Weightlifting - Bumper Plates

Bumper plates are widely used in powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit style workouts. It is a type of weight plate which is manufactured entirely from rubber or urethane. The plates have a small metal inserted in the centre. The plates are used to prevent direct falling or dropping of barbells on the ground. Bumper plates significantly provide a safer bouncing for the barbell and reduce the chances of any damage on the floor. Usually, bumper plates of 10lbs or 5kgs are ideally used by the beginners. These plates should have a dead bounce with a centre ring and a thicker width. Generally, the lighter bumper plates have a higher durometer reading and are more stress-resistant. In contrast, the heavier plates have more surface area and lower durometer readings.

Colour codes of Bumper Plates

According to the International Weightlifting Federation, bumper plates follow the colour codes as mention below. The colour coding system aids in identifying and picking the right weights. The Olympic plates with more than 10 kg weight have a minimum 450 mm diameter.

• Red - 25 kg or 55 lb
• Blue - 20 kg or 44 lb
• Yellow - 15 kg or 33 lb
• Green - 10 kg or 22 lb
• White - 5 kg to 11.02 lb

The competitive bumper plates have the following advantages:

• The steel disc placed under the rubber surface minimizes the metal-metal contact.
• It lowers the vibration, keeps the bolt tights and reduces noise.
• Highly durable