Are you thinking about creating a new home gym or upgrading your existing equipment? Buying the right equipment is a fundamental task and investing in the right bumper plates is what you can’t ignore. Bumper plates are one of the most popular and effective weight equipment. These weight plates are available in almost all gyms.
But you might be confused about which bumper plates to choose for your home gym. Don’t worry; we are here to make it easy for you. The guide will help you choose the right type of bumper plate for your home gym. Let’s read further about the bumper plates to understand the basics first.
Bumper plates are commonly found in all modern gyms. They are mainly used for Olympic barbells. Due to their popularity, they have many competitors. You won’t be able to choose the right one for you without knowing enough about these plates.
They are made up of dense rubber and come in pounds or kilos. The purpose is to offer you a similar weight lifting experience as other plates. But they tend to bounce back, saving your gym flooring from getting damaged.
Not only this, but the thick protective rubber layer prevents the bending of the barbell. No noise, no wear tear as a beginner, no damages to the floor nor the barbell; all these things make these bumper plates different from other plates.
Best Bumper Plates for your Home Gym
Because of the popularity and fame, there are so many competitors. The different types of bumper plates in the market can confuse us. But the best thing to do is to understand the basics and types of bumper plates.
It is vital to know for what purpose you are buying them. It can be powerlifting, weight lifting, strength training, etc. So, if you want to get the best ones for your home gym, spend some time on the information.
There are different types of plates to help you with your desired training. Here are the types of bumper plates:
- Training plates
- Competition plates
- Technique plates
- Change plates
- Fractional plates
The material difference also plays a vital role. Unlike cast-iron plates, bumper plates purely consist of rubber and not with a coating only. It makes a huge difference between the bumper and other plates. The bumper plates can virgin rubber, recycled rubber, and urethane. All three are good, but you should look for the factors according to your requirements.
Bumper Plate Stats
There are some factors you should look for when choosing the suitable bumper plates for your home gym:
Bending: When the rubber quality is not good, or the plate is not built correctly, you will notice plate bending. It should not happen. Only a good quality rubber build plate can save you from this problem.
Durability: Durability should be your top priority. If there is a crack on the inner steel ring, it will result in uneven load, so make sure you buy the high-quality bumper plates which don’t crack easily even after frequent drops.
Sliding: Good bumper plates should have a properly fitted steel ring for the bar sleeve to avoid too much movement while sliding when needed.
Bounce: Bouncing back is what makes bumper plates different from others. Check for the right bounce, as too much bounce can cause problems, too.
Benefits of Using Bumper Plates
Buying a good bumper plate can make your training journey better and interesting. There are several benefits of using these bumper plates; some of them are:
Safer
Unlike other plates, bumper plates are pretty safe to use, especially for Olympic lifts. You can easily drop them from overhead without worrying about the ground or floor.
Silent
Steel plates produce a horrifying sound, whereas bumper plates are known to be silent. Because of the rubber usage in manufacturing, there is no noise even on frequent dropping.
Versatile
Bumper plates are great for various workouts. You can use them both ways, with or without barbells. They feel stable on the bar as well.
Long-lasting
Unlike other plates, bumper plates are less prone to damages. They don’t even damage the flooring. With fewer cracks and damages, you can use them for a long. They are pretty durable and reliable. You don’t have to worry while dropping them frequently because they will not harm you or your gym equipment.
Exercises You Can Do with Bumper Plates
With or without barbells, bumper plates are great for a healthy workout. You can use them in any desirable way according to your training program. If you have set up a new home gym or upgraded, the appropriate bumper plates will be highly suitable for simple yet effective training. There are many exercises you can do with these plates, such as:
Snatch
- Lift off from the start position to just below your knees
- Push your legs together to raise the bar towards your knees. Your legs will then straighten slightly.
- Keep your chest and back in neutral positions.
- The hips and shoulders both move up at the same moment, keeping the same angle.
Clean and Jerk
- Step up towards the bar until it is approximately in the middle of your feet.
- Lean forward, and hold the bar with an overhand grip.
- Take a deep breath and brace your core.
- Smoothly and quickly lift the bar. Squat again to take the bar at the front of your shoulders. Remain straight on your legs.
- To push the bar up, bend your knees slightly.
- Grab the bar by ducking under it, and then catch it straight up with your straight arms.
- Begin by stepping back with your front foot, then move forward with the back foot. Continue this process until your feet are side-by-side.
- Then, control the bar with straight arms high above your head, and you will be standing with your feet together again.
- Control the bar by lowering it.
Overhead Press
- Your feet should be shoulder-width apart. Keep your knees straight and your hips open. The barbell should be held in front-rack, with your elbows pointed forward and your hands shoulder-width apart. This is your starting position.
- As you exhale, tighten your core and squeeze your shoulder blades together.
- Press until your arms are fully extended. You should feel as if you are pushing your head through the window made by your arms.
- Engage your back muscles, and then, while exhaling, return the barbell to its original position.
- For more reps, you can repeat these steps or put the bar back on your power rack to finish this exercise.
How To Overhead Military Press >>
Squat Thruster
- Stand straight up with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Place the barbell on your shoulders.
- Your palms should face each other and your elbows slightly in front.
- Stand while raising the bar overhead.
- Perform the same movements with regular thrusters.
Deadlift
- Move up to the bar until it is just above your middle foot.
- Take a deep breath, exhale and then lean forward to grab the bar.
- Keep your hands on the handle, relax, and raise the bar.
- Keep the bar near your body and straighten your back until you stand straight.
- With control, lower the bar to the ground.
- Continue to take a deep breath and do the same for each rep.
How To Deadlift: The Complete Guide >>
Squat
- The bar should be placed on your upper back. Take a deep breath and brace your core. Then, unrack the bar.
- Two steps back, adjust your foot position.
- Good technique will allow you to squat as deep and deeply as possible.
- You can control your movements by stopping and reversing them. Then, extend your legs and hips again.
- You can either exhale while going up or you can breathe at the top.
- Repeat for as many reps as you can.
How To Squat: The Complete Guide >>
Bench Press
- Place your back on the bench and pull your shoulders together. Keep your chest open.
- Hold the bar slightly wider than your shoulder.
- Then, take a deep breath and slowly unrack the bar.
- Keep the bar at a comfortable level until it touches your chest just below your sternum.
- Exhale and push the bar up.
- Continue to hold the top position for another breath, and then repeat the cycle for as many reps as you can.
How To Bench Press: The Complete Guide >>
Overhead Lunge
- Hold barbell overhead.
- Lunge. In order of ascending difficulty, you can go backward, forward, or, heck, sideways–exerciser’s choice.
- You have many options for changing it up. Holding one or two bumpers or kettlebells in each hand is an option. The single-arm version allows you to hold the object in one hand, which places more emphasis on your core.
You can even try some other workouts without barbells, like plate curl, pate push-ups, front shoulder raise, plate planks, and more. They can be unique for your training program bringing some change for increased motivation. But, everything depends on the correct selection of bumper plate so it can be comfortable a reliable for you and your training.
Buying Tips and Traps to Avoid
Bumper plates are usually common for Olympic weightlifting. But buying them for your home gym is never a bad decision. They are good for many reasons and training types. But getting the right one matters the most, especially for newbies. Here are some tips to help you buy the best one for your home gym without getting into the trap:
Material
The popularity of these bumper plates is increasing day by day, due to which the manufacturers are doing different things to bring the cots down. Look for high-quality urethane bumper plates. They are odor-free, reliable, and flexible. Some manufacturers use low-quality rubber or urethane while adding cast iron core. So, check the purity of the material before buying.
Weight Accuracy
The stated weight should match the weight of the bumper plates. A slight difference is tolerable. But a weight variance of 3% or higher is not good.
Warranty
You should not buy a product for your gym without a warranty. Every good-quality bumper plate comes with a warranty. And that is what you deserve as a buyer.
Width & Diameter
The width and diameter of the plates should meet the IWF standards to avoid inconvenience. 450mm diameter and 50.4 mm collar opening is recommended for bumper plates, and they should be close to these values.
Color Coding Accuracy
Usually, black bumper plates are better to buy as a standard code, but you can look for various even colors. The only thing is that they should match the IWF standards.
Printed or Raised Letter
We usually see printed weight indications, but they fade away with time. So, if it’s possible, buy the ones with raised letters.
Steel Hub
Most of the trainers prefer steel hubs and not brass ones. Stainless steel with chrome or zinc plating is a fine option for reliable bumper plates.
Drop Test
Drop test is getting common; reputed manufacturers will have drop test data on the website. You should check for the maximum number of drops to get an idea.
DMOOSE brings you top-quality bumper plates to challenge your weight training, bodybuilding, strength training, Olympic lifting, and powerlifting routines. The most important thing about bumper plates is the quality construction. And here, you get the most durable and reliable bumper plates.
These long-lasting plates will stay silent while not bouncing back too much. The standard diameter matches the IWF standard so that you don’t face any inconvenience. Its 2-inch opening is suitable for the Olympic barbell.
Moreover, they are safe and stable to be used even in small spaces. Therefore, these exceptional bumper plates are what you need for your home gym. You don’t have to think twice while buying your home gym equipment from here.
Conclusion
Choosing the right bumper plates for your home gym can be challenging. But you can make it easier by understanding the purpose. Once you know everything about bumper plates, you will be aware of the available options. It is vital to focus on the requirements to get the best one for your gym.
Don’t forget to keep the essential tips and factors in your mind before purchasing to meet the standards. Moreover, buying from reputed manufacture should be the only choice to avoid inconveniences. Bumper plates can be a great addition to your home gym; if chosen correctly. Throw some weight around your gym with the help of your favorite bumper plates and enjoy your training journey.