What Weight Plates Should a Beginner Buy? (And How Many)

What Weight Plates Should a Beginner Buy? (And How Many)

What Weight Plates Should a Beginner Buy? (And How Many)

Last updated: April 2026 — A practical guide to building your first plate collection, covering exactly how many plates you need, which type to buy, and the most cost-effective approach.

TL;DR: Start with 100kg of bumper plates: 2x20kg, 2x15kg, 2x10kg, 2x5kg. With a 20kg barbell, this gives you 40-120kg in 5kg increments — enough for 6-12 months of serious training. VERVE Black Bumper Plates cost approximately $99-$219 per pair depending on weight. The Home Gym Essentials Bundle ($3,310) includes 100kg of plates with a Zen rack, Elite barbell, FID bench, and collars — the most cost-effective way to get everything at once.

The Starter Plate Setup: 100kg

For a beginner, 100kg of plates is the sweet spot. It is enough to be challenged on every movement for months, but not so much that you are spending money you do not need to yet. Here is the recommended breakdown:

Plates Total Weight (pair) Approx. Price (Black Bumpers)
2 x 20kg 40kg $219
2 x 15kg 30kg $179
2 x 10kg 20kg $149
2 x 5kg 10kg $99
Total 100kg ~$646

With a 20kg barbell, this gives you the following load options: 30kg (bar + 2x5kg), 40kg (bar + 2x10kg), 50kg (bar + 2x15kg), 60kg (bar + 2x20kg), 70kg (bar + 2x20kg + 2x5kg), 80kg (bar + 2x20kg + 2x10kg), 90kg (bar + 2x20kg + 2x15kg), 100kg (bar + 2x20kg + 2x15kg + 2x5kg), 110kg (bar + 2x20kg + 2x15kg + 2x10kg), and 120kg (bar + all plates).

That is 10 distinct load options in 10kg increments. For finer 5kg adjustments between these jumps, you can mix and match plates across sides (e.g., 15kg one side, 10kg + 5kg the other).

Bumper Plates vs Iron Plates — What to Buy First

Factor Bumper Plates Iron/Steel Plates
Material 100% rubber with steel insert Cast iron or machined steel
Can Drop Yes — designed for it No — will damage floor and plates
Noise Moderate (rubber on rubber) Loud (metal on metal)
Size All weights are 450mm diameter (IWF standard) Diameter varies by weight
Floor Protection High — rubber absorbs impact Low — can crack concrete
Price Moderate Generally cheaper per kg
Best For Home gym, Olympic lifts, deadlifts Commercial gym, powerlifting only

For beginners: buy bumper plates. They are safer (can be dropped), quieter, protect your floor, and work for every exercise. Iron plates are cheaper per kilogram but cannot be dropped safely and will destroy your garage floor. In a home gym where you are likely training on concrete with rubber flooring, bumpers are the practical choice.

VERVE Plate Options

Plate Type Price Range (pairs) Best For Warranty
Black Bumper Plates $99-$219 Best value starter set, all-purpose 5 years home, 1 year commercial
Colour Bumper Plates $149-$309 Easy weight identification, competition colours 5 years home, 1 year commercial
PU Coated Tri Grip Plates $45-$450 Easy handling with grip holes, gym/PT studio 5 years home, 2 years commercial
Machined Iron Plates $20-$255 Budget option, powerlifting 5 years home, 2 years commercial
Calibrated Competition Bumpers $319-$499 Competition, precision weight 5 years home, 1 year commercial
Calibrated Steel Plates $49-$849 IPF powerlifting, precision 5 years home, 2 years commercial

The Upgrade Path

Once you outgrow 120kg (which takes most beginners 6-12 months on squat and deadlift), add plates in this order:

  • First upgrade: Add a second pair of 20kg bumpers. This takes you to 160kg total (including bar). Cost: ~$219.
  • Second upgrade: Add a pair of 25kg bumpers. This takes you to 210kg. Cost: ~$219.
  • Add change plates: A set of 2.5kg and 1.25kg pairs gives you finer 2.5kg increments for bench press and overhead press progression. VERVE Colour Change Plates range from $39-$135 per pair.

The Most Cost-Effective Way to Start

The VERVE Home Gym Essentials Bundle ($3,310, was $3,375) includes:

  • Zen Power Rack (with safety straps, J-hooks, plate holders, band pegs, pull-up bar)
  • Elite 20kg Olympic Barbell
  • Commercial FID Bench V2
  • 100kg Black Bumper Plates
  • Barbell collars

Buying these items individually would cost more. The bundle price includes a meaningful discount and ensures everything is compatible. You get the starter plate setup (100kg) plus the rack, barbell, and bench needed to use them. This is genuinely the most cost-effective way to start a complete home gym from zero.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is 100kg of plates enough for a beginner?
Yes. With a 20kg barbell, 100kg of plates gives you up to 120kg total. A beginner male's squat typically reaches 80-100kg within 6-12 months of consistent training. Bench press reaches 60-80kg. Deadlift reaches 100-120kg. You will have enough plates for the first 6-12 months, then add more as your strength progresses.
Q: Should I buy black or colour bumper plates?
Black bumpers are cheaper and functionally identical. Colour bumpers use IWF competition colour coding (red = 25kg, blue = 20kg, yellow = 15kg, green = 10kg) which makes it faster to identify weights at a glance. If you are on a budget, go black. If you want the visual clarity and are willing to pay slightly more, go colour.
Q: Do I need 5kg plates?
Yes. The 5kg pair is essential for fine-tuning weight on lighter exercises (overhead press, rows, curls) and for warm-up sets. Without them, your smallest jump is 20kg (adding a pair of 10s), which is too much for most exercises. The 5kg pair costs approximately $99 — do not skip it.
Q: When should I add change plates (1.25kg and 2.5kg)?
Once your bench press and overhead press stall. These lifts progress in smaller increments than squats and deadlifts. A 5kg jump (adding 2.5kg per side) on bench press can stall progress, but a 2.5kg jump (1.25kg per side) keeps you progressing. Buy change plates when your beginner progress on pressing movements starts to slow — typically 3-6 months in.
Q: Can I mix bumper plates and iron plates on the same bar?
Yes, with a caveat. Always load bumper plates on the innermost position (closest to the collar) and iron plates on the outside. This way, if you drop the bar, the bumper plates absorb the impact first. Never load iron plates alone for movements that involve dropping the bar.
Q: What warranty do VERVE bumper plates come with?
VERVE Black and Colour Bumper Plates carry a 5-year home warranty and 1-year commercial warranty (excluding 5kg plates, which are excluded from warranty due to their thinner profile and higher drop-damage risk). All bumper plates use 100% rubber construction with stainless steel inserts and IWF-standard 450mm diameter.
Q: How thick are VERVE bumper plates?
VERVE 25kg bumper plates are 83mm thick — thinner than the prior 97mm design, allowing you to fit more weight on the bar. All bumper plates are IWF-standard 450mm diameter. The thinner profile means you can load more total weight before running out of sleeve space.

Related Resources

Start with 100kg

The VERVE Home Gym Essentials Bundle includes a Zen rack, Elite barbell, FID bench, 100kg bumper plates, and collars for $3,310. Everything a beginner needs in one order.

View the Essentials Bundle

This guide was prepared by Australian strength training specialists and updated April 2026. Information based on beginner training progression data and manufacturer specifications. Prices and specifications are subject to change. Always verify current pricing at vervefitness.com.au.

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