What do Shore A70, A80, or A90 mean for bumper plates?

Shore A is the measure of rubber hardness. A70 is soft, A90 is hard. Softer means more cushioning and less noise, but the plate is thicker. Harder means sleeker, so more weight fits on the bar, but the impact is harder.

Why do all bumper plates have a diameter of 45 cm?

So that the barbell is always at the same height regardless of the weight loaded. In the snatch and the clean and jerk, the movement starts from the floor, and the starting height must remain constant. With cast iron plates, the diameter increases with the weight.

Can you drop bumper plates?

Yes, that's what they are built for. There should be at least 10 kg per side so that the impact hits the rubber and not the collar of the bar, and the surface must be suitable. A proper floor or lifting platform significantly extends the lifespan.

Can you mix bumper plates and cast iron plates?

Not on the same bar when dropping: The hard cast iron plate does not absorb the load and can damage both the plate and the bar. Separated by use, the combination makes sense, meaning bumpers for work from the floor and cast iron in the rack and on the bench.

What is the difference between competition bumper plates and standard bumper plates?

Three things: urethane instead of rubber, meaning more dimensionally stable, more wear-resistant, and odorless; an inner ring of 50.4 mm instead of 51 mm for less play on the barbell; and a tighter weight tolerance. For competition and club use, that's worth it; for a regular home gym, the extra cost is rarely necessary.

Why do you need fractional plates?

For increases in small increments. The usual smallest increase of 2.5 kg per set is often too much for overhead exercises or after a break. Fractional Plates starting at 0.5 kg allow jumps of one kilo and smaller. They are not drop-safe.

How many bumper plates do you need to start with?

A usable basic set usually consists of two 10 kg, two 15 kg, and two 20 kg plates, totaling 90 kg including the bar. A pair of 5 kg plates makes fine adjustments easier. Adding more is possible at any time since all plates have the same dimensions.

How do you properly store bumper plates?

Stacked vertically instead of horizontally. Constant pressure from above can deform the rubber, especially with softer records. A record stand keeps them upright, saves space, and speeds up playing.

Do bumper plates fit on every barbell?

Bumper plates with a 51 mm inner ring fit all standard 50 mm Olympic bars, but not 30 mm bars. Anyone who drops the weights regularly should also ensure that the bar itself is designed for dropping.

Fitness Flohmarkt · Buying Guide

Which Bumper
Plates Buy?

Q: Which bumper plates should I buy?

Those who regularly drop weights or train outdoors should choose HiTemp with Shore A70: softest cushioning, most affordable entry level, outdoor-suitable. For quick reloading in the gym, the color-coded variant with Shore A80 is suitable. If a lot of weight needs to go on the barbell, the slimly built competition bumper plate is suitable.

All bumper plates look the same: 45 cm, black or colored, 51 mm inner ring. The difference lies in the rubber hardness—and that determines how much the plate absorbs shock, how thick it is built, and how much weight can ultimately fit on the bar.

In short

Bumper plates are rubber-coated weight plates that to be allowed to be dropped from a height — all in the standard 45 cm size, so the bar lies correctly. For frequent drops and outdoor use, the softer one is suitable HiTemp (Shore A70), for thin plates and a lot of weight on the bar the harder variants (A80–A90). For competition, there are the Competition-Urethane disc. Fractional plates allow the weight increase in small steps.

To the polls in 10 seconds

What are you up to?

Dropping weights frequently, CrossFit, outdoors HiTemp The softest cushioning → Recognize weight at a glance Colored Color-coded, slimmer → Heavy weight, simple look Black The hardest variant → competition, precision, urethane Competition The competition target Increase in small steps Fractional Plates From 0.5 kg → Never drop, machines, bench & rack only Cast iron weights Significantly cheaper →

Basics

What defines a bumper plate

A bumper plate is a rubber-coated weight plate with a metal core, built to, to fall from overhead height to the floor. That is precisely what is inevitable in Olympic weightlifting and functional training—a cast-iron plate would damage the floor, the barbell, and itself in the process.

The second point is the size: All bumper plates have 45 cm diameter, regardless of the weight. This ensures that the bar sits at the same height with 2 × 10 kg as it does with 2 × 25 kg — the prerequisite for snatches and cleans to work with technical precision from the floor.

The Inner ring with 51 mm fits all standard 50 mm Olympic barbells. A stainless steel ring keeps the rubber permanently in place—on cheap plates, it is precisely this connection that fails first.

The decisive difference

Rubber hardness: soft dampens, hard is leaner

Shore A hardness describes how compliant the rubber is. Softer plates absorb more impact, but require more material and are thicker. Harder plates are slimmer — this allows more weight to fit on the bar, but the impact is harder. There is no better or worse option, only the one that suits your training.

A70soft

Maximum cushioningFor frequent dropping, competition preparation, and outdoor use. The special rubber compound is so robust that it works even without a protective mat.

This isHiTemp · from CHF 20.-

A80medium

The all-rounderGood compromise between cushioning and height. Color-coded so nobody has to add up weights during training — a real time-saver in the gym and group fitness classes.

This isColored · from CHF 25.-

A85Competition

Urethane instead of rubberThe competition plate: Urethane is more dimensionally stable and odorless, the inner ring measures a precise 50.4 mm for minimal play on the bar. Slim built.

This isCompetition · from CHF 35.-

A90hard

Simple and durableThe hardest variant: Uniform black, resistant to signs of wear and tear.

This isBlack · from CHF 25.-

Important: Fractional plates do not belong on this scale — they are non-air-droppable. They complement your set for small weight increments, but they do not replace a bumper plate.

The discs in detail

Five variants compared

Recommendation

HiTemp Bumper Plates from CHF 20.-

Shore A705–25 kgØ 45 cmStainless steel inner ring 51 mmsuitable for outdoor use

The softest and most shock-absorbing disc in the range. The special rubber compound absorbs impact energy particularly well, protects the floor, and is robust enough for outdoor use, even without a protective mat underneath. Color-coded from white (5 kg) to red (25 kg).

Ideal for: anyone who drops weights regularly — CrossFit, Olympic weightlifting, garage and outdoor gyms.

View HiTemp

Color-coded

rubber-coated bumper plates · colored from CHF 25.-

Shore A805–25 kgØ 45 cmSteel core25–95 mm thick

The all-rounder: slightly harder than HiTemp and therefore built slimmer, with a full solid rubber coating and steel core for even weight distribution. The color coding from gray (5 kg) through green, yellow, and blue to red (25 kg) makes loading faster during operation — a practical advantage in classes and gyms.

Ideal for: Studios, course rooms, and home gyms where several people quickly change weights.

View colored

Plain

Bumper Plates rubber-coated · Black from CHF 25.-

Shore A 90Ø 45 cmStainless steel inner ring 51 mmmonochrome

The hardest and simplest variant: You can fit more kilos on the same bar before you run out of space on the sleeves. Uniform black — calmer in the room's visual appearance and resistant to signs of wear. The price for this is a slightly harder impact when dropping them.

Ideal for: heavy sliding doors, rooms with many panes, and anyone who prefers a minimalist look.

View Blacks

Competition

Competition Bumper Plates from CHF 35.-

Shore A85UrethaneØ 45 cmInner ring 50.4 mmStainless steel core

The competition bumper plate: Urethan is used instead of rubber — more dimensionally stable, more wear-resistant, and completely odorless. The inner ring measures a precise 50.4 mm instead of 51 mm, meaning the plate sits on the bar with minimal play and does not rattle during lifts. Built slim and with a tight weight tolerance.

Ideal for: Competition preparation, clubs, and anyone who values precision and odor neutrality.

View competition

Fine-tuning

Fractional Change Plates from CHF 9.-

0.5–5 kgInner ring 51 mmrubber-coatedTolerance ± 0.5 %not airdroppable single-handedly

At some point, 2.5 kg more is too much and 0 kg is too little. That is precisely when you need fractional weights: starting at 0.5 kg, the load can be increased so finely that progression continues instead of stalling. Rubber-coated, odorless, color-coded, and with a very tight weight tolerance — also suitable for competition preparation.

Ideal for: Powerlifting, weightlifting, and everyone who progresses in small, planned steps.

View fractional

The Alternative

Bumper plates or cast iron plates?

Cast iron plates cost a fraction — starting at CHF 5 instead of CHF 20. The question is not the price, but whether you ever drop your barbell instead of setting it down in a controlled manner.

	Bumper plates	Cast iron weights
Dropping allowed	Yes	no
Diameter	always 45 cm	increases with weight
Startposition vom Boden	immer korrekt	unterschiedlich
Volume	gedämpft	laut
Price	from CHF 20.-	from CHF 5.-
Platzbedarf pro Kilo	medium	low
Typisch für	Weightlifting, CrossFit	Bankdrücken, Rack-Arbeit, Maschinen

Kurz: Wer olympisch hebt oder funktionell trainiert, braucht Bumper Plates. Wer ausschliesslich im Rack und auf der Bank arbeitet und die Stange immer kontrolliert ablegt, Guss gummiertGusseisen1,25–25 kgvariabelneinneinCHF 5.-Viele kombinieren beides: Bumper für die Grundlast am Boden, Guss zum Auffüllen im Rack.

Everything side by side

Die Scheiben im Vergleich

Scheibe	Härte	Weights	Diameter	Droppable	Farbcode	Starting at
HiTemp	Shore A70	5–25 kg	45 cm	Yes	Yes	CHF 20.00
Colored	Shore A80	5–25 kg	45 cm	Yes	Yes	CHF 25.-
Black	Shore A 90	5–25 kg	45 cm	Yes	no	CHF 25.-
Competition	Shore A85	5-25 kg	45 cm	Yes	Yes	CHF 35.-
Fractional	Rubber	0.5–5 kg	15–23 cm	alleine nicht	Yes	CHF 9.-
Guss	Cast iron	diverse	variabel	no	no	CHF 3.75

Das Drumherum

Was du sonst noch brauchst

Bumper Plates allein ergeben kein Setup. Diese drei Bereiche entscheiden darüber, ob du sicher, ordentlich und ohne Schäden trainierst.

Stange & Verschlüsse

Bumper Plates brauchen eine 50-mm-Olympiastange. Für Abwürfe muss sie abwurffähig sein — und Verschlüsse gehören dazu, sonst wandern die Scheiben.

Boden & Plattform

Auch gedämpfte Scheiben brauchen Unterlage. Für wiederholtes Ablassen aus der Höhe ist eine dedizierte Plattform die sicherste Lösung.

Lagerung & Rack

Scheiben gehören senkrecht gelagert, nicht gestapelt — das schont den Gummi und spart Platz. Ein Rack macht aus Scheiben und Stange erst ein Trainingssystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bumper Plates: die wichtigsten Antworten

Which bumper plates should I buy?

Wenn du regelmässig abwirfst oder draussen trainierst: HiTemp — weichste Dämpfung, günstigster Einstieg, outdoor-tauglich. Wenn im Studio oder Kurs schnell umgeladen wird: die farbige Variante. Wenn viel Gewicht auf die Stange soll: die schwarze oder die Competition — beide bauen schlank.

Was bedeutet Shore A70, A80 oder A90?

Shore A ist das Mass für die Härte des Gummis. A70 ist weich, A90 hart. Weicher heisst mehr Dämpfung und weniger Aufprallgeräusch, dafür baut die Scheibe dicker. Härter heisst schlanker — es passt mehr Gewicht auf die Stange, der Aufprall ist aber härter. Ein Qualitätsmerkmal ist die Härte nicht, sondern eine Eigenschaft, die zum Einsatz passen muss.

Warum haben alle Scheiben 45 cm, egal wie schwer sie sind?

Damit die Stange immer auf derselben Höhe liegt. Beim Reissen und Umsetzen startet die Bewegung vom Boden — und die Starthöhe muss unabhängig vom aufgelegten Gewicht gleich bleiben. Bei Guss-Scheiben wächst der Durchmesser mit dem Gewicht, weshalb leichte Sätze dort aus einer falschen Position starten.

Kann ich Bumper Plates wirklich fallen lassen?

Ja, dafür sind sie gebaut. Zwei Dinge solltest du beachten: Der Untergrund muss geeignet sein, und leichte, dünne Scheiben allein auf der Stange verkraften wiederholte Abwürfe schlechter als schwerere. Ein passender Boden or a Hebeplattform verlängert die Lebensdauer von Scheiben, Stange und Untergrund deutlich.

Kann ich Bumper Plates und Guss-Scheiben mischen?

Auf derselben Stange gleichzeitig besser nicht, wenn du abwirfst: Die harte Guss-Scheibe nimmt die Last nicht auf und kann Scheibe wie Stange beschädigen. Sinnvoll ist die Kombination getrennt nach Einsatz — Bumper für Arbeit vom Boden, Guss im Rack und auf der Bank, wo nichts fällt.

Was unterscheidet Competition Plates von normalen Bumper Plates?

Drei Dinge: das Material (Urethan statt Gummi — formstabiler, abriebfester, geruchsneutral), der Innenring (50,4 mm statt 51 mm, dadurch weniger Spiel auf der Stange) und die engere Gewichtstoleranz. Für Wettkampfvorbereitung und Vereine lohnt sich das; fürs normale Home-Gym ist der Aufpreis gegenüber HiTemp selten nötig.

Wozu brauche ich Fractional Plates?

Für Fortschritt in kleinen Schritten. Die kleinste übliche Steigerung sind 2 × 1,25 kg, also 2,5 kg pro Satz — bei Überkopfübungen oder nach längerer Pause oft zu viel auf einmal. Fractional Plates ab 0,5 kg erlauben Sprünge von einem Kilo. Alleine sind sie nicht abwurffähig.

Wie viele Scheiben brauche ich für den Anfang?

Ein brauchbares Grundset für Zuhause besteht meist aus 2 × 10 kg, 2 × 15 kg und 2 × 20 kg — zusammen 90 kg mit der Stange. Damit deckst du Kniebeugen, Kreuzheben und die olympischen Übungen im Aufbau ab. Ein Paar 5 kg dazu macht die Feinabstufung leichter. Ergänzen kannst du jederzeit, da alle Scheiben dasselbe Mass haben.

Wie lagere ich Bumper Plates richtig?

Senkrecht, nicht liegend gestapelt. Dauerhafter Druck von oben kann den Gummi verformen, besonders bei weicheren Scheiben. Ein Disc stand hält sie aufrecht, spart Platz und macht das Auflegen schneller — im Alltag bringt das mehr, als es kostet.

Passen die Scheiben auf meine Stange?

Alle hier gezeigten Bumper Plates haben einen Innenring von 51 mm und passen damit auf jede gängige 50-mm-Olympiastange. Nicht passend sind sie auf 30-mm-Stangen. Wenn du regelmässig abwirfst, achte darauf, dass auch die Stange abwurffähig ist — nicht jede günstige Stange verträgt das.

Bereit für dein Set?

Alle Bumper Plates, Stangen und Ständer versandbereit ab unserem Schweizer Lager — plus persönliche Beratung für die Zusammenstellung.

Alle Bumper Plates ansehen

Which Bumper
Plates Buy?

What are you up to?

What defines a bumper plate

Rubber hardness: soft dampens, hard is leaner