If you’re interested in purchasing a new piece of strength equipment for your commercial gym, serious home gym, or somewhere in between, then there are a few things to consider before making a decision. One of the most important distinctions to make is between a weight stack machine and a plate-loaded machine. Though these may seem similar at a glance, this difference can have a big impact on your workout experience and the types of strength training you can do with your machine.

In essence, a weight plate loaded machine is any type of cable crossover machine that uses standard Olympic weight plates to provide resistance during exercise. This is in contrast to selectorized machines that use a built-in weight stack and pin system to adjust the weight up or down.

Exploring Plate Loaded Gym Equipment: What You Need to Know

Though plate loaded machines do have some drawbacks, they are still a great option for anyone looking to gain muscle mass and increase their overall strength. They allow for a greater variety of muscle movements than most other commercially produced strength equipment. They also provide a more direct way to train a single muscle or group of muscles compared to compound lifts such as the squat, deadlift, and bench press.

Additionally, the lack of limitations on these machines can be beneficial for those who are more experienced and want to push their limits. However, this feature can also be detrimental if used incorrectly; a lack of weight limitations can lead to physical injury and damage to the equipment if users aren’t careful when increasing their loads.