GC black bumper plates are extremely durable and attractive, designed to be perfect for cross training/HIIT workouts and Olympic weightlifting. Our 10 lb plates are extra thick (1") to increase durability and reduce the chance of "tacoing," while our 45 lb plates are thinner than most at 2.83" thick to allow more weight to fit on the bar. Bumper plates are excellent for training the Olympic lifts, which end with the bar overhead or at shoulder height. This allows the lifter to drop the bar after completing a lift, or if a lift is missed, you can drop the weights without harming the bar, surrounding equipment, flooring, etc...