If you’re serious about your home gym, you need to add iron or bumper plates into your gym equipment arsenal. But given the plethora of internationally-manufactured weight training plates saturating the American market, where do you start?
So, we did the heavy lifting for you. We set out to find all of the iron and bumper plates made in the USA. Check out our findings below.
Complete List of Iron and Bumper Plate Brands Made in the USA
Rogue is really a well-known brand that is probably best known for its association with Crossfit equipment. However, they also sell a huge range of bumper plates, ensuring something for everyone, no matter their weight training goal.
Their bumper plates are manufactured using a combination of recycled vulcanized rubber and a 2” stainless steel insert. They also boast an inset collar, a design element that helps reduce friction during training and the probability of the insert popping out on impact. The plates are available in different weight increments, ranging from 10lb to 45lb for simple sets and 160 lbs to 1000 lbs for combined sets. So whether you’re a newbie or a veteran weightlifter, there’s a bumper plate fit for you.
If you’re looking to meet the U.S. Army weightlifting specifications, these are available in weight increment sets ranging from 10lbs to 45lbs; the Rogue US-mil spec bumper plates are officially approved for use in the U.S. Army combat fitness test. The ring has a 450mm diameter which means it can fit in Olympic barbells.
Rogue also sells deep dish plates that are both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional. They feature an electrically-applied paint coat which gives them a smooth feel and appearance for years to come. Available in four weight increments of 25 lbs to 100 lbs, the rogue deep cast bumper plates are also quite durable and corrosion-resistant. But this is no surprise considering they’re cast in ductile iron, a material used in making automotive components.
Rogue’s bumper plates can take rough treatment without as much as a scratch and are perfect for both indoor and outdoor training settings.
Rogue partners with Hi-Temp to produce their popular crumb bumper plates. Hi-Temp is based in Alabama and uses recycled materials to build all their weight plates. They are a bit thicker than competition plates. So, if you just need something for training and don’t need to stack a ton of plates on each side of the bar, these plates are a great option.
Kabuki weight plates are ideal for those needing quality on a tight budget. These plates are available in weight increment sets of 10lbs to 45lbs and feature a 50mm collar opening, making them compatible with competition bar sleeves.
As far as durability is concerned, Kabuki iron plates can withstand a great deal of wear and tear. That is because they’re manufactured using recycled steel and munitions from military bases in the Pacific Northwest. They feature a recessed lip that facilitates easy loading and unloading plates on your barbells. They have a 3% weight tolerance and come with a year-long warranty.
Micro Gainz makes (much like the name suggests) weight plates in very small increments. They range from 1 lb to 10 lbs, and you can even get plates in fractions of a pound if you need that sort of thing for your training.
Biggins Iron makes 100% machined cast iron plates for any type of lifter. Most of their plates are designed for 2″ Olympic-style bars. It’s a no-fuss design and a quality product.
Weight It Out makes some of the thinnest and lightest weight plates on the market if you need plates for small increments. They have everything from 45 lb plates all the way down to 1 lb plates.
Bridge BUILT is a manufacturer based in Ohio that has solid bumper plates. They have all the typical weight options and are reasonably affordable.
Mike’s YouTube Video on American Made Weight Plates
How To Find Weight Plates Made in the USA
Weight plates are essential for your home gym to build muscle. By purchasing US-made weight plates, you can rest assured that the product is of excellent quality and is built to last.
Although finding US-made weight plates may seem simple in theory, it is not so easy, as most production nowadays occurs abroad. But with the right tips, you should be able to find and purchase your next weight plates made right here in the United States.
What Does “Made in the USA” Mean?
To find US-made products, you first need to understand what it means for a product to be “made in the USA.” The term is defined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as a product that is “all or virtually all” made in the USA. For example, for weight plates to be considered “made in the USA,” everything must be sourced from and manufactured in the United States.
To learn more, check out our “made in the USA” guide.
Materials
Researching where the materials used to make weight plates come from is the first step to buying a US-made product. Remember: if any of the materials are imported, then the weight plate is not truly made in the USA.
Here are the most common materials used in the production of weight plates:
Steel
Steel is the most common material used for making weight plates, as it has a high density and compared to other materials. It is usually coated in something such as rubber to prevent corrosion. China produces over half of the world’s steel supply, followed by India and Japan, while the USA is fourth on the list of top steel producers.
Finding US-made steel should not be overly complicated, though you may want to double-check that you are actually buying an American product. In fact, if you’re after quality weight-lifting products, finding US-made steel is imperative, as American steel is three times stronger than Chinese steel.
Cast Iron
Cast iron is a common material used in weight plates as it is incredibly dense and heavy and can be cast into different shapes. Although the USA is one of the top-producing countries of iron ore, it does not compare to other countries like Australia, Brazil, and China. So if you are after cast iron weight plates made in the USA, you will need to do some research as it is much more common to find imported cast iron.
Rubber
Rubber is another common material in weight plates used either as a coating or by itself. This material is excellent as it is less noisy, protects flooring, and suffers less damage than other weight plates when dropped.
Thailand is the biggest producer of natural rubber, while the US, China, Japan, and some European countries are the top producers of synthetic rubber. The United States produces around 35 million tons of rubber annually, two-thirds synthetic. So if you are after USA-made rubber weight plates, look for synthetic rubber.
Labeling
Paying attention to the product’s labeling is crucial to finding US-made weight plates. Title 19 Chapter 4 Section 1304 of the US Code helps consumers understand where the products are made and sourced. This law states that all imported products must be labeled as such. Labels such as “made in China” help narrow your search for US-made weight plates. When paying attention to the labeling of a product, look specifically for the “made in the USA” label, which is protected by the FTC.
It is important to note that even though the “made in the USA” label is protected by the FTC, the FTC does not do the best job of policing the use of this label. In fact, there is no pre-approval process for companies to use this label on products. It is up to the companies to determine whether their product meets the requirements to use the label. However, the FTC does investigate complaints, so if you see any false usage of the label, be sure to report it.
Watch out for misleading labels that companies may use that confuse consumers into thinking that the product is made in the USA when it is not. One example is the label “made in America.” America can also refer to Canada and Mexico, so if a product uses this label, it’s best to assume it is not made in the USA. Another example is the label “assembled/designed in the USA.” This label means only a portion of the manufacturing process takes place domestically, so it cannot truly be considered a US-made product.
Lastly, watch out for the usage of the American flag on labels. Because the usage of the American flag on labels is not regulated, you cannot rely on this to find weight plates made in the USA.
Other Tips
Here are more tips to help you find weight plates made in the United States.
Go Online
“Made in the USA” is a massive selling point, and if a company sells products made in the USA, they will generally advertise it loudly and proudly. Take a look at the website’s “About Us” page or the product page for this information.
It is important to remember that companies are not required to state the country of origin on their online or promotional materials, only on the actual product itself. So if there is no obvious sign that the weight plates are made in the USA, it’s likely the product is made abroad.
You can also check the company’s social media for information and photos regarding the manufacturing process of their weight plates.
Check Amazon
Unfortunately, when you shop online, you can’t look at the label. Thankfully, websites like Amazon often state the country of origin on the Product Information section of the listing page. You should also check the FAQs, as you might find the information there.
Call the Manufacturer
If all else fails, another option is to phone the manufacturer or seller directly. You can ask any questions you have regarding the country of origin, and the representative should be happy to answer them for you!
Iron and Bumper Plates Not Made in the USA
To help you make an informed decision when purchasing iron and bumper plates, we’ve included all of the fitness brands that are not making their products in the USA. You can see the full list below as well as where their products are being made.
- Titan Fitness – Most products are made in China.
- Fringe Sport – 60% made in China, 20% made in the USA, and the remainder are made in various places. They have a specific “Made in the USA” range, including one set of bumper plates
- REP – Made globally, but primarily in China.
- Titan Fitness – Most products are made in China.
- Vulcan Strength – Made in the USA and abroad. Made in the USA products typically feature a stamp with this wording on the product page description.
- Eleiko – Made in Sweden.
- Papabade – Made in China.
Remember to outfit the rest of your home gym with other American-made equipment.
- American-made dumbbells
- American-made weightlifting belts
- American-made barbells
- American-made weight benches
- American-made racks
- American-made resistance bands
- American-made plate carriers
- American-made treadmills
- American-made exercise bikes
- American-made water rowers
- American-made pull up bars
- American-made kettlebell companies
