Are bumper plates “lighter”?

Asked by: David Wang

In this case, I own my house and lift outside, so it’s not a psychosomatic aversion to dumping the bar; it really does feel lighter. @DaveNewton Yes, you’re correct–I meant 25 pound bumpers (same height as 45s) compared to 25 pound iron (usually significantly shorter, except for cases of competition powerlifting).

Is it easier to lift with bumper plates?

I hate to be the one to burst your bumper plate bubble, but deadlifting with bumpers is significantly easier when compared to iron plates. This doesn’t mean that your coveted PR no longer stands. It just means that you have introduced another variable to consider when measuring your strength.

Why do bumper plates feel heavier?

This is because the iron in the weight reacts with oxygen and water, which increases the weight of the plates on a molecular level. When speaking of dumbbells, those that are made of rubber can have a very different weight distribution than the more traditional dumbbells that use iron plates.

Are bumper plates the same weight?

Unlike standard weight plates, where each unique weight is also a different diameter, bumper plates are all the same diameter. Instead of varying in physical size (45 lbs. being the largest and then working down from there), they vary in thickness and construction.

Why do bumper plates feel lighter than metal?

It's just that stability that is more of the issue. But with deadlifts they generally do feel a little bit lighter. And that's anecdotal evidence because a lot of people say the same sort of thing.

Is it OK to bench with bumper plates?

To progress your bench press, you’ll want to have a variety of weights on hand. Bumper plates are also a nice addition to your setup as they won’t cause too much damage to your floors if you drop them compared to traditional iron weights.

Can I mix bumper plates with regular plates?

You can mix bumper plates with iron plates without worrying about damaging your plates or barbell. However, this works as long as you add iron plates with the same weight or less to the bumper plates. Mixing bumper plates helps to protect your floor and barbell from damage.

Can you deadlift without bumper plates?

And – most relevantly – weightlifters can perform deadlifts with proper form all without bumper plates. However, just because you can accomplish all these things without the best equipment doesn’t mean that it’s ideal.

Does rust make weights heavier?

Do Rusty Weights Weigh More? In short, yes, rusty weights weigh more than clean weights. When iron rusts, it reacts with oxygen and water.

Are rubber weights better than metal?

Rubber can do everything iron can… but better

The sixth, and final, difference between rubber and iron plates is that rubber plates can do everything iron plates can, but iron plates cannot do everything that rubber plates can do.

What is the difference between rubber plates and bumper plates?

So what are the differences between bumper plates, metal plates, and rubber plates? Bumper plates are made out of thick rubber or urethane and can be dropped from overhead. Metal plates are made out of cast iron, steel, or chrome and cannot be dropped. Rubber plates are metal plates that have a thin rubber coating.

Why are CrossFit plates so big?

The reasoning behind this is that bumper plates are bigger, so the weight on each side of the barbell is applying a larger lever arm on the bar which will make it bend more than that same weight of iron plates. I studied a fair amount of physics and that made sense.

Are metal plates heavier than rubber plates?

Cast iron plates seem heavier than rubber coated.

Can you deadlift with metal plates?

Deadlifts, especially in competition, are intended to be done with iron plates. However, for the rest of us you can really go either way. You can be traditional and deadlift with iron plates, but if you’re concerned over dropping heavy weights on your garage or basement floor then you can always go with bumper plates.

How much do bumper plates weigh?

Bumper plates are commonly available in 10, 15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 lb denominations, or 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 in kilogram-denominated sets. A few companies sell “fractional” weight plates weighing 1 lb (0.5 kg) or less.

Are bumper plates quieter?

Bumper plates are also an option if you want the quietest experience possible, but they are very costly and not very space efficient. Rubber encased weights give you the best of both worlds as they are quiet, space efficient, and help protect your floor from damage.

Why do Crossfitters drop weights?

The reason to drop weights is for safety, not for fun, convenience or out of laziness (“I’m tired”). One should drop a weight rather than risk an injury but the dropping of weights is not for dropping every rep of a workout.

What is the advantage of bumper plates?

The benefits of bumper plates over traditional plates are: Quieter: Little to no noise if the plates bump into anything. Better for Olympic Lifts: Allows users to drop the barbell without having to worry about damaging the floor or chipping the weight as the material will absorb the impact.

Do I really need bumper plates?

Bumper plates are really only needed for the Olympic lifts where the bar is dropped from the hips, the rack position, and/or overhead. Normal strength training or powerlifting that consists of the squat, deadlift, various presses, and the row do not require bumper plates.

Why do Olympic lifters use bumper plates?

Why are bumper plates on the market? Bumper plates came into the fitness scene with Olympic lifters, because it’s important that when performing Olympic lifts, the clean and jerk and the snatch, that the plates allow for a barbell to be dropped from overhead, as that’s the final position for both lifts.

Do bumper plates smell?

They don’t smell as bad as when I first got them, but my weight room still has an overall background odor of rubber. It would probably be more offensive to someone who wasn’t used to it. Keep an open tub of pig intestines next to them in the living room. You probably won’t smell the bumpers anymore.

Are crumb bumper plates good?

Crumb bumper plates are made out of softer rubber compared to regular bumper plates. This means crumb plates are even more durable than regular bumpers and offer an amazing bounce.

How long do 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.