Cast iron possesses the properties necessary to put the weight in weightlifting equipment. Whether it's a simple set of dumbbells, an Olympic weight bar with a full set of discs, or an exercise machine with a stack or weight plates, many types of weightlifting equipment use cast iron.
Properties
Cast iron is heavy, and few materials possess the weight per volume that cast iron does. Cast iron is also wear resistant. It is a very hard metal that can take repeated use without deforming, fracturing or corroding, even during rough handling. Cast iron is also naturally resistant to corrosion, due to its chemical makeup.
Significance
Other products are not as practical as cast iron for weightlifting applications for various reasons. Lead, while heavy, is too soft, deforming easily. Concrete, while sometimes used in weightlifting, lacks durability. Steel is used in weightlifting equipment, but it is far more expensive than cast iron and is best suited to mechanical applications, rather than to provide weight itself. Only cast iron has the right combination of weight, durability, availability and price to be used in weightlifting equipment.
Function
The relatively small size and convenient form of weights made with cast iron make them easy to use. Cast iron plates can be easily interchanged to add or remove weight, as needed. This makes weightlifting equipment that uses cast iron much more adjustable to accommodate different exercise needs. Also, cast iron plate stacks on exercise machines can provide significant amounts of weight in a relatively small space.
Benefits
Cast iron is workable and can be produced in a variety of forms and machined to relatively tight tolerances, making it useful in many different types of weightlifting equipment. Also, tooling and production costs for making cast iron weights are relatively low.
The raw materials for making cast iron are readily available and relatively inexpensive to mine or recycle, when compared to other possible choices for making weightlifting equipment. Pound for pound, iron is among the least expensive products for weights today.
Maintenance
If properly used and stored, cast iron requires little care, due to it's inherent durability. It can be painted or oiled to reduce the risk of corrosion. If cast iron does rust, it can be easily cleaned up with a coarse wire brush.
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