standard or Olympic weights

im thinking of buying a new set of weights, i got an old set of the plastic filled with concrete jobbies and can't fit enough weight on the bar now. so should i get Olympic or standard? and whats the difference? cheers

get the olympic weights, you can get a set of 300 pounds with a bar for about 100 bucks brand new, also check craigslist

Olympics. If you get standards you have to use a standard bar and most are only 5' and not as stable once you go over 200lbs on them.

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ORIGINAL: lopytog

im thinking of buying a new set of weights, i got an old set of the plastic filled with concrete jobbies and can't fit enough weight on the bar now. so should i get Olympic or standard? and whats the difference? cheers

 
Olympic weights have larger holes and require a larger bar than standard weights.  And also, as ripped said, olympic bars are WAY stronger than standard bars.

Preferably go Olympic but both my bars are Standard. I have a 5' bar and a 6' bar.
They are both very stable and get the job done.

there's only one olympic bar at my gym (in the squat rack) and all other are standard, and they're pretty strong and stable

Squat max - 275lbs  30/07/09
Bench max - ¿?
Front Squats(atg)- ¿?

i have a 7 foot standard bar and i've lifted into the upper 200's with it and it was fine. 
 
do you have adjustable dumbells? 
 
adjustable dumbells for olympic weights can be a pain.  adjustable dumbell handles with the screw ends are very safe but they only come in standard that i know of.
 
i say for everything but dumbell's get the olympic set.  but if you go for the dumbell's, go for the standard screw on type. 
 
get yourself at least 4 of the 10's, 5's, 3's, and 2.5's.  you wont be sorry.  so many things you can do with dumbells. 
 
actually here's a 40lbs set
http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1344900&cp=2057738.710956.710958.693997&parentPage=family
 
or http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=896468
 
 

I know I'm bumping this a bit but...I prefer standard because I workout in my garage and the width of the bar makes a big difference.  I don't want a 7' bar protruding in my garage.  The only problem with standard size is the 25# plates are less common than the other plates.
 
Good point about the dumbells too.