Nike is a household name in the world of sports apparel, but the Oregon-based brand has extended itself beyond the locker room as of late. Yes, Nike has entered the home gym equipment space, challenging some of the best bumper plates for supremacy with the brand’s Grind Bumper Plates.
Even if they weren’t branded with the famous Nike swoosh, Grind Bumper Plates—made of recycled Nike Grind rubber—are some of the most unique bumper plates we’ve seen in recent years, with each batch sporting its own one-of-a-kind look and pattern.
They’re flashy, but are they worth the higher price tag? Our experts have put these plates to the test, and in this Nike Grind Bumper Plates review, I’ll share everything you need to know before determining whether these plates are worthy of a spot in your gym.
Tested by Gym Equipment Experts
Here at Garage Gym Reviews, each of our equipment reviews is based on extensive, hands-on testing and research. Our team of expert testers includes gym owners, certified personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, CrossFit enthusiasts, and even an Olympian. Our team has tested dozens of bumper plates, and we know how to assess the pros and cons of each type of plate.
For this review, our tester was none other than Cooper “Coop” Mitchell, GGR’s founder. Coop’s a man who’s used nearly every bumper plate on the market, so we’re confident that he can provide us with the right details as we get to the nitty-gritty of these all-new bumper plates.
Coop ran these plates through some of the most extensive testing we’ve ever seen, including cutting one open to examine the inside. These tests, with guidance from our equipment testing methodology, culminated in an unbiased score for each of the most important testing categories, including:
- Construction and Durability: For construction and durability, we want to assess the longevity of the plate. We extensively use and drop the bumper plates before looking for any signs of damage, whether that’s structural damage or simply scratch marks on the surface.
- Weight Tolerance: This helps us determine how accurate the weight is. Most plates have a tolerance of around ±1%, which means the weight of the plate should be within 1% of its listed weight total.
- Bounce: This is a category unique to bumper plates, and it’s scored by measuring the durometer— the density of the materials—as well as how high a barbell loaded with bumper plates will bounce when dropped on the ground.
- Ergonomics: For ergonomics, we want to know how it feels to use the plate. Are they difficult to grip? How do they feel on the bar, and are the plates easy to take on and off?
Each category received a score ranging from 1 to 5, which is how we calculated our final review score.
Nike Grind Bumper Plates have an exterior made with their Grind rubber, a recycled material made from Nike manufacturing scrap. Sold in pairs, these bumper plates are available from 10-pound plates to 45-pound bumper plates. With a durometer rating of 65, these bumper plates will have a moderate bounce when dropped.
A Quick Look at the Nike Grind Bumper Plates
We probably don’t need to tell you much about Nike’s extensive history in the world of sports, but many people may not have seen or heard of Nike’s strength training equipment. The Grind Bumper Plates are part of the Nike Strength Equipment lineup, which includes premium barbells, Nike dumbbells, kettlebells, squat racks, and more.
What makes these plates unique—and brings the “Grind” nomenclature into the picture—is Nike’s decision to use recycled Grind rubber. This recycled compound is the result of Nike’s footwear manufacturing process, and this repurposing gives the Grind Bumper Plates an environmentally friendly motif. Additionally, each batch has slightly different coloring, depending on the materials used, making each plate a stylish and unique addition to your home gym space.
This same rubber is found in a variety of Nike shoes, basketball courts, playgrounds, tracks, and more, as it’s a durable, cushioned material that can be used for many purposes.
Even though these bumper plates can be used for just about any type of lifting you can think of, bumper plates are traditionally used for Olympic lifting. They’re meant to bounce off the ground to help protect the bar, which means that athletes who prefer minimal or no bounce may need to opt for a different weight plate solution.
RELATED: What is a Bumper Plate?
Before You Buy
- The 45-pound plates are thicker than most, which may be an issue for stronger individuals who are worried about running out of sleeve space on the barbell.
- These plates have a moderate bounce, so those looking for a dead bounce may need to choose something else.
- We found the plates to have excellent weight precision, but the durability isn’t great.
Nike Grind Bumper Plates Review Video Review
Are the Nike Grind Bumper Plates Worth It?
The Nike Grind Bumper Plates are aesthetically pleasing and versatile, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best fit for all gym owners. Here’s who we think should consider adding these plates to their home gym:
Great for:
- Olympic lifters who want a moderate bounce
- Eco-conscious consumers who like the notion of training with recycled materials
- Multi-sport athletes looking for versatile bumper plates
Not recommended for:
- Powerlifters who don’t want any bounce
- Advanced lifters who may need thinner plates
- Those shopping on a budget
Nike Grind Bumper Plates Specs
| Price | $92-$250 per pair |
| Weights | 10, 15, 25, 35, and 45 lbs |
| Material | Nike Grind rubber made from recycled manufacturing scrap |
| Durometer Rating | 65 (moderate bounce) |
| Weight Tolerance | ±1% |
| Plate Thickness | 1.10” (10 lbs) to 3.15” (45 lbs) |
Experience Using the Nike Grind Bumper Plates
To get the full experience, Coop took the Nike Grind Bumper Plates through a variety of exercises. He loaded a Nike barbell, dropped it to test the bounce, and even cut a plate open to see what was inside.
Overall, Coop liked most aspects of these plates, including the strict ±1% weight tolerance and general aesthetics of the crumb rubber exterior, along with the internal metal ring offering additional support.
However, he had a few concerns about durability, especially with the 10- and 15-pound plates. Additionally, he noticed a somewhat heightened bounce during our drop tests, which may cause safety issues for those who are used to traditional plates.
RELATED: Nike Grind Dumbbell Review
Construction and Durability
For construction and durability, the Nike Grind Bumper Plates earn 3.5 out of 5 stars.
When it comes to rubber plates, density is often measured using a durometer, which indicates the rubber’s hardness on a scale of 0 to 100. Coop explained that most high-end bumper plates score between an 80 and 90 durometer rating, while other crumb rubber plates often rate at an 80 durometer. Unfortunately, the Nike plates are only 65 durometer, which is very soft and raises some durability concerns.
RELATED: Bumper Plates Vs Iron Plates
Coop noted that while the 45-pound plates seemed durable enough during our testing, the lighter plates didn’t impress him. We know Nike’s slogan is “Just Do It,” but when it comes to dropping the lighter plates, we suggest you don’t—and Nike agrees, warning that using the 10- and 15-pound plates alone on a bar voids the warranty.
“Because the rubber is so soft, I strongly suggest avoiding the 10s and 15s if you plan to use them alone on a barbell,” Coop warns. “They flop around like a pizza when dropped and will likely break over time. They’re fine if paired with larger plates, but not suitable for solo use.”
He also cut open a Grind plate to see the inside. He found that the recycled Grind rubber is only found on the outside of the plate, so the looks are a little bit deceiving.
“Overall, seeing the internals doesn’t change my opinion much,” Coop adds. “If anything, it confirms the outer layer is primarily for looks. If the whole plate were made of the soft Nike Grind material, durability would be a huge issue.”
Weight Tolerance
For weight tolerance, which measures how accurate the stated weight is, the Grind Bumper Plates earn a strong 5 out of 5 stars. We found the weight to be very precise, within ±1% of the listed weight total, which is excellent accuracy for bumper plates.
This is partially due to the construction, which includes a metal reinforcement ring.
“There’s a full metal ring embedded inside the plate,” Coop explains. “It’s not a wire like some companies use—it’s a complete circular metal band. I think this is added to increase weight without increasing thickness, and to help calibrate the plates to that ±1% spec.”
Bounce
The Grind plates have a moderate bounce, which earned 3.5 out of 5 stars.
They’ll bounce right back off the ground at you, so if you plan on dropping this from overhead while performing weightlifting movements, you’ll want to make sure you’re ready to catch the bar in case it bounces erratically. Compared to other bumpers that have a dead bounce, an Olympic barbell with Nike Grind plates might bounce higher than you’re expecting.
If you focus on powerlifting, you probably don’t want plates that bounce during a deadlift, so these are best suited for general strength training rather than the “big three” of bench press, back squat, and deadlift. They offer a lot of versatility for most fitness enthusiasts, but if you regularly deadlift, you’ll want to keep other choices on hand.
Design and Ergonomics
The look of these plates is their strongest point, and we give them 5 out of 5 stars for design and aesthetics. The speckled Grind rubber will look slightly different in each batch, so your order may not look exactly like ours. We also like the sleek Nike Swoosh and numbers on each plate.
If you plan to use these outdoors, Nike warns that prolonged UV exposure may cause discoloration. Now, we know many of our readers will likely be using these in a garage or basement gym, but we wanted to point this out in case you train outside on the regular.
As for ergonomics, while bumper plates can feel a little different during barbell lifts, a 2024 study1 compared them to standard metal plates and found no biomechanical differences on the bench press. If you’re using them for Olympic weightlifting movements, they’ll bounce more than other options, but that shouldn’t impact the lift itself.
Nike Grind Bumper Plates vs Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates
If you’re shopping for bumper plates, there are plenty of options to consider. Another profile we love and recommend is the Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates, which have earned a (rightful) place in our guide to the best weight plates.
They don’t have the unique styling or Nike branding, but if you’re looking for durability and high value, it’s hard to beat these Fringe bumper plates. They’re thinner than most bumper plates, allowing you to add more weight to each side of the bar, and the virgin rubber has a higher durometer rating, which results in a much lower bounce.
The Fringe Black Bumper Plates are also significantly more affordable and have a lifetime warranty, which isn’t common when speaking to plates that are literally meant to be dropped.
Overall, we think the high-quality Fringe plates are best for most users. That said, if you prefer a moderate bounce or simply want some plates with a more appealing design, consider the Nike Grind Bumper Plates.
To learn more, check out our comparison chart below and read our full Fringe Sport Bumper Plates review.
| Nike Grind Bumper Plates | Fringe Sport Black Bumper Plates | |
| Price | $92-$250 per pair | $77-$279 per pair |
| Weights | 10, 15, 25, 35, and 45 lbs | 10, 15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 lbs |
| Material | Nike Grind rubber made from recycled manufacturing scrap | Virgin rubber, stainless steel insert |
| Durometer Rating | 65 ±3 (moderate bounce) | 90 (10 and 15 lbs), 85 (25, 35, 45, and 55 lbs) |
| Weight Tolerance | ±1% | ±1% |
| Plate Thickness | 1.10” (10 lbs) to 3.15” (45 lbs) | 1” (10lbs) to 2.3” (45 lbs) |
Customer Experience
The Nike customer experience earns 4 out of 5 stars. You can return your plates within 30 days, as long as they’re unopened and unused, and Nike will even cover the return shipping—a rarity when purchasing home gym equipment.
There’s also a warranty that’s good, but not great. The 10- and 15-pound plates are covered by a six-month warranty, while heavier plates have a three-year warranty for home use. However, Nike warns that the warranty is void if the plates aren’t used on proper home gym flooring, and even warns not to use the 10- and 15-pound plates alone for durability concerns.
However, we still give Nike 4 stars for the customer experience, as the support team can be reached via phone or live chat, and Nike offers a 10% discount for military and first responders.
Ordering the Nike Grind Bumper Plates
When you order directly from Nike, you’ll have the option to finance your order through Shop Pay at checkout.
While the shipping policy isn’t clearly laid out, ordering more weights unlocks shipping discounts as your order total increases. Still, we weren’t able to get a free shipping offer until we increased the total cart order to over $4,000.
Customer Reviews
The Nike Grind Bumper plates have 122 reviews at the time of writing, with an average score of 4.8 out of 5 stars on the brand’s website.
Most users are happy with their plates, though some mention that the color can change over time. Nike does make note of this color change, though, with the statement that reads, “The Nike Grind Bumper Plates may yellow over time as they are exposed to ultraviolet rays such as sunlight or heat. This natural process will not affect the integrity or function of the plate.”
Final Verdict of Our Nike Grind Bumper Plates Review
Overall, we really like the style of these plates and think they’re very aesthetically pleasing. If you’re a Nike fan, these are worth considering for your home gym, especially if you don’t mind plates that bounce a little more than usual.
We have some durability concerns about the lighter plates, but as long as you don’t use them by themselves (which Nike warns against), you shouldn’t have any issues with proper care.
They’re expensive, but you’re paying for the Grind rubber and Nike brand, so that’s to be expected. For those with a generous budget, these plates may be well worth a place in your home gym.
- Nike Grind Bumper Plates are very aesthetically pleasing, but they’re not the most durable free weights we’ve tested.
- Compared to other bumper plates, they’re very soft and have a moderate bounce.
- The 45-pound plates are thicker than many other bumper plates, which may cause issues as you get stronger and start to add additional plates to your barbell sleeves.
Nike Grind Bumper Plates
Nike Grind Bumper Plates have an exterior made with their Grind rubber, a recycled material made from Nike manufacturing scrap. Sold in pairs, these bumper plates are available from 10-pound plates to 45-pound bumper plates. With a durometer rating of 65, these bumper plates will have a moderate bounce when dropped.
Product Brand: Nike
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 125.00
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.3
Nike Grind Bumper Plates Review: FAQs
Are Nike Grind plates worth it?
While the Grind rubber plates are expensive, they incorporate recycled rubber and may be worth it for eco-friendly buyers or fans of the Nike branding.
What exactly is Nike Grind made of?
According to Nike, Grind rubber is made of, “Manufacturing scrap, unused manufacturing materials and end-of-life footwear—including rubber, foam, fiber, leather and textiles.”
Do Nike Grind Bumper Plates reduce noise?
Yes, due to their soft-rubber construction, Nike Grind Bumper Plates can provide more noise reduction than standard metal plates, especially when used with noise-dampening flooring.
References
- Fiedler, M. J., Triplett, N. T., Hamilton, K. C., Needle, A. R., & van Werkhoven, H. (2024). The Effect of Different Weight Plate Widths (Bumper vs. Standard) on the Biomechanics of the Bench Press. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 38(4), e143–e149. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004679
