If you are thinking about starting a garage gym or just upgrading your existing equipment for CrossFit or Olympic Weightlifting, one of those items will likely be a set of bumper plates. When you head over to the Rogue Fitness website and start browsing bumper plates you might become overwhelmed or not sure which is the right set for you.

From the rugged Hi-Temp to the Rogue GH 2.0 to the competition bumper plates and everything in between, it can definitely be confusing. That’s why we are here to help. Check out our Rogue Fitness bumper plate buying guide below.

The Hi-Temp bumper plates are one of the most comment bumper plates in CrossFit gyms. The reason? They are durable. Made of crumb rubber, these bumper plates withstand the most abuse, especially if they are ever taken outside of rough pavement or even gravel.

There are two downsides to these plates. First, they bounce all over the gym. They have a bounce rating of 75, which is the lowest (which means most bounce) of the other bumper plates. Second, the thickness of the plates limit the amount of weight you can put on a barbell. While this is not a problem for most people, heavy deadlifts or back squats can present a problem.

As for price, surprisingly these are more expensive than the Rogue HG 2.0 bumper plates.

Cons A lot of bounce Thickness Diameter is less than standard

For the price, the Rogue HG 2.0 plates are a great option for those who plan on keeping bumper plates on a weightlifting platform or rubber matting. These are the lowest cost option, have less bounce than the Hi-Temhttps://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-black-training-lb-color-stripe-plates/?a_aid=56p plates and look nice. The bounce is much better on these than the Hi-Temp rubber plates. Also, these come with a 55LB plate option

The downside to these is that they will scuff up very quickly if used and abused. Also, because these are thinner than the Hi-Temps, dropping the 15LB and 10LB will drastically shorten the life of these plates (it is recommended to not drop the Hi-Temp 15LB and 10LB plates as well, but they hold up a little longer).

Pros Price Able to load more weight on barbell 55LB plates available

Cons Not as durable Smooth finish can get scuffed up

If you are serious about training and want to take a step up from the basic bumper plates, the Black Rogue Training Plates might be your best bet. Cheaper than the high-end competition bumper plates, these training plates have minimal bounce and have a weight tolerance of just +/-15 grams. While these are mostly black, the lettering on the side are color coded and there is a colored stripe along the circumference to help easily identify the weight on the barbell.

The obvious downside to these is the price. At $950 for a 320LB set, these are not cheap. Also, the lightest plate is 25LB, anything smaller requires change plates. So if 75LB thrusters or snatches are programmed, you either need to use the small change plates or also invest in a pair of the Rogue HG 2.0 10LB and 15LB plates. This is also a problem if that weight is paired with bar facing burpees and you want to maintain the correct bar height.

Pros Minimal bounce Able to load more weight on barbell Cheaper than competition plates with same weight tolerance

Cons Price Smallest standard plate is 25LB

If you are looking for the very best from Rogue Fitness, the competition plates are what you are looking for. With minimal bounce, like the training plates, these come in the red, blue, yellow and green colors that you see at the CrossFit Games. These plates are IWF standard and have a weight tolerance of +/-15 grams. There is a rubber flange around the circumference to keep the metal of the plates from touching when they are loaded on the barbell. The glossy finish looks amazing and will stay there because of the beveled edges.

The biggest downside to these plates is the price. At a whopping $1,075 for a 320LB set, these are not cheap. However, if you have the money, these are the best of the best and you will not regret your decision. Like the training plates, the lowest standard bumper plate is only 25 pounds, so you will need to invest in a cheaper 10LB and 15LB set for those little barbell workouts.

Pros Minimal bounce Beveled flange keeps plates looking great Able to load more weight on barbell

Cons Price Smallest standard plate at 25LB

So there you have it. Based on your budget and preferences, there are four solid choices to choose from when it comes to bumper plates at Rogue Fitness. At the end of the day, no matter which bumper plate you choose, it is going to be great. But hopefully this buying guide clears up some questions you might have before dropping some serious money on weights.

If you have any questions, drop a note in the comments below or find us on Instagram and Facebook and send us a message!

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