SS with hex plates

[LikeABlock]

Do you see any problem with having to use hex plates (Iron Grip) during the pulling exercises in SS? I've been doing deadlifts in my current routine and it gets pretty annoying having to use hex plates.

Thanks.

[Mark Rippetoe]

I see the same problem you do. If you can't control your starting position because of barbell configuration, it will be a problem. Those plates are designed to be loaded onto Hammer Strength machines, not bars.

[Unpossible]

I know what you mean, LaB.

If you're working out in a gym and you're consistently deadlifting more than 245lbs, try getting the managers to buy a pair of 100lb Irongrip plates. They are round, and even if you need to add 45's your won't get stuck at awkward angles when you set the bar down (since the 45's are a hexagon cut out of a circle, the flat edges no longer touch the ground).

Tell them it's to make it easier to load the leg press machine. That's why they have them at my gym.

[Rich_S]

I know what you mean, LaB.

If you're working out in a gym and you're consistently deadlifting more than 245lbs, try getting the managers to buy a pair of 100lb Irongrip plates. They are round, and even if you need to add 45's your won't get stuck at awkward angles when you set the bar down (since the 45's are a hexagon cut out of a circle, the flat edges no longer touch the ground).

Tell them it's to make it easier to load the leg press machine. That's why they have them at my gym.

No. Plates should be round and do not need to have handles cut into them.

Also, I always see people doing deadlifts and struggling to pick up one end of the bar that's already loaded with plates to get another plate on. The easy way to do it is to put a 2.5 or 5 lbs plate on the ground, ROLL the barbell so that the plates on the barbell are now on top of the little plate on the ground, then additional plates will slide on easy, obviously roll the barbell off the little plate before lifting.

[LikeABlock]

I know what you mean, LaB.

If you're working out in a gym and you're consistently deadlifting more than 245lbs, try getting the managers to buy a pair of 100lb Irongrip plates. They are round, and even if you need to add 45's your won't get stuck at awkward angles when you set the bar down (since the 45's are a hexagon cut out of a circle, the flat edges no longer touch the ground).

Tell them it's to make it easier to load the leg press machine. That's why they have them at my gym.

I should have them just DL with the plates.

I'm pretty much stuck in a bad situation, because I'm not real comfortable having to use these plates, but I have no other gym access till next fall. At that time, I'll be long into SS.

[Mark Rippetoe]

You may have to break down and spend some money. Used plates are about .25/lb.

[Konstantinos Kavos]

Buy some hitech plates. They're not really bumpers but they're round and pretty tough and also very light (as low as 5lbs), so you can take them back and forth from the gym easily. Just slide those on the bar, then load up the other hex plates. That's what I've done in my home gym to save buying a whole new set of plates. It won't solve the problem for power cleans though. No matter what they say on the hitech website, I'm not sure how many times they could stand being dropped from a height with any real weight on the bar.

[George Noble]

Also, I always see people doing deadlifts

You're one of the lucky ones.

[LikeABlock]

You may have to break down and spend some money. Used plates are about .25/lb.

Something I would definitely do, if it weren't for my gym being a crappy commercial one.


My last question, before I sound too hopeless, do you see any increased chance for injury having to use these plates even while following strict practice of form? In a way, I guess this question coincides with the problem of having little control over the starting position.


Appreciate the help.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Could happen. Anything that makes things inefficient also makes them potentially dangerous.