Introduction
When creating a home gym, there are two main types of weight plates to consider: bumper plates and iron plates. While there may be various styles available, these two types are the most common.
We’ve been interviewing the community for several years now on this topic, and the results have always been consistent.
Bumper Plates typically get about 3 out of 5 votes.
This most recent time, bumper plates received 56% of the votes.
Personally, I would agree with what the data says. If you are not a serious strength athlete (loading over 500 lbs consistently) or looking to simply get the cheapest option to get going, I think bumper plates work best for most.
This obviously depends on your training goals, budget, and flooring, but bumper plates are the better and safer choice for most people who are not sure what to get.
*Please keep in mind that about 40% of the audience identifies closely with the powerlifting community, and as we’ll discuss, many who take powerlifting seriously should most likely use iron plates.
The Case for Bumpers
- Anyone performing Olympic lifts or dropping weights from above waist level will definitely need bumper plates. Not only will iron be more likely to break, but it will be much quieter.
- Equipment maintenance is another perk of bumper plates. Iron plates can chip or rust, while bumper plates need little to no attention to keep them looking the same as the day you purchased them. I’ve had bumper plates in my home gym for seven years now. I’ve never had an issue with the quality getting much worse over time.
- Another benefit to lifting with bumper plates is that you can lift on any surface – concrete, stall mats, platforms, crash pads, or even outdoors. Iron will not hold up well in these situations.
- It was mentioned earlier, but bumper plates can be a lot quieter than steel. Even if you are lifting off of the rack and not off the ground, bumper plates can be quieter even when you are loading and unloading the bar. Personally, I usually workout in the morning while the kids are sleeping, so bumper plates are always the go to choice.
- Bumper plates are also more flexible over time.
- If you decide to use iron plates for your training and your workout routine changes, you may need to purchase new equipment. However, if you opt for bumper plates instead, you can perform any lifting technique or style without having to replace your plates. While the initial cost may be higher, it could ultimately be a more cost-effective choice in the long term.
What to Be Aware of When Buying Bumper Plates
- On average, iron plates typically cost less than bumper plates.
- You cannot get as much weight on a barbell because they have a thicker diameter. This is only a problem that those lifting 500+ pounds consistently have to deal with. In addition, some prefer the weight to be as tight to the person as possible. To avoid this, you’ll want to avoid the thicker bumper plates – like crumb.
- There are not a lot of made-in-America options when buying bumper plates. Therefore, if this is of high priority to you, then the options are slim.
- The older-style steel inserts can start to loosen. This does not seem to be the case anymore, though. Just about any of the reputable bumper plate dealers have reliable steel inserts. If buying on the used marketplace though, you’ll want to be aware of this.
The Case for Iron
- The most basic iron plates are going to be cheaper than bumper plates. If you can only justify iron prices to start, I’d still recommend grabbing them to get the home gym journey moving!
- You can get more weight on the bar. As mentioned above, iron is slimmer. Therefore, you can fill the sleeves with more weight than with bumpers.
- There are many more made-in-America options – like The Strength Co (our favorite iron plates). Rogue also sells many made-in-America styles.
- You may prefer the “feel” of certain lifts with iron. For example, you may prefer a less bouncy feel when deadlifting.
- Most iron plates range from 2.5 lbs to 45 or 100 lbs. You typically will only find bumper plate sets ranging from 10-45. Therefore, if you need a full set, iron may be your best bet.
Basically, I’d recommend iron/steel plates if you are consistently lifting a serious amount of weight and need to fill the bar with as much weight as possible. Or, you are simply looking to get started building out your home gym as cheaply as possible.
What to Be Aware of When Buying Iron Plates
- Iron plates that don’t use special coating will rust and require maintenance.
- You can’t drop iron plates; if you do on accident, you risk chipping your plates.
- Depending on the machining process, there are more inconsistencies in iron plates in comparison to bumper.
- Deadlifting with iron plates is fine if you have the correct flooring. You can do it on stall mats. Iron plates are more fragile than bumper plates, but they are also made of iron. They can handle being slammed off a stall mat, and you are even probably safe dropping them from your hip (but don’t be that person. Or do… It’s your home gym).
Both is also an Option!
Nevertheless, there is absolutely a case for both. While if I could only have one, I’d choose bumpers, however, in a perfect world, I’d have both… which I obviously do haha…
In a different poll, 52% said they see a need to own both iron and bumper plates within their home gym.
With this option, you’re able to use certain plate styles for different movements. For example, you’ll be able to deadlift with iron or power clean with bumpers. You’ll be set up for multiple training styles in a home gym, which can be especially beneficial if multiple people utilize it.
In addition, it may just be a more cost-effective way to fill your gym with weights if bumper plates are the better first option.
Conclusion & a Few Recommendations
Therefore, while this decision obviously comes down to budget and training style, bumpers are likely the better buy for most when first creating the home gym. Because of their versatility, it’s the safe bet.
For most, there is no need to get anything fancy or upgrade. Rogue Echo Bumper Plates, REP Black Bumper Plates, and Fringe Black Bumper Plates are durable, have a thinner profile, and have a low bounce. The best-priced bumpers are likely from Strength Depot (code GGE10 will save you 10%).
Our favorite iron plates for home gym owners are The Strength Co Plates because of their slim profile, tight tolerance, and durable coating. If you’re simply looking for the cheapest option that will get the job done, these Old School Iron Plates from REP will do just that. .
*Looking for other tips when building out your home gym? Check out our Home Gym Guide!