REP Equalizer Iron Olympic Plates

REP Equalizer Iron Olympic Plates

REP Equalizer Iron Olympic Plates are machined cast iron plates with a hexagonal hole-patterned design that makes handling very easy. These are thin, durable, and accurate plates with very positive user feedback.

Rep also sells a urethane-coated version of these plates, which I personally own.

Read more for details.

Features & Highlights

• Accuracy – These plates from REP have a guaranteed weight tolerance of +/-2%, which is quite accurate for cast iron plates. This equates to less than a pound on a 45LB plate.
• Weight Offerings – REP Equalizer Iron Olympic Plates can be purchased from 2.5LB up to 45LB and they’re sold in pairs. They’re also available in 255LB and 275 sets. Neither the pairs nor the sets include shipping.
• Width – These plates have a thin profile that allows the user to load a lot of weight on the bar – over 900LB, in fact. They aren’t as thin as a calibrated powerlifting plate, but they’re very competitive to similar-style plates. Plate widths are as follows:
  • 2.5LB – 0.5″
  • 5LB – 0.75″
  • 10LB – 0.75″
  • 25LB – 1.5″
  • 35LB – 1.5″
  • 45LB – 1.5″
• Diameter – Unlike bumper plates, iron plates do not offer consistent plate diameters. Most users will at least have a pair of 45LB plates on the bar when deadlifting, so it’s not a big concern, but if you do pull with anything less than 135LB, just know that it won’t be from standard height.
  • 2.5LB – 159mm
  • 5LB – 203mm
  • 10LB – 229mm
  • 25LB – 311mm
  • 35LB – 362mm
  • 45LB – 450mm
• Hole Size – The REP 6-Shooter Olympic Grip Plates have a 50.6mm hole diameter, which is slightly larger than the 50.4mm you’d find on calibrated plates. Still, this will accommodate an Olympic-sized barbell very nicely.
• Shooter Style – With six hexagonal cutouts in the plate, carrying/handling them is made very easy. A common complaint of standard iron plates is that they can be difficult to pick up, especially from the flat position. That isn’t the case with shooter-style plates. The hex-style also great a flat grip unlike a rounded cutout – something that I prefer.
• Aesthetics/Finish – These plates from REP have a black powder coated finish with some sheen. This isn’t like a powder coating that you would find on a calibrated plate where chipping can occur quickly and easily. This powder coat is very durable to prevent, or at least limit chipping in most cases. In addition to their function, the hex holes also create a very fun aesthetic that’s unique to the Equalizers.
• Durability – These are cast iron plates and overall durability is very good. As with any plate, durability will come down to frequency of use and how they’re used. These plates should last years and withstand a lot of abuse.

What They’re Saying at repfitness.com

REP Equalizer Iron Olympic Plates receive excellent feedback from users. With an average rating of 4.9/5, here are some of the things people have said at repfitness.com.

Positive

• “Rep Hex Olympic Plates are high quality, accurate, functional Olympic grip plates with the attractive design of Ivanko Revolvers at a value that is quite arguably the best on the market. Weights were all within the stated tolerances (better actually), the machined center has a very tight fit on the barbell, the 45/25’s provide a decent 3-4 finger grip, and the powder coated finish has a nice durable feel. The pictures don’t do them justice (Black), these are some seriously bad@ss looking plates. I‘m very impressed with the quality overall, and I’ll definitely be back for more in the future!”
• “These plates are gorgeous! By far the nicest looking iron plates out there. The black finish is very high quality!”
• “Been piecing together weights and need a set of 5s. Had a set of 2.5s from a separate company and its night and day to look at them side by side. Really impressed with the quality and finish on a set of iron plates.”
• “Overall these are probably the best value for a machined iron plate you’ll find. Construction is VERY high quality, finish is smooth and even, and. the ease of handling with the holes is very helpful. A couple of my plates did have slight imperfections in the paint (on the Rep letters), but a very minor detail.”
• “I recently purchased these plates to replace my old CAP iron plates, and the difference in quality is immense. There are no rough edges, the weights are all uniform and fit snug on my bars, and they’re all very accurate in terms of weight. Extremely happy with my order, and I intend to get more when they come back in stock.”

Critical

• “Draw backs; they chip extremely easily, they have some very minor paint blemish mainly the white rep logo, if you’re loading onto a barbell with a ribbed sleeve(Texas power bar) you’re going to wear the hole and the paint, after the paint chips the chip spot will rust. Overall, would I recommend these plates? Yes I would, and I’m going to continue to buy them.”

Garage Gym Lab Review

Garage Gym Lab has not yet reviewed these plates, but I have reviewed the urethane-coated version.

Other Options

The below plates were picked as alternatives to the REP Equalizer Iron Olympic Plates.