Why Do Rubber Weight Plates Smell?

When you next get a set of bumper plates or rubber covered weights, the first thing you'll notice is probably not the finish or colour coding — it's the smell. One of the most common queries new lifters have is the distinct rubbery smell that comes from the rubber bands, and no worries, it is completely normal. This is exactly how it works, for how long and what you can do to expedite it along the way.

Why Rubber Weight Plates Smell in the First Place

Olympic bumper plates are made of vulcanised rubber, which is created by heating and applying pressure to raw rubber, followed by the addition of chemical compounds (such as sulphur). It is this manufacturing process that causes the smell:

Vulcanisation residue – These volatile compounds are left behind in rubber after it is vulcanised. These slowly off-gas after the plates are made, which is what you're smelling.
Recycled rubber content — Several cheap bumpers are constructed with a portion or all of the rubber components being recycled from truck tyres. This is beneficial to the environment and durability, but recycled rubber compounds are often more noticeable than virgin rubber compounds.
Plates are sometimes shrink-wrapped or boxed while being transported for extended periods. When all this off-gassing is contained within a plastic container with no ventilation, the odor appears greater when you open the box.
Traveling in hot shipping containers or stores – Plates that are stored in hot conditions during transit may off-gas more quickly than plates stored in cooler conditions, like summer compared to shipping in winter, for example.

All this does not imply that the plates are bad. It is a natural by-product of the process by which rubber-coated equipment from weight plates 20kg all the way down to the smallest fractional plates is manufactured.

Is Smell a Bad Thing?

No, for the vast majority of people. It isn't harmful, but it has an undesirable odor that diminishes as time and air circulate. However, here are a couple of good tips:

Ventilation is important — If you have a new home gym and are storing new plates in a small area, open a window or run a fan for the first few days to get rid of the odor more quickly.
Sensitive people — Asthma sufferers, chemical sensitivities, and people who are sensitive to synthetic smells should air plates out in a garage or shed before entering a smaller house or building.
The quality can differ from brand to brand — Rubber weight plates of higher quality (virgin rubber or strict manufacturing standards) are likely to have a less intense odor than extremely low-cost recycled rubber plates.

For how long will the smell last?

The majority of olympic bumper plates will smell a lot less after 1 to 4 weeks of regular use and airflow; however the very cheap recycled-rubber ones will last longer. There are a couple of factors that impact the timeline:

Airflow — When it comes to plates, those in an open space with air flow circulate out more quickly than those in a locked garage or storage box.
Temperature — The off-gassing process is accelerated in warmer temperatures, hence the odor is often stronger during the summer, and decelerated by cold storage.
Use — plates that are used and moved frequently during training last longer than those which are stacked and not used.

Some tips that will help to diminish the odor quicker.

These are the ones to try if you're looking to get your new weight plates 20kg or full bumper set smelling neutral as early as possible:

Immediately unbox — Do not leave plates shrink-wrapped or in boxes after delivery; unwrap plates completely to allow trapped compounds to volatilize.
Wipe them down – A small amount of mild soap and water can clear away surface residue that can cause odors. Do not use anything that is too harsh for the rubber coating as it may damage it.
Keep out of cupboards — An open-window room, a garage with airflow or a room with a fan will help the odor dissipate significantly more quickly than will a cupboard.
Wait for a few days in the fresh air (weather permitting) — If you have covered outdoor storage, a few days in the fresh air (out of the rain) can reduce the odour a lot before plates are placed in your gym.
Do not leave in direct sunlight for long — ventilate, but not beyond what is necessary; rubber will degrade with extended UV exposure.

Is there any effect on performance or durability when Smelling?

Not at all. The smell is only a temporary thing and is not associated with the plate's:

Weight accuracy
Bounce and floor protection
Structural durability

This is the measurement of how well the rod or hub is strengthened. The smell is not a quality problem – whether you've purchased a full Olympic lifting bumper plate set or a few weight plates 20kg to complete your home gym.

Frequently Asked Questions

So why are my new weight plates so smelly?

It is caused by vulcanisation (the heat & chemical treatment of raw rubber to make rubber weight plates). This is normal and not an indication that the product is not working.

Does everyone's bumper plate smell or only cheap bumper plates?

While most bumper plates will have a slight smell when new, bumper plates constructed from recycled rubber rubber compounds will have a stronger smell than bumper plates constructed from virgin rubber compounds.

Can rubber weight plates be stored indoors?

Yes, but ventilation does help. For small home gyms, having a window open or using a fan during the first week will remove the odor more quickly.

How do I get rid of the rubber smell on my olympic bumper plates?

Unbox them right away, use mild soap and water to clean them, and put them in a well-ventilated area. The two major factors are time and ventilation.

Will the odor be completely eliminated?

Yes. In the first 1-4 weeks, most olympic bumper plates will dissipate most of their scent, normal use and airflow will suffice except for the very cheap bumper plates, which are recycled rubber and can take longer.