4:47 One thing Iron plates can do which rubber plates can not do is that iron plates can fill up a limited space with sufficient weight such as in dumbbells where space is very limited.
I have a minor problem. I do one-armed dumbbell shoulderpress for my lagging arm, and I like to get the best ROM possible, but I do 20 kg/44 lbs and even with the one set of thinner 2.5 kg plates, that really fills up the bar. I could probably get it up to 22 or 23 using my 2 kg plates, but that's it. I have loads of 5 kg plates to go heavier with, but they're wider. Still would work, but I like the feeling of great ROM.
I like both. I love the sound of iron plates for the lifts that they are safe for. I also love Olympic style lifts (as close as I can do them) so bumpers for the lifts that require dropping.
First Plate on my Bar is always Rubber 20kg and all of the other Plates are 10 kg calibrated steel Plates (only 18mm thick and 320mm in diameter). Best combination for the home gym.
A few weeks ago I found a company in my country which produces bumper plates from recycled tire rubbers for like 2$/kg, so I bought 170kg (374lbs.) worth of plates for about 340-350$. Never seen iron plates this cheap.
@@sasizzo_1742 It is a Hungarian company called Franko Rubber. They have a webshop (which I cannot link because youtube deletes my comment immediately), but only in hungarian, and I don't know if they ship to other european countries. Maybe worth a try to ask them. If you find their webshop take look into the outlet menu, it contains their second tier products. I ordered my plates from this outlet and it is still very good quality, and only minor (few dkgs) differences in weight, but about 2/3 of the price compared to the first class stuff.
I have both in my garage gym. I use the bumper plates for deadlifts and clean and press exercises. Almost everything else is done with iron weights. It works well for me but rubber plates are a lot more expensive. I sometimes have to weight a longer period of time to purchase the rubber plates because mostly I buy them new. It's a lot easier to purchase used iron plates so it goes back to affordability. If you purchase used iron plates, you have more money for newer bumper plates.
No no, everyone should lift with iron plates. Every rubber plate looks Like a 45, and if you have self respect, you go through the shame of loading the barbell with those tiny weights untill you can lift the big weights
It is important for the mindset that everyone sees you lift less then 45's both sides. In the gym i went to, there where dudes who put 25's at the beginnig and real 45's after so it looked Like they lifted 225, 315,... But in fact its atleast 40lbs lighter. Then you have the really shameless people who load up a barbell with only 25lbs bumper plates so they can also look Like they lift dady weights. Just stick with the real weights, except when you do things Like clean and jerk
@@DimiArt not where i train, in fact, most bumper plates are just 1 color i believe. olympic plates are colored, but they are also expensive as hell. I dont give much about lifting anymore, started doing mma and kickboxing 9 months ago so people can clown around in gyms all they want, they wont bother me anymore.
I like rubber just because their size is made for my leverages and height, it's amazing. And well, I'm not going for a 500kg deadlift, so I don't complain about the space they fill
Also for us apartment rats without a garage gym it is probably better for floors (no dropping of course an with some surface protection on the wood) and neighbours. Bumpers for the hexbar or anything else lifted from the floor, rubber coated iron for everything else.
The sad thing is that many people use rubber plates just because they are so much bigger and appear thicker, which gives off the appearance that you are lifting much more weight than you actually are.
I agree. I think it's part of our modern culture's need for instant gratification, "everyone gets a trophy", "look what I can do!" - WITHOUT having to put in all those years of hard, repetitive, boring work....
I went with iron because my early years lifting were with the old iron weights my dad had given me from his military days and I still have them and use them occasionally. They work just fine they’ll outlast me
I just got two 20 kg plates for the start of my home gym.They definitely feel heavier as they're metal and after putting one of them on a scale it came up 20.9kgs(46 lbs).I love the sound of iron plates and the metal clanking sound.Ive also got two 10 kg plates and a barbell so right now i only have 80kgs.I will still get alot more plates + a homegym training station where i'll be able to do plate loaded shoulder presses,shrugs,squats,calf raises,chest presses etc.Ive also got an adjustable bench that you can lower to a decline that has a preacher pad.
i prefer the steel plate because of the feeling of lifting heavier and because they are cheaper and take less space but because i do some olympic movement i have to go with bumper on my home gym.
A really nice objective take on both. I've iron at home. They're cheap and they still do what I want. If I had more room and could get back into olympic lifting, I'd naturally have to get the rubber. I think the iron are actually better for me with heavy deadlifts (heavy for me anyway). They require a controlled eccentric movement where it would be easy to just let the barbell drop with rubber plates. Both are good. Moving any kind of weight is good.
Then what you are waiting for.... Merge both of them together to form Rubber coated Iron Weight Plates....😊😊❤ You will get all benifits.... Plus weight can be added more on barbells.... It would also be able to absorb impact....😊... Why you not compare rubber and rubber coated iron dumbbells.... ?
I like iron when I bench. I like to slam the plates on the bar...to let everyone hear that I'm adding a lot of weight. But when I do military presses, I like rubber. Four big 10lb rubber plates on each side looks really impressive!
Big man so strong 💪🏼👺 no one is impressed by your auditory assault trust me bro, they’d be way more impressed if you just shut up and got on with it quietly
I actually have some deep dish iron and some smaller rubber plates. I kinda like both about the same but feel more 'manly' with the iron (yea, I know thats dumb).
@@danieltatum4220 yeah but you just have to workout with them both and see the difference obviously they weigh the same but it’s weird rubber feels heavy but light at the same time idk how to explain😭
Only reason I like iron plates is because when I was in high school freshman year 2014. They had iron weights and that’s what I started off with, 4 years now, they have bumper weights and I miss the iron weights
Thanks! I learned a lot in this video. I just got a full barbell weight set from the (Power Systems) store. The plates are “virgin rubber coated deluxe plates” but man! They STINK! They have a nasty smell! And I read that the Virgin rubber has that smell, but not sure if all rubbers do? I have been airing them out for about a week and the smell is still there! I’m retuning them but I’m looking for an alternative 😔
yep, this is an under-appreciated fact i had to wash my rubber plates with soap multiple times to get the really smelly shit out of them. and even then they still smell a tiny bit. can't be healthy. i regret not buying iron
@@yes-vy6bn urrrrgh that sucks! The store I got mine from (Power System) had another barbell set that was made with "urethane plates with inner stainless steel" So I got them and I was happy with it. Urethane doesn't have a smell and I didn't have to worry about the iron plates rusting (I live in a humid area)
I couldn't figure out why it looked like stick men were doing reps with 315 and they weren't even breaking a sweat Then I realized it's because the weights are twice the size now. To me it reminds me of everything else it's happening nowadays. Don't want to do the work to actually do the heavy weights. So you fake it. I'll stick to my old 45's , thank you. 💪
which one last longer? given both have the same usage (dropping down in DL, etc). I was thinking cast iron can get easier to rust than rubber plates, so rubber could last longer. cmiiw
While most who have any experience in the gym know the size differences and advantages rubber plates have over iron, there still is the psychological benefit (for some) of it looking like you're lifting much more weight than you actually are. Look ladies, I'm lifting so much weight! What a stud I am! Sure, the truth is now commonly known. But there are still people who don't realize the difference. Simply put; if it looks bigger, it must be heavier. Otherwise, for the same training benefit, iron takes up less space and is less expensive.
I prefer Iron for 3 good reasons 1. It’s heavier 2. It’s scary 3. Old school 3 good reasons why I hate rubber plates 1. It’s lighter 2. It’s safer 3. It’s modern
@@scaryhenski Of course 20 kilos is 20 kilos, rubber or iron. You understand that, don't you? What it's called is not relevant. "Pumping iron" was coined before bumper plates existed. But weight is weight, whatever it's material. Also, irrespective of the material a plate is made of, the barbell bar is steel. When the BB hits your throat, or chest, or foot, or..any part of you, It won't matter what the plates are made of. I only have iron. But that's because I've had them for decades. And for the reasons I mentioned previously, I would still buy iron.
@@siegfriedhorner4436 I don’t like rubber plates and I will always consider them inferior to Iron Plates, I do not respect bumper rubber plates, there is a reason why the phrase iron sharpens iron exist and rubber sharpens rubber does not, Iron is way heavier than rubber and you won’t convince me because I am close minded when it comes to rubber plates.
Iron. And you can usually find used sets. No, they don't break THAT easily. And rust isn't an issue. Just keep them away from repeated water exposure. Start with a few and and buy more as you get stronger.
The feel and sound of iron plates gives me the extra push on reps.
Definitely
Facts
Iron gives me wood!😆🤣😆🤣😆🤣🏋♂️
Seriously. At work we have a trash squat rack with cheap iron weights that I enjoy more than my rogue rack and rogue bumper plates
@@Denali_Rebel yer buddy
4:47 One thing Iron plates can do which rubber plates can not do is that iron plates can fill up a limited space with sufficient weight such as in dumbbells where space is very limited.
I have a minor problem. I do one-armed dumbbell shoulderpress for my lagging arm, and I like to get the best ROM possible, but I do 20 kg/44 lbs and even with the one set of thinner 2.5 kg plates, that really fills up the bar. I could probably get it up to 22 or 23 using my 2 kg plates, but that's it. I have loads of 5 kg plates to go heavier with, but they're wider. Still would work, but I like the feeling of great ROM.
Been going to an old gym with all iron plates. The rust powder that's constantly in the air is my preworkout.
I like both. I love the sound of iron plates for the lifts that they are safe for. I also love Olympic style lifts (as close as I can do them) so bumpers for the lifts that require dropping.
super unbiased comparison-this was well done.
First Plate on my Bar is always Rubber 20kg and all of the other Plates are 10 kg calibrated steel Plates (only 18mm thick and 320mm in diameter). Best combination for the home gym.
No one has ever explained anything to me so clearly and calmly. 😂
I love them both. Both get you strong. Hell I started on the old cement in plastic weights 30 years ago and they got me stronger too.
Iron is the only way to go. With that said, my garage gym shares a wall with our baby's room, so I went with your contrast bumpers.
You can actually dampen the sound of iron if you mix them in bumpers
But yea bumpers are so much quieter esp on stall mats
Pro trick : watch series at InstaFlixxer. Me and my gf have been using them for watching all kinds of movies lately.
@Korbyn Dean Definitely, have been watching on InstaFlixxer for since december myself :)
For Deadlifts I'll always choose Iron , 1.The amazing sound
2.The lesser area , which keeps the momentum closer to our body
And take 50kg plates😊
Have been using rubber weights for 30 years in training and competition now in my 50’s still prefer rubber
I like bumper plates because it gives the appearance I am repping 400 lbs when I am really just doing 100 lbs.
That says a lot about you.
A few weeks ago I found a company in my country which produces bumper plates from recycled tire rubbers for like 2$/kg, so I bought 170kg (374lbs.) worth of plates for about 340-350$. Never seen iron plates this cheap.
sounds pretty interesting... is there a online shop or is it just local...
And if yes do the Shop to europe
@@sasizzo_1742 It is a Hungarian company called Franko Rubber. They have a webshop (which I cannot link because youtube deletes my comment immediately), but only in hungarian, and I don't know if they ship to other european countries. Maybe worth a try to ask them.
If you find their webshop take look into the outlet menu, it contains their second tier products. I ordered my plates from this outlet and it is still very good quality, and only minor (few dkgs) differences in weight, but about 2/3 of the price compared to the first class stuff.
@@csabadanyiko6096 thank you very much
Shame they dont sell to Czech Republic..🇨🇿🇭🇺
Crumb rubber plates give off toxic gas. I've just made the mistake of ordering some and I'm trying to get rid of them ASAP.
I have both in my garage gym. I use the bumper plates for deadlifts and clean and press exercises. Almost everything else is done with iron weights. It works well for me but rubber plates are a lot more expensive. I sometimes have to weight a longer period of time to purchase the rubber plates because mostly I buy them new. It's a lot easier to purchase used iron plates so it goes back to affordability. If you purchase used iron plates, you have more money for newer bumper plates.
Good video and I agree, bumpers are the way to go unless you’re doing massive amounts of weight that the common person won’t be able to do.
No no, everyone should lift with iron plates. Every rubber plate looks Like a 45, and if you have self respect, you go through the shame of loading the barbell with those tiny weights untill you can lift the big weights
It is important for the mindset that everyone sees you lift less then 45's both sides.
In the gym i went to, there where dudes who put 25's at the beginnig and real 45's after so it looked Like they lifted 225, 315,... But in fact its atleast 40lbs lighter.
Then you have the really shameless people who load up a barbell with only 25lbs bumper plates so they can also look Like they lift dady weights.
Just stick with the real weights, except when you do things Like clean and jerk
@@stronglift1873 lol, the bumper plates all have different colors, and they're not all as thin as the 10lb shown in this video. Sounds like Cap.
@@DimiArt not where i train, in fact, most bumper plates are just 1 color i believe. olympic plates are colored, but they are also expensive as hell.
I dont give much about lifting anymore, started doing mma and kickboxing 9 months ago so people can clown around in gyms all they want, they wont bother me anymore.
@@stronglift1873 shouldn't have let it bother you in the first place. Glad you're doing mma and kickboxing though.
It's my first time watching this guy, and i loved him
I like rubber just because their size is made for my leverages and height, it's amazing. And well, I'm not going for a 500kg deadlift, so I don't complain about the space they fill
Also for us apartment rats without a garage gym it is probably better for floors (no dropping of course an with some surface protection on the wood) and neighbours.
Bumpers for the hexbar or anything else lifted from the floor, rubber coated iron for everything else.
The sad thing is that many people use rubber plates just because they are so much bigger and appear thicker, which gives off the appearance that you are lifting much more weight than you actually are.
I agree. I think it's part of our modern culture's need for instant gratification, "everyone gets a trophy", "look what I can do!" - WITHOUT having to put in all those years of hard, repetitive, boring work....
Wrong,iron plate feel way heavier than rubber so people dont want to use it
This dude is too sincere it makes me not want to trust him... but he's so friendly... Maybe he's right...
Rubber bumpers look very chunky but they are a “no brainer” if you are going to drop them.
I went with iron because my early years lifting were with the old iron weights my dad had given me from his military days and I still have them and use them occasionally. They work just fine they’ll outlast me
They are great if you don't need to drop weights on the floor.
I just got two 20 kg plates for the start of my home gym.They definitely feel heavier as they're metal and after putting one of them on a scale it came up 20.9kgs(46 lbs).I love the sound of iron plates and the metal clanking sound.Ive also got two 10 kg plates and a barbell so right now i only have 80kgs.I will still get alot more plates + a homegym training station where i'll be able to do plate loaded shoulder presses,shrugs,squats,calf raises,chest presses etc.Ive also got an adjustable bench that you can lower to a decline that has a preacher pad.
I'll choose iron plates anyday, oldskool
Just bought my first pair of Fringe bumpers. Can't wait lol
IRON SHARPENS IRON!! enough said
Iron is the best material of all time🔥
i prefer the steel plate because of the feeling of lifting heavier and because they are cheaper and take less space but because i do some olympic movement i have to go with bumper on my home gym.
A really nice objective take on both. I've iron at home. They're cheap and they still do what I want. If I had more room and could get back into olympic lifting, I'd naturally have to get the rubber. I think the iron are actually better for me with heavy deadlifts (heavy for me anyway). They require a controlled eccentric movement where it would be easy to just let the barbell drop with rubber plates. Both are good. Moving any kind of weight is good.
I like iron plates sound on benching but since i do alot of olympic weightlifting and heavy squats i prefer bumper plates so i can drop them.
Thank you for explaining this so simply and concisely. Great video
Then what you are waiting for.... Merge both of them together to form Rubber coated Iron Weight Plates....😊😊❤ You will get all benifits.... Plus weight can be added more on barbells.... It would also be able to absorb impact....😊... Why you not compare rubber and rubber coated iron dumbbells.... ?
I like iron when I bench. I like to slam the plates on the bar...to let everyone hear that I'm adding a lot of weight. But when I do military presses, I like rubber. Four big 10lb rubber plates on each side looks really impressive!
Big man so strong 💪🏼👺 no one is impressed by your auditory assault trust me bro, they’d be way more impressed if you just shut up and got on with it quietly
I need quietness and throwability. So, bumpers I suppose.
Iron plates can be practically used on a loadable dumbbell, rubber plates cannot due to them all being so big.
I actually have some deep dish iron and some smaller rubber plates. I kinda like both about the same but feel more 'manly' with the iron (yea, I know thats dumb).
Its not its plus+10 testosterone per plate
Thanks for the video. Would appreciate one discussing the merits of metal with urethane and inner handles compared to bumper plates as well.
Cast Iron Always Rule The Gym 🔥🔥💪💪
That's why they call it pumping iron! 🏋️♂️ You'll never hear pumping rubber!!!!! 🤦♂️
Great video!
If it ain't steel it ain't real
Well, cast iron, but that doesn't rhyme, haha!
#7. Rubber plates make you look like the incredible hulk for benching 50lbs.
I swear it's harder to lift iron
I don’t see how it should be if your lifting the same weight
@@danieltatum4220 yeah but you just have to workout with them both and see the difference obviously they weigh the same but it’s weird rubber feels heavy but light at the same time idk how to explain😭
@@GlomanAlgy Yeah that’s true
@@danieltatum4220 it actually is.. if you load deadlift all with bumpers bar bends little more. iron is closer to the center.
Iron have a lot better center weight gravity when doing deadlift
Forget both, natural stone disk rocks :P
I own both they both give you gains.
Noob here… steel plates will last forever if taken care of. Is there a chance of rubber breaking down or degrading causing them to be replaced?
Yes unfortunately center hub can come off if you abuse its enough
Convinced me when you talked about the floors thanks
I don't know if it's the weight dispersion but squating with iron plates is a big difference
my husband likes to use rubbers.
Bowchikabowwow!
Only reason I like iron plates is because when I was in high school freshman year 2014. They had iron weights and that’s what I started off with, 4 years now, they have bumper weights and I miss the iron weights
Awesome breakdown
The only thing I don't like about iron plates is the rust.
I love using iron weights it gives e that old school feeling 😂 and idk if it’s just me but a 25 pound iron DB feels heavier then a 25 pound rubber DB
Thanks! I learned a lot in this video. I just got a full barbell weight set from the (Power Systems) store. The plates are “virgin rubber coated deluxe plates” but man! They STINK! They have a nasty smell! And I read that the Virgin rubber has that smell, but not sure if all rubbers do? I have been airing them out for about a week and the smell is still there! I’m retuning them but I’m looking for an alternative 😔
yep, this is an under-appreciated fact
i had to wash my rubber plates with soap multiple times to get the really smelly shit out of them. and even then they still smell a tiny bit. can't be healthy. i regret not buying iron
@@yes-vy6bn urrrrgh that sucks! The store I got mine from (Power System) had another barbell set that was made with "urethane plates with inner stainless steel" So I got them and I was happy with it. Urethane doesn't have a smell and I didn't have to worry about the iron plates rusting (I live in a humid area)
The only thing I hate about bumper plates besides width. Are the size of them on a EZ curl bar
I couldn't figure out why it looked like stick men were doing reps with 315 and they weren't even breaking a sweat Then I realized it's because the weights are twice the size now. To me it reminds me of everything else it's happening nowadays. Don't want to do the work to actually do the heavy weights. So you fake it. I'll stick to my old 45's , thank you. 💪
I only buy used rusty iron plates
Thank you sir.....
But still I'm gonna buy iron plates 😁😄🙌.
You get a better pump with iron though.
how about gold plate...it way more dense then iron
And also way more cheaper than iron...Right?😂 Bro no one can beat your imagination power, I think you eat gold 🐠 fish daily....😊
The difference is if you leave bumper plates in the sun they lose weight
great video
Iron is ruthless and unforgiving. I myself feel the most pump from them.
It sounds like he's teaching a group of 5 year olds about lifting weights.
Thanks for the video, very helpful comparison.
Can you use rubber plates for backyard workout can you leave them in the sun
They suck, I will always prefer iron
3:06 is music to my ears
For iron muscles use iron
which one last longer? given both have the same usage (dropping down in DL, etc). I was thinking cast iron can get easier to rust than rubber plates, so rubber could last longer. cmiiw
Go iron for longevity. Rust is easy to handle and theyll last forever, while rubber chips or shaves away after some time
Still will outlast both
Cast iron weight plates will last for several generations.
But what about longevity??
I need the sound of iron when lifting. I bought bumper plates and seriously regret it.
Love my iron, but have a new born baby now and need to go quieter
Nice vid. Which are better for barbell bicep curls?
Wait our 5kg rubber plate is small
So, I didn’t even realize the rubber plates were a thing. I was using tiny little 10lb iron plates for my DEADLIFTS and was killing my self
Iron the way to go the old school way always
While most who have any experience in the gym know the size differences and advantages rubber plates have over iron, there still is the psychological benefit (for some) of it looking like you're lifting much more weight than you actually are. Look ladies, I'm lifting so much weight!
What a stud I am! Sure, the truth is now commonly known. But there are still people who don't realize the difference. Simply put; if it looks bigger, it must be heavier. Otherwise, for the same training benefit, iron takes up less space and is less expensive.
I prefer Iron for 3 good reasons
1. It’s heavier
2. It’s scary
3. Old school
3 good reasons why I hate rubber plates
1. It’s lighter
2. It’s safer
3. It’s modern
@@scaryhenski Rubber plates can be as heavy, and therefore can do as much harm depending upon the activity. "Modern" is irrelevant.
@@siegfriedhorner4436 Nope they are not as heavier there is a reason why it’s call pumping iron not pumping rubber.
@@scaryhenski Of course 20 kilos is 20 kilos, rubber or iron. You understand that, don't you?
What it's called is not relevant. "Pumping iron" was coined before bumper plates existed.
But weight is weight, whatever it's material.
Also, irrespective of the material a plate is made of, the barbell bar is steel. When the BB hits your throat, or chest, or foot, or..any part of you, It won't matter what the plates are made of.
I only have iron. But that's because I've had them for decades. And for the reasons I mentioned previously, I would still buy iron.
@@siegfriedhorner4436 I don’t like rubber plates and I will always consider them inferior to Iron Plates, I do not respect bumper rubber plates, there is a reason why the phrase iron sharpens iron exist and rubber sharpens rubber does not, Iron is way heavier than rubber and you won’t convince me because I am close minded when it comes to rubber plates.
I want plates made of pure gold when I strike it rich.
Question, why are iron plates heavier than rubber plates?
@SuperHaitiano well yes, but like a 45lb rubber plate is lighter than a 45lb metal plate. Why is that?
They are more dense.. Basically same weight less size, the pressure on your hand when you lift them it's bigger so it seems like they weights more
@@hobbleyopple3612 45lbs is 45lbs. The reason to choose steel/iron over bumper is to have more weight on the bar.
Here's another question - which weighs more: a ton of feathers or a ton of rocks?
@@biknjak both weigh the same
I just sold all my iron today to get more bumper lol.
You should’ve gave it to me Iron is what I want
Which is the best for chest exercise, iron or rubber dumbles ??
it doesnt matter they weigh the same
Resistance is resistance bro it doesnt matter
@@Dan-hd8ud Iron
... is this all? What about smell of the rubber, and also rubber falling apart ..
I’m starting but I don’t have enough many whats the cheapest weights I get with a bar and weights?
Iron. And you can usually find used sets.
No, they don't break THAT easily.
And rust isn't an issue. Just keep them away from repeated water exposure.
Start with a few and and buy more as you get stronger.
Ebay.Great deals on cast iron used weight plates!!
Most gyms now all have bumper plates. I can't stand it. I love iron plates
You know who else doesn’t like that sound? Planet Fitness
I Like iron one
Sounds like he's trying not to wake up his mom upstairs
The iron plates just feel more heavier than the rubber plate. I dont know why.
i feel like you're talking to us like were 5 year old ESL students
Nothing can beat iron
Well not everything you aren't going over 405ish with bumper plates which you even said in the video
Guy sounds like a host of Blues Clues. Good info though.
Iron is the only way to go
Bumper plates right now are much more cheaper
The body doesnt know its rubber only your eyes
iron is more decent than plastic so that's the difference you will do less work to get ripped than rubber.
If no sound of iron in gym its not gym
Nobody told me how stinky rubber weights are. If you're in a poorly vented area with new rubber weights you'll get a headache from VOCs.
Not "everything" and not "all of the benefits." I can't practically load my loadable DBs with bumper plates.
Iron all Day
i just ordered 250kg of iron plates lol
Why is he whispering tho?