Rogue machined Olympic plates vs competition plates
This is a comparison between the Rogue machined plates and the competition plates including pros, cons and alternatives. Follow the links for more details
Overview and review of the Rogue Competition plates
The Rogue competition plates will set you back about $1035 dollars or $7.39 dollars per kg. These plates are especially good to use for competing weightlifters. This overview has originally been published in the article "Which rogue plates to buy" which you can find on this blog.
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Overview of the competition plates
These are the best that Rogue has to offer. Repeatedly used on Olympic lifting competitions and the CrossFit games these are the plates to behold when it gets to competition day. The plates have been updated with better design, lettering, and raised rubber to make them last kong and look good. They have minimal bounce and provide everything you need to post new personal records for your Olympic lifts.
Weight / Color / Diameter / Thickness / Price per pair
25kg / Red / 450mm / 2.5'' / $309.75
20kg / Blue / 450mm / 2.15'' / $252.50
15kg / Yellow / 450mm / 1.65'' / $208
10kg / Green / 450mm / 1.15'' / $152.50
Available sets
90kg, 2x 10-15-20kg $685
110kg, 2x 10-20-25kg $835
120kg, 2x 15-20-25kg $900
140kg, 2x 10-15-20-25kg $1035
Pros of the competition plates
These are the best plates you can get for Olympic lifting from Rogue. There is not really much more to say about them in terms of pros.
Cons of the competition plates
High quality has a high price. If you want to save money on plates you might want to go with
bumper plates instead.
Alternatives to the competition plates
Bumper plates are the ultimate workhorse piece of equipment you can get from Rogue. They come in at less than half the price per kilo than the
competition plates. With the saved money you might want to buy extra
barbells or kettlebells depending on your needs. The disadvantages are that
bumper plates are not color coded and also do not fit as much weight on the
bar than
competition plates.
Calibrated steel plates are the go-to for powerlifters who want precision and maximize the weight on the
bar. These plates are color-coded and precision manufactured. With the seal of approval from the IPF, you can begin your journey to the podium of your next
powerlifting meet.
Black training plates are a great combination of practical training plates and high standard competition quality. The design of these plates makes them a good fit for everyday use while still keeping the mindset of a champion.
Overview and review of the Rogue Machined Olympic plates
The Rogue machined olympic plates will set you back about $582 dollars or $5.24 dollars per kg. These plates are especially good to use for home gyms who want some extra precision. This overview has originally been published in the article "Which rogue plates to buy" which you can find on this blog.
Overview of the Rogue Machined Olympic plates
These plates are Rogue take on the standard metal plate. They have come up with a great design which combines grey hammertone with black writing. Many lifters love the sound of multiple metal plates clanging together when they post a new pr. These plates are made to precision with a 2 to 3% tolerance which sets them apart from the rest of the industry. These are the type of plates which a no-nonsense dungeon gym will hold. You get quite a lot of weight for your dollar with these ones.
Weight / Diameter / Thickness / Price per pair
45LB / 448mm / 1.50'' / $160
35LB/ 360mm / 1.50'' / $128
25LB / 300mm / 1.50'' / $ 105
10LB / 228mm / 1.22'' / $48.50
5LB / 195mm / 0.83'' / $32
2.5LB / 162mm / 0.63'' / $23
Available sets
245LB one pair each size $582
Pros of the Rogue Machined Olympic plates
The biggest pros are the price and machine precision. Compared to the
calibrated steel plates and high-end bumpers you get the same amount of weight for roughly half the price. Metal also feels different when you move it around. It makes more noise and just feels rawer. You will also be able to fit more weight onto your
barbell.
Cons of the Rogue Machined Olympic plates
These plates have no color coding and you can not always be sure what you put on the
bar. This makes it more likely to
misload
a lift. If you do not have a platform these plates are also a lot more likely to eat into your floor on deadlifts than
bumpers. They will also not sustain constant dropping of the weight from overhead. Especially your
barbell will suffer and deform quickly if you use them for Olympic lifts. In addition, they will also not age well in damp places as they will oxidate.
Alternatives to the Rogue Machined Olympic plates
If you still want that metal feel, can tolerate a bit more variance on the finish and prefer black, the Rogue
Olympic plates might be for you. They will also come in at an even lower price point.
Bumper plates are the alternative for the home gym warrior who wants to protect their floor and lift overhead. You will fit less weight on the
barbell, but you can train without a platform without wrecking the floor.
The
calibrated steel plates come with color coding and are IPF approved. If you want to prepare for your next
powerlifting meet and train like the pros, this is the option for you.