Let us have a conversation about 35 lb plates. Before we begin I want to define what I am talking about. I am not talking about 15 kg calibrated plates, I am not talking about bars or handweights that weigh 35 lbs. I am talking about 35 lb plates.
Just say “NO” to 35 lb plates
Why you ask? The answer is simple. When you begin to buy plates for the purpose of loading onto a barbell you buy them incrementally. You likely purchased a set of 45 lb plates and then looked at the rest of them and wondered “how do I go from nothing to 45?
The best place to start is from 0 and work your way up. I typically recommend you begin with 2.5 lb plates (chips) and question yourself on how to get to a cumulative 10 lbs onto the bar. To get there you add 5s (nickels); throw them in the cart. Move along and you ask about getting to 15 cumulative pounds of loaded plates and you realize you already have the plates in your cart to do that! Go you, your first big win.
We move onto 20 lbs. You’ll need a set of 10s (dimes) for that, add them. 25 lbs loaded? Simple math of 10+10+2.5+2.5…your second big win! It’s already in your cart. 30 lbs, remove the chips, add the nickels, you’re starting to win a lot. 35 lbs put the chips back on. 40 lbs, your first real conundrum…you don’t have the weight in your cart to make that math and there aren’t any 20 lb plates! GOOD! add a set of dimes or a set of nickels. Your choice.
45 total pounds 4 dimes and a set of chips OR 2 dimes, 4 nickels, and 2 chips. 50 lbs loaded on the bar? Grab those sexy looking 25s! We all love us some quarters! To get to 55 lbs add the chips, 60 lbs drop the chips for the 5s. 65 lbs, quarters, nickels, and chips. 70 lbs, quarters and dimes. 75 lbs, quarters, dimes, and chips. 80 lbs, quarters, dimes, and nickels. 85 lbs, quarters, dimes, nickels, and chips.
90 lbs, well lookie there. You’re back to where you started with the 45s.
So why the HELL are there 35 lb plates? I’ll tell you why, because companies want your $$$$$.
NOW
I will make a couple compromises on my logic as I am a very understanding person.
You compete as a powerlifter or a weightlifter and you are using calibrated plates IN YOUR GYM to better represent what you will be facing on meet day.
It was literally all that was available to you due to budget or availability
BUT THAT’S IT. Anything outside that is likely something that I will stare at you blankly for saying to me and wondering why you felt privileged enough to waste my time to tell me your reason.
So there you have it folks, that is why you shouldn’t buy 35s. Remember, true friends don’t let friends buy 35s! (unless it meets one of the above exceptions)
Keep it better, awesome, and BADASS!
-Kurt
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