Bumper Plates Vs Iron Plates Pros And Cons
Last Updated December 18, 2024
Today, I want to tackle a big question for anyone setting up their home gym in India: Are iron plates better than bumper plates & which one to choose bumper plates vs iron plates? 💯
I’m going to dive into the benefits of both types of plates, what to look for when choosing them, and my top recommendations in each category. ❤️
😌 Stick around, and let’s get into it!
What type of weight plate is best?
When you start building or upgrading your home gym, one of the first questions you’re going to face is, What kind of plates should I use?
If you’re hitting a commercial gym, you’ve probably noticed a mix of different plates: most gyms stick with iron plates, especially in the free weights section.
But if you go to a gym with a focus on weightlifting or CrossFit, you’ll see a lot of bumper plates—especially on deadlift platforms or Olympic lifting stations, where noise reduction and floor protection are key.
In your home gym, though, you get to choose. 💯
Ideally, you’d have both: that’s exactly what I have in my own home gym.
I have a variety of plates, from classic iron to competition bumper plates.
Over time, I’ve tried and tested numerous types of plates, and I’ve found that iron plates and competition bumper plates are the ones I use most often.
Choosing Between Bumper Plates Vs Iron Plates
➡️ The first decision you’ll have to make is whether to choose bumper plates or metal plates. This might be an easier choice than you think, as there are strong reasons to prefer one over the other.
#1 Noise:
Bumper plates are made of rubber, which makes them much quieter than metal plates. While I love the nostalgic clang of metal, it can be problematic—especially when you have young kids around.
Rogue’s Deep Dish plates, for example, are among the loudest plates available.
Great for deadlifts if you want to make a statement, but not ideal if you need a quieter environment.💯
#2 Thickness and Bar Whip:
Bumper plates are generally thicker than metal plates, which can affect the flexibility of the bar. While that bend can be beneficial for Olympic lifts, it’s less ideal for other lifts. If you need to load up the bar with a lot of weight, metal plates will let you add more.
However, thick bumpers do give the appearance of more strength—who doesn’t love that?
#3 Durability and Floor Protection:
Bumpers are more versatile than metal plates. If you’re into Olympic lifts, you’ll need bumpers since they are designed to be dropped.
They also protect your floor and barbell from damage by absorbing some of the impact.
However, bumpers tend to be more expensive than metal plates.
Let’s explore each, their pros and cons, and which ones I recommend based on my experience.
The Price of Plates: Iron vs. Bumper Plates
✔️ For years, iron plates were always considered the cheaper option—hands down.
That’s because, for a long time, iron plates were the least expensive per KG. However, in a shift that surprised many, bumper plates are now often the more affordable choice.
Yes, you read that right—bumper plates are now cheaper than iron plates, and it’s a significant change in the market over the past couple of years.
This price drop can be attributed to several factors: overseas manufacturing, more competition in the marketplace, and the growing demand for home gym equipment.
The rise of home gyms has turned into a huge market, and more manufacturers are jumping in, helping lower the cost of bumper plates.❤️
➡️ To illustrate this shift, here are a few examples of the cheapest bumper plates versus iron plates:
- Cap Barbell Bumper Plates: $40 for a single 45lb plate (less than $1 per pound).
- Everyday Essentials Bumper Plates: $50 for a 45lb plate. If you keep an eye out for deals, you can even find these plates at a lower price. (Sign up for our newsletter for the best deals! We send out price drops and promotions regularly.)
On the other hand, the cheapest iron plates I found were the Cap Easy Grip Plates.
These go for about $63 for a single 45lb plate. As you can see, bumper plates are now the clear winner when it comes to affordability.
Bumper vs. Iron Plate Diameters: What’s the Difference?
➡️ When considering which type of plates to buy, the size is a key difference between bumper and iron plates.
1. Bumper Plates:
Regardless of the weight, bumper plates are designed to have a consistent diameter. All plates (from 10kg to 25kg or even 5 kg) are generally the same size, typically 450mm (the standard used by the International Weightlifting Federation, or IWF).
This means when you start with a 5 kg plate, you’ll still be lifting the same distance from the floor as if you were using a 25 kg plate.
It’s ideal for beginners or people teaching others because it helps maintain consistent bar height, even as the weight goes up.
2. Iron Plates:
Iron plates, on the other hand, vary in size depending on the weight.
For example, a 25 kg plate may have a 450mm diameter, but lighter plates (like 5 kg plates) will typically be much smaller.
This difference in size can make things a bit more awkward if you’re using lighter weights, especially for beginners.
If you’re focused on keeping things consistent with plate size, bumper plates are the obvious choice.
However, iron plates have their own benefits, like being easier to move around due to their smaller size for lighter weights.
How Much Weight Can You Stack?
✔️ If you’re looking to maximize the amount of weight you can load on your barbell, iron plates are the clear WINNER. Because they tend to be thinner than bumper plates, you can fit more of them on your bar.
Here’s a comparison of how much weight you can stack:
1. Calibrated Iron Plates:
These are the thinnest plates, measuring around 22mm thick for a 20 kg plate. If you use calibrated iron plates, you can load up to 18 of them on an Olympic bar (including the bar’s weight). This would give you a total of around 360 kg!
2. Bumper Plates:
Even the thinnest competition bumper plates will limit you to only about 7 plates per side of the bar. If you’re using standard crumb rubber plates, the max is usually around 4 to 5 plates per side.
➡️ In terms of raw weight capacity, iron plates definitely take the lead here.
Noise: Iron vs. Bumper Plates
Noise is something that matters more in home gyms than in commercial settings. When you drop plates, iron can make a lot of noise—especially if you don’t have rubber mats to absorb the impact.
The sound of iron plates hitting the ground has a distinct, metallic clink that some people love. ▶️
Personally, I enjoy the sound because it reminds me of the old-school garage gym vibe.
But if you’re looking for a quieter experience, bumper plates are definitely the way to go.
Rubber plates absorb impact better than metal, which means they produce much less noise when dropped. This is particularly important if you’re lifting in a space that you don’t want to disturb others—whether it’s in a basement, apartment, or shared space.
The durometer rating (Shore A hardness) of rubber plates also affects the sound.
The lower the durometer, the softer the rubber and the more bounce the plate has.
Higher durometer plates are less bouncy and quieter, which is something to consider depending on your lifting environment.
Durability: Iron vs. Bumper Plates
Iron plates are generally more durable than bumper plates.
Cast iron plates, for example, are incredibly sturdy and can withstand drops, even from substantial heights, without issue. If you’re looking for plates that will last a lifetime—or even be passed down to future generations—iron plates are the better choice.
On the flip side, bumper plates are prone to wear and tear over time, especially if you drop them frequently.
The rubber can start to separate from the metal hub, particularly with lower-quality bumper plates. 💰
So, if durability is your top priority, iron plates will typically outlast rubber.
My Recommendations: (For INDIA)
If you’re going with iron plates, here are my top picks –
1. Bullrock Cast Iron Plates
Looking for Classic Olympic Iron Plates? Do you love that old-school clanging sound of metal plates? Well, BullrocK Olympic Cast Iron Plates should be your choice. They are simple and tough enough to last you a lifetime. The weight ranges from 1.25 kg to 25 kg & they’re painted all black.❤
- Plates are good for loading huge weights & are unbreakable.
- These could break your floor, & not be colour-coded so you won’t know how much weight is loaded.
Price: XXX
2. Performer Powerlifting Plates –
These are the most searched & bought plates in India, nearly everyone knows about them. These are used in powerlifting competitions & are made for powerlifters. So if you want colourful colour-coded plates these are the ones you must get.
- Colour coded & are good for powerlifting.
- Sratches so often.
Price: XX
3. Normal Fan Plates –
These are the integrated rubber metal weight plates. Manufactured with a cast iron core and surrounded by a thick, shock-absorbent, and impact-resistant layer of Rubber. It is easy to maintain and most commonly found, because of its affordable pricing.❤️
- Good for general use in every gym.
- Not meant for any sports.
Price:
For bumper plates, my recommendations are:
#1 Leeway Bumper Plates –
These are the cheapest bumper plates in India which are much better than iron plates for a home gym! These are colour-coded, made of good durometer rubber & cost much low than any other bumper plate set. Get them for just Rs 160 per kg. 💯
- Good entry-level bumpers for all home gyms.
- Hard to keep clean. proper cushioning is required.
Price:
#2 ATE Bumper Plates –
The ATE Color Bumper Plates 3.0 are an improved version over their previous 2.0 generation. These are better & manufactured with International Standard specification, which make them suitable for weightlifters & to be used in competitions as well. The finish is best suited for long term use, since they are using textured paint.
- Good for competition use & these are very precise in weight.
- So expensive.
Price:
#3 Leeway Black Bumper Plates –
The primary difference is in the colour coding. Black plates are more cost-effective and versatile but lack the visual distinction of their coloured plates. Both serve the same functional purpose, but cost is your biggest factor. Then get these. 😌
- Cheaper than colour bumpers.
- It can bounce a lot. No colour is seen.
Price:
For USA Audience –
🔥 If you’re going with iron plates, here are my top picks:
- Rogue Deep Dish Plates – These are made from ductile iron, are made in the USA, and are backed by a solid warranty. They’re a great all-around option for both performance and aesthetics.
- Rep USA Equalizer Plates – Thinner than Rogue’s, these plates are well-made, accurate, and great for people who want to fit more weight on the bar.
- Cap Easy Grip Plates – For a budget-friendly option, these are the cheapest and work well, but they have a smaller diameter and aren’t the most durable.
For bumper plates, my recommendations are:
- Rogue HG 2.0 Bumper Plates – These are top-tier in terms of quality, durability, and consistency. Perfect for home gyms that get heavy use.
- Fringe Sport Bumper Plates – A great value option, especially with their 10lb plates, which have an impressive warranty.
- High Temp Bumper Plates – These are made from crumb rubber, are ultra-durable, and can withstand outdoor use. Perfect for those looking for something tough and versatile.😌
Which Plates Should You Choose?
For me, if I’m focusing on the type of training I do, I would likely choose iron plates.
They’re great for powerlifting or if you’re not doing a lot of Olympic lifts. However, if you’re doing a lot of Olympic lifting, especially dropping weights from overhead or the front rack, bumper plates are essential.🔥
Of course, you can combine both: many people use bumper plates on the outside of their bar and iron plates in the middle. This can protect your floor while maximizing the amount of weight you can load on your bar.
Let me know which plates you use in your home gym or which ones you’re considering: Bumper Plates Vs iron plates. I hope you got an answer to “Are iron plates better than bumper plates?”
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
