The 6 Best Colored Bumper Weight Plates For CrossFit

The equipment you use as a CrossFit enthusiast is paramount to your success. If you are seeking the best equipment for your CrossFit Gym or trying to build a home gym that is second to none, you are in the right place.

In this guide, we will dive deeply into the six best Olympic bumper plates based on your goals, training environment, and budget. As well as get to the bottom of why the plates are colored the way they are, determine the different types and materials of the Olympic weight plates, and explore which environments are best suited for each plate.

Whether you train in a functional fitness gym or a traditional commercial gym, after you are done with this article you will have a full understanding of the importance of colored CrossFit weight plates and how you can select the perfect set for your training. 

Introduction to Olympic Bumper Plates

Olympic bumper plates play a massive role in CrossFit, weightlifting, and general strength training. But, their role in allowing athletes to train the Olympic lifts, such as the snatch and clean and jerk, is pivotal.

These movements do not allow for a controlled descent toward the ground without risk of injury as they are power-based movements and are thus not “controlled” up to the shoulders or overhead as they are executed.

They must be allowed to drop to the floor while preventing damage to the floor and the plate itself. It is because of this fact that high quality Olympic bumper plates are recognized by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and are standard practice across gyms and in competition. 

In a hurry? Here is our quick list of plates:

Best For Value: Rep Fitness Color Bumper Plates

Best For Olympic Weightlifting Lifts: Rogue Fitness Competition Bumper Plates

Best For Powerlifting Lifts: Titan Fitness Calibrated Steel Plates

Best For CrossFit: Titan Fitness Color Bumper Plates

Best For Beginners: CAP Olympic Rubber Bumper Plates 

Best Price: Signature Fitness Olympic Style Bumper Plates

What Are The Best Colored Olympic Bumper Plates?

1) Rep Fitness Color Bumper Plates​

Material: Alloy Steel / Rubber

Rep Fitness bumper plates are the ideal option for those who want a great bumper plate that is built to last but won’t break the bank. REP Fitness offers durable color bumper plates designed to withstand over 15,000 drops. Their 10 lb. plates are extra thick for added durability, and the 45 lb. plates are thinner, accommodating up to 515 pounds on the bar.

These versatile rubber bumper plates are suitable for a wide range of exercises, from traditional strength-building movements to Olympic lifts. They are perfect for home gyms, protecting floors and minimizing noise. REP Fitness is a trusted brand known for high-quality fitness equipment, including benches, barbells, and more, designed in Denver, Colorado, and manufactured to the highest standards.

2) Rogue Fitness Competition Bumper Plates

Material: Steel disc, chrome plate, rubber

Rogue Competition Plates are IWF standard, 450MM in diameter, with chrome-plated steel disc inserts and a stable 50.40MM collar opening. They offer minimal bounce, a new textured matte finish, and raised lettering for an attractive design. Raised flanges protect against metal-on-metal contact, preserving the plates. Available in vibrant colors (Red/55LB, Blue/45LB, Yellow/35LB, Green/25LB) and various set options for your gym’s needs, including custom orders.

3) Titan Fitness Color Bumper Plates

Material: Rubber or urethane 

Titan Fitness rubber plates are versatile for a variety of exercises and can be used with barbells to expand your workout options. With a durable construction including a steel internal ring and rubber coating or urethane, they are built to last. They have a variety of styles and weights and a collar opening compatible with all Olympic Barbells. They are available in vibrant colors for easy weight identification, with options ranging from 5 KG to 25 KG.

3) Titan Fitness Calibrated Steel Plates

Material: Cast iron steel

These machine-calibrated steel plates offer precise weight measurements, accurate to within 10 grams. They feature a slimmer design for easy stacking and follow a competition color scheme for quick identification. The color-coded weights range from 0.25 KG to 50 KG, with bright chrome, black, white, green, yellow, blue, and red finishes. The plates also include calibration plugs for enhanced precision.

5) CAP Olympic Rubber Bumper Plates

Material: Steel, Rubber

The CAP rubber bumper weights feature a steel inner hub and solid rubber construction for durability, with a weight accuracy of within 5 grams. They are designed for use with Olympic bars and have a slim, uniform diameter, making them easy to load and unload. Color-coded for easy identification, these weights are available in Kilograms and Pounds, with options like 10 KG (green), 15 KG (yellow), 20 KG (blue), 25 KG (red), 25 pounds (green), 35 pounds (yellow), 45 pounds (blue), and 55 pounds (red).

6) ​Signature Fitness Olympic Style Bumper Plates

Material: Steel, Rubber

Signature Fitness offers high-quality bumper plates at competitive prices. Their 100% virgin rubber plates have low odor and minimal bounce, providing durability and safety. They prioritize quality, ensuring long-lasting products that deliver value for your investment. This commitment to quality and affordability sets them apart from similar products. If you’re training on a budget these bumper plates might be perfect for you!

Different Types of Weight Plates

Before we explore the details of Olympic bumper plates, let’s discuss the different types of weight plates that are available to lifters today.

1. Rubber Bumper Plates

Inside any CrossFit Gym or functional fitness training gym, rubber bumper plates will be a staple. These kinds of plates are made with a solid cast iron core and are encased with high quality virgin rubber. These kinds of plates are known for their low bounce, which makes them an ideal choice for anyone looking to drop plates from overhead or the shoulders without causing damage to the plates or floor. Rubber weight plates are frequently color-coded to be easily identified in training. 

2. Cast Iron Plates

The cast iron plates are the type of plate in Powerlifting gyms or even traditional commercial gyms. These metal plates as the name implies are made from solid cast iron and are not encased in a rubber coating. They’re ideal for lifting super heavy weights as you can load the barbell with much more weight as they typically have a smaller standard diameter than rubber bumper plates.

Although they do not have the same bounce ability as rubber bumper plates, they are still a fine piece of your home gym equipment if your goals fall outside of functional fitness and are more in line with powerlifting or traditional strength training. 

3. Steel Plates

Similar to cast iron plates are steel plates. These metal plates are another option for athletes looking for thinner plates to maximize the space on the bar so they can load barbells with heavy weights. But, they are kin to cast iron plates in that they are less forgiving when dropped and will damage the floor if dropped from overhead. Even in Powerlifting, using weightlifting platforms is preferred when using these plates.

4. Urethane Plates

Urethan plates are the premium option when selecting functional training equipment due to their durability and performance. The high quality urethane material ensures they can tolerate the heavy use that CrossFit gym equipment gets put through. Similar to rubber Olympic bumper plates, urethan plates have a solid steel core and, when combined with urethan material, provide a low bounce for the user. Making them an ideal selection for any CrossFit box.

Why Color Code Olympic Bumper Plates?

Now that you know the different types of weight plates, let’s uncover why Olympic bumper plates each receive a color based on their weight. 

1. Easy Weight Identification

In training and especially competition, much time can be wasted sifting through the different weight options and so the color-coding system of Olympic bumper plates greatly simplifies the process of identifying and selecting the weight on the barbell or what will be loaded next. The different colors allow athletes or coaches to quickly pick the weights they need to maintain the flow of the workout. 

2. Standardization for International Competition

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) uses the colored Olympic bumper plates as standard practice to ensure consistency in competition in addition to easy recognition of how much weight is being used on the loaded barbell. This also allows for sanctioned events across the world to have a similar color code to easily compare performances between Olympic weightlifters. The competition bumper plates are designed with the IWF’s specific requirements so if your goal is to compete at the highest level they are a must-have. 

3. Weight Room Organization

A lesser and often forgotten benefit of color-coded Olympic bumper plates is the ease of organization. Using the different weight plate colors you can more store the plates using a rack from any supplier of CrossFit equipment, such as Rogue Fitness. Whether you’re at a CrossFit Gym, commercial facility, or your home gym, keeping your training space organized is key. 

The Color Spectrum of Olympic Bumper Plates

Now let’s get down to how the color codes work with respect to the claimed weight. 

1. Red Bumper Plates

The red plates are the heaviest standard plates and weigh in at 25 kilograms (55 pounds).

2. Blue Bumper Plates

The blue plates are the second heaviest of the standard plates and weigh in at 20 kilograms (45 pounds).

3. Yellow Bumper Plates

The yellow plates are the third heaviest of the standard plates and weigh in at 15 kilograms (33 pounds).

4. Green Bumper Plates

The green plates are the fourth heaviest of the standard plates and weigh in at 10 kilograms (22 pounds).

5. Black Bumper Plates

The black plates are the fifth heaviest of the standard plates and weigh in at 5 kilograms (11 pounds).

6. White Bumper Plates

The white plates are the sixth heaviest of the standard plates and weigh in at 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds).

Colored Weight Plates in Different Fitness Environments 

The use of Olympic Bumper plates spans reach beyond the CrossFit gym; let’s dive into the most common ones. 

1. Commercial Gyms

Commercial gyms are greatly suited for bumper plates as inside these gyms, there are a variety of people, each with their own fitness goals. As such, the plates inside the gym should be just as versatile. Olympic bumper plates can provide this versatility as they can be used for CrossFit training, Bodybuilding, Powerlifting, and more.

2. CrossFit Boxes

Olympic bumper plates are ideal for any CrossFit gym due to the harsh conditions that the workouts put them under. In a typical CrossFit workout, a barbell can be dropped over fifty times or more. It is because of this that the plates that are used need to be durable but also provide shock absorption to maintain the floor over time.

With metal plates, this is not possible. Additionally, the colored variations of the competition plates allow for rapid and smooth transitions in which plates must be added or subtracted mid-workout. 

3. Home Gyms

For many of the same reasons mentioned above, Olympic bumper plates that are color-coded are a fantastic option for any home gym. The virgin rubber will protect the garage or home floor, and the versatile nature of the plates will allow you to train for any goal. In addition to keeping the home gym aesthetic and organized at all times. 

Choosing the Right Bumper Plate Sets

​Okay, so now you know the significance of the color-coded Olympic Bumper plates and how they can be used in each setting, let’s determine how you can select the right type of weight plate set for your needs. 

1. Consider Your Fitness Goals

Your fitness goals will determine almost anything you do in the gym. Selecting your plates is no different. If you train in CrossFit, Olympic weightlifting, or any other type of functional fitness training then color-coded Olympic bumper plates are your best bet. 

2. Budget Constraints

How much you would like to invest in your plates is completely up to you! If you would like to spend more on a set of urethan plates then you can take advantage of their premium durability and performance or you can opt for a more affordable option like simple rubber plates. 

3. Weight Requirements

How much weight will you be lifting on a day-to-day basis? If you plan on lifting over 500 pounds, then you will likely want to select cast iron plates or steel plates. This is because the red-colored bumper plates will have a diameter that will only allow so many plates to fit on a loaded barbell, which will cap the weight you can use in training. 

4. Gym Environment

The style of the gym is crucial to selecting which kind of plates you will be using. If you are in a setting that encourages the dropping of barbells then you should certainly opt for a set of Olympic rubber plates. But if you are selecting where to spend your hard-earned money and you train out of a commercial gym, fitness spa, powerlifting gym, or another type of traditional gym then a set of metal plates may better suit your needs. 

The Wrap-Up!

If you are a Crossfitter wondering why you are training with colorful plates, now you know. The color-coding of Olympic bumper plates serves the purpose of simplifying the process of identifying the correct weights of workouts and standardizing IWF competitions across the world and serves these exact purposes in the sport of CrossFit. 

Each weight plate is assigned a different weight and you can now confidently walk into any CrossFit or functional fitness training gym and maintain a steady flow through your strength training as you select the proper weights simply by looking at their color. Or, minimize transitions during metcons to swap weights with ease and maximize your score for the workout. 

The right style, price, and function are the last pieces to selecting a set of Olympic bumper plates, and you also now have the tools to decipher which settings you need to spend wisely as a consumer and optimize your dollar. 

Now enough reading and let’s get training!