bumper plates vs steel,Building Secrets Shared

bumper plates vs steel,Introduction to Bumper Plates and Steel Plates When it comes to weightlifting, two popular types of plates are bumper pl

Introduction to Bumper Plates and Steel Plates

When it comes to weightlifting, two popular types of plates are bumper plates and steel plates. Bumper plates are usually made of rubber or a rubber - like material. They are designed to be dropped from a height without causing damage to the floor or the weights themselves. This makes them a great choice for Olympic - style weightlifting where the weights are often dropped after a lift. Steel plates, on the other hand, are made of solid steel. They are more traditional and are often found in many gyms. They are typically less expensive than bumper plates.

Advantages of Bumper Plates

One of the main advantages of bumper plates is their durability in terms of being dropped. If you're doing power cleans or snatches and you need to drop the weight at the end of the lift, bumper plates are your best bet. They also tend to be quieter when dropped compared to steel plates hitting the floor. Another plus is that they are often color - coded, which makes it easy to quickly identify the weight of each plate. For example, in a busy gym class, it's much easier to pick out the right weights when they are color - marked.

Advantages of Steel Plates

Steel plates have their own set of benefits. They are more precise in weight. Sometimes bumper plates can vary a bit in their actual weight due to the manufacturing process of the rubber. Steel plates are also very sturdy and can last a long time if properly cared for. In a traditional weightlifting setup where dropping the weights isn't a regular occurrence, steel plates can be a great option. They are also more compact in some cases, which can be useful if you have limited space in your home gym or storage area.

Which One to Choose?

The choice between bumper plates and steel plates really depends on your needs. If you're into Olympic - style weightlifting or you often drop weights during your workouts, bumper plates are probably the way to go. However, if you're on a budget, don't need to drop weights often, and want more precise weights, steel plates might be a better choice. Also, consider the space you have available. If space is tight, the compactness of steel plates could be a deciding factor.

Questions and Answers

Question 1: Are bumper plates more expensive than steel plates? Answer: In general, bumper plates are more expensive than steel plates.

Question 2: Can steel plates be used for Olympic - style weightlifting? Answer: While they can be used, it's not the best option as dropping them can damage the floor and the plates themselves, so bumper plates are more suitable for Olympic - style weightlifting.