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Best Weight Plate Trees

Updated October 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Yaheetech 2-Inch Plate Rack
Yaheetech
2-Inch Plate Rack
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Most Durable
Bottom Line

This durable weight tree with impressive weight capacity is ideal for commercial or home gyms, according to our fitness expert.

Pros

Weight tree/bar rack with six weight pegs. Can hold 2-inch Olympic bars and support 882 pounds of weights. Made of high-strength steel. Handy for storing gloves, resistance bands, bar collars and other equipment. Measures 24 inches by 27 inches x 54.3 inches.

Cons

The paint on this unit isn't very thick, so it can scratch easily when replacing weights.

Best Bang for the Buck
MARCY PT-45 Olympic Plate Tree
MARCY
PT-45 Olympic Plate Tree
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

A basic, stable weight tree that will hold 2-inch weight plates by a leading brand for affordable home gym equipment.

Pros

Holds 2-inch plates. 500-pound weight capacity. Made of heavy-gauge, powder-coated steel. Measures 27 inches by 26 inches by 45 inches. Very stable. Keeps weights off the floor. Welded legs for extra durability. Easy assembly.

Cons

Does not include spring collars. Pegs are relatively short, so you may only be able to store 3 plates on each.

CAP Barbell 1-inch Plate Rack
CAP Barbell
1-inch Plate Rack
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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

Our fitness expert praises the longevity of this rugged, simple design.

Pros

Holds 1-inch plates. 500-pound weight capacity. Rubber base protects floor. Made of heavy-gauge, powder-coated steel. Helps save room in small rooms or dwellings. Easy to assemble. Well-built. Lots of space for plates.

Cons

Over-tightening the nuts can cause the support legs to bend.

MARCY Plate Tree for Standard Size Weight Plates
MARCY
Plate Tree for Standard Size Weight Plates
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Best for Small Spaces
Bottom Line

If you're low on space, consider this compact, ergonomic weight plate tree.

Pros

Triangular, pyramid-style design is built for stability. High-quality steel resists scratches, chipping and other blemishes. Six posts can hold 2-inch plates. Measures 34 inches by 34 inches by 32 inches.

Cons

This item is not welded and only holds 300 pounds, though this fine for small home gyms.

Topeakmart Tree Olympic Plate Rack
Topeakmart
Tree Olympic Plate Rack
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Easy Set-up
Bottom Line

An intuitive, easy-to-assemble weight tree that's perfect for beginners.

Pros

Holds up to 882 pounds. Made with 1.6mm metal plates coated in antirust finish. Features 2 barbell holders. Assembly instructions are easy to read and unit goes together quickly. Solid design is suitable for both commercial and home gyms.

Cons

The distance between pegs is short, so some larger plates may not fit.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Considered
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Consulted
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Researched
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Buying guide for Best weight plate trees

A weight plate tree can help keep your weight plates organized and off the floor. Most weight plate trees have a triangular frame for maximum stability. A weight plate tree made of high-quality steel can comfortably support a large amount of weight.

When shopping for a weight plate tree, pay attention to the total amount of weight the tree you’re considering can handle safely. Any unit you select should be large enough to hold your current weight plate capacity at minimum. You also need to determine whether the posts are made for Olympic or standard-size weight plates. Olympic plates have holes that are two inches in diameter, while standard posts have holes that are one inch in diameter.

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When beginning a weight training regimen, start slow and avoid pushing too hard too quickly. Your muscles need time to adjust to the added strain of weightlifting.

Key considerations

Weight capacity

Most weight plate trees can hold between 300 and 1,000 pounds. The more weight a tree can hold, the larger it will be. Consider what you might need in the future as well as what you need right now. A 300-pound capacity tree might be fine today, but in a year, you might need something that holds 500 pounds.

Frame design

Most weight plate trees have a triangular design, but there are also those that stand vertically, creating a smaller footprint. You may find loading and unloading your weight plates easier on one design or the other. Another aspect of frame design to consider is the number of posts for loading weight. Most weight plate trees have between five and eight posts, while a few have even more.

One-inch plates vs. two-inch plates

Most weight plate trees are designed for either one-inch plates or two-inch plates. (This measurement refers to the diameter of the hole in the weights.) One-inch plates are called standard, while two-inch plates are called Olympic plates. Olympic plates have larger holes because they are designed for Olympic bars, which hold far more weight than a standard pole.

Post length

Most of the posts on weight plate trees are either eight or five inches long. Five-inch posts are usually on the inside of triangular trees, while the longer eight-inch posts stick outward from the frame. Along with the number of posts, the length of each post will dictate how many plates can be placed on the rack.

Available space

Consider the space you have in your home gym area before making a purchase. Measure floor space and compare it to the measurement specs of any tree you’re considering.

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Expert Tip
Most weight trees will allow you to store the heaviest weights on top, which can help prevent lower back strain due to fatigue from exercise.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

Features

Wheels

Some weight plate trees have small casters on the bottom. These trees offer a level of convenience that static ones cannot. With wheels, you can move your weight plate tree when you need to — for example, if you want to clean the area or stow weights that are not in use.

Bar holder(s)

Some weight plate trees have one or more weight bar holders. This is a worthwhile feature for anyone who wants to store their barbell bar(s) before or after workouts. Many times, these bars are stored on the floor when not in use, which can be a safety hazard. Bar holders can keep your home gym floor clear of clutter and make your space look more organized as well.

All-metal design

While most weight plate trees have some rubber and plastic incorporated into the design (most often on the feet), some companies have decided to forego all plastics and make their trees entirely of metal. This means that the feet are welded metal and unlikely to sustain damage after hard use. If you’re rough with your gym equipment, this is a feature worth considering. However, there is an advantage to having rubber caps or bases on your tree: they can help protect your floor from wear and tear.

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Expert tip
Weight trees are designed to prevent clutter and injury in the weight room. Always rack your weight plates after completing your workout.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

Weight plate tree prices

Inexpensive

From $35 to $80, you’ll find the least-expensive weight plate trees. These trees tend to be smaller and generally hold between 300 and 500 pounds.

Mid-range

Between $80 and $130, you’ll find weight plate trees that are more likely to hold 1,000 pounds.

Expensive

If you spend $130 to $200, you can get all of the advantages of spending in the mid-range category (particularly a higher weight capacity) as well as some additional features, like one or more bar holders.

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Caution
Carry weight plates with two hands. Never carry even a single weight with one hand, as it could fall and hurt your foot.
STAFF
BestReviews

Tips

  • Train with a spotter. Not only does it add a layer of safety, but you can push yourself harder if you have a friend helping you along the way.
  • Never use Olympic weight plates on a standard weightlifting bar. Doing so will make the bar unstable, and standard bars start to bend if you load more than 200 pounds on them.
  • Never load more than the recommended amount of weight onto a weight plate tree. Doing so could damage the tree or cause it to be unstable.
  • Never train barefoot or with open-toed footwear. Your feet are at risk of injury if weights are dropped without protection.
  • Keep weight plate trees away from areas where children might play. Heavy weight plates pose a serious hazard to adventurous children who don’t HERE understand how dangerous they are.
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Load your weight plate tree in a way that evenly distributes the weight. This will make your tree more stable.

FAQ

Q. What is the difference between Olympic plates and bumper plates?

A. Bumper plates come in the same weight ranges as standard Olympic plates. The only difference is that bumper plates are made of dense rubber, while standard plates are made of metal.

Expert tip
Many weight trees also provide storage space for barbells, which helps create more space for your workout area AND prevent injury from bumping into barbells on the squat rack or bench press.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

Q. Do I need a weight plate tree if I only use a few different plates?

A. If you plan to do even basic free weight training, you should have a weight plate tree. Even one or two weight plates left on the floor of your gym can cause an injury.

Q. Is it possible to overload a weight plate tree?

A. Yes. Always read the specs for your tree, and never load more than the recommended weight.

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