How to make your own bumper plates on a budget

Scott Andrew Birdby Scott Andrew Bird | September 22, 2007
Filed in DIY , Equipment


Bumper platesThis is a guest post by Mehdi, author of StrongLifts.com.

You're into strength training for some time. And now you decided to incorporate Olympic lifts. You want to Power Clean. But the problem is: you don't have bumper plates. You have normal rubber plates. What do you do?

Well you could buy a set of bumper plates. But this will cost you money. And you end up with twice the amount of plates.

Better is to use 2 old tyres & wheels as bumper plates. Easy & cheap. Here's how to make your own bumper plates.

Tyres & Wheels. Ask your local supplier for 2 old tyres & wheels. They'll often give you these for free. Choose tyres & wheels with these properties:
Bumper plates Flange. Next you'll need two flanges to fix the wheels on your barbell. This are the only things that will cost you money.

Barbell is 50mm thick. Wheels have a 70mm opening. 70-50 = 20. Divide that by 2. Flanges should be 10mm (0,39inch) thick to fit between barbell & wheels.

Bumper platesYou can buy flanges or you can mold them yourself. Don't forget the 4 holes to attach them to your wheels.

Bumper platesIf you've done the job right, the flanges will fit perfectly on your wheels.

Bumper platesAttach the flanges to your wheels using bolts.

Bumper platesYou're done.

Bumper platesNow you can put them on your barbell.

Bumper platesOutside collars to make sure they don't move. And you're ready to clean & snatch.

Bumper plates

Images courtesy Marcus.

Mehdi is the author of StrongLifts.com, a blog helping you build muscle & lose fat through strength training. If you'd like to join him on the Straight to the Bar writing team, let me know.



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