Are rubber bumper plates good?

Durability. Bumper plates are pretty durable by design, however there are levels to the game. As you might expect, the more expensive, the more durable. On the lower end of durability you’re going to find softer rubber bumper plates, and then on the higher end, you’ll find the urethane coated plates.

How long will rubber bumper plates last?

A good quality bumper plate will typically last for 5 – 10 years with good maintenance and correct use. Some bumper plates will last forever depending on the frequency of use and exercises used but bumper plates are designed to absorb impact and allow for durability and longevity of use.

Are crumb rubber bumper plates good?

Crumb rubber bumpers bounce high, offer decent bend, and usually have a rough look. These are ideal for lifting outside or when there’s no mat or platform under the athlete. The other type employs a hard rubber, which doesn’t bounce, as much as make a thud when dropped.

Are thicker bumper plates better?

The thinner the plates, the better as it will mean more weight can fit on the bar. The collar opening should be as close to 50.4MM as possible. This, again, is the International Weightlifting Federation Standard. Price: We’re not so much looking at the price, but the value of the plates.

Are rubber plates better than metal?

Rubber is much quieter when in use and when dropped The fourth difference between rubber and iron plates is that rubber plates are much quieter on the bar, and if you’re lifting in a garage gym (or even a commercial gym), this is huge because you won’t hear the iron clatter when you’re moving weight.

Are urethane plates better than rubber?

Urethane is generally more harder than rubber. Urethane will benefit from this as it is superior for its engraving capabilities and higher resistance to degradation. Rubber on the other hand has more resilience on impact and more elastic memory. This is why most bumper plates are manufactured with rubber.

How do you maintain rubber bumper plates?

Warm water and a cloth is the best method to clean your bumper plates while using some WD-40 will prevent rusting on the inner ring. For simple maintenance, clean your bumper plates every two weeks, ensuring they are stored correctly.

Should I buy rubber plates?

If you’ve got the room in your budget and space in your garage or commercial gym for rubber bumper plates, we highly recommend and encourage you to go for rubber bumper plates over iron. You get all of the benefits of iron plates, but even a little bit more with a rubber plate.

Are urethane bumpers worth it?

Urethane is an improvement upon rubber for a few reasons. First, if the correct formula is used, they can be incredibly durable. In fact, the American Barbell Urethane Plates are tested to 50,000 drops and still show little wear. There simply isn’t a more durable plate available.

What is the difference between urethane and rubber?

Urethanes fill the gap between rubber and plastic. They’re harder than rubber which contributes to their outstanding load-bearing abilities. Yet they’re softer and much more pliable than plastics. This accounts for their outstanding impact resistance and all-around toughness.

Do Rubber weight plates smell?

Brand new rubber dumbbells and weight plates sometimes arrive with an alarming rubber smell. Buyers have been complaining about this issue for years. The cause of the toxic dumbbell smell is two-fold: First, rubber dumbbells or weight plates are exposed to air when they are shipped.

Can you leave bumper plates in the sun?

In the short-term, storing your bumpers outside isn’t likely to cause lasting damage to the rubber of your plates, but the insert (metal bit) will get hit hard so oil that part regularly.

Should I buy cheap bumper plates?

The key to buying and using cheap bumper plates is knowing how cheap you can go and still get a quality plate that is going to be durable and that you’re going to enjoy lifting with. Otherwise, they end up being a complete waste of money, cheap or not.

Do you want more or less bounce in bumper plates?

Dead-bounce: This is important because the less bouncing your plates do, the less bouncing your barbell will do, which will save your barbell collars and the center rings of the bumper plates from getting loose.