Best Bumper Plates (2024): Home Gym, Budget, & More

A barbell, power rack, and bumper plates are the three gym equipment items worth investing in for high-quality production. Buy the appropriate bumper plates, and you’ll never have to replace them. It becomes a one-time investment.

If you try to cut corners and save money, you’ll wind up spending more in the long run because you’ll have to replace them after many years.

After two decades of Weightlifting and CrossFit expertise throughout my career, I’ve used nearly every bumper plate available. I want to share my experience and help you make an informed choice. So, here are my recommendations for top bumper plates.

• Best Bumper Plates: Rep Fitness Competition Bumper Plates
• Best Bumper Plates For Home Gym: Titan Fitness LB Pair Elite Competition Plates
• Best Budget Bumper Plates: Rogue US-MIL Spec Bumper Plates
• Best Bumper Plates For Concrete: Rogue Hi-Temp Bumper Plates
• Best Bumper Plates For Olympic Weightlifting: Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Plates
• Best Bumper Plates For CrossFit: Rogue Fleck Bumper Plates
• Best Bumper Plates On Amazon: HulkFit Bumper Plates
• Best Urethane Bumper Plates: Rogue Urethane Plates

	Rep Fitness Competition Bumper Plates	Titan Fitness LB Pair Elite Competition Plates	Rogue US-MIL Spec Bumper Plates	Rogue Hi-Temp Bumper Plates	Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Plates	Rogue Fleck Bumper Plates	HulkFit Bumper Plates	Rogue Urethane Plates
Durability	5/5	4/5	3/5	3/5	5/5	4.5/5	3/5	5/5
Price per Lb	$3.10/lb	$3.40/lb	$1.78/lb	$1.94/lb	$8.04/lb	$2.28/lb	$1.78/lb	$3.75/lb
Price per Kg	$6.66/kg	$7.48/kg	$4.00/kg	$4.37/kg	$18.10/kg	$5.51/kg	$4.00/kg	$8.27/kg

Best Bumper Plates

Rep Fitness Competition Bumper Plates

These bumpers offer a minimal bounce, excellent durability, and a zinc-coated steel disc insert. Raised letters and a raised rubber surface surrounding the central disc prevent metal-on-metal contact.

These plates are factory-tested to survive more than 30,000 drops from a height of eight feet and come with a five-year warranty. Rep Fitness’s plates have a strict weight tolerance of +/- 0.25% as specified by the International Weightlifting Federation norm.

They are also color-coded according to IWF standards to make it simple to see how much weight is on the bar (red is 55 pounds, blue is 45 pounds, yellow is 35 pounds, and green is 25 pounds). Here are the dimensions:

• 25 lb plate = 1.4”
• 35 lb plate = 1.7”
• 45 lb plate = 2.1”
• 55 lb plate = 2.6”

Competition bumpers are also sold in kg. They serve as perfect bumper plates for home gym, CrossFit, and general strength training.

Price By Weight

• $3.1/lb
• $6.66/kg

Pros

• Weight tolerance of +/- 0.25%, which is even better than Eleiko
• Color-coded to IWF standards
• Tested to endure over 30,000 drops, which means you will likely use them for a lifetime in a garage gym

Cons

• Not as recognizable a brand as the other leading players

Best Bumper Plates For Home Gym

Titan Fitness LB Pair Elite Competition Plates

These plates, made of high-quality solid rubber and reinforced with a strong chrome-plated disc insert, are designed to withstand even the most strenuous workout.

With a collar opening of 50.6mm, they fit smoothly onto typical Olympic-sized barbells, providing unparalleled adaptability in your training plan. Each plate has embossed TITAN branding, LB weight indicators, and a raised plate lip to help you pick up the weight more easily.

The weight is calibrated to +/- 1%, which is almost as good as the REP Fitness Competition Bumper Plates. There is no color coding, and all plates are black with white lettering. The low bounce rate means you can drop the barbell without worrying it will bounce too much.

The thickness of these plates is as follows:

• 10 kg = 35 mm (1.38”)
• 15 kg = 48 mm (1.88”)
• 20 kg = 53 mm (2.08”)
• 25 kg = 64 mm (2.51”)

My only issue is the very short warranty, which is one year, compared to others, which provide 2-3 years, not to mention Eleiko and their 10-year warranty (granted, they cost a few times more).

But for a home gym, these can be ideal regardless of whether you prefer Olympic weightlifting style workouts or you are more into CrossFit.

Price By Weight

• $3.40/lb
• $7.48/kg

Pros &

• Much cheaper per pound than IWF Training Plates.
• Low bounce rate.
• +/- 1% high tolerance is impressive for the price point.

Cons

• Chrome plate steel disc may cause problems in time.
• Only 1 year warranty.

Best Budget Bumper Plates

Rogue US-MIL Spec Bumper Plates

Again, bumper plates are one of the three pieces of equipment worth spending money on, as they are a long-term investment when done well.

However, with a limited budget, these are the highest-quality options available. A pair of 45-pound plates costs $160, or $1.78 per pound, making it one of the cheapest bumper plates available.

In fact, this is less expensive per pound than many used bumper plates on second-hand markets, which can cost more than $2 per pound.

The Rogue US-MIL Spec Bumper Plates V2 are made in Alabama, approved by the US Military, and utilized in the Army’s demanding Combat Fitness Test.

They’re made of highly recycled crumb rubber, but unlike other crumbed rubber plates, they have a smooth finish, so you won’t lose chunks of plate during harsh use.

All bumper plates have a standard plate diameter of 450 mm and a 50 mm stainless steel center ring insert. I’m not a fan of the center ring insert, but they’ll last if you don’t drop them from overhead too much. These are significantly thicker than Eleiko plates, limiting the loads that may be lifted.

The plate thickness goes as follows:

• 25 lb (10 kg) = 1.95″, which is the same thickness as the 20 kg (45 lb) plate by Eleiko
• 35 lb plate = 2.50”
• 45 lb plate = 3.00”

In my experience, these thick plates allow you to load up to 180 kg (397 lbs) on a men’s bar.

If you can lift more than 397 pounds, thinner Eleiko plates are a better choice. Rogue US-MIL Spec Bumper Plates V2 feature an 80 Durometer Rating, making them softer and bouncier than other plates due to the crumbed rubber.

Finally, they have a weight tolerance of ± 2% of the specified weight. This is ideal for a low-cost plate, but if you lift competitively, you may prefer a calibrated plate. 25-55 lb plates have a 3-year warranty, whereas 10-15 lb plates have a 180-day warranty.

Price By Weight

• $1.78/lb
• $4.00/kg

Pros

• This is a fantastic deal, less expensive than many used bumper plates.
• Can withstand the demands of the Army Fitness Test, so your garage workouts won’t be a big deal.

Cons

• The plates are significantly thicker than other plates, resulting in a reduced capacity for weight on the bar.
• Recycled crumbed rubber will give off a smell when left inside in the heat.

Best Bumper Plates For Concrete

Rogue Hi-Temp Bumper Plates

Furthermore, you forfeit the guarantee of the barbell and may damage the sleeve. But if you have an old rusty barbell you don’t mind dropping, the Rogue Hi-Temp Bumper Plates are the best choice for dropping on concrete.

This is because they are the softest and most bouncy plates, with a Shore Durometer Rating of 75. These plates bounce almost to chest height when dropped after being used on a platform. The video below demonstrates how bouncy they are.

They are also the thickest bumper plates on the list, with more surface area to absorb force when dropping them on concrete. Here are some example dimensions:

• 25 lb plate = 2.25”
• 35 lb plate = 3.12”
• 45 lb plate = 3.75”

Because of the thickness, I have found that you can only fit 160 kg (352 lbs) on the barbell, therefore you are severely load limited. My wife’s front squat video below shows the thickness of the 45-pound plates:

They have a stainless-steel center insert, a somewhat smaller diameter (445 mm), and are within ± 0.5 lb of the stated weight.

Does this imply that they will protect your concrete and barbell? No. Dropping loads repeatedly on the same area will eventually cause your concrete to crack, even if you have a rubber covering in place.

However, of all the bumper plate options, they will preserve your concrete and equipment the most. Be aware that storing these in a hot garage will result in an unpleasant odor.

Price By Weight

• $1.94/lb
• $4.37/kg

Pros

• Low weight and size tolerance, so weights are close to their stated weights.
• It won’t damage concrete as much as harder plates.

Cons

• The thickest bumper plates significantly limit the loads you can fit.
• When left inside in the heat, recycled crumbed rubber could produce a rubber smell.
• Extremely bouncy, which might cause problems when lifting from blocks.

Best Bumper Plates For Olympic Weight Lifting

Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Plates

They are calibrated within ± 0.5% of the indicated weight, ensuring great accuracy when micro loading PR attempts. Furthermore, the plates are far thinner than other manufacturers and match the competition plates.

Lifting with thick and thin plates has a different feel. Thus, it’s necessary to lift with plates that are similar to those used in competition. Furthermore, thinner plates allow you to load more than 200 kg.

The exact thickness is:

• 10 kg = 35 mm (1.38”)
• 15 kg = 39 mm (1.53”)
• 20 kg = 50 mm (1.97”)
• 25 kg = 58 mm (2.28”)

A woman’s bar can hold 215 kg, whereas a man’s can be loaded up to 290 kg of Eleiko plates. The standard diameter is 450 mm, with a center hole of 50.5 mm, all within ± 0.5%.

Cheaper bumper plates do not have a ring around the central hole, while the hole in this model is a multi-layered plate that improves durability. Many bumper plates with a ring center hole come loose, which is why the zinced steel plate design is superior.

In terms of bounce, we can look at the Shore Durometer Rating.

The lower the number, the softer the plate and a greater bounce when dropped. The greater the number, the firmer the plate and the less bounce. The scale spans between 65 and 100.

Eleiko uses a proprietary SBR rubber with a Durometer Rating of 92-93, making it a dead-stop bounce. You can see me dropping Eleiko Training Plates below.

And lifting with a full bumper plate set:

Eleiko IWF Weightlifting Training Plates are identical to competition plates, ensuring the highest quality plate on the market. They are used in almost all international competitions.

They have been tested to endure over 100,000 drops without damage, and the 10-year warranty is the best on the market.

Eleiko redesigns its plates every few years, so you may notice a difference between the videos and photos here and the ones on the company’s website.

Eleiko training plates have been used in weightlifting gyms for decades and are still in outstanding shape, clearly demonstrating their durability and quality.

Price By Weight

• $8.04/lb
• $18.10/kg

Pros

• Highest grade bumper plates available, tested for 100,000 drops and used in elite competition.
• Thin enough to fit well over 200 kg on both men’s and women’s barbells.
• Tight weight and size tolerances require calibrated plates.
• Zinc stainless steel middle plate that will not come off like center rings.
• A dead bounce means the bar won’t fly off blocks.

Cons

• You have to pay for the quality as the price is much higher than other models.

Best Bumper Plates For CrossFit

Rogue Fleck Bumper Plates

The Rogue Fleck Bumper Plates’ fantastic look is just one of the reasons they make outstanding CrossFit plates. Most CrossFit gyms will stock the Rogue HG 2.0 Bumper Plates. They are, however, significantly thicker for the same price.

So, why not choose a thinner plate with a cool design at the same price point? They have a Shore Durometer Scale value of 90, which indicates a dense dead bounce. Their plate thicknesses are as follows:

• 25 lb plate = 1.6”
• 35 lb plate = 2.08”
• 45 lb plate = 2.76”
• 55 lb plate = 3.02”

Rogue Fleck Bumper Plates have a standard plate diameter of 450 mm, a tolerance of ± 3 mm, and a center hole of 50.40 mm.

The plates have a weight tolerance of ± 1%, indicating good accuracy. Unlike other Rogue plates, this variant features a 55-pound plate, making heavy weightlifting considerably easier to load.

You also get a 24-month warranty for replacing any faulty plates.

Price By Weight

• $2.28/lb
• $5.51/kg

Pros

• Add some personality to your CrossFit gym. These bumper plates are impossible to ignore due to their outstanding design.
• Low weight tolerance ensures that your plates are precisely calibrated.
• Thinner than the normal CrossFit plates used in gyms, allowing you to fit more onto your bar.

Cons

• Only a two-year warranty.
• The bar has a high size tolerance of ± 3 mm and a slightly larger center hole of 50.40 mm, resulting in a looser fit.

Best Bumper Plates On Amazon

HulkFit Bumper Plates

Here’s the thickness of each color plate:

• 25 lb plate = 2.5”
• 35 lb plate = 2.5”
• 45 lb plate = 3.0”
• 55 lb plate = 3.5”

Black plates are slightly thinner and more expensive, so they could be a better option. HulkFit plates have a 447 mm diameter, making them smaller than conventional plates, and a 50.8 mm center hole, which is larger than high-quality bumpers.

I have plates with center holes this size, and there is too much space for the barbell to slide. It indicates you’re removing slack from the barbell and plates when lifting rather than having a tight fit.

They are composed of rubber composite and have a two-year warranty.

Price By Weight

• $1.78/lb
• $4.00/kg

Pros &

• Available on Amazon, so you’ll get fast shipping

Cons

• Its small diameter and huge center hole will cause it to fit loosely around the barbell and be slightly short
• Only two years warranty

Best Urethane Bumper Plates

Rogue Urethane Plates

But if you insist on urethane plates, Rogue makes excellent ones.

Rogue’s color-coded Urethane LB Bumpers are made of high-quality urethane, which is great for creating a consistent dead bounce on the drop while also preserving the plate’s long-term integrity.

The single-piece, 140MM hard chrome insert is also designed for simple loading on the bar and less friction on the sleeves.

The weight tolerance is +/- 1%, and the durometer rating is 90, making these plates comparable to the other top-level offers.

Here is what the different plate thicknesses look like:

• 25 lb plate = 1.57”
• 35 lb plate = 1.89”
• 45 lb plate = 2.08”
• 55 lb plate = 2.28”

This makes the Rogue Urethane Bumper Plates one of the thinner on this list, so you can load a much heavier weight on the barbell, which is one of the biggest benefits of these plates.

If you are after urethane plates and don’t mind the slightly higher price, you will not regret buying the Rogue Urethane plates.

Price By Weight

• $3.75/lb
• $8.27/kg

Pros

• Urethane plates have exceptional durability.
• Thin enough to fit more than 200 kg on a men’s and women’s barbell.
• Tight weight and size tolerance, resulting in calibrated plates.
• Complete dead bounce.

Cons

• Like all premium products, these plates cost more than other models, including the other Rogue plates on the list.

What To Look For When Buying Bumper Plates

Material

The material determines your bumper plates’ performance, thickness, and longevity. Here are the primary materials used:

Virgin Rubber: It’s the highest quality rubber utilized in bumper plates. A virgin rubber is one that has not been used or processed other than when it was first manufactured.

Plates made of virgin rubber are generally more robust and bounce less when dropped than plates made of recycled rubber. They also have less of the rubber scent that some people dislike.

Recycled Rubber: The rubber used to make these bumper plates is recycled from other products, such as vehicle tires. These plates are often less expensive, but they are not as long-lasting or work as well as those produced from virgin rubber. They can also have a distinct rubber odor.

Urethane: Some high-end bumper plates are constructed of urethane, a polymer. Urethane bumper plates are very durable and often have a minimal bounce.

They are also thinner than rubber plates, which allows more weight to be loaded onto the bar. Urethane plates are also usually more expensive than rubber plates.

Center Ring

The other important material component is the central ring, typically composed of steel or stainless steel. This is the component of the plate that attaches to the barbell. The middle ring should be strong and securely attached to the rubber portion of the plate.

Some inexpensive plates may have poorly secured center rings, causing the rings to become detached over time. This is frequently the case with rings instead of steel plates. Stainless steel is usually preferred because it’s rust and corrosion-resistant.

Diameter

If you buy cheap bumper plates from an unreliable manufacturer, you can end up with smaller plates than what the competition uses. This is exemplified, for instance, by HulkFit on Amazon, which features shorter diameters and bigger center rings.

Stick with plates with a diameter of 450 mm since it is what is used in competition.

Weight Accuracy

Leading brands are ideal for competition and micro loading because of their precise weight tolerances of up to ± 0.5%. Larger weight tolerances are usually found on less expensive bumper plates.

I wouldn’t worry about it if you’re not a competitive lifter and want to use these plates for a good workout.

Thickness

Thickness is an important factor for me because thick plates make loading enough plates impossible. Furthermore, plates toward the end of the sleeve have a different feel than thinner plates closer to the knurling.

Having bigger plates allows for more barbell whip, making the weights feel slightly easier. You want to feel in training the same way you will in competition.

Durability

Many factors affect the durability of your bumper plates. Here are a few.

Design and construction: The design and construction of the plates can have a considerable impact on their durability.

For example, a plate with a poorly secured central ring may dislodge over time, shortening the plate’s total lifespan. Similarly, improperly formed plates or rubber defects may be more prone to failure.

Usage: The way the plates are utilized will also affect their durability. Plates dropped repeatedly from a height, particularly on hard surfaces such as concrete, will wear out faster than plates used more gently. Using a quality lifting platform or mat will help the plates last longer.

Storage: Proper storage is also necessary to ensure the durability of bumper plates. They should be stored in a dry, cool environment and not left loaded on a barbell for long periods since this might cause deformation.

Bounce

A high bounce might be problematic while lifting from blocks or using jerk blocks because your bar is more likely to bounce off them. The Shore Durometer Rating measures bounce, with higher ratings indicating denser materials with less bounce.

However, one disadvantage of dense plates is that they are loud when dropped, especially on soft rubber. So, if you have close neighbors, this may be an issue. Softer bumper plates will not produce such a loud sound.

Warranty

The quality of the plates determines the warranty period. The top-quality bumper plates on this list come with a 10-year warranty. Everything else has a warranty of two to three years.

As a result, if you spend the money upfront, you’ll almost certainly never need to replace them, and you’ll have ten years of use without worry, even if a surprise comes up.

KGs vs. LBs

If you are a competitive athlete, you will need to decide whether to use kilogram or pound bumper plates. If you compete in CrossFit, you will need pound bumper plates because all contests worldwide utilize pounds.

However, if you’re a competitive weightlifter, you’ll need kilogram bumper plates since all weightlifting events utilize kilograms internationally.

Frequently Asked Bumper Plate Questions

Are Bumper Plates Any Good?

Bumper plates are essential for any Olympic weightlifting or CrossFit training. When dropping barbells, you need plates to protect your bar and floor. Rubber bumper plates absorb impact, while iron plates damage your barbell and floor.

Are Rogue Plates The Best?

Rogue plates have gone a long way since they initially created competition bumper plates used in USA Weightlifting contests.

However, they are not considered the best bumper plates. Eleiko, ZKC, Uesaka, and Ivanko are regarded as the gold standard of bumper plates.

However, if you are based in the United States and compete nationally, Rogue plates are recommended for training because you will also be lifting Rogue equipment in competition.

When Should You Buy Bumper Plates?

You should get bumper plates as soon as you start doing workouts that involve dropping the bar. This comprises all Olympic weightlifting exercises, such as snatches and clean and jerks. Bumper plates are also useful for CrossFit exercises such as touch-and-go deadlifts.

You don’t want iron plates crashing on your floor.

Are Bumper Plates Harder To Deadlift?

Bumper plates are generally easier to deadlift since they cover more of the barbell sleeve than iron plates, resulting in more whip.

Because deadlift bars have a greater bend, you can deadlift more weight, and bumper plates can produce this effect.

Is It Harder To Squat With Bumper Plates?

Squatting with bumper plates, like deadlifting, may be easier due to the enhanced whip. When you sit in the hole, the barbell will bend over your back and jump up as you push with your legs.

Why Do Bumper Plates Cost So Much?

The procedure of molding expensive rubber and testing it to withstand repeated drops makes the production process costly. Furthermore, shipping costs may rise since bumper plates are larger than iron plates.

Are Urethane Bumper Plates Worth It?

They are not worth purchasing over rubber bumper plates from the gold-standard manufacturers Eleiko and Uesaka. You can obtain hard rubber that scarcely bounces, comparable to urethane.

Can You Drop Bumper Plates On Concrete?

You can drop bumper plates on concrete, but you should not. It will shorten the life of your equipment and eventually collapse the concrete.

After years of lifting at my first home gym, we moved the platforms and discovered that the foundation had entirely crumbled where the weights were dropped.

What Are Other Popular Bumper Plate Brands?

• Uesaka
• Ivanko
• Fringe Sport
• Again Faster
• Vulcan Strength
• Sorinex
• American Barbell

Summary

When it comes to bumper plates, my motto is to buy nice, not twice. This is why I recommend REP Fitness bumper plates, which can be used for different types of gym training. From Olympic weightlifting to CrossFit to traditional strength training, you can rely on bumper plates to last a lifetime.

For premium bumper plates, you can’t look past Eleiko. I’ve used a lot of vintage Eleiko bumper plates that have been dropped several times per day and are still in great shape.

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