XMark Weights Review: Olympic & Black Diamond Compared

Benefits Of Free Weight Training

The term 'free weights' is often bandied around. But do you know what it actually means? Well, free weights can include barbells, dumbbells, sandbags, kettlebells, and medicine balls, which, as the name suggests, can be used in isolation, without being attached to a big and bulky machine.

This means that they are highly portable and incredibly versatile, allowing you to accomplish a wide range of at-home exercises. For that reason, a good set of free weights are one of the first buys you should consider when setting up your home gym.

Apart from their portable design, they are effortless to maintain compared to the more traditional weight machines. Not only is ongoing maintenance very low, but free weights are comparably less expensive to purchase and to replace, should anything go wrong.

But one of the most significant selling points is more evident to those of us who don't live in the grandest of spaces. Free weights are particularly great as they are easy to store and don't take up a lot of room.

If you are searching for reliable fitness equipment that will help you to lose weight, tone up, and increase your strength and muscle, you can't go far wrong with free weights.

Why Choose the XMark Brand

Material

In terms of materials, XMark weights are made from high quality cast iron, featuring a tough premium rubber casing to enhance durability. Each plate is covered by virgin and recycled rubber, protecting the weights (and your flooring!) from drop damage.

Safety

Another benefit of XMark free weights is that they are very safe, which means that they are suitable for amateurs to pros. How so, you may ask. Well, for one, XMark free weights come with convenient grip handles to comfortably accommodate your hand, making the switching up of weights easier, and therefore safer.

You'll also notice that they come with a stainless steel inner ring, allowing effortless loading of Olympic bars.

Plate Dimensions

Olympic weight plates come in standardized measurements to affix easily to Olympic bars. Olympic weight plates can be categorized by the 2" hole in the plate's center, as displayed in XMarks products.

The specific diameters for XMark plates are as follows;

Precision/Tolerance

The accuracy of weight plates is critical if you are serious about weight lifting. Tolerance is a percentage that indicates the level of accuracy of the weight plate. For example, a 45lb weight plate with a tolerance of 2% means that the actual weight can be either plus or minus 2 percent. For casual gym-goers, this won't affect you much, but for serious competitors, an out of range tolerance could be disastrous.

Durability

Most weight plates on the market are made of cast iron, but what makes the XMark plates unique is that they come complete with a rubber coating. This means that they have an extra layer to enhance grip, safety, and durability. The rubber coating also prevents them from damaging the floor if dropped. Apart from that, it protects them from rusting and cracking over time.

Brand reliability

XMark is a trusted brand in the fitness industry. Their weight plates represent some of the finest products on the market. Having been in the industry for many years, their products come with an outstanding warranty, which means that you get peace of mind when purchasing that your equipment is built to last. And should anything go wrong, XMark will be there to help you out.

1. XMark Olympic Plates

Product Specifications

If you're looking for a simple set of weight plates that do the job, you can't go far wrong with this set from XMark. Made of cast iron, XMark has taken care to ensure they meet the very strictest safety standard. In fact, XMark is so widely trusted that you'll probably notice some of their equipment at use in your local gym or college.

With the stainless steel center ring, they are easy to load and offload, which allows for the quick switching up of weights. They also come with comfortable grip handles to speed the process up even further.

They are covered in tough natural virgin rubber to enhance durability and decrease any damage through drops. Although the rubber material causes them to smell, the odor fades with time.

This set comes with a total of 10 plates with a max weight of 65lbs, which is perfect for amateurs or advanced weightlifters alike. While the jet black color won't win them any style awards, the color is resistant to fading and cracking, which will leave them looking great for years to come.

As with most XMark products, these weight plates come backed by a full one-year warranty, which covers everything except cosmetic damage – so handle with care!

2. XMark Black Diamond Plates

Product Specifications

If you're a weight lifting veteran, chances are you'll want something a bit better than 'standard,' which is where the black diamond plates come in.

Compared to the base model, XMark black diamonds are exceedingly tough and durable – so much so that XMark claims they are "harder than rock and tougher than nails." Each plate features a cast iron core encased in a premium and all-natural virgin rubber to enhance durability.

This level of durability is achieved through its high-quality construction and design. And on the subject of design, it's clear why the black diamond plates are considered more a high-end model. We love the diamond pattern embodied in the plates, but this is not just for aesthetics. In fact, the multi-faceted design helps with grip and prevent drops and injuries.

Included in the package, you get a whopping 225lbs worth of weights, in various sizes ranging from 2.5lb – 45lb. As with all XMark products, these weight plates are designed to work with standard Olympic bars.

One thing we love about the black diamonds is the steel numbering included on the weight plates, which means you can check the weight at a quick glance, resulting in less downtime.

If that weren't enough, you would also be pleased to note that the plates come with a one-year warranty. They are a bit pricier compared to other models, but we would argue they are worth it.

3. XMark Texas Star Olympic Plates

Product Specifications

If you're looking to make a bit of a statement, check out this eye-catching Texas Star design from XMark. The design is supposedly based on Texas' larger than life image, but as you may know by now, this design is not just to make the weight plates look pretty.

Instead, the 5-star design provides ample room for carrying and maneuvering the plates on and off the Olympic bar. Their open plate design also allows you to hold them as a handle when you want to use them like kettlebells. This enhances their versatility.

Like the others on this list, each plate is covered with all-natural virgin rubber to prolong the weights' lives, protecting them from damage and keeping them looking good as new.

Included in the package are two 35 lb Texas Star weight plates, totaling 70 lbs. While this is certainly not as much as the black diamond, the Texas Star is a great add-on item if you already have an existing kit, and you just need to add on some extra weight. The benefit of purchasing Olympic plates is that they will easily fit on to your current bar.

Once again, these weights are covered by XMarks one year warranty.

Comparing the XMark Weight Plates with Similar Brands

XMark Vs CAP Barbell Olympic Grip Weight Plates

Although CAP plates are made of cast iron, they are not as durable as XMark weight plates. This is mainly because XMarks weight plates are covered with rubber, making them stronger and more durable. CAP Barbell Olympic Grip Weights features a weak coating that can scratch easily.

When it comes to price, CAP are indeed cheaper than XMark. They also come with a large grip area, which allows you to handle them easily. Just like the XMark plates, these also accommodate 2-inch bars.

XMark Vs Day 1 Fitness Olympic Grip Plate

The most notable thing about Day 1 Fitness plates is their unique design, which allows you to lift and load the weights safely using the ergonomic cutouts. These cutouts can help you to perform a wide variety of exercises. This, however, is not a groundbreakingly new feature and is arguably done better by Xmark.

Although they feature a rubberized coating, it is far inferior to Xmark, making them less reliable. It's also worth noting that XMark weights come with a 1-year warranty, while Day 1 does not.

Our biggest gripe with Day 1 plates is the smell they give off, which is intoxicating. For that reason, they get an easy pass from us.

XMark Vs Rogue Machined Olympic Plates

Rogue Machines Olympic Plates are very easy to notice due to their gray hammer tone finish and raised black text. The biggest attraction of Rogue branded weights is that they are incredibly affordable.

The significant difference between them and the XMark weight set is once again the coating, which the Rogue models lack entirely. This makes them less durable and more prone to rusting.

XMark Free Weights Training Exercises

If you love high-intensity workouts, XMark weight plates can help you achieve great results.

Apart from smashing your fitness goals and muscle building, weight plates are also good for those who want to lose weight.

The good thing about XMark weight plates is that they are incredibly versatile. You can use them on power racks when doing barbell workouts like bench presses or squats or held in your hands for isolation exercises. Check out these 32 weight plate exercises posted by Men’s Health.

How to Safely Use XMark Weight Plates

Weightlifting is a very safe activity, but injuries can easily occur. You can minimize the risks of hurting yourself if you consider the following tips. 

When holding weight plates, you should use two hands, keeping them close to your body when carrying.

When using weight plates, you should always ensure that they are well secured on the Olympic bars by a collar. This prevents them from falling off on one side when working out due to a lack of balance. This is very dangerous since you might end up hurting yourself or those around you.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Why are weights so expensive?

Weight plates come in a range of prices according to the materials used in their construction. Rubber coated plates are the most expensive, but they are arguably the best long-term investment.

How should one take care of and maintain this exercise equipment?

Having weight plates in your home gym is great, but you also need to know how to maintain them. Thankfully, they are very easy to look after.

If you want your dumbbells and weights to serve you for many years, you should never knock them together. Avoid dropping at all costs to prevent damage to the weights or damage to your floor.

When cleaning XMark weight plates, you should add a few drops of dish or liquid soap in a gallon of water and then wipe them over using a clean cloth.

Do XMark free weights come with a warranty?

XMark weights come with a 1 Year warranty, which covers defects that may result from poor workmanship and materials.

Are rubber weight plates good?

The good thing about rubber weight plates is that they are highly durable compared to those made from other materials.

However, rubber plates can sometimes give off a funky smell. This usually dissipates over time.

What is the difference between Olympic weights and standard weights?

The major difference between Olympic weight plates and standard weight plates is that Olympic plates are suitable for weightlifting competitions. They are typically paired with a 2-inch diameter barbell, but they can also fit 1-inch diameter barbells when you use adapters.   

Standard weight plates are designed for 1-inch barbells, and because of this, they are also known as 1-inch weight plates. In terms of size and weight, they are smaller and cheaper than Olympic plates.

Where is the best place to buy XMark weight plates?

If you want to get the best value for your money when buying weight plates, you should check out Amazon.

You will often find that Amazon prices are lower, and they ship products faster than purchasing from other online stores. You can also compare customer reviews to get some social proof before you buy.

Conclusion

If you're looking to kit out your gym with the basics, you can't go far wrong with XMark Olympic Weight Plates. Not only do they offer excellent value for money, but they are durable, tough, and come backed by a 1-year warranty.