BUMPER PLATES
Bumper plates are a type of weightlifting plate designed to protect equipment and floors when being dropped by the weightlifter. They are typically made from rubber or a rubber-like composite and are thicker than traditional weightlifting plates to help diffuse impact. Bumper plates are most commonly used in CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting workouts, as they can help prevent injuries if weight is dropped.
How to Choose the Right Bumper Plates?
There are several factors to consider when purchasing bumper plates. The most significant one is the weight of the plate. Choose weight plates that match your fitness level and can help you achieve your fitness goals. Purchasing a variety of weights will also allow you to progress and adapt the weight to the movement you want to execute.
Bumper plates are designed to meet the standards of the International Weightlifting Federation. When buying bumper plates, check whether they match the IWF standards for the width, diameter, weight, and color of bumper plates.
When buying bumper plates, you should also consider their material. Since they are made of rubber, all bumper plates can have an odor. Virgin rubber plates, as compared to recycled rubber plates, have less of an odor.
What to Consider While Purchasing Bumper Plates:
- Your fitness goals
- Durability
- Material
- Color
- Width
- Diameter
- Warranty
- Brand
Benefits of Bumper Plates
Bumper plates are a great addition to any weightlifting or CrossFit training regime. They offer several benefits that can help you improve your lifts and make your workouts safer and more effective.
- Protection for your barbell and floor – Bumper plates protect your expensive barbell and your training space from damage. Dropping a loaded barbell on a hard surface can bend the barbell and damage the floor. Bumper plates provide a cushioning effect that helps to reduce the risk of damage by absorbing the majority of the vibration upon impact.
- Increased safety – Bumper plates can help make your lifting sessions safer. They allow you to drop the barbell without worrying about damaging the bar or yourself.
- More challenging lifts – Bumper plates can help you make your lifts more challenging. By adding weight to the bar, you can increase the difficulty of your lifts and make them more effective.
- Durability – Bumper plates are significantly more durable and have a longer lifespan than iron or steel plates. Unlike steel/iron plates which are susceptible to rust, bumper plates are designed to be dropped over and over again while maintaining their integrity.
Bumper plates help protect the athlete, barbell, and flooring from damage during weight drops.
You can mix bumper plates with iron plates as long as you don’t use them during lifts where you drop the bar because other weight plates cannot absorb shock as bumper plates can.
Deadlifting with bumper plates is easier since these plates are wider and they increase the flexibility of your bar. They can also provide a slight rebounding action.
The longevity of your bumper plates depends on the make, maintenance, frequency of use, and the exercises performed with them. Keeping them in a dry space and out of extreme cold or heat will help to prolong their lifespan.
Yes, you can bench with bumper plates. Although they won’t provide any additional benefit to your benching experience, they will prevent your floors from damaging if you drop the weight.