MuscleDriver USA tests bumper plates by Shore Durometer readings (type A) to give customers factual data instead of sales pitches and opinions. Shore Durometer is one of several measures to test the hardness of a material. Hardness may be defined as a material's resistance to permanent indentation and total failure (examples of total failure; insert coming out, rubber seperating, plates warping). We consider anything over 65 acceptable for a quality bumper plate. The maximum reading we have tested on a bumper plate is 96 (CAP 10lb). The overall maximum reading that can be achieved is 100. Higher reading bumper plates are likely to resist indentations and total failure than lower reading bumper plates.

We understand there are many ways to define the quality and cosistency of bumper plates. However, we feel that this type of testing is statistically valid and objective.