We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology. If you use our links to purchase something, we may earn a commission. Read our disclosures.
Rep Fitness Competition Bumper Plates are some of the best value competition bumper plates available on the market today. By creating a bumper plate with a double steel insert, having durable virgin rubber, and Rep Fitness’s great price point, these competition bumper plates will be an awesome addition to any home or commercial gym.
Rep Fitness
REP Competiton KG Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line
Rep Fitness Competition Bumper Plates Review
Rep Fitness Competition Plates are some of the best value competition plates available on the market today. With their low bounce rate, meeting IWF standards, and patented steel insert, the competition bumpers should not go overlooked when rounding out any home or commercial gym.When purchasing any bumper plate, one of the first criteria a bumper plate must meet is a low bounce rate.
If anybody is ever planning on dropping weight from overhead, it’s important that the bar doesn’t rebound and hit you in the face. Ok sure, that’s a little bit of an exaggeration, being that I’ve never seen it happen…but the point remains true, having a low bounce is very important when comparing different bumper plates.
These competition bumper plates are built for exactly what Rep Fitness titles them, competition. Therefore, these plates are designed with an Olympic lifter in mind i.e. anybody planning on dropping the barbell from overhead whether it be from a snatch, clean and jerk, or overhead squat.
Companies will be able to show everybody how minimal their bumper plates bounce is on a scale called, Shore Durometer rating.
Durometer rating measures the hardness of the rubber. With a softer rubber comes a higher bounce, and with a harder rubber comes less bounce. The Rep Fitness bumper plates Shore Durometer rating is a 92 ShA
Compared to other companies, Rogue KG Competition Bumper Plates measure at a 94 ShA and Fringe Sport Black Training KG Plates came in at 90 ShA. The difference between 2 ShA of the companies will not be very noticeable, all three of these bumper plates will have a dead bounce.The fact that Rogue has a higher Durometer Rating speaks to the quality of the rubber used to create their bumper plates. They’re also thinner, however, not grossly so.Since the Rep Fitness Competition Bumper Plates have a comparative ShA rating and perform with very low bounce, this will equate to an easy transition from the first rep to the second rep for the lifter. The faster transition time on reps is a result of the barbell not running away from you after dropping the bar.Rep Fitness has been able to produce a bumper plate with very low bounce, which for the price point, is outstanding.
The Rep Fitness Competition Bumper Plates are formed with virgin rubber compared to a cheaper price point option in recycled crumb rubber.
Virgin rubber is, in my opinion, the better option when comparing virgin rubber plates versus recycled rubber. Recycled rubber will rebound much more than virgin rubber, and if you’ve ever used plates like Hi-Temps, you know this to be true. This is evidenced by its lower rating on the durometer scale, and from the fact that recycled rubber is mostly composed of used tires.
Bumper plates have two main parts. The outside rubber that makes contact with the ground, and the steel insert that makes contact with the bar.
The steel insert for the Rep Fitness Competition Plates are a patented double steel design.
Most companies construct their competition bumper plates with a single steel insert. Over time, this design can end up failing at the point where the rubber and steel meet due to the amount of force that is transferred at this point.
Rep Fitness uses an extra inner steel ring and then connects the rubber plate the to ring using a method only they’re allowed to (patented) which they claim results in better absorption and dispersal of force. This, in turn, means better durability. We have yet to see any durability issues with the plates, although that’s to be expected, whether with these plates or others for the amount of time we’ve had them.
Rep Fitness has tested these plates with the standard 30,000 drop test that many other companies also use to ensure the quality of their product.
Two big competitors to these plates are the Rogue KG Competition Plates and the Fringe Sport Black KG Plates, which both use a single disk insert. Rogue Fitness has a chrome plated steel insert while both Rep Fitness and Fringe Sport have zinc-coated inserts.
Rep Fitness has also made their steel insert 50.5mm in diameter. Both Rogue Fitness and Fringe Sport are 50.4mm diameter, although this won’t be a noticeable difference in daily use.
All of Rep Fitness Competition Bumper Plates are 450mm, meeting the IWF standards for bumper plates.
The competition plates also fit inside the international color standards for bumper plates as well. The 25 kg plate is red, 20 kg blue, 15 kg yellow, and the 10 kg plate is green. The Rep Fitness plates meet the international standard except for the zinc coated disc. However, due to the price of the plates, I don’t think Rep Fitness was aiming for these to be used by the IWF, but rather a high-quality plate for a great price.
Two design aspects of the Rep Fitness plates I’m a big fan of are the raised lettering and a raised rubber surface around the disk to minimize metal to metal contact. Not only do these plates have a double insert steel ring, but they also have raised rubber to ensure that the metal discs won’t rub against each other, and they’re easier to transport from the rack to the bar.
The contrast white painted lettering and numbering help readability and creates a clean look.Another important aspect of all competition bumper plates is the thickness of the plates. The thinner the plates, the more weight a lifter is going to be able to add on to the bar.The Rep Fitness platesare a bit on thick side for competition plates. The 10 kg plate a thickness of 1.25 inches, 15 kg measures at 1.75 inches, 20kg plate is 2.125 inches and the largest plate 25kg measures at 2.75 inches.Rogue Fitness competition plates are a little thinner and are as follows: 10kg 1.15 inches, 15kg 1.65 inches, 20kg 2.15 inches, and 25kg plate measures at 2.5 inches.
Fringe Sport competition plates are about the same as Rep Fitness with widths of: 10kg 1.25 inches, 15kg 1.70 inches, 20kg 2.15 inches, and the 25kg plate measures at 2.55 inches.
The biggest decision point for most people when purchasing a set of plates is, “how much should I spend?”
Rep Fitness offers a number of different packages. Consumers can either buy multiple plates at once and save a little money, or buy single weight class plates at a time. If looking to round your gym out with each competition bumper plate, Rep Fitness 140kg set cost $750 and does not include shipping (something they’re adamant about educating the public on – that free shipping isn’t free.)
Rogue Fitness has their 140kg set cost a consumer $1,035 and does not include shipping as well. Fringe Sport sells their 140kg set for $769 and does include free shipping.
Rep Fitness outshines both Rogue and Fringe with their awesome warranty policy. Rep Fitness offers a 5-year warranty on all of their plates with no if, ands, or buts. Although I don’t foresee many having to use this, it is nice knowing it’s there just in case.
Fringe Sport offers a one year warranty of no questions asked and free return. After that, a 5-year warranty on any manufacture defect. Rogue Fitness typically has a pretty solid warranty policy, but nothing specifically written about their competition plates.
Overall, the Rep Fitness Competition Bumper Plates are the best budget competition bumper plates currently available. Rep Fitness didn’t take any shortcuts with their production by including a double inserted steel disc to ensure longevity and durability of the plate. The bumper plates also measure at a 92 ShA, meaning, a lifter will not have to run all over the gym to keep up with the barbell. Rep Fitness also has one of the best warranty policies on competition bumper plates, which speaks to the quality of their product.We highly recommend these plates.
Overall, the Rep Fitness Competition Bumper Plates are the best budget competition bumper plates currently available. Rep Fitness didn’t take any shortcuts with their production by including a double inserted steel disc to ensure longevity and durability of the plate. The bumper plates also measure at a 92 ShA, meaning, a lifter will not have to run all over the gym to keep up with the barbell. Rep Fitness also has one of the best warranty policies on competition bumper plates, which speaks to the quality of their product.We highly recommend these plates.
Suggested Improvements
Rep Fitness Competition Bumper Plates are one of my favorite value bumper plates available, and it was difficult to come up with some suggested improvements.
The only thing I would suggest is for Rep Fitness to match Rogue Fitness’s KG Competition Plates in width. Rogue Fitness’s plates are slimmer than Rep Fitness, with that said, for the price point of the Rep Fitness I am more than happy with the quality of the plate.
Rogue Fitness is able to have a slimmer plate likely due to more expensive rubber, which is reflected in their price point.
Full Rating
Rep Fitness Competition Bumper Plates
Rep Fitness Competition Bumper Plates are some of the best value competition bumper plates available on the market today. By creating a bumper plate with a double steel insert, having durable virgin rubber, and Rep Fitness's great price point, these competition bumper plates will be an awesome addition to any home or commercial gym.
Product Brand: REP Fitness
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 189.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.7
Rep Fitness Competition Bumper Plates FAQs
Are competition bumper plates worth it?
Bumpers for competitions have relatively little bounce. You value durability, and competition bumpers are built to last. While I wouldn’t propose outfitting a full CrossFit box with these and slinging them thousands of times per day (for that, stick to Hi-Temps), they are constructed to take a beating.
How long do competition plates last?
Bumper plates are perfect for use in most home gyms since they are intended to absorb impact and force. Bumper plates can easily last 5–10 years with moderate use or 3–5 years with intensive, daily use if applied correctly.
What are competition bumper plates?
When we say “competitive bumpers,” we’re referring to plates that are made to be used in weightlifting contests. So, why do weightlifters utilize competition plates? For starters, they have a very dead bounce, are highly sturdy, and can handle a lot of weight.
Where to Purchase
Rep Fitness
REP Competiton KG Bumper Plates
Product Highlights
Pros & Cons
Bottom Line
Further reading
Ghost reached into the most nostalgic corners of your brain and created a pre-workout with flavors you know by heart, and the energy and pumps you crave. Read more
In this Patriot Power Greens review, we’ll go through taste, solubility, formulation and everything else you need to know about this health supplement. Read more
How long does it take to walk 10,000 steps? We did the math and put together lists of essential gear and creative ways to make your walking experience better. Read more
Bulking and cutting can be difficult to do on your own, but there are ways to get it done. Follow our handy guide to find out how. Read more