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Usually made of cast iron, steel, or any other heavy-duty metal, weight plates are considered as the best addition for a full range intensity exercise with barbells. With different weights available that can amount to even more than 100 pounds, they can enhance your free weight training so your muscles can become stronger and more flexible in performing other exercises.

Pick your plate

Whether it's Olympic or standard, there are weight plates designed to fit your strength and endurance training needs. The Olympic weight plate is used for professional weightlifting competitions. These plates have holes at the center that is 2 inches in diameter so they can fit into 7-foot barbells.

If you have free weights in your home or personal gyms, then the standard plates are for you. These are made of plastic-coated or bare cast iron and the holes on their center are an inch in diameter to fit 6-foot barbells.

Buying your plates

Consider the following criteria when buying weight plates: grip and protective coating.

A lot of plates come with rubber or plastic coatings to protect the edges and preventing it from damaging the floor. Plastic plates tend to be less durable and can come off in chunks, making the weights inaccurate. Over time, the plastic can also loosen and shift over, so it is highly recommended to choose rubber-encased plates instead because they are more reliable and durable.

Choose a weight plate that you can grip firmly. Choose plates with hollow sides that serve as handles, or those that are ribbed to keep the plate from slipping. Rubber-encased plates are recommended for those with sweaty or clammy hands.

More information

A complete Guide to WEIGHT PLATES is available in Picky Guide, one of the fastest growing online magazines giving free consumer advice and product information.

// posted by 58378 @ 8:42 PM 0 comments

When it comes to a house, there are things that are essential. Sure a floor, a ceiling, and walls all fall into this category, a house cant exist without them. But, once the basics are in place, a house needs certain things to make it a home. The following five things help it do just that.

A playground: If you dont have kids, you can probably do without putting a playground in your backyard. But, if the pitter-patter of little feet is a common sound in your house, a playground is a must have. Whether its something as simple as a swing set or a jungle gym complete with a bouncy bridge and monkey bars, a playground is essential to keeping your kids happy...and you sane.

Locks on Doors: This day and age, a house is not safe without locks - and deadbolts - on all entry doors. But, a home also needs locks on bedroom and bathroom doors. Without locks, people feel robbed of a sense of privacy: parents might feel insecure about being intimate, kids might feel as if they arent ever trusted, and a husband may worry that someone will come busting through the bathroom door, spotting him reading a Sweet Valley High book as he sits on the toilet. Locks on doors allow people to have time alone. Plus, locks can always be removed...say when your kids become teenagers.

A Peephole on the front door: Whenever there is a knock on the front door, its good to know whos standing on the other side before you open it: a peephole is like the caller ID for the door world. Unlike peeking out a window, an act that can cause the person at the door to see you, a peephole allows you to be subtle: you can act like youre not home whenever solicitors, nosy neighbors, or people to whom you owe money come aknockin. A peephole also gives your children the best chance at making sure they dont open the door to a stranger.

A Front or Back Porch: When it comes to spring and summer, few things are better than sitting on the porch and enjoying the nice weather. But, a porch isnt just a place for relaxation: a back porch is great for barbequing and hosting summer dinner parties, while a front porch is a great place to sit and watch your kids play, and a great place to decorate with flowers and plants. Sitting out on your front porch and speaking to people who walk by is also a great way to meet and get to know your neighbors.

A Dining Room without a TV: Sitting down and having a family meal together may seem like a lost art, but thats only true for those unwillingly to try to find it. When it comes to a quality family dinner, the television is the nemesis. Thus, the TV has got to go. This doesnt mean you need to smash your plasma in a fit of rage or treat your Sony like it betrayed the mob by throwing it overboard into a desolate lake, just make sure your TV cant be seen from your dining room. Once that happens, your family will be forced to talk to each other.

Jennifer Jordan is the senior editor for http://www.etodoors.com. Someone who changes her mind every five minutes, her house is in a perpetual state of home improvement.

// posted by 58378 @ 7:24 PM 0 comments