So, Steel plates or bumper plates if price is comparable?

[Paulie_G]

I have an opportunity to buy either Ivanko standard steel plates or "generic label" Kraiburg bumper plates for about the same price per pound, for a total of about 500 pounds. I'm primarily a power lifter, but I do like the idea of bumpers for deadiifts on heavy singles. For everything else, I could care less. My question is this. Which would you choose, and why? All rational opinions are appreciated.

[GarageIron]

I have an opportunity to buy either Ivanko standard steel plates or "generic label" Kraiburg bumper plates for about the same price per pound, for a total of about 500 pounds. I'm primarily a power lifter, but I do like the idea of bumpers for deadiifts on heavy singles. For everything else, I could care less. My question is this. Which would you choose, and why? All rational opinions are appreciated.

With most generic bumpers you can not get more than 4-450lbs on the bar as you run out of space on the sleeve. You could sandwich iron in there but I don't recommend it.

Bumpers also wear and tend to fail at the inserts. Iron stays pretty much the same as new if taken care of and holds its resale value well if purchased used.

[jmmainvi]

As stated, kraiburg bumpers (or any "economy" bumpers) are only going to let you get ~455 on the bar. Yes, you can use some bumper, some iron, but.... that's probably defeating the whole point, because then you're not going to want to drop the bar, are you?

I've used Kraiburg bumpers before, and they are the EXACT definition of "economy" plates. Using them for Olympic lifting in a gym where ~10 people lift, they're going to last you ~2 years (in my experience). For deadlifting of course, there isn't any dropping involved, and if there is, it's from well below the waist as compared to shoulder level/overhead where and olympic lifter is dropping from. I would expect that if it's just you using the gym, you can get 5 years out of kraiburg plates if you treat them well. If you abuse them, less. Those ivankos are going to last you literally forever, barring freak accidents (or if you decide to try olympic lifting with them.) You will destroy your gym floor before you destroy those plates. So long as you build yourself a deadlift platform, you shouldn't have any trouble with drops from missed-deadlift height.

If they're similar price, I would go with the ivankos (for you, being a PL). If you were a WL, I would say save some money and get a better set of bumpers. The ivankos have longer lifetime, better potential for expansion, and they're damn sexy.

[Paulie_G]

With most generic bumpers you can not get more than 4-450lbs on the bar as you run out of space on the sleeve. You could sandwich iron in there but I don't recommend it.

That is a good point, but not my biggest concern, as I do have access to iron plates, if the time comes where I actually make it to 500. I'm kinda stuck at 425 right now, and my back has started getting to me a bit.

As stated, kraiburg bumpers (or any "economy" bumpers) are only going to let you get ~455 on the bar. Yes, you can use some bumper, some iron, but.... that's probably defeating the whole point, because then you're not going to want to drop the bar, are you?

I've used Kraiburg bumpers before, and they are the EXACT definition of "economy" plates. Using them for Olympic lifting in a gym where ~10 people lift, they're going to last you ~2 years (in my experience). For deadlifting of course, there isn't any dropping involved, and if there is, it's from well below the waist as compared to shoulder level/overhead where and olympic lifter is dropping from. I would expect that if it's just you using the gym, you can get 5 years out of kraiburg plates if you treat them well. If you abuse them, less. Those ivankos are going to last you literally forever, barring freak accidents (or if you decide to try olympic lifting with them.) You will destroy your gym floor before you destroy those plates. So long as you build yourself a deadlift platform, you shouldn't have any trouble with drops from missed-deadlift height.

If they're similar price, I would go with the ivankos (for you, being a PL). If you were a WL, I would say save some money and get a better set of bumpers. The ivankos have longer lifetime, better potential for expansion, and they're damn sexy.

This has been my opinion for a long time. However, when I almost dropped a deadlift attempt last week, it got me thinking that I should reconsider bumpers, and when this deal came around, it was hard not to consider. However, I was thinking that maybe the Kraiburg economy plates were a bit better than average.

[thejosef]

As stated, kraiburg bumpers (or any "economy" bumpers) are only going to let you get ~455 on the bar. Yes, you can use some bumper, some iron, but.... that's probably defeating the whole point, because then you're not going to want to drop the bar, are you?

I've used Kraiburg bumpers before, and they are the EXACT definition of "economy" plates. Using them for Olympic lifting in a gym where ~10 people lift, they're going to last you ~2 years (in my experience). For deadlifting of course, there isn't any dropping involved, and if there is, it's from well below the waist as compared to shoulder level/overhead where and olympic lifter is dropping from. I would expect that if it's just you using the gym, you can get 5 years out of kraiburg plates if you treat them well. If you abuse them, less. Those ivankos are going to last you literally forever, barring freak accidents (or if you decide to try olympic lifting with them.) You will destroy your gym floor before you destroy those plates. So long as you build yourself a deadlift platform, you shouldn't have any trouble with drops from missed-deadlift height.

If they're similar price, I would go with the ivankos (for you, being a PL). If you were a WL, I would say save some money and get a better set of bumpers. The ivankos have longer lifetime, better potential for expansion, and they're damn sexy.

/\ Well said. I agree. Go Ivanko if you're mainly doing power lifts. I can't see you ever regretting getting Ivankos. Also, are you lifting on stall mats or not?

[ninjaneer]

I have an opportunity to buy either Ivanko standard steel plates or "generic label" Kraiburg bumper plates for about the same price per pound, for a total of about 500 pounds. I'm primarily a power lifter, but I do like the idea of bumpers for deadiifts on heavy singles. For everything else, I could care less. My question is this. Which would you choose, and why? All rational opinions are appreciated.

stick to the ivanko's, they'll outlast you. rubber mats/plywood and your floors should be fine for a drop from the waist. your grip will improve with your lift and you could use wraps, otherwise.

[817boy]

Ivanko all the way

[KeithTheSnake]

Ivankos will last forever. Those of mine that I bought new in the mid 8 0 s are still going strong, and I add to then used ones from craigslist whenever I can. They'll fit the bar nicely without flopping sideways like so many economy plates.

[iportal]

I haven't used either but Ivanko is pretty much the creme dela creme of iron.

You're much better getting the Ivanko...

If you need bumpers later on, safe up for another set...

[Kodokan]

I would go with the ivanko plates...they'll last longer and more appropriate for what you primarily do.

What kind of flooring do you have in your gym?

[Detrus]

The only economy bumpers that last are hi-temps or so I've read on the internet. And they're so thick you can only fit 400 lb on bar.

You can get 200-300 lb of bumpers for dropping cleans, snatches, push presses etc. Doesn't make sense for dropping deadlifts.

[jackbravo]

The only economy bumpers that last are hi-temps or so I've read on the internet. And they're so thick you can only fit 400 lb on bar.

You can get 200-300 lb of bumpers for drop cleans, snatches, push presses etc. Doesn't make sense for dropping deadlifts.

you can fit 565lbs including the bar if you use the the hi-temp gorilla plate (65lbs)

http://www.roguefitness.com/gorilla-bumpers.php

http://www.hitempweights.com/index.p...emart&Itemid=2

but it's going to cost a pretty penny, and you'll still need to get the smaller plates.

[Paulie_G]

I would go with the ivanko plates...they'll last longer and more appropriate for what you primarily do.

What kind of flooring do you have in your gym?

I use stall mats, but I'm going to build a platform over the next couple of weeks. I think I'm going with the Ivankos. I can get a total of 600 lb. for $450, but I have to drive 2 1/2 hours away for them. The only other option is to just add to my current Troy Wide Flange plates. That's an entirely different question.

[hulked]

I use stall mats, but I'm going to build a platform over the next couple of weeks. I think I'm going with the Ivankos. I can get a total of 600 lb. for $450, but I have to drive 2 1/2 hours away for them. The only other option is to just add to my current Troy Wide Flange plates. That's an entirely different question.

Ivanko for ur next question too... 75c/lb is a decent price without factoring the travel costs. Go for them if they dont come up frequently in ur area.

[BIgOrange865]

I agree with Hulked. Being on the East Tenn area it's pretty dry when it comes to high quality plates. Go get those ivankos

[Wheyum]

i used to workout with my buddy whom had bumpers and loved it. When i get my gym put together bumpers are really a must. Nothing like going really heavy on DL or Cleans and then just tossing the weight to the ground. The ivankos are nice and all but at the end of the day its just more steel plate weight... bumpers will be a new element to your workout equipment. just my 2cents.

[james1618]

I have an opportunity to buy either Ivanko standard steel plates or "generic label" Kraiburg bumper plates for about the same price per pound, for a total of about 500 pounds. I'm primarily a power lifter, but I do like the idea of bumpers for deadiifts on heavy singles. For everything else, I could care less. My question is this. Which would you choose, and why? All rational opinions are appreciated.

Would recommend steel. My gym's been using them for years and they're extremely durable.

[daniel327]

Which would you choose, and why? All rational opinions are appreciated.

I would choose both.

Why? Well, why not?

You can never have too many plates.

[dumb.bell]

I'd get the Ivankos and then slowly add some Pendlay Elite bumpers.

[BloodType3R]

Everyon'es got valid points.. I'll add one: Accurracy.
I'm willing to bet (though not through first hand knowledge) that economy bumpers are not going to be very accurrate in their weights.. Ivankos will be.

Also, I fully agree with Daniel. Buy the Ivankos then sell off your other plates to fund the purchase of some bumpers.

[jackbravo]

Best of both worlds?

[Detrus]

Best of both worlds?

Drops with that are just as bad as steel. Plus the rubber can crack. But some people drop steel and god knows what happens to the equipment. This guy http://www.youtube.com/user/elliotts...feature=g-hist drops his pink rubber revolvers from every height and doesn't care. He must have the flooring to take it. What happens to his bars is unknown, all his dumbbells are bent from drops though.

Anyway, OP only has the option of deep dish metal Ivankos?

[LimitStrength]

If you drop a deadlift with steel plates onto a plywood platform with some mats your plates aren't likely to crack, more likely for your bar to bend I feel like. Beyond that bumpers are nice but as everyone else said Ivanko or similar steel plates last forever and let you get more weight on the bar.

Just as an unrelated comment your signature says (if I am interpreting this correctly) that your goals are to bench press 315 and deadlift 1000 lbs by april since 1 ton is 2000 lbs? Did you mean 1/4 of a ton? cause that would be 500 lbs and would make sense with your above posts.

I just recently (maybe a year ago) realized 1 ton = 2000 lbs, for a long time thought it was a thousand