Free weights offer many benefits for muscle and strength training workout routines. If you are investing in a home gym, (something we highly encourage you to do), then you should probably look at investing in a free weights set of your own. Most weight sets allow you to change the barbell weight load, making them a space-efficient option for home.
Generally the highest quality types of free weights are Olympic weight sets. The major physical difference between Olympic and standard weight sets is the size of the placement hole, which is larger in an Olympic set of weights. The larger hole makes for a more secure, sturdy and well balanced fit. An Olympic weights set is made of the best quality metal and unlike a standard set, the weights are completely guaranteed to be accurate. Generic brands aften turn out to weight slightly more or less than advertised.
Olympic free weights typically comes in a 300 lb standard set that includes the following items:
- (1) Olympic 7 foot Chrome Bar
- (2) 45 lb Plates (2) 35 lb Plates
- (2) 25 lb Plates (2) 10 lb Plates
- (4) 5 lb Plates (2) 2.5 lb Plates
- (2) Olympic Spring Collars
Free weights are used in official Olympic events like weight lifting. As the name suggests, the competitors in Olympic events use a standard Olympic weight set configuration when competing against each other.
The clean and jerk event and two handed snatch are two competitive Olympic events and require the bar be lifted from the floor to over a competitor’s head. The clean and jerk is a two-stage lift. It involves lifting the weights from floor to shoulder height in the first stage (the “clean” phase), followed by an explosive manouver to position the weights from shoulder to directly over the lifter’s head (the “jerk” phase). This lift is knows as the king of lifts because it is the weight lifting technique that results in more weight being lifted above the head than any other technique.
Of course free weights are not only useful to competitive weight lifters. They are used for general strength training and achieving more highly defined muscle tone or endurance when used in a lower intensity and more continuous way. Weight training can help you improve posture or enhance your performance in various sporting pursuits.
If you are seeking a powerful chest or abs that are rock-hard or perhaps wish to tone up your body from shoulders to legs or obtain lean, shaped triceps and biceps, a free weights set can help you achieve your goal from within the comfort and conveninence of your own home saving you costly gym membership fees.
If money is tight than you might find a cheap olympic weight set by purchasing a second hand set. Read our article on cheap exercise equipment for ideas on where to find the best discounted weight equipment.
Studies have proven that regular exercise can produce a dramatic increase in terms of health, lifestyle and general quality of life. We at FitnessSpaces.com consider one’s fitness to be the most important investment one can make and whether you consider Olympic weight sets or standard ones, a free weight set has it’s place in any home gym.
