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It’s time to take your gym to the next level – Mount Olympus-level! These 5 best bumper plates will add a new dimension to your training.
Okay, so when the gyms closed you decided to build one in your home. Bravo to you! But now you’re probably getting a bit board of the stationary bike, kettlebell and resistance band (though I think it’s an impossibility to get board of kettlebells). So now you’ve decided to take your home gym to a whole new level. Either that or you’ve been watching too many Dmitry Klokov videos on YouTube. Well, an Olympic bar and a set of bumper plates will certainly do that!
If up to now you’ve been using those key pieces of exercise kit, they will certainly help you keep in shape, toned and trim. However, there’s only so far kettlebells and resistance bands can take you if your training ambitions are to build strength. Also, it’s almost impossible to find an adequate substitute for the complex exercises that you can perform on a loaded Olympic bar; such as snatches, clean and jerk, the fabled front squat, deadlifts, to name but a few.
That being the case, you need an Olympic bar and some weights to slide on the end. But not all weights were created equal. The standard solid cast iron plates are fine if it’s the gym floor you’re pockmarking. Not fine if you’re training at home. That’s the great thing about bumper plates, they are kinder on whatever surface you happen to be training on.
In addition, unlike solid cast iron plates, bumps can be dropped from head height – which is, of course, what they are designed for. If you’re new to Olympic lifting, as we all were once, you might be wondering why you’d want to drop the bar. After all, isn’t the eccentric phase crucial for developing strength and control?
Though the answer to that question is a resounding Yes, it is only so when the loads are manageable. When the bar is heavily loaded, and the weight is hoisted high above the head as it is with the snatch, to return the bar to the floor using eccentric contraction would pose a significant injury risk factor to the lifter. It’s for this reason why you’ll see Olympic lifters and CrossFit athletes drop the bar. Also, if the objective of the competition is to get the bar above the head only (as it is in the snatch and clean and jerk), it would waste a lot of energy to return it to the floor under muscle contraction.
Right, enough waffle, if you’re looking to invest in an Olympic set-up here are our picks for the five best bumper plates on the market.
1: EXTREME FITNESS® Hi-Temp Olympic Bumper Plates
Product overview (click image for availability)
Made from solid rubber all the way through which ensures superior shock absorption properties.
Available weights: 5kg, 10kg, 15kg, 20kg, 25kg.
All weights are colour coded.
Suitable for Olympic barbells 51mm ring / 2 inch
Hi-Temp bumpers are made from recycled tires and steel inserts, making them very nearly indestructible. They can withstand heavy load high impacts all day long and they will not deteriorate if left outside. Hi-Temp bumpers are constructed using a lower density mix of rubber than many other bumper brands. This rubber mix results in a bumper that is a bit wider which better distributes the force of impact. The additional width, combined with the forgiving low density of the rubber mix, results in a high-bounce bumper that resists cracking. These bumper plates reduce floor chips and dents and are much quieter. With a 2” smooth stainless-steel centre, these bumper plates will last a lifetime.
Solid rating: nearly 5 stars with 23 reviews
Prices vary on weights (£79.99 - £184.99)
3: JLL® Olympic Bumper Plates
Product overview (click image for availability)
The Olympic coloured bumper pates are designed for commercial and home gyms.
Suitable for Olympic barbells 51mm ring / 2 inch
Colour coded for easy weight identification with 2" reinforced sleeve for easy loading.
Solid rubber/vinyl plate, designed for high impact training.
The JLL Olympic bumper plates are designed to fit any standard Olympic barbell. The 2” diameter hole is lined with a super smooth polished steel sleeve making plate changes quick and effortless. The body of the plates is formed from a high-quality solid rubber and vinyl mix, making them not only durable but also shock absorbent. Each weight plate is colour coordinated as per the Olympic International Weightlifting Federation standards. Thus, these bumps not only look the bizz but they perform as well.
Well rated: 4.5 stars with over 60 reviews
Prices range from £35.00 to £282 (which of course if for a set)
3: BodyRip Olympic Bumper Weight Plates
Product overview (click image for availability)
Made from solid rubber all the way through which ensures superior shock absorption properties.
Available weights: 5kg, 10kg, 15kg, 20kg, 25kg.
All weights are colour coded.
Suitable for Olympic barbells 51mm ring / 2 inch
Unlike some cheaper products, BodyRip’s bumpers are moulded from solid rubber all the way through. Thus, they’re not only shock absorbent and can withstand massive loads, but they won’t crack or split after prolonged use – or abuse. The reviews attest to the quality of these bumps; few comparative brands/producers have received anywhere near as many favourable reviews as these. And like JLL’s, each plate is colour coordinated as per the Olympic International Weightlifting Federation standards. So, when you’re smashing your way through a set of snatches, you won’t mistake the 20kg for the 10kg.
Cast iron rating: 4.5 stars with nearly 60 reviews
Prices start at £69.99
4: X-trade Olympic Bumper Plate
Product overview (click image for availability)
Made in Europe.
Outer Diameter: 450mm - Olympic Size IWF standard.
Suitable for Olympic barbells 51mm ring / 2 inch.
5kg thickness: 30mm.
Stainless steel centre ring.
X-trade’s Olympic bumper plates have been designed for the serious trainer in mind. Constructed from premium quality rubber they promise to stand the test of time. As with all the bumper plates in this article X-trade’s meet the International Weightlifting Federation sizing standards. And though these bumps are not colour coordinated they have received plenty of favourable reviews attesting to their quality and durability. These make a good entry level product for the person who is just starting out on their Olympic lifting journey.
Reasonable rating: 4 stars with 21 reviews
Prices start at £37.99
5: Body Revolution Olympic Bumper Weight Plates
Product overview (click image for availability)
Compatible with 2 Inch Olympic weightlifting barbells.
Size coded plates according to IWF standards.
Slim fit design for maximum weight stacking.
Solid rubber compound with stainless steel inner ring.
As we would expect, Body Revolution’s bumper plates fit all standard Olympic barbells and meet the International Weightlifting Federation sizing standards. But they also boast a unique ‘slim fit’ feature that allows for ‘maximum weight stacking’. So these are for the aspiring Diamss or Halls of the world; that is, the freaky strong individual who can comfortably outlift the rest of us mere mortals. Constructed from high-density solid rubber, Body Revolution’s bumpers will withstand any abuse you care to throw at them – literally.
One of the best rated plates on the market: nearly 5 stars with almost 100 reviews
Prices vary depending on weight of plate.
(As we are very interested in user experience here at Hungry4Fitness, we would be very grateful if you could take a few seconds out of your day to leave a comment. Thanks in advance!)
Blog Author
Adam Priest, former Royal Marines Commando, is a personal trainer, lecturer, boxing and Thai boxing enthusiast.