Competition bumpers not good for crossfit?

[Lincoln Brigham]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Galo

well if it's the 10kg or 25lb competition bumpers, those are really not meant to be dropped repeatedly on their own.

Basically I agree. I have used both styles for many years and I always load the cheaper, thicker 10kg bumpers first.

For anything heavier than 10kg the competition style bumpers are superior. But for the 10kg bumpers it helps to have the extra thickness that you get with the recycled rubber bumpers as opposed to the thinner, dense virgin rubber competition style bumpers.

The 25kg/55lb. recycled bumpers are a 100% complete waste of money, as they are way too thick. You start running into problems trying to load enough weight on the bars. I can't tell you how many times I've seen gyms using duct tape, bungie cords, prayer, etc. trying to get enough weight on the bar for deadlifts.

[Clint Harris]

Originally Posted by Lincoln Brigham

I can't tell you how many times I've seen gyms using duct tape, bungie cords, prayer, etc. trying to get enough weight on the bar for deadlifts.

I always like it when we stack/balance some change plates on the bumpers and need two extra people to try and keep them in place without assisting the lift (when DL). Good times. Has a real community feel to it ... errr yea.

[Adam Molnar]

My case could give you an idea about bumper plate's lifetime:

My russian Vostok bumper plates were made in 1987......I bought them 2 years ago from a globo gym in great condition.

I do not drop them over and over again, only in case of emergency. I do use some rubber conditioning spray on them-like every 6 months, so I guess my son will use them too.