Over the past eight years this site’s amassed an enormous amount of content. To help you find the highlights, I’ll be taking an occasional wander through the archives.
Whilst weight plates are typically used in conjunction with various types of bars and machines, there are several great exercises using only the plates themselves. Here are just a few of the Plate Exercises we’ve looked at over the years :
- Grip Flips
First up, one we looked at on Google+ recently : Grip Flips. Brilliantly simple. - Wide Plate Pinch
This is one of the first pieces of DIY Equipment I made, and also one of the simplest – consisting solely of two nuts, two bolts and a length of chain (perhaps 2′ or 3′). If you’ve got large hands (you’ll need them for this), give it a shot. Great way to train.
To assemble it : loop one end of the chain through a plate, and ‘tie it off‘ using one of the nut+bolt pairs. Pass the other end of the chain through another plate, and hold it there using the second nut+bolt.The picture shows it in use. - Front Plate Raise
Eye level.
I first tried this out in 2005 after reading an article by ‘The Renegade‘, Coach John Davies. And yes, it’s definitely a keeper.
The movement itself really is as simple as the name suggests. Grab a plate by the sides (angled down a bit, as if driving a bus) and straighten your arms in front of you. Raise it until you’re looking through the hole, and lower it again. That’s it.
As this is pretty close to an isolation exercise (for the anterior deltoid) I tend to slip these in after a bit of pressing. - Plate Juggling
Looking for a challenge?
Nice one. - Plate Curl
Finally, a staple of Strongmen everywhere – the Plate Curl. Beautiful thing.
Over to ‘Unbreakable‘ Adam Glass :
Love it.
Final Thoughts
In terms of equipment, Plate Exercises are about as simple as they get. Put the barbell to one side for a minute, and give them a go.
Further reading
Want more? Take a look at these :
- Hub Lifting
Jedd explains the what, how and why of this wonderful form of pinch grip work. Good stuff. - Bars, Plates, Hooks and Collars
What they all are, including the many variations of each. - How to Make Your Own Bumper Plates on a Budget
Got plenty of Olympic and Standard plates, but keen to try out a few bumpers? Make your own.
There’s also an incredible array of articles and videos on this site. Use the search box at the top of each page, or swing by the contact page.
UPDATE 22/04/21 : You might also be interested in Mike Beatty's wonderful article 'What are Bumper Plates?', which is a detailed look at Bumpers. Highly recommended.
cheers,
Scott
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