How to Make Your Own Bumper Plates

Getting fit shouldn't require tons of money or a fancy gym membership. In fact, you can set up a workout space of your own in a garage or spare room using many inexpensive objects. While professional bumper plates (the free weights used in competitive lifting) can run hundreds or thousands of dollars, you can make a set of your own for just a fraction of the cost. Because they are covered in rubber, the bumper plates won't damage floors if they're dropped.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 tires with rims
  • 2 plate weights
  • 8 sets of nuts and bolts
  • Barbell
  • Weight collars
  • Drill
  • Wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Find a set of old tires with the rims still attached to them.

    • 2

      Drill four holes in each plate weight, making sure the holes match up with existing holes on the tire rims.

    • 3

      Attach the weights to each tire using the nuts and bolts. Make sure the weights are securely tightened in place.

    • 4

      Slide one tire onto each end of the barbell.

    • 5

      Add weight collars to both sides of the tires as needed to make sure the plates stay in place during use.