Bumper Plates

Choosing the Right Bumper Plates for CrossFit

You have a question… your gym, box, garage, or studio is in need of bumper plates for CrossFit, but which ones are the best for your needs?

There are specific and important variables that we use when choosing bumper plates. These variables include: accuracy of weight, durability, bounce (hardness), inserts, odor, width, and cost. We first explain to you exactly what each of these variables mean, then provide you with our recommendations.

Accuracy of Weight
You wouldn’t think your 45lb bumper plate could weigh 50lbs, but it can and does happen if you buy at the low end. Higher-end bumpers have a strict weight tolerance to ensure your plates are close to the stated weight. It’s not fun if one side of your bar weighs 70 and the other is 85 when you try to perform a jerk. All of the bumper plates we recommend are +/- 10 grams to their stated weight.

High Bounce Versus Low Bounce Bumper Plates
Bounce refers to how high the bumpers will bounce when dropped on the ground. We GREATLY prefer low bounce bumpers for a lot of reasons. One, they are less likely to cause injury, as well as damage to surrounding walls and furniture. Higher bounce bumper plates like the Rogue Hi-Temps are typically made of a high recycled rubber content which gives it a ‘worn’ look, however we feel the cosmetic benefits do not outweigh the increased risks mentioned above. Also, high bounce bumper plates basically do work for you when you do not let them settle on the ground. Since work capacity is important in everything you do, don’t cheat, and go with low bounce bumper plates. If in doubt, look to what the pros use–the bumpers used at the Crossfit games were low bounce, as well as all bumpers used at the Olympics.

Durability
If you have researched else where on the web, you’ve probably come across some reviews of bumper plates literally falling apart after only a few months of use. If you bought cheap bumper plates, then sorry you didn’t come here first. You’ll end up paying more in the long run having to replace cheap bumper plates that you were trying to save a few dollars on.

Inserts
Steel disk inserts, steel inserts, brass center fittings, OH MY! These basically all go in order of durability, performance, and price. Steel disk inserts are the best and most expensive. We recommend these for people doing a lot of Olympic lifting. Steel inserts are perfect for the combination of lifting that most crossfitters and other weight lifters perform. We don’t recommend brass inserts, because they are not durable enough.

Width
This is a sneaky variable that not many people think about. However, the Rogue Hi Temp bumper plates take up A LOT of space on the bar (think 350-400lbs max with collars), which is another reason we do not recommend them besides the high bounce.  This is a very common complaint we see with the Hi Temp bumper plate reviews.  You could add metal plates on with them, but this does put extra stress on which ever hit the ground first – usually the bumper plates – which is not good, and could/will reduce the life of them.  So then you have to buy another type of bumper plates if you choose Hi-Temps.  Most of your stronger male clients will be deadlifting and squatting well over 375lbs, so don’t make this mistake.

Odor
The rubbers that bumper plates are made of can put off a smell, especially the cheaper ones. Simply put, we do not recommend any bumper plates that stink when they come out of the box, or have wet paint. There may be a faint smell for a couple days, but after that, you’d have to put your nose to the plate to smell anything.

Cost
When calculating cost, there are two things to considers – actual cost and shipping costs. When you’re shipping things that weigh a lot or are bulky, they get expensive, and this is why we like free shipping. You can almost consider this a hidden cost… but when you live in California… shipping can nearly double your price, so watch out! Also, some people want the biggest bang for their buck, and we give you two different options. One option that compares to the highest standard on the market(Eleiko) for about 1/2 the price, and another that is perfect for every other lifter that isn’t going to the Olympics.

Recommendations and Pendlay Econ v2 vs Rogue Hi-Temp Comparison

For 90% of the people out there, you’re looking at two options… the Pendlay Econ bumper plates and the Rogue Hi-Temp bumper plates, so we made an easy price comparison chart.

Down below we have our 2 recommendations for bumper plates. Our first recommendation is the Pendlay Econ V2′s which are ideal for 90% of weight lifters, trainers, and our ideal choice for bumper plates for CrossFit.  The second recommendation is for those of you who value quality above all else or if you do a lot of Olympic lifting on platforms or for competition.

Muscle Driver USA – Pendlay Econ V2 Bumper Plates

- Low Bounce
- Stainless Steel Insert
- Low/No Odor
- Accurate Weight Tolerance +/- 10 Grams
- Flawless Surfance Area
- Medium/Small Width
- Very Durable
- Best Cost and Quality Combination on the Market
- Reputable Supplier
- Rewards Program
- Free Shipping

Our ideal choice of bumper plates for Crossfit.  It has a flawless surface area, high durability, and an accurate weight versus the claimed weight. They are +/- 10 grams of the stated weight, which is an extremely tight tolerance for the price and almost no other bumper plate manufacturer makes that claim for this price. One of the reasons these are great for indoors is that they don’t bounce much, and thus are less likely to bounce into furniture/walls/feet. Not only do we know many satisfied lifters who use these, we own them. A negative of these, compared to the Hi Temps is that they will show wear if you use them outdoors a lot. However, given the high bounce and width of the Hi Temp bumper plates, we think that this is an easy choice for everyone.

Whether you want a pair of them, or a set of 160lb, 210lb, 230lb or 340lb, they all have free shipping, which is great. The sets provide you a big discount – for example – the 230lb set (pairs of 45lb, 35lb, 25lb, and 10lb) at a price of $383.99 would be bought individually in pairs for $450 which is a savings of $66 plus the rewards program of 11 points. We simply can’t find a better deal for quality bumper plates set on the market today. If you’re looking for a barbell and bumper plates, we recommend checking out the weight sets as well, since the savings is even greater there. You can order either the colored ones or the black ones in both kilograms and pounds as well.

Grab Yours Today by Clicking HERE

Weight Sets (HD/Bearing Barbell + Econ/Elite Bumpers)

You do have the option of mixing and matching barbells and bumper plates, but you can also buy package deals that save you money.  We wanted people to be aware of this before they bought them separately!  You can get either the Pendlay HD barbell or the bearing barbell combined with either the Elite bumper plates or the Econ plates.  You can then buy different amounts of bumper plates with those too.  It basically gives you enough options that you can find one you like.

Grab anyone of the weight sets by Clicking HERE
- After clicking the link above, click “weight sets” on the left

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Muscle Driver USA – Pendlay Elite Bumper Plates

- Flawless surface area
- Custom Print done in South Carolina
- Steel Disk, Zinc Plated
- Very Low Bounce
- Extremely Durable
- Perfect for Olympic Lifting
- Small Width
- Accurate Weight +/- 10 Grams
- Low/No Odor
- Very Snug Fit On Bars (no rattling)
- Reputable Supplier
- Rewards Program
- Free Shipping

These are some of the best bumper plates available. Again, these don’t do work for you like we have felt the Rogue Hi-Temp bumper plates do. These have a dead blow bounce which makes it so you aren’t running after your barbell. They’re also guaranteed to be within 10 grams of the claimed weight, and the zinc plated steel disk makes a great fit around the bar so there is no loose fitting. Another really unique thing about these bumpers is that you have a wide variety of coloring options, from black, to two-tone, to full color, and the weight can be in either pounds or kilograms.

With so many options for your bumper plates, we like these for the people who are serious crossfitters, Olympic lifters, or outfitting a gym or box. These have been compared favorably to Eleiko (used in the Olympic Games) for about 1/2 the cost, so they perfect for those of you who want the best bumper plates around for a reasonable price.  However, that is still the one negative of these for most people.  The extra hardness, nice ink finish, and steel disk inserts will cost you a good deal more, and only the serious crossfitters or Olympic weight lifters will really see the value.

These, along with the Econ bumper plates, can be ordered in package deals which save you some serious money. A 210lb set (pairs of 45lb, 35lb, 25lb) costs $625, but when bought separately, costs you $645. Plus the kick back in the rewards program of 18 points. You can also add a high quality barbell to these if you are in need of a complete weight set.

Grab Yours Today by Clicking HERE