment but have become much more popular over the last few years as home gym equipment.

Weight Training Discs Explained

• Cast Iron Weight Training Discs:
  By far the most popular disc due to their low price compared to other discs. Available in both Standard and Olympic sizes.
  
  
• Tri Grip/Bumper Grip Weight Training Discs:
  Designed with hand held cut outs to help get a better grip on the disc and reduce the risk of dropping it. Can be cast iron or rubber coated. Rubber coated weight training discs prevent damage to the disc and the floor if dropped. Olympic size only
  
  
• Solid Rubber Weight Training Discs:
  The most expensive weight training discs but are incredibly hard wearing and also excellent at reducing damage to floors if dropped. Olympic size only.

Kettlebells
Probably one of the oldest forms of weight training. A Kettlebell is a ball shaped weight with a handle on top of it. The original ones were made from solid cast iron but today they can come rubber coated and even adjustable. They usually have a starting weight of 2kg and go up to 40kg. You need to know how to use a Kettlebell to get the best out of it but there are so many exercises that you can perform that once you do you will find them enjoyable to use.