For a successful training facility there is one piece of training equipment that is used far more than others, and that would be the bumper plate. Bumper Plates are used by the highest level Olympic lifting affiliates and gyms, CrossFit affiliates and boxes, as well as by individuals that train for general strength. They can be used for a variety of lifts such as the deadlift, squat, press, snatch, and clean and jerk. In this article we will explain why you should be using bumper plates for your personal training, as well as for your commercial gym. We will also give you an idea of what to look for when purchasing bumper plates by the pair or in a complete set.
What Are Bumper Plates and How Are They Different from Iron Plates?
Bumper plates and iron plates are two very different forms of Olympic lifting weight plates. Bumper plates are made with thick rubber, typically 100% high density virgin rubber, and have a steel core or insert in the center of the plate. The thick rubber of Bumper Plates makes them perfect for safe drop lifting of weight from overhead in training for the Olympic Lifts. The plates are made in a 450mm (17.72in) diameter and maintain that same diameter for all weights. Because of this diameter a 10lb bumper plate pair will sit on a barbell at the same height as a 45lb iron plate pair. Due to the safe nature of Bumper Plates for overhead drops, they are a very popular choice among many CrossFit affiliates and Olympic lifting gyms.
Most pieces of training equipment found in successful training facilities today are bumper plates. While Olympic lifters and affiliates around the world use iron plates for their Olympic lifting, most lifters that do Olympic lifting also participate in CrossFit and use Bumper Plates for their safe drop lifting. And Bumper Plates are used by strength training athletes and training facilities around the world for their safe drop weight training and the lack of damage that Bumper Plates cause to flooring and barbells. Bumper Plates maintain a 450mm (17.72in) diameter for all weights. The 450mm diameter allows the 10lb pair of Bumper Plates to sit on the barbell at the same height as the 45lb pair of iron plates. This is very important for the overhead lifts and the deadlifts that start on the floor.
Featured Product: Bumper Plates (Pairs)
Here at Extreme Training Equipment we carry 100% high quality 100% virgin rubber Bumper Plates. Bumper Plates are made with a durable steel core that can take all of the dropping that the other lifting weights can't. The Bumper Plates that we carry have a weight range from 10lbs to 55lbs. These weights are great for use in lifts such as the Olympic weightlifting, strength training and for completing lifts like the deadlift, squat, press and many more. Bumper Plates are typically sold in pairs. We carry the 25lbs and up weights with a +/- 1% weight tolerance for accurate loading of the weights on the barbell.
Key Benefits of Training with Bumper Plates for Strength and Olympic Lifting
Safe for Drop Lifting: Bumper Plates allow for safe completion of many different types of workouts including lifts and training regimens not possible with Iron Weight Plates such as the Olympic Lifts like the Snatch and Clean & Jerk. The following are just a few of the benefits provided to complete different workout and training regimens utilizing Bumper Plates.
Floor and Equipment Protection: As already stated, Drop weight training can potentially cause a great deal of damage to the flooring in your gym or training facility, as well as to the barbells and weight plates being used. With thick rubber covering the Bumper Plates, they are designed to absorb the weight of the dropping barbell. With proper rubber flooring for gyms, Bumper Plates can be safely used for years to come without any damage.
Noise Reduction: The weight dropping off of the ends of the barbell will create less noise with a bumper plate than with an iron weight. For the gym that is in a commercial setting (ie: apartment complex, school, etc) this can be a very important feature of a bumper plate.
Consistent Bar Height: With a consistent diameter of 450mm (17.72in) in the world of Bumper Weights there is no confusion in any gym, with any weight – whether it be 10lbs or 45lbs – the pair will sit level on the bar in both instances. This is a very critical component to the type of lifting that starts on the floor and travels overhead such as the Clean & Jerk, the Snatch as well as the traditional Deadlift that starts on the floor as well. This will allow for very safe and effective training with consistent and predictable results.
Long-Term Durability: All of the Extreme Training Bumper Plates are made with 100% high-density rubber. These rubber Bumper Plates have been designed for durability. They can be dropped again and again without any deterioration. Our Bumper Weights will not crack or break down. Also, they will not have any of the unpleasant smells found in many recycled rubber weight plates on the market.
Featured Product: 260lb Bumper Plate Set
We offer a 260lb Bumper Plate Set that is perfect for equipping out a training facility or home gym. No longer will you have to travel to and from stores to pick up weights needed for specific lifts. This 260lb Bumper Plate Set comes with 2 of every weight from 10lbs. all the way up to 55lbs. These weights are made from 100% high density virgin rubber to last through heavy use. Each of the Bumper Plates made by Extreme Training Equipment comes standard with a stainless steel collar insert that fits inside the barbell sleeve perfectly. These Bumper Plates are made for drop lifting and will provide the greatest amount of protection for your flooring. They also are ideal for lowering weight back down to the ground after completing a rep to help cut down on noise created from dropping weight. This 260lb Bumper Plate Set is ideal for a home gym, a functional fitness gym, or even a high school weight room. The 25lbs. and above weights in this 260lb Bumper Plate Set have a +/- 1% weight tolerance for competitions and training with percentages.
How to Choose the Right Bumper Plates for Your Gym Setup
There are several types of weight lifting bumper plates that have been designed for particular training situations. Weight plates for gyms can be used in a wide variety of lifts, including functional fitness training (ie: CrossFit) and weightlifting (ie: Olympic style lifting). When determining which type of plate to purchase, consider the situation in which the weight will be lifted. Bumper Plates can be an inexpensive option for lifting in a home gym. Others can add a professional look to the weights used by athletes in a variety of training environments.
Black vs. Colored Bumper Plates: Our Black Bumper Plates are a great value for athletes lifting in home gyms or in low traffic training facilities. Colored Bumper Plates by Extreme Training are a high end option for gyms and training facilities looking for a professional looking set of weight plates. Our Colored Bumper Plates are made in IWF standard colors and are available in many weight increments to help form a complete set of weight plates for any athlete or coach. The extreme brightness of the colored rubber of our Bumper Plates makes for easy identification from across the gym allowing lifters to get back to training without having to get up from the bar and read the weight from the plate.
Buying in Pairs vs. Full Sets: Weight Tolerance: We carry a wide variety of different bumper weights with different weight tolerances. For commercial gym use we like to stick with a +/- 1% weight tolerance on the 25lb and larger weights for competitions and for use in training with percentages.
Weight Tolerance Matters: Look for bumper plates rated at +/- 1% weight tolerance on 25 lb and larger plates. This precision becomes important when athletes are competing or following strict percentage-based programming.
Insert Quality: The collar insert is typically made of a metal material that is inserted into the collar of the plate. Some manufacturers use inferior metals such as Brass, while others use the highest quality of Stainless Steel. On Extreme Training Bumper Plates, we use a Stainless Steel collar insert that is used to fit around the barbell sleeve. The collar insert on Bumper Plates can come loose inside the barbell sleeve while lifting, which can be a catastrophic failure or simply cause the plate to wobble around on the bar. This is why it is very important for lifters to check their plates prior to lifting to ensure that the collar is securely in place. Also, when storing Bumper Plates, they should be stored with the collars facing up to ensure that the inserts do not come loose while storing.
The Collar Insert is the weakest point of a Bumper Plate. The Collar Insert is typically made of stainless steel and in the worst case scenario can come loose inside of the barbell sleeve causing a catastrophic failure. However there are instances where the plate simply wobbles around on the bar causing frustration for the athlete. That is why at Extreme Training Equipment we only use the highest quality Stainless Steel collar inserts on our Bumper Plates. We have seen many instances of inferior metals such as Brass being used for collar inserts on Bumper Plates in an attempt to save cost. However this is not a wise decision for a Bumper Plate as it can cause the greatest amount of damage to both the plate and the athletes training.
Featured Product: Colored Bumper Plates (Pairs)
Our Black Bumper Plates are an inexpensive option for the athlete using weight in the home gym or in a low traffic facility. For those wishing to add a professional touch to their weights in the gym or training facility, the Colored Bumper Plates are an option that can be had in IWF standard colors and in numerous weight increments to be used to form a complete and fully functional set of plates for any athlete or coach. Each colored Bumper Plate is identified from across the gym by its bright color, allowing the lifter to instantly identify the weight of the plates without having to get up from the bar to read the weight from the plate.
Bumper Plates vs. Rubber Grip Plates: Which Should You Buy?
Bumper Plates vs. Rubber Grip Plates For Home Gyms- Which Are Best For You? We get a lot of questions about Bumper Plates and Rubber Grip Plates. Many ask if one is better than the other. In this article we are going to go over the benefits of both types of plates, and provide examples of how they would be used in training. Our hope is that after reading this, you will have a better idea of whether or not Bumper Plates or Rubber Grip Plates are right for you.
Bumper plates are designed for dropping overhead or waist high. They are often used for Olympic lifting and functional fitness training (also referred to as CrossFit style training) and extremely intense training. We at Extreme Training Equipment have a large selection of Bumper Plates to choose from to meet any lifters needs.
Rubber Grip Plates are by far the thinnest type of plate available and are also very compact. This makes them perfect to add a lot of extra weight to the bar, more than you would be able to with Bumper Plates. Grip Plates are meant to be used with certain types of lifting. Typically for those who train with a lot of bench press type workouts, doing a lot of rows and curls with a barbell, and even most of the machines that you will find at a local gym. As Grip Plates are very thin and are very compact they are not made for dropping from overhead or even waist high. Should you drop a Grip Plate from these great heights you can cause serious damage to the plate.
For many serious lifters they have a full set of Bumper Plates for their drop lifting needs and then use a full set of Grip Plates on their rack for doing back squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses. Extreme Training has an extensive line of Olympic weight plates including all of the different varieties of Bumper Plates and Rubber Grip Plates for your home gym or commercial gym. Compare the many varieties of Bumper Plates and Rubber Grip Plates for your strength training needs today.
Extreme Training Equipment carries a full line of Olympic weightlifting plates. The Extreme Training Bumper Plates are designed for the serious weightlifter, and the high quality Rubber Grip Plates for the athlete that needs the extra thickness of a Grip Plate for their lifts. Compare the different varieties of Bumper Plates and the Rubber Grip Plates available at Extreme Training to find the best Olympic weight plates for your strength training and weight lifting needs. Whether you are planning to create a home gym or you are designing a weight room for a commercial gym or training facility Extreme Training can provide you with the right Olympic weight plates for your training.
Our wide variety of bumper plates can be the cornerstone of any gym. That of a solo trainer or of the most active of commercial gyms. We have complete bumper plate sets as well as all of the Olympic weight lifting plates. We have the lightest of weights as well as the heaviest of max weight plates to help meet your strength training needs with the best Olympic weight plates. Find the best bumper plates for your strength training equipment needs today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bumper Plates
1. What are bumper plates made of?
Bumper plates are primarily made from high-density rubber, typically 100% virgin rubber for the best durability and performance. The center collar insert is usually made from stainless or steel to ensure a secure fit on the barbell sleeve.
2. Can bumper plates be used for all types of strength training?
Yes. Bumper plates are versatile enough for Olympic lifts, powerlifting movements, functional fitness workouts, and general strength training. They are especially recommended for any exercise where the bar may be dropped, such as the snatch, clean and jerk, and deadlift.
3. Are bumper plates good for a home gym?
Absolutely. Bumper plates are one of the best investments for a home gym because they reduce noise, protect your flooring, and allow you to perform a wider range of lifts safely. A 260lb bumper plate set is an excellent all-in-one starting point for any home setup.
4. What is the difference between bumper plates and regular iron Olympic plates?
Bumper plates are made from rubber and have a standardized 450mm diameter regardless of weight, making them safe to drop. Iron Olympic plates are thinner and denser, allowing more weight to be loaded on a bar, but they are not designed to be dropped and will damage floors, bars, and the plates themselves if dropped.
5. How much do bumper plates cost?
Bumper plate pricing typically ranges from around $1.00 to $2.00+ per pound depending on the type, brand, and material quality. At Extreme Training Equipment, our standard bumper plates start at $1.19/lb, and our 260lb bumper plate set offers significant value for complete home and commercial gym setups.
6. Are colored bumper plates better than black bumper plates?
Colored bumper plates and black bumper plates offer the same core performance. The primary advantage of colored bumper plates is easy visual identification of weight denominations, which is particularly useful in busy commercial exercise equipment environments and competitive training settings.
7. Can I drop bumper plates on concrete?
It is strongly recommended to always drop bumper plates on rubber gym flooring rather than bare concrete. Dropping on concrete can damage the plates, compromise the collar inserts, and cause premature wear even on high-quality bumper plates. For both home and commercial exercise equipment setups, pairing bumper plates with rubber flooring is essential.
8. What is the weight tolerance for bumper plates?
Quality bumper plates should carry a +/- 1% weight tolerance for plates 25 lb and above. Smaller bumper plates such as 10 lb may have a slightly wider tolerance of +/- 3%. Always check the manufacturers specification when sourcing bumper plates for competitive or precision-based training programs.
9. How do I store bumper plates properly?
Bumper plates should be stored upright on a dedicated bumper plate tree or horizontal rack rather than stacked flat on the floor. Proper storage reduces edge compression, keeps your training area organized, and extends the life of your plates. Extreme Training Equipment offers several commercial exercise equipment storage solutions including A-frame bumper plate trees and wall-mounted bumper plate racks.
10. How many bumper plates do I need to start training?
A solid starting point for most lifters is a 260lb bumper plate set, which typically includes 2 pairs each of 45 lb, 35 lb, 25 lb, 15 lb, and 10 lb plates. This configuration covers the full range of training loads for beginners through intermediate athletes performing Olympic lifts, deadlifts, squats, and general strength work.