The Student Room Group

The difference between Vinyl, Cast Iron, and Chrome weights?

Hi all,
I'm looking to upgrade my current set of weights, and I see that there are three main materials that weights are made from - Vinyl, Cast Iron, and Chrome (in ascending order of price).

What is the main difference in them? Surely a weight is a weight, and the material shouldn't matter at all, or am I missing some glaringly obvious point?
They're the same, but Vinyl one's are usually used by beginners. You don't want to be caught lifting them,
Reply 2
Why are they just used by beginners, though? Surely if theyre doing the same for your body, and theyre about half the price, then its the smarter purchase?
I'm not being cheeky - I'm just truely mystified!
Reply 3
They are bulkier and can crack if put down suddenly... as far as i know
Ghost
Why are they just used by beginners, though? Surely if theyre doing the same for your body, and theyre about half the price, then its the smarter purchase?
I'm not being cheeky - I'm just truely mystified!


They're used by beginners because they aren't made in larger sizes, Vinyl isn't dense, so a larger plate (45lb or 60lb etc.) would require a freaking massive plate. That's why pro's don't use them and they're not found in gyms.

They also crack under pressure, and are very slippery.
Reply 5
Alright, thanks for the info :smile:.
I reckon I'll go for this vinyl set that I've found - I'm still fairly new to this (even though I'm upgrading, but the set I have atm is only 12kgs, heh), and its extremely cheap!
Reply 6
There are some very very cheap sand filled ones in argos at the moment... i bought my cast iron ones off ebay :smile:
Reply 7
Oh lord. Got my vinyl ones today - they're absolutely horrendously crap.
Cast iron will last you forever, as said already concrete ones split, crack, break, etc. Also, you can get more weight on a bar using cast iron, than vinyl/concrete. With cheap wide argos plates i can get just shy of 50kg on each of my dumbell bars, vinyl and i'd be looking at about half that.

Chrome is nice its just a b*stard to clean and its more expensive. Why get showy chrome plates? My dumbells aren't the centre piece of my room, they live in the cupboard/garage until needed, and i don't show them off to my friends at how beautiful they are...so chrome is a bit pointless, unless you've got money to burn.
Reply 9
Ahhh im so glad my friends talked me out of them then....
Reply 10
Well my cousin has some vinyl weights and compared to my weights, I noticed that his vinyl dumbell Vs. my chrome dumbell of the SAME weight, my one weighed MORE! Since then I have taken it to be general that vinyl weights are much crapper!!!
Reply 11
Well I spose it cost me £20 for a set of 50kg (including a barbell) - so I can't really be bad to that. I'll make a promise to myself that if I keep my weight lifting up for a year, I'll buy a really nice set.

They do look stupid as hell though, lol.
Reply 12
Yeah they were very cheap, from Argos right? I bought an 18 KG iron set for 28 quid delivered which im happy with.. wouldnt mind buying a few extra disks now though.
Reply 13
Yeah they were from argos. The same package but in cast iron cost £60 =/.
Oh well, I'll just not let anyone see me using them.
Reply 14
Its not that bad really :P + when youve got two huge looking discs on the side of your barbell, it can add to the mental side of things lol..what if cast iron 100kg was only 2 cm in diameter...wouldnt do too good for the confidence would it :P
Reply 15
£20 for 50kg is awesome
Reply 16
Original post by Ghost
Hi all,
I'm looking to upgrade my current set of weights, and I see that there are three main materials that weights are made from - Vinyl, Cast Iron, and Chrome (in ascending order of price).

What is the main difference in them? Surely a weight is a weight, and the material shouldn't matter at all, or am I missing some glaringly obvious point?




Ignoring the advice about vinyl weights are for beginners



The cost of making metal plates was a rich and too expensive for people to buy



Hence vinyl weights were made they also have a purpose if your in apartment/flat metal plates make a lot of noise where vinyl weights do not , so not gonna get complaints from neighbours landlords



You can get rubber coated metal plates again price



The only downside of vinyl weights they’re very bulky



As for the comments that they break easily that’s because people for throw weight around and have no control on the exercise



So she got space use cast iron
Anyone wanna help me get some good weight set and weight bench during quarantine? I know it's been a long time but I need a good weight set. I've been looking far and wide for about half a year but found nothing of decent quality and price so far. Please send me the link. I also need it to ship. Thank you :smile:
Reply 18
Original post by Ghost
Hi all,
I'm looking to upgrade my current set of weights, and I see that there are three main materials that weights are made from - Vinyl, Cast Iron, and Chrome (in ascending order of price).

What is the main difference in them? Surely a weight is a weight, and the material shouldn't matter at all, or am I missing some glaringly obvious point?


They are all the same weight, just certain ones look bigger.

I personally love cast iron weights purely for the aesthetics and the nice "clunk" when you slap the plates on. Euphoric.