Best Bumper Plates
If you're training for Crossfit, Olympic weightlifting, or powerlifting, bumper plates are a vital alternative to standard metal weight plates. Extremely durable and bouncy when dropped, bumper plates can prevent damage to your floors, barbells, plates, and platform. Read along to learn more about the differences between rubber and metal plates, what to look for when making a purchase, and the top bumper plates on the market.
In this article, we will review six different bumper plates. They are:
Rouge Bumpers by Hi-Temp
Rogue HG 2.0 Bumper Plates
Rouge Echo Bumper Plate
Rogue LB Competition Plates
Premium Black Bumper Plate
CAP Barbell Premium Bumper Plates, Black, Pair
What is a Bumper plate and how is it different from other weight plates?
Bumper plates are the same shape as steel plates and fit on standard barbells, however, they feature a thick rubber plate with a steel insert. Originally designed to aid Olympic weight trainers, they are expected to bounce when dropped from overhead. Once costly and difficult to find, bumper plates are now affordable and readily available. Bumper plates tend to be slightly thicker than their metal counterparts, yet they fit on standard barbells.
What are the advantages of Bumper Plates?
The main advantage of bumper plates is their ability to be dropped or slammed down without causing damage to themselves, the floor, or other equipment. They are also much quieter and, if we're being frank, look badass! Most come in solid black, but competition bumper plates come in vibrant colors that are easy to see and identify.
What to look for in Bumper Plates?
When selecting new bumper plates, you'll want to consider the durability, durometer rating, and manufacturer's warranty. The right combination of these factors will have you lifting like a true Olympian.
Durability
Durability is measured by how long and how hard you can work these bumpers. They are designed to withstand hard slams and falls. Premature cracks and peels are a sign of an inferior product.
Durometer rating
A bumper plate's durometer rating determines how hard and, therefore, how resistant the plates are. Moreover, this determines how bouncy the plates are. Bumpers with harder, denser rubber are less bouncy. This is sometimes called a dead bounce, or a bounce that goes unnoticed while still absorbing the impact. The durometer readings are between 1-100. A good rating is above 70, while the best rating is above 85.
Warranty
Bumper plates are designed for durability and withstand brute force. However, a warranty can give you a piece of mind when it comes to making the investment. One year warranties are typical for training and economy bumpers, while competition tends to come with a far longer guarantee.
Reviews
Rogue Bumper Plates by Hi-Temp
Rogue Hi-Temp bumper plates are made in the U.S. and feature recycled vulcanized rubber plates with 2" stainless steel inserts. This combo earns a stunning 75 Shore A Durometer reading, which means you get a solid dead bounce upon impact. The inserts feature an inset collar that prevents friction, especially when multiple plates are on the bar. Plates have a 17.5" diameter. The plates are solid black, though the crumb rubber may cause minor imperfections, and feature Rogue and Hi-Temp logos. Purchase in single pairs or go for sets ranging from 160 to 1,000 LBS.
Rogue HG 2.0 Bumper Plates
Rogue HG 2.0 Plates are a revamped classic, with a Shore A Durometer rating of 88. Featuring a slick all black design with a bold, black Rogue Logo, these bumper plates are made to be extra thin so you can load on bonus weight as you please. They feature stainless steel inserts and 1.98" collar openings and are available in single and comprehensive sets. Unlike some Rogue bumpers, these are not manufactured in the U.S. A bit firmer than Rogue Hi-Temps, these plates will hold up just fine in a bustling CrossFit gym or athletic facility.
Rogue Echo Bumper Plates
If you're looking for an economical choice from Rogue, the Echo bumper plates feature an average score of 88 on Shore A Durometer, rock the aforementioned black on black Rogue logo, and are made from high-quality virgin rubber. If that's not enough, they also feature hardcore stainless steel inserts, a 90-day warranty on 10-15 pound weights, a 3-year warranty on 25-45 weights, and an incomparable dead bounce. With all this for such as modest price, it comes as no wonder that Rogue dominates in the bumper plate industry.
Rogue LB Competition Plates
The Rogue LB Competition Plates feature bold textured matte colors, a raised white lettering, and raised flanges to preserve the vibrant look for these performance ready weights. They also possess an unmatched 94 rating on the Shore A Durometer, meaning you get a dead bounce every time. They also feature chrome plated steel inserts and a slightly large, 50.4 mm collar. You won't be disappointed with these colorful competition plates.
Premium Black Bumper Plate Solid Rubber with Steel Insert
The Premium Black bumper plates feature a solid rubber plate with steel inserts. If you're just getting started with Crossfit or looking to turn up the volume on your home workout, these sets are a great, economical option. Solid black with raised flanges, these bumpers will hide imperfections and wear. Plus, an 180-day manufacturer's warranty will protect you from any premature breakage or peeling. You'll also notice minimal bounce when dropped. A perfect fit for your standard Olympic sized barbell and free from noisy, damaging drops of traditional metal plates, these bumper plates are a great option for those just switching to rubber.
CAP Barbell Premium Bumper Plates, Black, Pair
CAP Barbell Premium bumper plates are made from a combination of virgin and recycled rubber, feature secure fit steel inserts, and cast iron cores. Plus, unlike many popular bumper plates, they have virtually no odor. They come in solid black and fit standard Olympic size barbells. Plus, they're extremely durable and produce a minimal bounce. If you're looking for an economical choice that will hold up over time, CAP bumper plates are a fantastic option!