Weight plates have long been associated in combination with barbell bars. This is why they have been highly underestimated and even underexplored. Whenever weight plates are mentioned, the only visual that comes to mind is a barbell that is used to lift weight, period.
If done right, weight plates can help improve and enhance your balance, boost strength and build endurance.
This blog covers the top 5 creative exercises you can do to unleash the full potential of weight plates. Remember, these exercises have been recommended by some of the best professionals in the fitness industry. Hence, they are fool-proof.
1. Plank Plate Switch
Are you tired of the normal planks? Do you think that they don’t work out for you? Don’t worry! Add an interesting twist to it by incorporating weight plates in the exercise. You start in the traditional plank position and then make a dynamic move with a weight plate.
This is a must-do exercise for people who are looking for a challenging workout to involve the shoulders, core and triceps.
- Take a weight plate and come in the high plank position. Both your hands should be resting on the weight plate at shoulder width apart.
- Inhale and engage your core. Your body should be in a perfectly straight line and there should be no bumps along the way. Your back should be straight.
- Take a hand off the weight plate. Now, only one hand is on the plate right now. With the hand that you lifted off, drag the weight plate along the floor till it reaches the opposite side.
- Put your hand back on the plate. Repeat the movement with your other hand.
- While you move the plate back and forth, your core should be engaged.
2. Halo Plate
The halo plate targets the upper back muscles. Thus, improving posture, core stability and strength.
- Stand straight and hold one weight plate in both your hands.
- The weight plate should be away from your body to the outside.
- While bending your elbows, lift the plate and rotate it clockwise above your head.
- You can repeat as many times as you want.
3. Goblet Squat
Take a weight plate and hold it firmly in front of your chest. Bring it a little closer to the body. Take the squat position and go as low as you can. When you come back to the starting position, do so aggressively and hold in your glutes.
Your heels should not be raised above the ground and fall flat on it.
4. Weight Plate Lunges
To increase the intensity of your workout, add weight plates to the lunges. You will need two for this exercise. Hold a separate weight plate in both your hands. Put one leg forward and lunge till both knees are at a 90-degree angle. Now, push back and go back to the starting position with the other leg.
5. Plate Sit Up
- You need to lie down and bend both feet flat.
- Use one weight plate and hold it in both hands.
- Bring it against the chest.
- Now, breathe in and engage the core.
- When you are starting the sit-up, exhale.
- Start by slowly sitting up. Rise till your body is perpendicular to the floor.
- Inhale and go back
Final Words
You can see that adding a little creativity to workouts not only makes them interesting but effective. Just remember to invest in the right equipment. At Fitness Depot, we believe in quality over quantity. Therefore, our weight training equipment is some of the best in the market.