Best Weight Plates for Outdoor Garage Gyms in the UK

I am searching for the best weight plates for outdoor garage gyms in the UK. My garage is quite damp and I am worried that standard iron plates will just turn into a pile of rust in a single season. I have been looking at urethane coated plates but they are very expensive.

I want a plate that can handle the moisture without needing constant maintenance. I am also considering rubber coated iron plates but I have heard the rubber can sometimes peel off if it gets too cold.

What are you all using in your UK garage gyms? Do you find that a good coat of spray paint is enough to protect cheaper iron plates or is it worth the investment in something more durable? I would love to hear your survival tips for training in our climate!

In a damp UK garage, you absolutely have to avoid standard cast iron. They'll be orange with rust within a single winter. You want to look for rubber-coated plates or, better yet, urethane if your budget allows for it.

I'm over in Hackney and my garage is basically a swamp in November. I went with crumb rubber bumper plates. They take the moisture much better than iron, and they don't clank so loud that the neighbours complain.

Totally agree with the admin. If you do go the cheap route and buy used iron, you'll need to sand them down and hit them with a coat of Hammerite or some high-quality rust-oleum. It's a bit of a faff but saves a lot of quid.

Funny you mention damp garages—we get the same thing in BC. I found that even 'rubber' plates can have steel inserts that rust. Look for the ones with stainless steel or brass hubs if you can find them.

Has anyone tried the vinyl-coated ones? I see them on sale at Argos and Amazon UK all the time. They seem waterproof at least?

Jayne, stay away from those. The vinyl cracks eventually, moisture gets trapped inside against the sand or cement filling, and they just fall apart. Plus, they are way too thick for heavy lifting.

I'm in Chicago and we get the humidity too. I use a dehumidifier in my garage, but I know electricity is way more expensive over in the UK. Maybe a specialized coating is the better move.

I use the Bulldog Gear bumpers. They're a UK brand and the quality is top notch. A bit pricey but they've survived two years in my shed without a spot of rust on the inner rings.

I've got some old cast iron ones I found on FB Marketplace. I just wipe them down with a bit of 3-in-One oil every couple of weeks. Keeps the rust off and smells like a proper gym!

Oil is a good shout, but it can make the plates a bit slippery if you're not careful. Not what you want when you're trying to load a 100kg squat.

If you're doing Olympic lifts, crumb rubber is the king for damp environments. If you're just powerlifting, get some decent rubber-coated hex plates. They won't roll away on uneven garage floors either.

What about the scent? I bought some cheap rubber plates from a local shop and my garage smelled like a tyre factory for three months. Not great if your garage is attached to the house.

Yeah, the 'off-gassing' is real. You've got to leave them outside under a tarp for a week. The British rain actually helps wash away some of that oily residue they come with.

I always recommend Urethane for professional clients. No smell, practically indestructible, and completely moisture resistant. Obviously, this is an 'Affordable' subforum, so maybe look for them second-hand.

Found a set of York rubber-coated plates on eBay last week. The guy lived just down the road in Surrey. Definitely check the local listings before buying new!

Just remember that moisture often comes from the floor up. Keep your plates on a proper weight tree rather than stacking them on the concrete. Even rubber can trap condensation underneath.

Spot on, Lurkers. Floor condensation is a killer in my Calgary garage during the thaw. A cheap A-frame rack keeps everything dry and organized.

Does anyone use the Mirafit bumpers? They seem to be the go-to budget option in the UK right now. Wondering how the inserts hold up in the damp.

I've got the Mirafit M3s. The steel center has a bit of a coating on it, so no rust yet. For the price, they're hard to beat for a UK home gym.