Bumper plates are weight discs made of thick rubber that have metal or plastic inserts in the center. They are used as weightlifting and weight-training equipment, primarily for Olympic lifts such as the snatch and clean and jerk.
Bumper plates are designed to be dropped from high heights without damaging the floor or other weightlifting equipment. Best of all, the best bumper plates dramatically reduce noise, even when dropped from overhead.
Are you looking to add bumper plates to your equipment collection? American Barbell is one of the best fitness equipment brands in the industry, but how do their bumper plates stack up? Let's take a closer look at this American Barbell Urethane Bumper Plates Review.
The team here at ACTIVE has spent many hours checking out American Barbell, from the best barbells to their bumper plates, to determine what sets them apart from the competition.
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated.
A Quick Look at the American Barbell Urethane Bumper Plates
SPECS
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Weight options:
- 25 lbs. - 1.5" (39mm)
- 35 lbs. - 1.76" (45mm)
- 45 lbs. - 2.05" (52mm)
- 55 lbs. - 2.27" (58mm)
- Diameter: 450mm. / 17.7"
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Colors:
- Green - 25 lbs.
- Yellow - 35 lbs.
- Blue - 45 lbs.
- Red - 55 lbs.
The American Barbell company has been around since 1976, which says a lot about them as a brand and as a successful business. Given the ups and downs in the fitness industry over the last 50 years, the fact that this brand is still going strong should be your first sign that they produce trustworthy fitness equipment.
In fact, you don't have to look far to find similarities in other fitness equipment brands, ones that came years after American Barbell, insinuating that their style and quality has been imitated by many others.
Here's a highlight of their industry accomplishments:
- Creating the first Hard Chrome Olympic Barbell (1998)
- Producing first Urethane Bumper Plate (2012)
- Making the first Cerakote Olympic Barbell (2016)
- Utilizing patented Spline technology in their producing high-strength Urethane dumbbells
It's certainly safe to say that this is one fitness company that truly innovates and leads the way with new equipment before it goes into the mainstream.
Before we dive into the specifics of American Barbell Urethane Bumper Plates, we want to answer the all-too common question of, "What is the difference between regular versus urethane bumper plates?"
Standard vs. Urethane Bumper Plates
The main thing to note is that rubber plates are made from hard plastic or rubber and have no cushioning. This means they can be noisy when dropped on weightlifting floors and can cause damage over time if not used on weightlifting mats.
Urethane bumper plates, on the other hand, are designed with a special material that has cushioning capabilities. This makes them quieter and more weight-room-friendly, which means they won't damage your weightlifting floors or equipment. Best of all, you don't have to worry about annoying nearby lifters as urethane bumper plates are noticeably much quieter.
One of the other crucial differences between standard bumper plates and urethane bumper plates is that they are better for exercise environments with higher temperatures. Urethane bumper plates are designed to maintain their weight accuracy even in higher temperatures, whereas other weight plates can be affected by heat or moisture.
With all that said, let's take a look at American Barbell's urethane bumper plates.
American Barbell Urethane Bumper Plates Review
Now, what about American Barbell bumper plates? Do they compare to what is expected out of your typical urethane plates?
Before we answer that question, it's worth pointing out that according to the website, American Barbell was the first company to create a urethane bumper plate. So, yes, we're confident American Barbell bumper plates stack up to the competition because it seems like they kicked off the trend itself.
American Barbell bumper plates are constructed from extremely durable urethane, which is five times denser than rubber and offers great durability and a very low bounce. More specifically, these plates are made from German urethane, which offers the best quality in the industry and produces bright, vibrant colors.
The 140-millimeter hard chrome hub is a one-piece solid construction with a chamfer. This makes it easy to load bars and reduces wear on the bar sleeve. Overall, these colorful bumper plates are as stylish as they are efficient, ensuring long-lasting performance for years to come. They also pair perfectly with powerlifting barbells.
What We Like
- The company has one of the longest histories in the commercial fitness industry, proven products and great customer service since 1976
- American Barbell was the first company to create a urethane bumper plate, paving the way for other brands in the industry to imitate
- American Barbell has worked with some of the biggest names in professional sports and the fitness industry worldwide. You can find their equipment in numerous widely recognizable commercial gyms such as Gold's Gym, Orangetheory, and Planet Fitness
- The American Barbell urethane bumper plates are made from German urethane, which is considered one of the best in the industry
- These are perfect for Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit workouts that require overhead exercises because you can drop them from up high without worrying about damage or noise
What We Don't Like
- Reviewers mention that the bumper plates have a tendency to scratch up your barbell if you don't have a barbell with a protective coating and you aren't careful
- As of this American Barbell Urethane Bumper Plates review, they do not make 10, 15, or 20-pound bumper plates
- The yellow-colored bumper plate (35 pounds) tends to get dirty easily because it's the lightest in color. With that said, they are easy to clean with a simple wipe from a rag
BUY: American Barbell Urethane Bumper Plates
American Barbell Urethane Bumper Plates Construction
The urethane material is the best of both worlds when it comes to synthetic compounds, displaying qualities such as resistance to abrasion and tearing, while also being flexible enough to handle impact damage and deformation. Urethane's hardness generally surpasses that of rubber, making it a more capable engraving material. Its resistance to degradation is also higher, meaning it can endure way more pressure—perfect for bumper plates!
Overall, urethane is a more durable material than rubber, resisting cuts and tears better while also having better compression qualities. The sturdiness of urethane allows it to withstand exposure to the elements, making it an ideal choice for Olympic weightlifting that takes place outdoors like your typical garage gym or CrossFit workout.
If you do have an inside gym, you'll find that urethane won't give or bounce as much upon impact when compared to rubber due to its material hardness. They're also ideal if you're looking for something that won't leave behind any markings on your floors, walls, or other equipment.
Your family or roommates will be happy because unlike some other bumper plates, you won't have that tell-tale chemical smell with urethane. There's no unpleasant odor so you don't have to worry about an airing out period.
Who Should Use American Barbell Urethane Bumper Plates
American Barbell Urethane Bumper Plates are an excellent choice of weight plate for anyone who is serious about their fitness journey. However, there are several types of people who will benefit the most from using these bumper plates:
Beginner to Olympic Lifts
If you are just starting out with weightlifting and Olympic weightlifting, these plates will be a great aid to your progress. As a beginner, you can expect to drop the weights a lot, especially as you attempt more complex exercises like the snatch, clean and press, and catch. American Barbell urethane bumper plates will help reduce the noise and potential damage to your equipment and flooring, allowing you to focus on form rather than worrying about what might be breaking.
For the untrained eye, these bumper plates are color coordinated with the amount of weight you'll be using so it'll make it easier to figure out how much you need for the next set. Continuing with that point, the weight of these plates is calibrated accurately so you don't have to worry about inaccurate measurements when increasing or decreasing weight.
Overall, these bumper plates are a fantastic way to learn and master Olympic lifts.
CrossFit
If you've been doing CrossFit or Olympic lifts for some time, trying different brands and never really finding the one that spoke to you, you're in for a great surprise.
CrossFitters and experienced Olympic lifters and weightlifters alike will appreciate the properties of American Barbell Urethane Bumper Plates. Not only is it a great choice for weightlifting, but it's also an excellent option for weight training in general.
Most CrossFit boxes (gyms) have an outside element to their workouts. Whether completely outdoors or in an open-air facility, CrossFitters need bumper plates that can take both the brutal workout AND the punishment from the elements. American Barbell urethane bumper plates can do both.
As mentioned above, the urethane material makes these bumper plates more durable than rubber and more stable than plastic weight plates. They also maintain their durability and performance in high-temperature settings, so you'll be able to get through your workouts without having to worry about plates snapping or deforming.
Anyone with a Home Gym
If you're like most people, you were inspired to build a home gym back in 2020 to ensure you could continue to work out regardless of the situation of gyms worldwide.
If you're serious about bringing high-quality weightlifting equipment into your home gym, look no further than the American Barbell Urethane Bumper Plates.
Aside from the multiple benefits we mentioned above, we want to really focus on the fact that you won't have to worry about noise compared to standard weight plates that aren't made from urethane. Since it has a very low bounce rating, if your home gym is in the basement or on an upper level of your house, you won't have to worry about the weight of your plate jarring through your walls or floors.
Our Verdict
If you're serious about adding to your fitness equipment collection or you want to start off right with a reliable brand, then American Barbell Urethane Bumper Plates should definitely be your top choice. Not only are they reliable and durable, but they are also backed by a solid brand and reputation that has been in the industry for almost five decades.
FAQs About Urethane Bumper Plates
Are urethane bumper plates better?
Yes, urethane bumper plates are generally considered to be a better option than rubber and plastic weight plates. There are several reasons why urethane bumper plates tend to be preferred over rubber or PVC:
First and most importantly, they are more durable. Plastic and PVC tend to warp, crack, and break easily while urethane weight plates can withstand heavy weight drops and long-term use better.
Next, urethane weight plates are also much quieter than plastic or rubber weight plates, making them a great choice for any indoor gym setting.
Many reviews and fitness experts state that urethane bumper plates allow for a better grip and handling when weightlifting. No need to worry about slippage when changing out your weights, even the 55-pound plates.
In addition, urethane weight plates don't have a strong chemical odor like that of rubber or PVC-based bumper plates.
Finally, urethane plates are a more cost-effective investment. Instead of having to replace the rubber or plastic plates every few years, urethane plates are built to last, ensuring you make the investment once and reap the benefits for years to come.
How long do urethane bumper plates last?
Urethane weight plates, when used and maintained properly, can last for many years. Since they are more durable than rubber weight plates, they will retain their shape, durability, and performance for much longer periods of time than your typical bumper plates.
That said, it is always important to inspect your weight plates regularly for any damage or wear and tear. You should also perform regular maintenance on your plates. The more you take care of them, the longer they'll take care of you.
Are urethane weights toxic?
No, urethane weight plates are non-toxic. Urethane weight plates are made of a high-grade polymer called polyurethane, which has been shown to be harmless to humans once it is crafted into a bumper plate.
One thing you'll immediately notice upon receiving your American Barbell urethane bumper plates is that the weight plates are odorless. Not only does this make them more comfortable to use than rubber weight plates, which can have an overpowering chemical smell, but it is a sign that you can rest assured there are no toxic materials in your bumper plates.
About the Author
David has over a decade of experience as a NASM-certified personal trainer, fitness and nutrition specialist, and sports conditioning specialist. David has written blog posts, e-books, training guides, and online courses that cover a range of health and fitness topics.
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