Bumper plates

Why use bumper plates?

Bumper plates are essential for Olympic weightlifting (snatch, clean and jerk) and any training where you need to safely drop a loaded barbell. Unlike cast iron or rubber-coated plates, bumper plates are designed to absorb the shock of impact and bounce in a controlled, predictable way with a low bounce, while protecting both your floor and your equipment.

Bumper plates offer:

• Safe overhead drops without damaging plates or flooring

• Consistent 450mm diameter across all weights, keeping bar height uniform

• Dense rubber construction that resists cracking and warping

• Controlled, predictable rebound on impact

• Clear weight identification during fast-paced training

Bumper plates are widely used in Olympic Weightlifting, CrossFit, Hyrox, functional fitness, and conditioning programs where barbell drops are frequent and intensity is high.

Features of our bumper plates

Our bumper plates are built for durability, fit and long-term performance:

• Stainless steel inside collars for secure, wobble-free fit on Olympic barbells, ranging from 50.4  - 50.6mm

• Dense virgin or recycled crumb rubber compound

• Low-bounce dead drop design that absorbs impact and minimises rebound

• Uniform 450mm diameter across all weights for consistent bar height

• Clear weight markings on both sides for easy identification

• Available in competition colours (IWF standard) or black training options

They’re built to feel solid on the bar, land predictably, and handle regular use in both home and commercial environments.

Types of bumper plates

We stock multiple grades of bumper plates to suit different needs and budgets:

Competition bumper plates

Thin, calibrated plates built to IWF standards with precise 10gram weight tolerance and minimal bounce dead drop, through the high shore rating. Designed for Olympic weightlifting competition and serious training, where granular accuracy and tolerances is required. Identifiable due to the large steel disc in the centre. Warrantied for commercial use. 

Pro HG bumper plates

Durable plates built for high-volume daily use, with 1% weight tolerance. Slightly more affordable than competition bumpers while still offering excellent drop protection and performance. Identifiable due to the smaller stainless steel bushing in the centre. Warrantied for commercial use. 

Crumb bumper plates

Slightly thicker plates, made from recycled crumb rubber and fused at high temperature, crumb bumpers are quieter, and have more bounce than the above two.They’re a great pick for general training, functional fitness, and home/garage gyms where noise and floor protection matter more than tight tolerances.

Choosing the right bumper plates

Consider the following when selecting bumper plates:

Training frequency

High-volume lifting or commercial environments benefit from competition or premium training bumpers. Occasional or home use can be well covered by standard training bumpers.

Plate thickness

Thinner competition bumpers allow more weight to be loaded on the barbell sleeves. Thicker training bumpers and crumb bumpers are more durable and affordable but take up more sleeve space.

Weight range

A standard competition bumper plate set includes 10kg, 15kg, 20kg, and25 kg plates, with smaller calibrated change plates available for incremental loading. Training bumpers will usually include a 5kg plate as well, and can include smaller change plates.

Bumper plate packages

If you're setting up a new gym or expanding your plate collection, explore our pre-configured bumper packages:

• Bumper Packages for bumper plate, and bumper and barbell sets

Pair with Olympic lifting essentials

Complete your Olympic lifting setup with:

• Olympic Barbells designed for Olympic lifting

• Olympic Collars to secure bumper plates during training

• Lifting Platforms for dedicated Olympic lifting areas

• Rubber Flooring for added floor protection

• Plate Storage to organise your bumper collection

FAQs about bumper plates

Can I use bumper plates for all barbell exercises?

Yes. Bumper plates work for squats, deadlifts, presses, and all other barbell movements, not just Olympic lifts.

What's the difference between competition and training bumper plates?

Competition bumpers tend to be thinner, and calibrated to a higher accuracy level than training bumpers. They can also have different Shore or hardness levels, which impacts the amount of bounce.

Do bumper plates bounce?

All bumper plates bounce slightly on impact—that's part of how they absorb shock. High quality virgin rubber bumpers, like the 360 Strength plates are made from rubber with low-bounce formulations that minimise rebound for safer, more controlled drops, and no chasing the bar. 

Can I mix bumper plates with cast iron plates?

Yes, although it is not recommended as bumper plates are designed to be stacked together to share impact load if dropped. 

If you do mix plates, ensure that more than 50% of the weight is made up of bumper plates, and always load bumper plates on the inside (closest to the collar) so they contact the ground first if dropped. This protects the cast iron plates and floor.

Need support to choose the right Bumper Plate?

Whether you're setting up for Olympic lifting or functional training, we can help. Call 03 9462 3943, email info@littleblokefitness.com.au, or visit our Melbourne showroom to test the gear and get tailored advice.