Reddit reviews PlateMate Microload Pair 2 1/2 lb. Magnetic Donut Weights

If the dumbbells at your gym are metal, look into getting a set of magnetic fractional plates like plate mates. My dad uses them in his home gym and they make a big difference.

Even when you are able to switch to the barbell, fractional plates are a godsend. I have a set that includes .25 lbs through 1.25 lbs., so I can increase in smaller increments.

but then the DB rack would be twice as big. Just get some of these:

http://www.amazon.com/PlateMate-Microload-Magnetic-Donut-Weights/dp/B000W00KY4

Platemates, there 2.5lb magnets. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000W00KY4/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1519258569&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=platemates&dpPl=1&dpID=41%2BZAaCr8uL&ref=plSrch


I use them there great.

You can get something like this:

https://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-add-on-change-plate-pair?prod_id=75739&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwv-G26SS5QIVjJ-fCh2tywv-EAQYASABEgIhnfD_BwE

Probably cheaper than Rogue versions out there. Or magnetic ones if the rubber on the dumbells isn't too thick.

https://www.amazon.com/PlateMate-Microload-Magnetic-Donut-Weights/dp/B000W00KY4

That's a great purchase, paid double for the old IM's that go up to 90 with the magnetic weights and happy with my price.

They came with these https://www.amazon.com/PlateMate-Microload-Magnetic-Donut-Weights/dp/B000W00KY4

Which I find very useful.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000W00KY4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_9Tb-BbFSB8NJQ

I’ve tried these and they’re pretty damn strong. But I’ve only tried it with regular dumbbells. Looks like some of the reviews say it works fine on Powerblocks but I’m not sure how well they could mount on the Ironmasters

> Yeah, sometimes I would up the sets to 5x5 and sometimes add a rep or two to each set. Could just up the reps I suppose.

It's just a suggestion, but even the author of fierce 5 points out that the difference between different reps scheme between 5 and 10 is minor. Go with whatever works for you.

> I think the problem with pendlays was poor form which I couldn't improve and balance. Also, feeling like u wasn't actually doing anything and hurting my lower back.

That sounds like what I was saying - your back muscles don't want to activate for the lift. So your body reroutes to the lower back muscles to try to do the lift - which are WAY out of the way and it results in back pain.

He has a section on the 1st page titled "I'm having a hard time with pendlays. What am I doing wrong and can I sub it out?". Unfortunately he gets a little bro talk with "just learn the form" - it's not just a matter of form. Your back muscles don't want to activate, and they need to activate in order to do the lift safely (and effectively).

I'm not sure what to add - I'd expect you'll have the same issue with stronglifts and their rows. With SS you'll just replace one issue with another - not doing rows means not working the back, and worse, not having a needed pulling exercise for shoulder health. A lot of people who lift regularly end up with shoulder issues often needing surgery to fix them.

I did a physical therapy program that helped me activate muscles that weren't working for me - both back muscles and certain core muscles that are much better at supporting me when leaning over. It's not an easy "just do this 1 easy step every day and you'll be cured!" thing though.

It's not a good idea to keep doing rows if they're hurting your lower back though. They shouldn't be hitting your lower back at all if I understand them correctly.

P.S. If you're curious, the book I bought was "Tom Danielson's Core Advantage". He's a biker who worked with a very good physical therapist. The posture correction routine has been a gigantic pain in the ass for me, but also fairly effective at helping to get muscles working that just weren't activating before. Sitting in my car gotten way more comfortable for example, not that I have core muscles working.

> Definitely prefer dumbbell bench, didn't know I could buy things like that but I'll look into it.

That's cool, here's a link if you're interested:
https://www.amazon.com/PlateMate-Microload-Magnetic-Donut-Weights/dp/B000W00KY4/ref=sr_1_1

Like I said the cheaper way is wrist weights, but they're bulkier to carry with you and look a little silly lifting with. But they're like $10.

> I think the program is rounded for the most part, only I think the volume is slightly too low. Usually the start and end of the workout is good (I add ab work to each workout), but Pendlays and RDL can sometimes suffer so it doesn't feel too cohesive at times. Front squat would be hit and miss occasionally too but that's something I can work on.

The author of Fierce 5 specifically writes "Differences in high reps and low reps are WAY over emphasized especially for beginners. Don’t over think tiny details. See the photo below." If you feel like your body likes higher rep sets, or they're more motivational, just change them, as long as they're between 5 and 10. It's not a big deal. Do what works for you (that's the same attitude I've seen the author regularly have in responding to questions).

I think that unfortunately your issue with Pendlay's is probably because your back muscles don't activate, that's a common problem but authors skip it because it's annoying to try to solve.

> Writing about it now is making me realise how good it is, but I do have a lot to think about. I think by adding sets and reps i was always thinking I was doing something wrong - now I have more confidence to just do what feels right.

It would be stupid to change it to 2 reps, or 50 reps, but any number of reps between 5 and 10 is fine. Other programs sometimes do 15, 15 is the point where you lose benefits by doing more reps.

Microweights! http://www.amazon.com/PlateMate-Microload-Magnetic-Donut-Weights/dp/B000W00KY4

I had my own, and just stuck them on the end when I couldn't make five lb jumps.

The barbell bench doesn't really have any abstract advantage over dumbbells beyond convenience of loading. The first is the issue xqby brought up, that incrementation by default has large jumps. You can circumvent this, however, assuming the dumbbells you use can have magnetic plates attach:

http://www.amazon.com/PlateMate-Microload-Magnetic-Donut-Weights/dp/B000W00KY4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-1&keywords=2.5+lb+magnetic+platemate

http://www.amazon.com/PlateMate-Micro-Loading-Weight-Plate/dp/B0006UABIU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-2&keywords=2.5+lb+magnetic+platemate

A pair each of those will allow you to increase the total weight (weight of both dumbbells together) in 2.5 increments, just like 1.25 lb plates allow with barbells. This will cost you a good chunk of $100, somewhat absurdly, but it's a fairly permanent solution to the incrementation problem IF your dumbbells allow magnetic attachments.

2) When you start getting really heavy, e.g. 100+ lb dumbbells, just getting the damn things in position to press can get annoying and you actually have to be very careful about picking them up and then getting them into place for that first rep. Despite being an otherwise arguably safer movement, VERY heavy dumbbell bench can get awkward to the point where you can start to jeopardize that a bit.

However, if you have dumbbells that allow magnetic attachments you can pretty much have a beginner scale from very light dumbbells to fairly heavy dumbbells as long as you have access to the magnetic plates above.

There is nothing in principle about this better or worse than getting stronger in the barbell bench. As a guy with screwed up shoulders I find dumbbell bench easier to handle, and the lack of needing a spotter as you approach limit weight or reps is rather nice.