10 Questions You Should to Know about Weight Plate Wholesale

Are you tired of lifting that empty barbell? Are 3 sets of 50 back squat reps starting to get old? Do you wish you could somehow make that barbell heavier, increase your strength, and most importantly build bulging biceps (just not in a squat rack at a commercial gym - don't be that guy)?

If you want to learn more, please visit our website.

Well, lucky for you, I am going to let you in on a secret hack in the fitness world - weight plates.

Okay, okay, maybe this secret has been out for quite some time. Actually, according to a quick Google search, Babe Ruth or Albert Einstein could have been the first members of the lb club as the weight plate was first introduced in the late s.

All joking aside, if you ended up reading this article, you are likely looking for a new set of wheels for your barbell. But, like with many pieces of equipment in the fitness space, there are so many options that it can be slightly overwhelming. There are many questions you may be asking. Should I buy cast iron? How about bumper plates? Does it matter if my bumper plates are competition plates? How much should I expect to spend?

That's why we are here. We want to help and guide you in selecting the perfect weight plates for your gym.

Here is Your Guide for Buying Weight Plates:

Why are you buying?

Answering this question makes the rest of the process much easier. The buying needs for a commercial gym versus a powerlifting-focused home gym versus a CrossFit gym are going to be drastically different. Consider your goals and reasons for training, as this will come in handy as we talk through other questions later on. A couple of questions to begin thinking through:

• What style of training are you participating in?

• Do you have goals of entering competitions?

What Type of Weight Plates?

There are primarily two broad categories that most weight plates fall under - metal weight plates and bumper plates. Now we will look at the differences between these plates and who the plates are best designed for based on training goals and style.

Traditional Cast Iron & Steel Weight Plates

These weight plates have been a staple in commercial gyms for years. Cast iron plates are what you will see Ronnie Coleman repping out as he's yelling, "Yeaaaaa buddy."

They are the weight plates that give the deep clanking sound as if they are applauding the effort and weight you chose that day.

Cast iron plates are finished with typically either a silver or black coating and some old-school lettering. They come in the standard weight ranges typically 2.5lbs to 45lbs, however, you can find plates up to 100lbs and as low as .25lbs.

One negative we can sometimes see with these plates is that they tend to chip with "wear and tear" - and what we really mean is by lifting heavy and often. We like to refer to it as adding a little character to the plate.

Who Are Traditional Cast Iron and Steel Weight Plates Best For?

Cast iron plates are a good option for the general fitness population and are perfect for anyone wanting that "old-school" feel. Whether you are training bodybuilding, powerlifting, or strongman these can be a great option.

These plates are typically on the lower end of the budget scale in comparison to other types. We would primarily recommend these weight plates for those in the training styles mentioned above. If you have no interest in Olympic weightlifting these will do just fine for you as you should never drop metal weight plates from overhead. These plates are great for general use, fairly cost-effective, and have great durability, however, - spoiler - we do believe there are better options available.

Powerlifting Steel Weight Plates

These plates are designed to be as thin as possible. As the sport of powerlifting grows and humans are getting stronger and stronger - standard barbells can be simply too small to hold traditional metal plates when lifting seven or eight hundred or even one thousand plus pounds. Powerlifting steel plates can be as thin as 1/3 the width of a bumper plate. Just based on simple math, you can see how much more weight can be loaded on a barbell using these plates.

Who Are Powerlifting Steel Weight Plates Best For?

As the name implies, this one is pretty simple - serious powerlifters.

If you are dedicated to your powerlifting goals and aim at being or are already a competitor you may want to consider the thin powerlifting steel plates.

However, for most people, the traditional steel plates are plenty thin enough.

Bumper Plates

Bumper plates, also known as rubber weight plates, function in all the same ways as traditional iron or steel plates except they are designed to be dropped. Bumper plates are generally much thicker in comparison to cast iron or steel weight plates.

Because of their rubber makeup and larger surface area, bumper plates bounce off the floor and handle the contact much better than metal plates.

If you are new to the world of weight plates and especially bumper plates, one thing you may not know is they traditionally come color coded. Here's a quick cheat sheet for your bumper plates:

• Red Bumper Plates - 55lbs or 25kgs

• Blue Bumper Plates - 45lbs or 20kgs

• Yellow Bumper Plates - 35lbs or 15 kgs

• Green Bumper Plates - 25lbs or 10kgs

Who Are Bumper Plates Best For?

Because they function in many of the same ways, bumper plates can be used in many of the same situations that traditional plates can. Anyone from general fitness users, to strongmen, bodybuilders, and powerlifters can great a great workout in with bumper plates.

However, because they can be dropped, bumper plates are necessary for weightlifters and CrossFit athletes.

Performing movements like clean and jerks and snatches with cast iron or steel plates is a bad idea. Bumper plates were invented to solve this problem. During the 20th century Olympics, athletes were required to perform their lifts and then control the weight back down to the floor. As you can imagine, it's pretty hard to control a maximal effort lift on the way down (much less a failed snatch) and there was a constant struggle to keep the lifting platforms in one piece. The solution - a bumper plate. It wasn't until the s when we saw the introduction of the bumper plate, and today they are quite common not only in weightlifting gyms but in commercial and CrossFit gyms as well.

One thing to be aware of if you plan on dropping your bumper plates, it is not recommended to drop a barbell with anything less than a 25lb bumper plate on each side. This is because the smaller bumper plates are not strong enough to handle the impact and can crack and split over time. This is not a big issue as typically, for the average person, if the weight is that light it's easy to control down to the floor from overhead.

Crumb Rubber Bumper Plates

Crumb rubber bumper plates are practically the same as traditional bumper plates with the main difference being the look and feel. They are made of recycled rubber and feel similar to rubber gym flooring. Crumb rubber bumper plates are made of recycled rubber and are a great option, but often are not as well made as traditional high-quality bumper plates. However, on the flip side, they are typically cheaper.

Who Are Crumb Rubber Bumper Plates Best For?

If you don't mind not having smooth, color-coded bumper plates and are looking for a more cost-effective option - these may be a great alternative for you.

Although we don't recommend storing plates outdoors, if you need to use your weight plates in the fresh air, these may also be great for that. Not only because they are cheaper, but a crumb rubber bumper plate handles scuffs and concrete better than the traditional metal and bumper plates.

Urethane Weight Plates

Urethane is basically a man-made rubber, and it typically has a harder feel to it in comparison to traditional bumper plates. Because it is harder than rubber, it is not as ideal to drop urethane weight plates, although some handle it better than others. Think of it almost as an in-between of traditional bumper plates and metal plates. If you have ever been to a YMCA or Crunch Fitness, these are likely the plates you used there.

Like the bumper plates, these are incredibly durable plates. Another plus to urethane is that because they are harder, they handle engraving better and appear to have the "new" look and feel for longer than other types of plates.

Who Are Urethane Weight Plates Best For?

Urethane is ideal for a commercial gym for a few reasons. First, they are incredibly durable plates. Whether it is the actual plates or the logos and engravings, you can be sure your urethane plates are going to look newer for longer. Second, at commercial gyms, there is typically not as much of a bumper plate need for Olympic lifting, so not having the ability to drop the barbell from overhead is not a big issue. Finally, you get a lot of the benefits of traditional bumper plates without the space needed to store them. Urethane weight plates vary in size but are typically smaller in width than a traditional bumper plate - meaning maximal storage for those coveted bench press weight tree racks.

Questions to Consider

Now that we have looked at the most common options when it comes to weight plates, let's answer those questions I know you are dying to ask.

How Much Weight Do I Need To Buy?

As you begin to search the internet, you probably have noticed that most companies offer weight packages - ranging from around 100lbs to well over lbs.

These packages are not only more convenient than buying weight plates individually, they are typically a little bit cheaper.

So now to the question. Like many other questions, this one is highly dependent on your training style and goals. For the beginner lifter looking to build your first home gym, somewhere around a 300lb set will likely be more than enough. However, if you are a professional powerlifter, you may be looking at needing 700lbs +. Gym needs vary even more so, considering things like the number of members, training style of members, and how many machines, squat racks, and weight trees need to be filled is important.

For most people, the question of how much weight your home gym needs is going to come down to the heaviest lift you plan on attempting.

For many, this will be a deadlift or squat, so make sure you purchase enough weight to not only perform your highest lift today but also a little bit extra for the lifetime PR we know you have in you.

As a way to provide that extra bit of motivation, you can instead purchase exactly the weight needed today, telling yourself you will only buy more when you can lift it. This can serve as a reward for your hard work and skyrocketing PRs.

What Combination of Weight Plates Should I Buy?

For the beginner, one of the best and most common combinations is:

(4) 45lb plates

(2) 25lb plates

(2) 10lb plates

(2) 5 lb plates

As you need more weight really the one plates to buy are 45s. If you use this model, you could buy one more set of 10s and a set of 2.5s, but other than that any weight combination can be reached with what you have.

For that reason, this is a great starter set.

And please don't buy 35s or 15s.

What About Smaller Change Plates? Big Plates? Training Bumper Plates?

Change plates can be as small as 0.25lbs. For 99% of the population, these are incredibly unnecessary. Unless you are a powerlifter seriously chasing a world record, you don't need these. In general, if you are chasing PRs to the point of a quarter pound - that is not a solid training plan. Progressive overload is a wonderful, magical thing, but like anything, it can be taken too far, and using change plates that small to constantly increase weight is a great example of that. We recommend 2.5lb plates as the smallest you need.

Similarly, some companies make 100lb plates. For 99% of people, these aren't necessary either.

A training bumper plate is a 5 or 10-pound set of bumper plates that are the diameter of a 45-pound bumper plate. This is already the standard size for a 10-pound bumper plate but not as common with the 5-pound bumper plate. The purpose of training bumper plates is to give the athlete the same start spot to begin to build technique - think cleans, snatches, deadlifts - without the weight they aren't ready for. If you are new to Olympic lifting or plan on teaching a friend or even your kids, this could be good to make sure you have.

How Much Should I Expect To Spend?

Most weight plates are priced on a rough per-pound basis. So, in general, a 45lb plate and a 5lb plate from the same company and made of the same material will be priced somewhere between 1.5x and 9x their weight. For example, you can expect to spend between about $70 (45 x 1.5) and $405 (45 x 9) for a 45lb plate. Obviously, that is quite a big price difference, so let's break it down by type of plate.

We will start with the cheapest options. The two most cost-effective options are going to be the crumb rubber bumper plate and the traditional cast iron and steel plates. When looking to purchase crumb rubber bumper plates or traditional iron or steel plates you can expect to spend anywhere from 1.5x to 2x the weight.

Next, the thin steel plates. Compared to their traditional counterparts they are not relatively much more expensive. You can expect to spend between 2 to 3x.

The bumper plates round out the list (see what I did there). These can be quite expensive, but don't have to be. You can find standard rubber bumper plates from anywhere from 2 to 6x. Expect similar prices from the urethane weight plates (around 3 to 4x). Finally, here's where that giant 9x number came in - competition bumper plates. These vary from 3 to 9x, and it largely depends on the certification of the bumper plates. If you want the International Weightlifting Federation-compliant competition plates - expect to pay the 9x. Unless you just enjoy spending money on your home gym - or are looking for an expensive centerpiece for your kitchen table - you almost certainly don't need these.

Do I Need Calibrated, Certified, or Competition Plates?

The short answer is probably not. Primarily what this means is that the plates are under specific standards they must meet - such as for the accuracy of the weight.

The truth is almost all plates are within a very, very marginal error to what they say on the plate, regardless of whether or not they are for a specific organization.

Typically, the only time to consider accuracy in weight is when buying used plates - especially metal plates. Because metal plates can chip and rust it is important to weigh them before buying. Be sure to check out our article on buying used gym equipment if that is something you are considering.

Our Picks

As you've seen there are quite a few options when it comes to purchasing your weight plates. There are pros and cons for each type as we've talked about, but here's a quick rundown of our favorite options.

1. Overall Favorite: Rouge Echo Bumper Plates

The rubber bumper plate takes the cake - it's incredibly versatile and durable. As long as you have adequate flooring, you can drop it without concern of damage to your floor or bumper plates. There is maximum functionality with these bumper plates, and the only thing you potentially couldn't do is load the barbell with 700lbs plus due to their width - which I know is probably something you are quite concerned about.

With reasonably priced options, it is hard to beat the bumper plates. They are the best bang for your buck and overall value.

These are not only the best rubber weight plates but we believe they are the best plates for overall value.

2. The One That Doesn't Break the Bank: Freedom Fitness Equipment's Crumb Rubber Plates Package

I know what you are thinking - "We've got inflation, high gas prices, and a not-so-great stock market, give me the best option that doesn't ruin my budget." Don't worry I got you.

This one was a close one between the metal plates and the crumb rubber. But, in our opinion, crumb rubber plates are the way to go - primarily for the added functionality they offer.

Here's one of our weight packages at a great value.

3. General Use and Bodybuilding: Rouge Cast Iron Plates

Maybe you know that Olympic lifting is never something you want to dabble in. You know that your training is going to consist of bench press, shoulder press, squats, and curls. You love the sound of iron plates bouncing around. The best option for you is going to be the traditional cast iron or steel plates. Add in the relatively low cost and you have a great option for your home gym.

Check these out.

4. Do You Like to Party? FringeSport Pizza & Donut Bumper Plates

Are you a believer in "Look good, feel good, feel good, play good?" If so these weights may be perfect for you. Imagine looking at your weights and seeing a delicious sprinkled donut or pizza - almost instantly you can expect to see a 5lb PR.

Seriously, you have to check out these cheat-day-inspired plates.

We also have vinyl decals that can transform your bumper plates into sushi, donuts, or pizza. 

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, by this point, you are feeling quite confident in your ability to choose the perfect set of weight plates for your home gym and your goals. While they are many different options, at the end of the day they almost all have very similar functionality, so don't stress yourself out.

Choose a reputable brand, read the reviews, and your weight plates will last you decades.

As always, we are here to help you as you begin the process of buying weight plates.

Please reach out with any questions you have - whether about weight plates, home gyms, or any other fitness questions you may have. We would love to be a part of helping you achieve your goals and support your fitness journey.

Sources:

Newton, Harvey. “The Story Behind Bumper Plates.” SportsEdTV, 15 Apr. , https://sportsedtv.com/blog/the-story-behind-bumper-plates#:~:text=During%20the%2 %20Munich%20Olympic,a%kg%20rubber%20bumper%20plate.

Pinola, Joseph. “Rubber vs Urethane Weights: What's the Difference.” TracFitness, TracFitness, 31 Oct. , https://tracfitness.com/blogs/knowledge-center/rubber-vs-urethane-dumbbells-whats-the-difference#:~:text=Urethane%20is%20generally%20more%20harder,plates %20are%20manufactured%20with%20rubber.

For any commercial gym, the necessity of quality bumper plates is undeniable. With all the variety available, making the right choice for your business is not an easy task, though.

It will require in-depth research & insider knowledge.

This article is aimed at providing you with both of these, so you can choose premium-quality bumper plates for your current & future customers.

By the end of this article, you will know all about:

• Commercial bumper plate manufacturing
• Various kinds of bumper plates
• Construction of bumper plates
• The best durometer reading for bumper plates
• The difference between a commercial weight plate & a bumper plate

We have done our utmost best to compile a thorough introduction of bumper plates for you. Our buying guide includes insights from experienced staff working at seven different bumper plate companies.

It will give you an up-close & personal view of the best bumper plates out there.

So, let’s begin,

(Note: Bumper plates have many names. Like rubber weights, Functional Training plates, bumper sets, etc. For the sake of consistency, though, we will use the term bumper plates throughout this article.) 

Table of Contents

Location of Bumper Plate Manufacturers

Chinese bumper plate companies are in Nantong, Xiamen, & Qingdao. The factories in & around Qingdao mostly make rubber bumper plates, whereas the ones in Nantong are known for urethane bumper plates.

Between the two regions, Qingdao has higher exports & the products cost more, as well. The factories in the Xiamen region make only premium-quality bumper plates.

Types of Bumper Plates

Bumper plates are of two main types according to function & construction:

Function-based Types

According to function, there are four sub-types of bumper plates:

• Training Bumper Plates
• Competition Bumper Plates
• Technique Bumper Plates
• Change Plates & Fractional Plates

Training Bumper Plates

For weight plates, the diameter & thickness of the plate change as the weight goes up or down. For bumper plates, only one of these variables changes, which is the thickness.

The diameter is the same for all types of bumper plates.

The IWF or International Weightlifting Federation decides the standard dimensions for bumper plates.

Take an Olympic plate as an example. It has a thick & sturdy rubber construction with a 450-millimeter diameter & a 50.4-millimeter steel hub in the center.

It ensures that while coming down from a top-snatch or a clean & jerk movement, there is no damage to the bumper plate or the surroundings.

The weight range for bumper plates & regular cast iron plates is similar. Previously, most weight plates had a cast iron construction. 

The safety factor for cast iron plates during use is not that high, though. 

The early weight plates were very thick thus, limiting the weight capacity of a barbell. 

Bumper plates were the answer to all these shortcomings. Their purpose was to facilitate Olympic weightlifting events.

With time they have become a staple for commercial, as well as home gyms. Most have a central steel hub that allows an increase in thickness without affecting the weight.

The most common type of bumper plate is a training bumper plate. The use of a metal ring makes these plates thicker comparatively than competition plates.

It limits the weight capacity of the barbell, making it likelier for the bumper plate to warp. Due to this, training plates are more cost-effective. 

Training plates have a black finish. Recently colored versions with graphics have become available in the market. For Olympic barbells, Olympic bumper plates are available.

Competition Bumper Plates

There are two things that you should know about competition bumper plates:

• Exact definition
• IWF Certification

Definition

Bumper plates that strictly follow the IWF guideline for dimensions, tolerance, & color-coding are competition bumper plates.

These have a steel core inside a thick rubber weight plate to decrease 40-percent of the thickness. It allows professional lifters to add more weight to the sleeve of a barbell.

The two parts of the steel core or hub are held together tightly with bolts. It is the heaviest part of the bumper plate & it goes over a barbell. The steel hub is costly & is available in an array of colors.

Unlike training plates, competition plates have a lower bounce. It is not always the case, though. 

The level of bounce is directly related to the durometer shore rating of the bumper plates.

IWF Certification

All manufacturers of competition plates claim that their bumper plates strictly follow the IWF criteria. That is not always the case, though.

Bumper plates that do not fully comply with IWF rules are glorified training plates essentially.

This difference only matters to professional weightlifters that compete in Olympic lifting events. Gaining IWF certification has a high financial cost, which makes the end product expensive too.

So, costly competition plates are of no benefit to regular lifters in the gym.

The weight tolerance for a competition plate is +/- 10-grams or 0.02-pounds of the official weight. It is at least 10-percent higher for weight plates not following IWF guidelines.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Yifeng.

This variation in weight is what keeps professional lifters away from other weight plates commonly available online. A 45 lbs. uncertified weight plate may weigh closer to 40 lbs. or even less, in reality. 

Sticking to a trusted brand & manufacturer will save you from any problems in terms of weight or construction.

Do keep in mind that the extra weight of the steel hub & strict compliance to IWF rules makes these plates expensive in comparison.

Insider Tips!

• For a competitive weightlifter (IWF or IPF), competition bumper plates are a worthwhile investment.
• For regular lifting, there is no need to pay the higher cost to upgrade to competition bumper plates. Standard weight plates will get the job done, as well. The extra cost will be a burden to your budget.

Technique Bumper Plates

These are beginner-friendly bumper plates. Their purpose is to improve the technique of people new to lifting. They let the users learn to balance the barbell without a high weight load.

These are good for rehab after an injury to slowly get back to using regular bumper plates.

Technique bumper plates are single-piece polyethylene plates with no steel hub in the center. They are similar to training bumper plates in size.

You can get these bumper plates in weight increments of 5 lbs., 10 lbs., or 2.50 Kgs, 3.75 Kgs, & 5 Kgs.

They have a higher per-pound price compared to other bumper plates. The good news is that you need only a pair or two. Technique plates are for indoor use on rubber gym flooring.

Change Plates & Fractional Plates

Change plates & fractional bumper plates are used interchangeably.

Change Plates

Change plates are small. The diameter for these plates is much less than standard bumper plates.

The weight increments for change plates are 0.5 Kgs, 1.0 Kgs, 1.5Kgs, 2.0 Kgs, 2.5 Kgs, 5.0 Kgs or 1.25 lbs., 2.50 lbs., 5.0 lbs., & 10 lbs.

The purpose of these plates is to add small increments of weight to a loaded barbell when adding another standard bumper plate will be too much for the user.

Change plates are a perfect way to develop muscles gradually for both bodybuilders & weightlifters.

Fractional Plates

Fractional plates are another way to add smaller increments of weight to a barbell. The difference between change & fractional plates is the level of the weight increment.

Unlike change plates, fractional plates are available in even lower weight increments, like 0.25 lbs. or 0.125 Kgs.

These are best for increasing the weight load by a small amount rather than a big jump that may end up causing an injury.

Fractional bumper plates are perfect for competitions because they can be added without removing the locking collar.

The inner ring fixes to the barbell & keeps the other plates from moving, as well. These plates do not make contact with the floor during use, so they have a coating of either iron or rubber.

Construction-based Types

Unlike weight plates, bumper plates usually have a rubber construction.

The common materials for bumper plates construction are:

• Virgin Rubber
• Crumb Rubber
• Urethane

Virgin Rubber

Virgin rubber plates are usually manufactured in China. They are solid & thin bumper plates with not much bounce. 

This type of rubber is vulcanized, making it hard wearing & long-lasting.

Vulcanization is a chemical process for treating virgin rubber with Sulphur at high temperatures.

Virgin rubber bumper plates are easily portable all around the gym due to their thin & smooth construction.

Virgin rubber is new rubber, it doesn’t come from old tires.  It means that there is no need to use any adhesive.

It has an almost non-existent smell that goes away with time, which is good news for people sensitive to strong odors.

 It is a shock-absorbent material & will not damage gym flooring.

Crumb Rubber

This type of rubber comes from old rubber scrap like tires. The granular pieces, along with an adhesive, make crumb rubber bumper plates.

Compared to virgin rubber bumpers, these plates are:

• Softer
• Cost-effective
• Less dense

They have a higher bounce, as well.

The adhesive is an essential part of the recycled bumper plate manufacturing process. Its quality affects the lifespan & odor of the end product.

Quality adhesives increase the durability of the bumper plates. There is always a smell to recycled rubber products, though it will be much less noticeable.

The durability of these plates is not as high as the virgin rubber ones. There is more wear & tear with use. 

The level of durability differs between bumper plates from various brands or companies.

Take Hi-temp plates from Tuscumbia, Alabama, as an example. Industry professionals & athletes alike agree that they are the best bumper plates available. 

These use heavy-duty rubber with a two-inch, stainless-steel hub for construction. Hi-temp plates may not be the most aesthetically pleasing plates, but their performance is the best.

Crumb rubber plates have more width, so fewer plates will fit on a barbell sleeve at a time.

These plates are superior to virgin rubber bumper plates in shock absorption, price, & the overall effect on the environment.

Urethane

The third material for the construction of bumper plates is urethane. It is a synthetic material. It combines the qualities of both rubber & plastic.

Due to this, urethane plates have a more accurate weight tolerance & bounce.

They are also very hardwearing & maintain their shape upon impact in case of an accidental fall.

Urethane plates have vibrant colors & are more pleasing to the eye because they mix well with coloring compounds.

Urethane bumper plates are thinner, so more can fit on a barbell sleeve. The weight is closer to the center of the plate allowing a more stable barbell lift. Because these are a mix of rubber & plastic, there is almost no smell to deal with.

Compared to all other plates, urethane bumper plates have the least bounce. All of this makes them costlier than their counterparts.

Urethane bumper plates are an investment, in the long run, considering all of their qualities.  

Parts of a Bumper Plates

There are two parts of bumper plates:

• Plate
• Steel Hub

Plate

The quality of the plate itself depends on the construction. Urethane plates have an edge over both virgin & crumb rubber bumper plates.

Hi-temp plates are premium-quality bumper plates.

Steel Hub

The central steel hub is an essential part of the bumper plate. All professional plates have a central steel hub that is either galvanized or has a hard chrome finish.

Bumper plates without the central hub are also available.

Some manufacturers had the idea to try brass for the central hub a few years back. It was not successful because brass is softer than steel, making it less durable & susceptible to damage.

Nowadays, most bumper plates have stainless steel hubs.

Although, it is still possible to find plates with brass hubs in the market. They are not a smart buying choice.

For a secure lift, the steel hub collar must fit snugly onto the barbell. If it’s too wide, there is a risk of the counterweight sliding.

Both the hub & the barbell diameters should be close to each other to ensure that the plate can be put on & taken off the barbell with ease.

Stainless steel hubs use steel 45. The steel hubs of bumper plates vary in thickness according to weight, but the diameter remains constant regardless.

There are three reasons for choosing bumper plates with steel hubs:

1. Metal gives the bumper plates a professional look
2. It makes up around 40% to 50% of the total weight of the bumper
3. The presence of the steel hub decreases the thickness & allows more plates on the barbell at a time

Physical Properties of Bumper Plates

Shape

Bumper plates are circular. They essentially look like a flat disc. For an easy pick off the floor, it is better to have a lip on the edge of the bumper plate.

It will increase the width of the plate, as well, preventing damage due to accidental impact.

Weight

Bumper plates have a weight range the same as Olympic plates. They are available in both weights & kilograms.

There is more variety of bumper plates available in pounds than kilograms. According to IWF rules the weight tolerance should be within +/- 10-grams of the official weight.

Most wholesale bumper plates have a weight tolerance between 2% to 3%.

Yanre Fitness bumper plates have an exact weight tolerance of +/- 1%.

Color-coding

As I have stated before, bumper plates vary in thickness but have the same diameter. It makes it difficult to tell them apart from a distance.

IWF rules have color-coding guidelines for bumper plates due to this reason. All the participants in Olympic competitions have to follow these guidelines.

Color-coding not only makes it easy to pick & calculate the correct weights, but they are also a visual motivation for the users, as well.

The color-coding for weight according to IWF rules are as follows:

The color-coding rule is not limited to bumper plates. All competition weights have to follow them.

The weight is mentioned on rubber plates with permanent ink. On urethane plates, it is molded in raised letters. The color of the weight print is different from the color of the bumper plate to make it easy to read.

Bumper plates that don’t follow the IWF color-coding rules or have their own color scheme & weight range are not recommended.

Noise-level

Steel or cast-iron weight plates are louder than bumper plates. Urethane & rubber bumper plates are shock absorbent.

They have a low bounce & are much quieter than other plates.

Smell

Anything that uses rubber will have the typical rubber smell. Between recyclable & virgin rubber plates, the latter has a milder odor.

Urethane bumper plates have the advantage of being almost free of any kind of smell.

Hi-temp plates are the most long-lasting of all bumper plates. They have a strong rubber smell which makes them unsuitable for home gyms.

Though, they are a better fit for larger spaces like commercial or garage gyms.

Bounce & Hardness

The goal of a commercial bumper plate is to have a dead or very low bounce. It means that once the plate makes contact with the gym floor, it will come to halt.

It is almost impossible to keep a bumper plate completely still on impact.

So, the aim is to keep the bounce as low as possible. To achieve a dead bounce the shore hardness level should be 100.

Shore hardness is the measure of the hardness of a material. The higher it is, the lower would be the bounce.

Shore Hardness Scale

It is known as the shore hardness scale or shore A durometer scale. It is an invention of Albert Ferdinand Shore.

As I have mentioned above, it is the measure of the hardness of a material.

The higher it is for a bumper plate, the lower the bounce on impact to the floor will be. A higher shore rating also means a higher noise level. The range for shore rating for most commercial bumper plates is from 70 to 95.

A bumper plate with a shore rating of 95 will bounce less but is louder than one with a shore rating of 75.

Noise level is a priority, though. Commercial gyms are already very noisy. No one wants to add to that. If low noise levels are a requirement for you then choose crumb rubber plates.

They have medium to hard consistency. 

Virgin rubber is harder than crumb rubber. Virgin rubber bumper plates have higher durability, lower bounce, & are louder.

Competition plates have higher shore ratings, in general. In the end, it is a balancing act between bounce & noise level for commercial gyms.

Bend

Mediocre rubber & constructions make the bumper plates susceptible to bending. This is more of a risk for thinner plates.

Bending deforms the bumper plates making an uneven load on both ends of a barbell. 

Buying Tips & Things to Avoid

• Construction: Research the materials of the bumper plates carefully. Look out for the bumper plates that use impure urethane or low-quality crumb rubber. Some manufacturers use low-quality metal for the core to compensate themselves.
• Tolerance: Weight tolerance is an essential factor to consider. Especially if you want to buy competition bumper plates. Plates with good weight tolerance have better performance. 

Weight tolerance of more than +/- 3% is not a smart buying choice.

• Warranty: Always ask about the warranty period from the manufacturer as it affects the total cost of your order. Quality bumper plates have a minimum of one year warranty period.
• Width & Diameter:  Commercial bumper plates should have a diameter of around 450 millimeters. The measurement of the collar opening should be closer to 50.4 millimeters, according to IWF rules.
• Accurate Color-coding: Confirm that there is correct color-coding of bumper plates, according to IWF guidelines. The color of the weight plates should be even all over, as well.
• Print or Lettering: Most bumper plates have the weight numbers on the bumper plate in print or raised lettering. Printed letters fade with time so, raised letters are the better choice.
• Steel Hub: The perfect material for the metal hub is either steel or stainless steel. Brass central hubs are not long-lasting.

Hard chrome or zinc-plating is the better choice of a finish.

• Drop-test: Trusted manufacturers have drop-test data available on the official company websites. Take a closer look at it to form an opinion about bumper plate quality & durability.

Yanre Fitness Drop Test Details

 Yanre Fitness guarantees the following number of uses from its bumper plates, even after a drop of 2.2 meters:

Conclusion

The choice of suitable bumper plates for your gym is a tough one. Hopefully, you find the information in this article of some help in your search.

Now that you know what to look for in terms of bumper plates, go through our Best Gym Owner’s Barbell Buying Guide.

Feel free to use the comment section below if you have any more questions.

Click on Yanre Strength to have a look at our complete range of bumper plates. 

Don’t wait. 

Ask for a quote now!

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