How to Make Your Own Bumper Plates on a Budget

Ready to try a spot of Olympic Weightlifting? Make your own 'plates'.

by Mehdi Hadim
Filed in : DIY
Tags : DIY, Olympic Weightlifting


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Bumper Plates.

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:

• Diameter: 7,5cm (2,9") bigger than your plates.


• Opening: 70mm (2,7") assuming you have 50mm Olympic barbells.

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.

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

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

Attach the flanges to your wheels using bolts.

You're done.

Now you can put them on your barbell.

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

Images courtesy Marcus.

Mehdi Hadim is the author of StrongLifts.com, a blog helping you build muscle and lose fat through strength training.

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