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Best Olympic Bumper Plates

Updated November 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
CAP Barbell Rubber Olympic Bumper Plate
CAP Barbell
Rubber Olympic Bumper Plate
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Most Eco-friendly
Bottom Line

Our fitness expert approves these high-quality Olympic bumper plates that are built for easy use.

Pros

Hard-wearing rubber plates made with steel inner hub so plates can resist multiple drops without damaging floors. Designed with a slim, consistent diameter for equally distributed impact. Accurate weight within 5 grams. Available in different colors for easy identification.

Cons

A few customers noted that the 10-pound plate is breakable.

Best Bang for the Buck
Lifeline Premium Rubber Bumper Plate
Lifeline
Premium Rubber Bumper Plate
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Simple Yet Solid
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These well-built plates are designed to get you training like the pros at an appealing price.

Pros

Premium rubber plates designed for little to no bounce. These bumpers meet IWF standards for length, width, and diameter. Built to smoothly fit on Olympic bars. Ideal for home gym enthusiasts.

Cons

A few customers noted plate arrived with an odor.

BalanceFrom Everyday Essentials Olympic Bumper Plate
BalanceFrom
Everyday Essentials Olympic Bumper Plate
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Well-Designed
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These solid plates are a great choice for any level of ability; our expert appreciates the color-coded functionality.

Pros

Strong plates designed for very little bounce and with highly dense rubber to resist frequent drops. Color-coded and labeled in pounds and kilograms for easy identification. Fits any Olympic barbell, dumbbell, or sled. Sold as a pair.

Cons

The 10-pound plates can bend when dropped alone while on the barbell.

Titan Fitness 45 LB Black Economy Olympic Bumper Plate
Titan Fitness
45 LB Black Economy Olympic Bumper Plate
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Favorite Brand
Bottom Line

These very rugged and solid bumper plates come from an old-school brand for lifters, says our fitness expert.

Pros

The 45-pound plates measure IWF standard 450 mm. Made of durable, long-lasting rubber. Features low bounce rate. Internal steel ring is rubberized and maintains bumper shape. Interior ring size is standard 50 mm for Olympic-regulation bars.

Cons

Sold singly; price is for single plate. Often come greasy from the factory.

Rep Fitness Black Bumper Plates
Rep Fitness
Black Bumper Plates
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Expert-Recommended
Bottom Line

Our fitness expert has been using these bumper plates for years and many gyms have followed his lead.

Pros

Made of strong, low-bounce rubber. Lighter plates are extra thick to minimize plate folding. Very durable steel inserts with hooks last a long time. Comes in pairs from as low as 10 to as high as 45 pounds, or in 160 to 370-pound sets.

Cons

Not designed to be dropped regularly. Some complaints of new rubber odor.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for Best Olympic bumper plates

Creating the ideal home gym involves finding the best equipment for your needs and your space while taking the necessary measures to exercise safely. You don’t want to hurt yourself, and you also want to protect your surroundings and your equipment. For those who enjoy weightlifting and powerlifting, Olympic bumper plates are a vital accessory. 

Olympic bumper plates are made of dense rubber over steel and are used on barbells in lieu of traditional steel plates. Weightlifters may suddenly drop the barbell, intentionally or otherwise, resulting in a lot of weight landing forcefully. Bumper plates have a responsive, soft exterior to hit the floor safely and evenly. The plates are protected, barbell integrity is maintained, and the floor is cushioned against the blow.

Because of their specialized design, bumper plates are no small investment. Figuring out if you need them and, if so, knowing how to best use and maintain them are important. Our guide details why Olympic bumper plates are so popular and effective and how to find the right ones for your fitness needs, as well as some of our favorites. 

olympic bumper plate1
Olympic bumper plates are made to withstand a lot of use, and many come with protection from the manufacturer. Check the coverage on whatever plates you buy.

Key considerations

Purpose

Olympic bumper plates are used by strength trainers and weightlifters. They fit on Olympic barbells, which have a 2-inch diameter as opposed to the 1-inch diameter of standard barbells and weights. While the standard size is employed by casual fitness enthusiasts or those just starting out, the larger size is more durable, provides more support, and is best for those lifting a lot of weight.
 
Specifically, Olympic bumper plates are used during the clean and jerk and any other barbell lifts or exercises in which you may suddenly drop the barbell. Even if you regularly perform deadlifts, lifting the bar to your waist, a drop could still damage the plates or the floor. Olympic bumper plates are also regularly employed in programs like CrossFit

Types

You can choose from three common types of Olympic bumper plates based on how you intend to use them.

Technique: These bumper plates weigh the least and are often used by beginners working on form and technique.

Training: These come in various weights to help you develop strength and endurance. For most individuals, training Olympic bumper plates will suffice. 

Competition: These bumper plates are used by competitive weightlifters. They fit a standard set forth by the weightlifting governing body so they can be used legally when competing against other weightlifters. These are the most expensive. 

Expert tip
My favorite exercises to perform with bumper plates are deadlifts, clean & jerk, snatch, overhead press, squat thruster, bench press, and the overhead lunge. All of these exercises are compound movements that recruit many different muscle groups.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

Performance

The quality and durability of Olympic bumper plates go a long way in determining how effective they will be. 

Quality: Thinner plates may perform poorly over time because repeated drops can start to weaken them. Bending or flexing of the bumper plates affects the balance of the bar and your performance. You also want the plates to slide on and off the barbell easily (though they should be locked in place when in use — any shifting of the plates while lifting is unsafe).

Durability: Purchase your Olympic bumper plates from a trusted brand. A cracked bumper plate is a useless bumper plate.

Bounce: When dropped, the bumper plates should bounce slightly, which helps lessen the impact. If they don’t bounce, the plates can get damaged more easily. However, if they bounce too much, you could be injured. 

Size

Olympic bumper plates are all the same diameter because they’re intended to be the first thing that hits the ground when the barbell is dropped. 

Olympic bumper plates are not all the same weight or thickness. The weight corresponds to the thickness. Weights typically range from 10 pounds to 55 pounds. The lightest are the thinnest at around 1 inch, while the largest are 3 to 4 inches thick. Keep this in mind and make sure you have enough room on the barbell sleeve to fit the plates. 

Bumper plates are designed to be gentler on floors, but you should still use mats and extra padding to protect the floor and make your workout more comfortable.

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Features

Color

Olympic bumper plates are coated in rubber, which may feature a color or design. In many cases, each color denotes a particular weight, which is useful if you have various sets. The International Weightlifting Federation has its own color standards: from heaviest to lightest, the colors are red, blue, yellow, and green. Many companies use similar colors, but some have their own system. You can also purchase a set entirely of one color, such as black or gray.

Sets

Most Olympic bumper plates are sold in pairs. You can also buy sets with multiple pairs of different weights. You can save money by buying a set versus buying pairs individually. If you frequently work out and vary your exercises in such a way that you need different weights, consider a set.

olympic bumper plate2
Expert tip
Bumper plates are made to be dropped on the floor while performing the exercises. Therefore, I highly recommend rubber flooring as a surface to help promote the longevity of your bumper plates.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

Accessories

Olympic weight benchA durable Olympic weight bench allows you to train with the right equipment at home.

BarbellYou need the right barbell for your Olympic bumper plates. 

Plate treeKeep your plates organized and off the floor.

Hex barIf you’re doing deadlifts, you want a hex bar.

Olympic bumper plate prices

Inexpensive

For under $100, you can find a pair of small bumper plates that are relatively durable but don’t weigh more than 15 or 25 pounds. You may find heavier single plates at this price, too.

Mid-range

Spend between $100 and $250 and you can purchase a good-quality pair of plates of almost any size. 

Expensive

Spend over $250, and you’ll get the most durable and heaviest Olympic bumper plates, including sets of multiple pairs.

Virtually all Olympic bumper plates have a rubber smell at first. The odor should subside over the course of a few weeks.

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Tips

  • Color code the bumper plates. If you have black or silver bumper plates, you can add some colored tape to help you more easily identify plates of different weights.
  • Work out safely. Olympic bumper plates protect equipment and floors, but they don’t do much for your own safety. Warm up before and cool down after your workouts, use a spotter when lifting, and get plenty of rest between workouts.
  • Track your workouts. To monitor your progress, track the days you work out, as well as your sets, reps, and weights.
  • Switch it up. Bumper plates aren’t just effective on a barbell. One can also be gripped in your hands to do a variety of core and strength exercises like squats and Russian twists.
olympic bumper plate3
Olympic bumper plates have an added bonus: they tend to be quiet when dropped. The rubber dampens the sound when the plates hit the floor.

FAQ

Q. Are Olympic bumper plates necessary for lifting?

A. In most cases, it’s wise to invest in a pair of Olympic bumper plates to maximize the longevity of your equipment and floor. If the only lifts you regularly do are controlled and you don’t drop the barbell, you may be able to get away without bumper plates. Still, for those times when you drop the bar suddenly, it’s good to have them.

Expert tip
If you are using a commercial gym that has bumper plates, be respectful of other gym members who need them for exercises that require bumper plates, and do not use them for bicep curls, triceps extensions, or other smaller exercises that can be done without bumper plates.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

Q. How long do Olympic bumper plates last?

A. Even with regular use, they should last a few years. Store them in a cool, dry location, and regularly wipe off any dirt, sweat, and dust.

Q. What other equipment do I need in order to use Olympic bumper plates?

A. You can use an Olympic bumper plate on its own as a weight to do various core exercises. However, that wouldn’t be particularly cost-effective. You need an Olympic barbell — they come in different lengths with various features — to hold the bumper plates. While beginners may not be using too much weight, more experienced lifters need more, so additional plates may be required. The Olympic barbell can be used on its own or in conjunction with a squat rack, power rack, or Olympic weight bench, all of which can add diversity to your workouts. Just make sure your equipment is Olympic size and not a standard size.

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