Is it okay to do so?
Also, what if it’s connected to a machine, like a smith machine or maxrack?
NO.
Gotcha
You can happily do this with a leg press machine where the plate is solid with the mounts. It’s one piece and if it was going to tip over, it would do it as soon as you took the weights off the storage pegs. It’s one unit and does rely on symmetry. I do it all the time with myself and my clients without issue
The Smith machine can be similarly loaded, but many have a mechanism that assumes the bar stays level. It will work, but you could prematurely wear the track, or jam it and break the machine or hurt yourself.
If you’re working with a free bar, it’s advised that you don’t.
Thanks for the detailed response:)
On barbell, it’s becomes a bit dangerous, you don’t want to fail asymmetrically and drop the bar, it’s a lot of weight. On a smith machine, a small weight variance is no big deal, go for it.
With dumbbells, yes you can assymmetrically load, it will greatly decrease your overall power output but increase isometric demand on abs, obliques, and spinal erectors to maintain stability. For example, some people like to do lunges carrying a dumbbell on only 1 side at a time for that kind of challenge.
Thanks!
Why would you bother doing this? What purpose are you trying to serve?
Trying to create 15lb increment with only 10lb & 5lb plates. For now I just went up to 20lb with 2x10lb plates but I wanted to know if 10+5 was advisable
Change plates are pretty cheap on Amazon
Mm I’d rather just round up or down for now, but good to know that there’s an option
Also, curiosity.
If you must try this, swap sides every set (and do an even number of them)
Got it
Did u succeed? I have kind of a similar problem as my gym doesn’t have 2.5lbs plates, I was wondering if i could just throw a 5lbs on one side and just adjust my grip accordingly
Ah ok thanks a lot
No, I just rounded up 10lb. I increased my reps at the current weight before making the jump to +10lb, where I would start with 3-4 reps and work up.
For things like OHP this is not possible, so I’ve just been doing dumbbells there. Planning to buy change plates soon though.
[off topic] I once heard a trainer suggest using less weight but doing the exercise on one foot.
Ah, as an alternative to increasing weight?
You use a lighter weight because it’s hard to keep your balance while lifting. I was really surprised how big a difference it makes.
I see.
If you’re doing hammer curls it wouldn’t make a difference because the weight is vertically oriented. With horizontal orientation, I wouldn’t recommend because it would be off balance.
Hell of a hammer curl using a barbell!
