Posted by
Brendan Martin
Choosing the right bumper plates is crucial if you want to take your home gym or garage gym to a serious level or build the next best competition facility. They not only protect your floors and equipment but also enhance your lifting experience and help you achieve your fitness goals while exploring new training styles like Crossfit, weightlifting, and powerlifting.
Navigating the many options available on the market can be overwhelming, but don’t worry – we’ve done the research for you. We’ve compiled a list of the best bumper plates based on your specific needs.
Benefits of training with bumper plates
Improve health, fitness, and performance
Bumper plates are commonly used in weightlifting, strength training, and powerlifting exercises. By performing these exercises, you can increase strength and power, improve cardiovascular health, and increase bone density. This can lead to improved performance in sports and everyday life.
This study found that an 8-week powerlifting training program led to significant increases in muscle strength in men and women as measured by the 1-repetition maximum in the squat, bench press, and deadlift exercises.
Improve technique
Bumper plates allow for a safe and efficient way to practice and perfect the technique of Olympic lifts by performing them with heavy weights and by allowing lifters to drop the Olympic barbell from a height without worrying about damaging the floor or equipment.
Reduce the risk of injury
Bumper plates are made from durable rubber materials that can withstand heavy use and multiple drops. This means that you can push yourself to your limits without worrying about causing damage to the plates or yourself.
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1) ELEIKO IWF Weightlifting Competition Plate
The topic of bumper plates, weightlifting, or Olympic plates cannot be discussed without mentioning Eleiko. Undoubtedly, these plates take our number one spot and best overall bumper plate for competition purposes.
Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Competition Plate isour top pick for performance and durability. These Olympic bumper plates are built with SBR rubber and precision-engineered steel hub. You will find it extremely difficult to break these plates.
ELEIKO has IWF competition-certified and weight calibrated each plate. These dense metal plates feature a thinner design and rounded edges, which enhance handling.
As an added touch, Eleiko allows you to custom print your design and lettering onto each plate.
2) ROGUE Fitness KG COMPETITION PLATES (IWF)
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If you’re looking for premium bumper plates for your home gym, garage gym, commercial gym, or competition, the ROGUE KG Competition Plates are our top pick.
If you care about your results and plan on hitting PRs these are the plates for you.
Each high-end plate is designed to meet the standards of the International Weightlifting Federation and is crafted from cast iron with Olympic weightlifting in mind. Crafted to fit perfectly on an Olympic bar.
Where this plate really stands out is its hardness. These plates have minimal dead bounce and low bounce when performing heavy lifts.
Equipped with a durable steel ring plate and grip lip, the Rogue KG Competition weights are the best competition plates when it comes to handling.
3) ROGUE Fitness HG 2.0 BUMPER PLATES
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The Rogue Fitness HD 2.0 are one of the most popular rubber bumper plates on the market today and with good reason. One thing that really makes these plates stand out is the dense recycled rubber which allows them to have minimal bounce.
Rogue fitness went above and beyond with the design by providing a stainless steel insert center ring that allows you to easily load and unload the Olympic barbell. These plates are perfect for home gyms with a sleek gloss black aesthetic.
4) REP Fitness – Color Bumper Plate Sets
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The REP Fitness Color Bumper Plate Sets are one of the best budget options when it comes to bumper plates. These plates can withstand over 12,000 drops. Additionally, this plate set is made with a reinforced coating to increase durability.
Where this plate really stands out is its design. The 45lbs have been created with a slimmer body to allow you to load more plates on the bar.
The REP Fitness Color Plate set is sold in 10, 25, 35, 45, and 55 lb plates.
5) TITAN FITNESS LB COLOR URETHANE BUMPER PLATES
These urethane plates are designed with enough flexibility to allow for a low and controlled low bounce, perfect for beginners who prioritize safety. These plates are sold individually but we highly recommend the 340 lb set of bumper plates because of the competitive price.
We love the LB Color Urethane Bumper Plates for new home gyms that will be used recreationally. If you are looking for daily use, we recommend something a bit more durable like the Rogue fitness HG 2.0.
6) REP Fitness – Black Bumper Plate Sets
We love these bumper plates because they are a perfect balance of durability and flexibility. Each plate is made extra thick to reduce dead bounce and bending without being too bulky.
REP Fitness Black Bumper plates are created with extreme durability in mind. The matte black design and grip grooves make it easy to load and unload weight plates.
7) FRINGE Sport Bumper Plates
The best budget bumper plate option if you are looking for a set to be recreationally used. The slim design allows for a lot of dexterity and flexibility. The downside is that these urethane plates often bend with heavy usage.
With that being said, the FRINGE Sport Bumper Plates is a perfect set for beginners and youth athletes within a home gym or small studio and delivers vibrant colors.
How we ranked
When it comes to selecting the best bumper plates, we understand the importance of making an informed decision. Our team conducted extensive research to identify and narrow down the top options available on the market.
In our selection process, we considered various factors, including build quality, value, durability, and design, to name a few. Additionally, we differentiated between training plates and competition plates and ranked them separately based on their unique characteristics and requirements.
We are confident that we have identified the best bumper plates to meet your specific workout needs.
Build Quality
When ranking the best bumper plates, our team considered a variety of factors to determine the top options on the market. First and foremost, we evaluated the build quality of each plate.
Competition bumper plates
We looked for competition bumper plates that were precisely designed and calibrated to meet strict size and weight requirements for competition.
Steel or chrome-plated steel is typically used in high-quality competition plates to ensure durability and consistency. We ensured that every competition plate set met this qualification.
Training plates
Training plates need to be durable enough to withstand heavy use and regular drops without breaking or cracking. We found plates made from high-quality rubber or urethane that could hold up to heavy use.
Bumper plate thickness plays an important role when considering a bumper plate training set. A thicker plate tends to be more durable and better at absorbing shock than a thinner plate. The caveat to a thicker plate is that they take more space up on the Olympic barbell.
Ultimately, the choice between a thinner and thicker plate comes down to personal preference and specific needs. It is important to consider what type of training you are considering. We recommend a thicker
Value
Gym equipment can be pricey, which is why we also evaluated the value of each plate. We looked for plates that were within your price point while still offering good quality and durability.
With that being said, it is important to note that there will be a considerable difference in price when deciding between competition-certified bumper plates and training plates. We recommend IWF Weightlifting Training Plate or the Rogue fitness HG 2.0 for the training bumper plate set.
We also considered the warranty and customer service provided by each manufacturer, as a good warranty and responsive customer service can help ensure that you get the most out of your bumper plates.
Design
When it comes to design, we ranked competition plates and training plates differently. For competition plates, we looked for a sleek, low-profile design that met the IWF standards for color coding and weight accuracy. These plates have a smooth finish for easy handling and are durable enough to withstand repeated use and drops during high-level competitions.
On the other hand, when ranking training plates, we prioritized a design that emphasized durability and ease of use. Training plates should be able to withstand the rigors of daily use and frequent drops, so a thicker plate with a reinforced center hub can be a good choice.
As a bonus, a raised lip around the edge of the plate can make it easier to grip and handle during workouts. The Elieko Training Bumper plates take advantage of this.
Finally, we looked for clear and visible weight markings and letters that are easy to read from a distance. This makes it extremely easy to load the correct amount of weight for each workout. Trust us, faded lettering on quality plates is a huge turn-off.
Durometer
Durometer is the measurement of the hardness of a material, and it plays a crucial role in determining the quality of the plate set.
A higher durometer rating means the plate is denser, providing a more significant bounce when dropped. However, plates with a lower durometer rating will have more shock absorption, which is essential for reducing noise and protecting the flooring.
We took into account the durometer rating of each bumper plate when ranking them for our list of the best bumper plates.
Looking For Other Pieces of Equipment for Your Home Gym?
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FAQ
What are bumper plates?
Bumper plates are weightlifting plates made of rubber or urethane materials that can withstand heavy use and allow for exercises to be dropped or thrown without causing damage to the floor or the plates themselves.
What are the benefits of using bumper plates in my workout routine?
Bumper plates offer several benefits, including improving technique, increasing overall strength, and reducing the risk of injury.
What type of bumper plates are there?
There are generally two types of bumper plates: training plates and competition plates. Training plates are designed for everyday use and are typically less expensive than competition plates.
How are bumper plates different from traditional weightlifting plates?
Bumper plates are made with rubber or urethane materials. Traditional iron plates are made of iron or steel and are not designed to be dropped.
How do I choose the right bumper plates for my needs?
When choosing bumper plates, consider factors such as build quality, value, thickness, and collars. It’s also important to think about your current strength level and your goals for your workout routine.
How do I clean and maintain my bumper plates?
A damp cloth and mild detergent can clean your set of plates. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials as they can damage the surface of the plates.
