Bumper Plates | Reviews of Bumper Plates

Bumper Plates Recommendations

1&2.  Pendlay Econ V2 Bumper Plates (free shipping!) – The Pendlay Econ Version 2 is a great choice for an indoor bumper plate set. These rubber bumper plates have a flawless surface area, high durability, and an accurate weight versus the claimed weight. Pendlay claims they are +/- 10 grams of the stated weight, which is an extremely tight tolerance for the price.   You won’t find another supplier who adheres to these standards for the price.  Some of our friends have these and really like them. The reason these are great for indoors is that they don’t bounce much and thus are less likely to bounce into furniture/walls/feet like the Rogue Hi-Temps. The negatives are that if you want to take these outdoors, they will show wear due to the ‘shiney’ rubber used, which may or may not be an issue for you.

Check out Rep Fitness for more info and current pricing on the Pendlay Econ V2 bumper plates.

Bar and Bumpers Package: For a great deal on a Pendlay Nexgen Bar and Econ V2 bumper plate package, click here.

 
 
 

3,4,& 5. Pendlay Elite Bumper Plates (free shipping!) – These are a big step up from the Econ V2′s, both in quality and price. Just like the plates above, this is the more traditional Olympic weight lifting bumper plate which doesn’t have a big bounce when dropped. This is usually preferred by most Olympic weight lifters because they are frequently working with very heavy weights and don’t want 300 lbs bouncing on their feet. These bumper plates are made in the U.S.A. and made well. 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 kilos.

Click here to check out more info and current pricing on the Pendlay Elite bumper plates.

Bar and Bumpers Package: For a great deal on a Pendlay Nexgen Bar and Elite bumper plate package, click here.

 
 
 

The Purpose of Our Bumper Plates Site

Finding good quality Olympic bumper plates and weightlifting equipment can be time consuming, difficult, and confusing if you don’t know where to look. That is why this website was created– as a way to see reviews and recommendations on a lot of different Olympic weight lifting equipment to choose what is best for you.  Although the Pendlay Econ V2′s are priced well for bumper plates, you won’t find cheap bumper plates recommended here that will fall apart after a few months of use. Everything we recommend is high quality and made to last.

Tips and Advice on Bumper Plates

High Bounce Versus Low Bounce Olympic Bumper Plates Weights
Bounce refers to how high the bumpers will bounce when dropped on the ground. We prefer low bounce bumpers due to the fact that they are less likely to cause injury and damage to surrounding walls and furniture. High bounce bumpers like the Rogue Hi-Temps are typically made of a high recycled rubber content which gives it a ‘worn’ look that will maintain its look as the bumpers age, however we feel the cosmetic benefits do not outweigh the increased risks mentioned above. If in doubt, look to what the pros use–the bumpers used at the Crossfit games were low bounce, as well as all bumper plates used at the Olympics. For more information about bounce and bumper plates, check out our article on them here on the site at rubber bumper plates.
Accuracy of the Olympic Bumper Plates Weights
Another thing to keep in mind when comparing bumper plates weights is the accuracy of the weight. You wouldn’t think your 45lb bumper plate could weigh 50lbs, but it can and does happen if you buy junk. 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’ve researched and reviewed here have plates that are very close to the stated weight. Just one more reason why it’s best to stick with local retailers and suppliers that can vouch for the quality of their products.
What Kind of Olympic Barbell Should I Use?
If you’re looking for bumper plates, you’re obviously interested in doing Olympic weight lifting. If you plan on using that old barbell you got from grandpa’s garage sale, you might want to think twice. If you’re moving heavy weights overhead and dropping your barbell, there’s a good chance your barbell can become permanently bent if it isn’t up to the challenge. Additionally, many lower quality barbells, or barbells that haven’t been well maintained, will have sleeves that won’t spin well when you try to snap the barbell up overhead. This can be dangerous for you if the sleeves seize up or spin too slowly when you are moving a lot of weight. A high quality barbell can last a lifetime, so it makes sense to invest in one that is made for Olympic lifting. You can see what we recommend on our Olympic bar page.