Our list of best budget bumper plates would be incomplete without having a product from Titan Fitness. Its products make it to most of our lists not because they are affordable. They are one of the top-rated budget products because of their exceptional quality. Some of them such as the Titan Fitness X-3 Series Bolt-Down Power Rack can even be compared with Rogue Monster series power racks, while costing much less to the user.
Its Economy black bumper plates are no exception. They are sold as individual pairs as well as whole sets. Just like other affordable bumper plates such as Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates and Rogue Echo Bumper Plates V2, they are also made of virgin rubber, which makes them durable enough to withstand some rough use.
In this article, we will share our detailed review of the Titan Fitness Economy black bumper plates. We will also compare it with other competitive products so you can decide which one you should go with.
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Quick Review Summary
Titan Fitness LB Economy black bumper plates are made of virgin rubber and therefore, they are durable enough to last for a good number of years. They are sold as sets or individual pairs and all of them have a low bounce that helps protect your barbell and floor. The steel inserts are reinforced so they won’t come out any time soon. The quality may not be as good as other competitive options but the weight plates are still pretty good for home gym owners who need something basic and within their budget.
Pros
- Most affordable top-rated bumper plates
- Compatible with Olympic barbells
- Have a low bounce
Cons
- 55lbs plates not available
- None as such but may not last long if dropped frequently
Rating
We are giving this a rating of 4.7 out of 5.0.
Full Review
Now on to our full review.
Key Features
- Sold in pairs of 10lbs, 15lbs, 25lbs, 35lbs, 45lbs, and 100lbs. Also sold in sets of 230lbs and 260lbs
- These are just black plates. Color-coded bumper plates and fractional plates are also available.
- We don’t know if the Titan Fitness LB Economy black bumper plates are made of virgin rubber or crumbed rubber. The manufacturer hasn’t provided any information regarding that but we guess the manufacturer has used virgin rubber.
- Hole size is 50.8mm, which makes these plates compatible with Olympic barbells.
- Overall diameter of the plates is 17.75”.
- The manufacturer states that the plates have a low bounce.
- The center has steel collars that reinforce the plates so they last for a long time.
- Comes with 1-year warranty
The low bounce rate of the Titan Fitness LB Economy black bumper plates makes them safer for your barbell
The above video will help you understand what low bounce means.
Basically, when dropped on the ground, the plates bounce back. This bounce can damage the plates as well as the spin and sleeves of the barbell. Bumper plates made of crumb rubber have a comparatively higher bounce than virgin bumper plates.
The bounce of the plates depends on their shore/durometer rating, which is calculated from 1 to 100. Objects that have a low shore rating bounce higher than the ones that have a high shore rating. For example; a bouncy rubber ball has a shore rating of 35-45 which is why they bounce much higher than golf balls that have a durometer rating of 60.
The Titan Fitness LB Economy black bumper plates have a very low bounce, so we guess they have a shore rating of 85, which is pretty standard for good quality affordable plates. It isn’t dead bounce as you can find in more expensive weight plates but the bounce is very low.
Cheaper bumper plates made of crumb rubber may have a low shore rating of 70, which means they will have a higher bounce. That's OK if you are usually pretty careful with your weights but if you train rather hard and rough, you should spend a few more dollars for a set of good quality low bounce plates like these Titan Fitness economy black bumper plates.
PS: If you want to protect your barbell and floor, you shouldn’t drop your weights when done. Plus, you must use Yes4All Silencer Drop Pads or other similar products to minimize the impact.
Steel collars are reinforced into the plates for better durability
The way the steel inserts are attached to the rubber outer makes a lot of difference.
Most affordable plates including the Titan Fitness Economy black bumper plates have regular inserts that look almost the same as shown in the image below. Some of them such as the Fringesport black bumper plates have anchored inserts.
If you keep dropping your weights frequently, the inserts will loosen up and may fall out. Once that happens, the weight plate will become useless because there is no way you can attach it back.
Titan Fitness claims that it uses some kind of reinforcement to prevent the inserts from loosening up any time soon. Buyers too have confirmed that these plates are resistant to wear and tear.
But, if you are into a habit of dropping weights, they may not last for more than two years. That being said, no plates will last any longer. You are not supposed to drop your weights unless you are into competitive sports and use really expensive high-quality products that are designed to withstand such rough use.
Titan Fitness LB Economy black bumper plates are the most affordable top-rated weight plates
As of writing this article, the 260lbs set from Titan Fitness costs about $500 plus free shipping. All the other budget bumper plates that we have reviewed and recommended for you cost much more than $550. Plus, you may have to pay for shipping.
If you are a budget-conscious buyer, we have no reason why you shouldn’t go with Titan Fitness Economy plates. We agree that the other products may be better but unless you drop the weights, it makes no major difference.
Rating
We are giving this a rating of 4.7 out of 5.0.
Wrap Up
Titan Fitness Economy Black bumper plates are pretty basic products but they do have raised edges so you can grab them quickly and safely. As we said above, they may not be as durable as the Fringesport black bumper plates and other products, but they can still last for a lifetime if you do not drop them.
If you want to give them a try, we are with you.
That’s it for this article. Before you go, do find out if Crossfit Weights (Bumper Plates) are Lighter and if Crossfit Is Bullshit as claimed by some fitness experts.