Elite Urethane Bumper Plates. (2024)

FAQs

Are urethane bumper plates worth it? ›

It can endure a lot of pressure, making it an excellent material for bumper plates. Urethane is simply superior to rubber when it comes to durability. It resists cuts and tears better than conventional rubber plates and has better compression qualities.

In fact, one of the top reasons urethane is requested in industrial applications is due to its excellent abrasion resistant properties, especially impingement abrasion resistance which is common in bumper applications. Urethanes resist cuts and tears, leading to better performance and longer life spans.

Urethane, also known as polyurethane, is a type of synthetic polymer that is widely used in various industries, including weightlifting equipment. It is a durable and tough material that offers excellent resistance to abrasion, making it perfect for bumper plates.

In fact, the American Barbell Urethane Plates are tested to 50,000 drops and still show little wear. There simply isn't a more durable plate available. Second, urethane plates have a much more dead bounce, which keeps the bar from flying all over the gym.

A good set of bumper plates can last anywhere from 7 to 15 years or even longer with proper care and usage. The lifespan of bumper plates depends on factors such as the quality of materials, frequency of use, the type of exercises performed, and how well they are maintained.

It is absolutely okay to bench press with bumper plates. Certain bench press purists hate the idea of benching with bumpers, but it's only due to their own personal preferences. One good rule of thumb is to avoid mixing bumper plates and iron plates.

When reactive resin balls may overreact or be a bit less controllable, urethane balls will blend the pattern on the lane, providing a smooth and slow ball motion that is extremely predictable. This makes them ideal for bowlers who prefer a more traditional, straighter shot.

For example, under normal wear and tear, a durability of more than 50 years can be expected for polyurethane insulation systems for buildings, more than 25 years for polyurethane used for insulation of refrigerators or more than 20 years for the application of polyurethane in vehicle bumpers.

Aluminum alloy bumpers are lightweight, rust-proof, and require less maintenance compared to other materials. They're great options for performance vehicles since they weigh less than steel and look better aesthetically.

In terms of durability, polyurethane coatings are more resistant to water, chemicals, UV light, and other elements that lead to peeling. They can also be recoated within a day or two after being applied. In contrast, urethane coatings take longer to cure before they can be recoated—usually around 24 hours or longer.

Which is better rubber or urethane? ›

Unlike rubber, polyurethane offers higher load-bearing capacity, better compression set, and superior tolerance to greases, oils, oxygen, and ozone. Because rubber is biodegradable, it tends to rot and degrade over time with exposure to the elements.

► Urethane is a PROBABLE CARCINOGEN in humans. There is evidence that it causes lung, liver, blood, and other cancers in animals. a carcinogen. teratogen in animals.

Bottom Line. People looking for affordable urethane plates that will last a long time will enjoy the durability and price point of these plates. I love a good urethane weight plate. Urethane is an ultra-durable type of rubber that makes for solid, dense weight plates that resist bouncing and skipping.

Wipe off the plate with a dry cloth or microfibre towel, use some warm water and a little regular dish soap on that cloth wipe away the sweat, oil, dirt or other build-up of grime that might be there. Final step is to dry with a separate cloth or towel.

The good news is, with great bumper plates, none of that is going to happen. Even if you have a slightly lower quality bumper plate, you won't damage your concrete or your barbell. If there is any damage done by lifting and dropping on concrete, it's going to be to the lower quality bumper itself.

If used in a wet environment, rubber can rot over time but polyurethane is durable even when submerged or exposed to wet environments for an extended period of time. Formulations are almost unlimited when it comes to polyurethane.

Bumper plates are without a doubt more expensive than other lifting options. If you're not an Olympian or you don't plan on doing those styles of lifts, it might not be worth putting out the extra cash to have them in your gym.

It's critical to note that urethane is generally harder than rubber, offering a superior level of durability that serious lifters appreciate. This increased hardness means urethane dumbbells typically better withstand the rigors of a busy gym environment than rubber dumbbells.

Most bumper plates are made from rubber (virgin or crumbed) and so are crazy robust. That's not to say they aren't easily damaged but most damage comes by way of poorly selected cleaning products and chemicals, both of which can cause damage or discolouration.