Whether you have a home gym of your own or manage a commercial gym, there is an essential factor to consider if you want to provide weights for yourself and others: storage.

You might be wonder if it's really necessary to store your weights. Yet, where you store your weights is a key factor in organizing your workout area, as well as caring for your equipment.

Keep reading to learn why weight storage is important and explore how you can store your weight plates, dumbbells, barbells, and more.

Why Is Proper Weight Storage Important?

Unless you own a set of adjustable weights, you'll likely invest in a collection of free weights, especially if you are a commercial gym owner. As you expand your available equipment, you'll run out of space quickly without adequate storage.

After all, a 5 to 50-lb set of rubber dumbbells could come in 10 pairs, totaling 20 free weights. When looking to buy storage racks for weight lifting equipment, there are a few points to think over.

First things first, measure your available floor space. While doing so, don't forget to account for extra space to add and remove weights from your rack safely.

Next, it's important to consider the type of floor in your gym. If your workout area is on a carpeted surface, then a rack with wheels might not be the best option.

Additionally, if your current flooring isn't resistant to the impact of weights, investing in proper gym flooring is a wise choice.

Organization

Bulky free weights can take up a lot of room and are often subject to wear and tear if you don't store them properly. Plus, the last thing you want to do is pause your workout because you can’t locate the set of weights you need.

Safety

Accidents can occur if weights and barbells are left in an open space. You can prevent trips, falls, and bumping into weights by storing them safely. This is especially important in a commercial gym setting.

Accessibility

If you're the owner of a busy gym, it's important to provide an organized and easily accessible service to all your regular patrons.

When designing a workout space at home, you’ll want a dedicated area for strength training that is organized effectively.

If you don't know how to make the most of your space, contact us at Again Faster. An expert from our team can help you design your gym.

Storing Dumbbells

Dumbbells are the quintessential piece of fitness equipment for anyone setting up a gym. They are often used because they don't take up much space, can be moved easily, and offer a great deal of potential for strength training.

Even so, a full set of dumbbells can create quite a mess if not stored properly, as mentioned before. To ensure your safety, investing in a dumbbell storage rack is highly recommended.

Before determining which type of storage rack best fits your workout space, make sure to measure the dimensions of your gym first.

Dumbbell racks can be found in both horizontal and vertical styles. Regardless of the style, these weight racks are made so that the heaviest weights go at the bottom and the lighter ones on top.

Vertical racks save more floor space but may not be able to hold as many dumbbells as a horizontal rack. Compared to horizontal racks, vertical racks tend to be less stable, especially when loaded with a substantial amount of weight.

Vertical racks generally come in a few varieties:

• A-Frame racks: A-Frame racks resemble the letter A and are designed so the pairs of dumbbells can be placed on either side of the frame.
• Vertical tower racks: As the name implies, these racks are constructed vertically.
• Wall-mounted racks: These have one or two parallel racks, but you can't move them after installation.

Horizontal racks have a high weight capacity and can often be found at commercial gyms with many dumbbells. They usually can carry more weight than other types, so if you have a large dumbbell collection, these would be the best option.

On the other hand, horizontal racks require more floor space than vertical racks and generally tend to cost more.

Storing Kettlebells

Just like dumbbells, a collection of kettlebells can start to consume space and become a safety hazard if not stored properly.

When selecting a kettlebell storage rack, the size and weight of your kettlebells should be considered. Because of its spherical shape, the bigger a kettlebell, the more room it will occupy on a storage rack.

There is an array of storage options, such as vertical, horizontal, and tree racks, available on the market specifically made for kettlebells.

Vertical kettlebell racks are commonly built with two to four tiers. These are constructed to make the most of space, and depending on the size of your kettlebells, they can hold up to three to eight per shelf.

In contrast, horizontal racks are sturdier than vertical racks. These racks are best when organized against a wall to optimize floor space.

Tree racks are an option, although not as popular, for stowing away kettlebells. These racks feature pegs for hanging kettlebells securely. Typically, they are designed in an "X" formation to distribute weight evenly and increase stability.

How much weight the racks can hold varies, as each will have a different amount of space and weight capacity. Before buying a kettlebell rack, make sure to map out your storage needs.

Storing Barbells and Weight Plates

Home gyms can incorporate powerlifting and Olympic lifting equipment, even though it's more common in commercial gyms. There are even specially designed squat racks for lower ceilings made to fit your home.

Olympic lifters, powerlifters, and those with adjustable dumbbells with removable weight plates all need a place to store their plates.

When selecting storage for weight plates, it is essential to consider how much space the storage will take up, where you want to hold your bars, and how you plan to organize the plates.

Tree racks are usually the go-to option for storing plate weights. They come in two styles – horizontal and vertical – so you can arrange the plates any way you like. When storing weight plates, it is best to put the heaviest weights at the bottom and the lightest weights on top. A horizontal bumper plate rack is another way to store plate weights. These racks can be stationary or placed on wheels to move around.

Generally, weight-lifting bars are stored in vertical barbell racks. However, the vertical racks often require more room than the vertical dumbbell racks because of the weightlifting bars' length. If room is a concern, you might want to choose a horizontal wall rack.

Weight Storage Tips

Storing weights should be done properly to avoid any mishaps or damage to your equipment. Regardless of which storage option you choose, the following tips will help you out:

• Dismantle weights before storing. If you have adjustable weights or use plates and barbells, dismantle your weights before storing them. Leaving the weights on will cause your bar to bend over time. Most barbell manufacturers recommend removing the weight plates when not in use.
• Never store weights on the floor. Make sure to keep them off of anything that can potentially get wet or come in contact with other substances (such as motor oil if you lift in your garage).
• Avoid metal-to-metal contact. Make sure the weights are separated from any metal surfaces with a protective barrier. This will guard your equipment against any accidental scratching, preserving it from dents and scrapes.
• Don’t store weights near chemicals. Even if they're off the floor, don't share weight shelving with chemicals. Certain cleaners and auto fluids can cause a foul reaction on the surface of weights. Some chemicals can eat away plastics, metal, rubber, etc.
• Don’t store weights at an angle. Always store bars at 45° or 90° to prevent putting unnecessary pressure on the bearings or bushings.
• Don’t prop weights against a wall or corner. If you need to store your weights in a vertical orientation, consider using a weight stand or hook.

Choosing the Best Plate Rack for Weights

For the most economical and practical weight storage, consider the weights you need to store, how many you have, and how much available space you have to work with. These factors will help determine which type and amount of weight storage you need.

Again Faster sells a variety of storage racks, including the best plate rack for weights, dumbbells, kettlebells, and more.

If you are ready to invest in storage for your weights, check out our gym storage options.