Fractional Plates & PlateMates: Small Weight Increments, Big Gains

Strength training is often measured in big milestones: the first time you bench 225,
deadlift 405, or squat double your bodyweight. But the reality of progress in the gym
isn’t always about big leaps. More often, it’s about steady, incremental increases over
time. And sometimes the difference between a successful set and a missed lift comes
down to just a pound or two.

That’s where fractional plates made by PlateMates come in. These small but powerful tools allow you to make micro-adjustments in your training, helping you build strength steadily and safely without the frustration of stalling. For both beginners and experienced lifters, they are one of the most underrated pieces of equipment you can add to your gym bag or home setup.

Why Small Increments Matter

Most gyms are stocked with standard plates that jump in 5, 10, or even 25-pound
increments. While these work fine for general training, they can create problems when
progress slows. Imagine bench pressing 135 pounds and struggling to add the next 10
pounds—it’s a big jump. If your body isn’t ready for it, you’ll fail the lift, leading to
frustration and stalled progress.

Fractional plates solve this by letting you add weight in smaller increments—sometimes
as little as half a pound. These micro increases might not feel like much at first, but they
stack up quickly over time. Instead of waiting weeks or months to hit a jump you’re not
ready for, you can progress steadily each session, building confidence and momentum.
This concept isn’t just for beginners. Advanced lifters, who are often chasing small
personal records after years of training, find fractional plates invaluable. When you’re
already near your genetic ceiling, adding two pounds to a lift is a meaningful
improvement.

The Science of Microloading

The principle behind fractional plates is called progressive overload—the gradual
increase of stress placed on the body during training. Research shows that even tiny
increments can stimulate muscle and strength gains, as long as the increase challenges
the body beyond its current capacity.

The body doesn’t know the difference between a five-pound jump and a one-pound
jump. What matters is that the load increases enough to trigger adaptation.

Microloading allows you to ride the fine line of challenging but achievable, reducing the
risk of injury while maximizing progress.

Benefits of Fractional Plates & PlateMates

There are several reasons why adding fractional plates to your training makes sense:

Consistent Progression: Instead of stalling at a weight for weeks, microloading keeps
you moving forward every session.

Confidence Building: Smaller jumps reduce the psychological barrier of adding big
plates, making PRs feel more attainable.

Reduced Risk of Injury: Easing into heavier weights lowers stress on joints, tendons,
and ligaments.

Perfect for Plateau Busting: When you’ve hit a wall with a lift, fractional loading can
break through it.

Ideal for All Lifters: Beginners use them to learn good form with manageable jumps,
while advanced lifters use them to eke out progress at the top end.

How to Use Them in Training

Integrating fractional plates into your program is simple, but the strategy matters. Use
them to:

• Progress on lifts where you typically stall (bench press, overhead press).
• Add smaller increments on accessory lifts like curls or triceps extensions.
• Build back strength after injury by easing into heavier loads more gradually.
• Push past psychological sticking points—for example, hitting 201 pounds after
struggling at 200.

A practical example: If you bench 135 for three sets of five and want to add weight next
week, instead of jumping to 140, you can move to 136 or 137.5. It doesn’t sound like
much, but over 10 weeks, that’s 10–15 pounds added without missing reps or losing
confidence.

The PlateMate Fractional Plates:

Serious Steel Fitness carries a full range of fractional plates and PlateMates designed
to make microloading easy and effective:

Calibrated Fractional Plates – Pair (0.25 lb to 1 lb): Perfect for beginners or accessory lifts where
tiny jumps make all the difference.

PlateMates Magnetic Microloading Plates: These magnetic plates stick directly to
dumbbells, barbells, or selectorized machines, allowing you to add weight
anywhere—ideal for home gyms.

Donut or Hex: Ranging from 1.25 to 2.5 pounds, this set covers all your
microloading needs and ensures you’re never stuck making too big a jump.

Whether you train in a commercial gym or at home, having a set of these plates in your
bag guarantees you’ll never be held back by plate availability or big jumps.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While fractional plates are simple tools, there are a few pitfalls to watch out for:

• Overusing Them: They’re meant to help progression, not replace it. Don’t add a
  quarter pound forever—make sure to push for bigger jumps when you’re ready.
• Neglecting Other Variables: Microloading works best alongside proper nutrition,
  recovery, and training volume.
• Poor Consistency: Adding weight sporadically won’t maximize results. Stick to a plan
  where microloading is structured weekly or biweekly.

Final Takeaway

Strength is built over time, not overnight. The most successful lifters know that steady
progress is the foundation of long-term results. Fractional plates and PlateMates are
simple, cost-effective tools that ensure you’re always moving forward, no matter your
level.

Whether you’re just starting out and struggling with big weight jumps, or you’re an
experienced lifter trying to push past a plateau, microloading is one of the smartest
ways to keep improving.

If you’re ready to break through barriers and see consistent gains, check out the full
selection of Fractional Plates by PlateMates at Serious Steel Fitness. Small changes
add up—and with these tools in your corner, those small changes lead to big results.