Introduction
The REP Old School Iron plates are a solid option for those looking to bring budget iron into their home gym. They’re one of the better value options out there with a classic look and feel.
These plates are recommended for anyone who says “weight is weight” and is on a budget. That said, you could spend a little more money and get a more ‘refined’ product.
Why These Plates?
Following the home gym guide means starting with a barbell and plates. You need to have the plate conversation before deciding which option you will go with. There are many options when looking at iron plates, and there are a handful of iron plate styles. The biggest perk to buying iron plates is that they are the most cost-effective. REP has three lines of iron plates.
Their Old School Iron plates are their mid-grade iron plates. They are reminiscent of the iron plates from the old school ’90s gyms. These plates are an inexpensive import option, and if you are considering them for your space, there are some things you should know.
Cast Iron Plates
Cast iron plates are made by pouring molten iron into a cast (or mold). Some iron plates are machined after casting to give them a smooth finish or a more accurate barbell hole. They can also be coated after they are finished to protect against weathering or to enhance the look.
Old School Iron
These plates differ from REP’s Standard Iron Plates mostly in their design. The Old School Iron plates are cast plates that are then given a matte finish. The plates are not machined. This leaves them with a few imperfections that can be from the casting process or coating process.
The Old School Iron plates are one-sided. One side is flat while the other side has lettering and your standard impressions from the cast. This gives the plate a slightly thicker lip around the edge, which makes it easier to handle the plates. REP’s Basic Iron plates are 2-sided with wording on both sides. It has a small indented lip that is also 2-sided that goes around the outside of the plate.
Again, these plates are not machined. The machining process smooths out any imperfections from the casting process. It can also make the weight more accurate and the hole for the barbell a tighter fit. The Old School Iron plates did have some evidence of the casting imperfections and a ‘bumpy’ feel, but they have an excellent fit on the bar and are consistent in size/thickness.
Pricing
The cost of the plates makes them some of the most affordable options. Below you can see a list of popular iron plates. *The price listed is a set of 45lb plates.
| REP Old School Iron | $160 (free shipping) |
| REP Standard Iron | $130 (free shipping) |
| REP Equalizer Iron Plates | $198 (free shipping) |
| Rogue Olympic Plates (same as ‘Old School’ from REP) | $155 + shipping |
| Rogue Olympic Machined Plates (Machined/gray) | $225 + shipping |
| Rogue Deep Dish Plates (Machined) | $165 + shipping |
| Rogue USA Olympic Plates (Machined/thin) | $225 + shipping |
| Titan Cast Iron Olympic Plates | $160 (free shipping) |
| Titan Silver Series Cast Iron Olympic Plates | $160 (free shipping) |
| Strength Co. (Machined) | $195 + shipping |
| Bells of Steel (Machined/gray) | $219 + shipping |
With the above-mentioned plates, it is important to remember that some companies offer weight sets for small discounts. Some of these companies also offer American Made steel plates, which cost more than imported items.
The Old School Iron plates are some of the most cost-effective, but some great plates won’t cost much. Shipping is something to keep in mind with other companies, but if you plan to have your plates for a long time, shipping shouldn’t stop you from buying something.
Overall Thoughts
Standard cast iron plates are a great way to bring weight into your home gym, especially if you are on a budget. The REP Old School Iron plates fit the description. Bringing these weights into your space means that you are ok with the minor flaws they come with, mainly from the casting process. For example,
- Chips/chunks: areas of the plate that have been chipped or are missing chunks. In our experience, this is more notable in the 10 lb plates. The larger plates do have chips, but there are not as significant.
- Filler: Some of the plates seem to have been missing large pieces. It looks like the parts were repaired and attempted to be smoothed out. It creates a plastered, unattractive look to the plates.
- Chipped Coating: Pieces of coating have been chipped off. They are tiny and probably occurred after production or in transit.
If you are not ok with these minor issues, you may want to look into a machined plate like the Rogue Deep Dish Plates or the handful of others out there. These are not the prettiest plates but have the ‘old school’ look. It may be worth spending a little more for a better product.
You can also look into other plate styles like bumper (crumb, hi-density rubber, or urethane), rubber coated, or calibrated, but these will be more expensive.
Conclusion
The REP Old School Iron plates are cost-effective for bringing weight into your home gym. They have the classic look and feel of your standard cast plates and don’t break the bank. These plates are recommended for anyone who says “weight is weight” and is on a budget. That said, you could spend a little more money and get a more ‘refined’ product.
