Alright, let’s talk about rubber barbell plates. I finally got around to swapping out my old setup, and it’s been quite the process, let me tell you.
So, the whole thing started because my basement floor was taking a beating. I had those old-school cast iron plates, you know the ones. Loud, chipped, and every time I set the bar down, even gently, it sounded like construction work was happening. My wife wasn’t exactly thrilled, especially during her work calls. Plus, I was getting paranoid about cracking the concrete down there.
Getting Started
First step, obviously, was deciding what to get. I looked around, saw folks using these rubber coated plates. Seemed like the logical fix – quieter, supposed to be kinder on the floor. Didn’t want those super thick bumper plates you see in CrossFit gyms, just regular plates covered in rubber.
The Hunt:
- Checked out a few online places, looked at local sports stores too.
- Prices were all over the place, honestly. Some seemed way too expensive for what they are.
- Read a bunch of opinions. Some people love ’em, some complain about the rubber smell or how thick they are compared to iron.
I wasn’t looking for anything fancy, just durable stuff that wouldn’t wake the dead. Found a decent deal on a set – couple of 45s, 25s, 10s, the usual suspects. Pulled the trigger and ordered them.
Unboxing and First Impressions
Delivery day came. Boxes were heavy, as you’d expect. Dragged them down to the basement gym area. Opening them up… whoa. That rubber smell hit me right away. It’s a distinct smell, kind of like new tires but maybe stronger? Left them out near an open window for a day or two, helped a bit.
Handling them felt good. The rubber gives you a better grip than smooth iron, especially when your hands are a bit sweaty. Easier to pick up off the floor or slide onto the bar. They definitely looked chunkier than my old iron plates, especially the 45s. Takes up more sleeve space on the barbell, that’s for sure. If you’re lifting really heavy, might be an issue fitting enough plates on.
Putting Them to Use
Okay, first workout. Loaded up the bar for some deadlifts. The biggest difference? Noise. Or lack thereof. Sliding them on the bar was quieter. Setting the bar down between reps? Just a solid thud, not that ear-splitting CLANG. Big improvement right there. My wife even commented later that she didn’t hear much from downstairs.
They feel solid during lifts. No rattling like some cheaper plates. The rubber coating seems pretty tough so far. Been using them for a few months now, tossing them around a bit (not dropping from overhead, just normal loading/unloading and setting down). Few scuffs here and there, but no major damage, no peeling or cracking yet.
The smell did fade quite a bit after the first week or so. Now I only notice it if I stick my nose right up to them, which I generally try not to do.
So yeah, the switch to rubber plates worked out pretty well for my situation. Quieter house, happier wife, floor’s probably thanking me too. They take up a bit more room on the bar and smelled funky initially, but overall, a solid upgrade for the home gym grind.
