Home gym users - Bumper plates?

taso42

Recently got myself a rack, bar, and set of weights. I'm quickly finding out that I probably need some bumper plates. I'm having a bit of sticker shock at the prices - looks like $2/lb at best.

Here is my thinking. Let me know if this makes sense: I think I can get away, at least for a while, with 2 pairs - a pair of 10's and a pair of 45's. The 10's will mainly be just for warmups, to keep the bar the proper height off the floor for things like deadlifts and power cleans. The 45's will be for the real lifting. If I need the bar heavier, I can still add steel plates to it, but having the 45's on there as bumpers should do the trick. Does anyone do that or is my thinking flawed?

Basically - is it normal/accepted/effective to mix bumper plates and regular weights on the bar?

yummy♥

it's totally fine, my husband did this as he transitioned from steel to bumpers. just buy in pairs.

Azdak

Recently got myself a rack, bar, and set of weights. I'm quickly finding out that I probably need some bumper plates. I'm having a bit of sticker shock at the prices - looks like $2/lb at best.

Here is my thinking. Let me know if this makes sense: I think I can get away, at least for a while, with 2 pairs - a pair of 10's and a pair of 45's. The 10's will mainly be just for warmups, to keep the bar the proper height off the floor for things like deadlifts and power cleans. The 45's will be for the real lifting. If I need the bar heavier, I can still add steel plates to it, but having the 45's on there as bumpers should do the trick. Does anyone do that or is my thinking flawed?

Basically - is it normal/accepted/effective to mix bumper plates and regular weights on the bar?

It's fine, but be careful about the 10s if you ever decide to go in that direction. Often they are meant as "training plates" and are not designed to be dropped. Dropping them can break out the center of the plate, as I discovered to my chagrin in my early days selling fitness equipment when I sold 10 pair to a high school and had to eat the cost.

taso42

In case anyone's still watching this thread.... What would you choose between Body Solid and Rogue Hi-Temp? The Rogues actually come in a little cheaper (with shipping factored in), and seem to be the better brand. Thoughts?

jofjltncb6

Two reasons for bumping this ancient thread:

1. I'm considering doing this same "skimping" workaround to shelling out hundreds of dollars for a full set of bumpers. Would likely just be for deadlifts as I don't do any oly lifting. Would just be nice to let the heavy DLs fall. Guess I should also build one of those plywood lifting platforms too (like http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencms/Main/homesweathome6.html) to save some more wear on the bumpers.

2. I like resurrecting old threads, especially when the OP is on my FL.

CorvusCorax77

i had no idea northend barbell was so new!

taso42

I ended up getting a 160lb set of the Rogue "HG" bumpers. That's a pair each of 45's, 25's and 10's. Haven't had the need to upgrade yet. With a combo of the bumpers + regular plates I've had the bar loaded with as much as 450 lbs (couldn't get that one off ground though :sad: )

jofjltncb6

Good to know.

I should probably consider upgrading my bar too though since it's a super-cheap oly bar with spring collars.

wellbert

I ended up getting a 160lb set of the Rogue "HG" bumpers. That's a pair each of 45's, 25's and 10's. Haven't had the need to upgrade yet. With a combo of the bumpers + regular plates I've had the bar loaded with as much as 450 lbs (couldn't get that one off ground though :sad: )

Shipments from rogue are hte best shipments.
There is some math though, like you need X bumper plates per total weight - One set of bumpers and a bunch of 45s could be problematic.

Rogue bumpers are bigger around than most 45" plates too.

They would know, and they have rockin' customer service. So.

jofjltncb6

I ended up getting a 160lb set of the Rogue "HG" bumpers. That's a pair each of 45's, 25's and 10's. Haven't had the need to upgrade yet. With a combo of the bumpers + regular plates I've had the bar loaded with as much as 450 lbs (couldn't get that one off ground though :sad: )

Shipments from rogue are hte best shipments.
There is some math though, like you need X bumper plates per total weight - One set of bumpers and a bunch of 45s could be problematic.

Rogue bumpers are bigger around than most 45' plates too.

They would know, and they have rockin' customer service. So.

The HG are, I believe. Not sure about the Hi-temp though.

Yeah, I'll need to give this whole purchase a lot more thought. Meanwhile, I'll just have gear lust. Maybe I'll just snap and make a midlife crisis purchase. Hey, it's cheaper than a sports car.

taso42

They may be off by a few mm's but as far as I can tell, the bumpers are the same diameter as my regular 45# plates.

CorvusCorax77

i want a gif of this for when someone resurrects an old thread:

http://youtu.be/UPatfgoNBRo

I'M NOT DEAD YET! I FEEL HAPPY!!

calibriintx

Bump. This thread was exactly what I was looking for. Don't want to pony up the dough for all bumper plates (maybe down the road but I can't do it now AND a bar AND a power rack) but want to keep my floor in good shape. Thanks for the info, lovely people!