Rubber Weight Brands and Pricing

[steeelers]

Can anybody tell me if GP Industries and TKO are good brands of rubber weights? Just add www dot to the following links as I can't post links yet (not enough posts). Also, what would be a good price per pound?

gpindinc.com/olympicplates.html

total-trainer.com/tko-802or-bk355-tri-grip-plates-355-lb-set-1542.html

I can get 245lbs. for $200 (about .75 per lb.). Is this a good deal?

2x45s GP Industries
2x35s TKO
2x25s TKO
2x10s TKO
2x5s TKO
2x2.5s TKO

[urbanlifter]

I think both are pretty decent, I'm a big fan of GP equipment in general and I think they make high quality (but expensive) stuff.

[Wildtim]

YOu do mean rubber coating iron weights right?

Not bumpers for dropping?

[cm45]

Yea like WildTim said those are not Bumper plates, so I am little unsure of what you are asking.

[steeelers]

Sorry guys! What is the definition of a bumper??? The two links provided are what they are. The 45s are GP Industries and the rest is TKO. He referred to the GP plates as bumpers. What is the difference?

[Wildtim]

The Gp plates you linked to are either urathane coated or rubber coated iron plates, both are on that page. These are exactly what that says a normal iron plate that has been covered with urathane or rubber because it looks nice and cuts down on the clanging, it also makes them easier to handle.

A bumper plate is a solid rubber weight plate with a meatl insert so it slides on a bar. These are for Olympice lifting. More specifically dropping so they can bounce and not transfer the shock of dropping solid iron onto the floor or onto the bar..

Bumper platesKo-6MPPUgLM

Try that with ordinary plates and things break, probably the floor, maybe the bar and possibly the plates.

[steeelers]

I see. I don't need bumpers. That being said, what do you think about the price and quality of those two brands?

[Wildtim]

That is actually quite a good price for a new coated plate, and both those brands are just fine.

Just wanted to make sure you knew what you wanted as half the guys or even more who ask about rubber coated plates think they are getting bumpers for a incredible deal.

[steeelers]

Thanks! I have no need to drop plates on the ground so bumpers are not needed. Really, I just thought that rubber would be better to prevent rust; otherwise, I could care less. I wonder if rust is an issue inside a garage in Northern California?

[ProudMarineDad]

Sorry to dig up an old post but did a search on Google and saw where the TKO plates are supposed to not have much odor. I still haven't got an Olympic set but would like to get a rubber coated set that didn't have much smell to it. Since my workout room is next to the other bedrooms in the house, I like the idea of the rubber coating lowering the noise.

I can't tolerate regular paint much less a chemical smell, I was wondering if TKO or what other brands odor is low. I know some others talk about York's and Body Solid's smell being really bad.