DIY Lifting Platform- wood or rubber?

[Propfrwrd]

Setting up my garage gym and am looking for some advice...

I have a Powertec Power Rack that I would like to attach a DIY Olympic platform to. I was thinking of using the two sheets of 3/4" plywood cross-laid, glued and screwed, with 3/4" rubber mats on top.

I'm looking for some advice with regards to a few questions.

1.) Wood or rubber for the middle portion (where you stand) of the platform? Rubber would be a lot easier, but I'm concerned that it might be too 'grippy'.

2.) Platform around and in the squat cage vs. the squat cage just sitting on top. It would be nice to have the floor bars in front of the cage flush with the platform, but will be a crapload of extra work.

Thanks in advance!

[titwagon]

wood

around, ideally something like this because it's pretty






Just be aware that, depending on what sort of weight you use and how recklessly you use it, 2 sheets of plywood and some rubber might not be enough save your concrete over time.

[Propfrwrd]

Even with rubber bumpers?

[crackyflipside]

Even with rubber bumpers?

Rubber all the way, your bumper plates will last longer. Dropping weights is not that loud but the impact can be felt a hundred feet away. Things I would change would be to put a layer of cork underlayment beneath all the wood and in between the layers of wood to try to keep impact from spreading too much. Right now it's just 3/4" horse stall rubber mat and two layers of 1/2" plywood right on the concrete floor. .

[clorox_me]

wood with rubber on the outsides where you drop the plates.

this is the best setup, IMO. Wood is better for doing the olympic lifts on than a rubber surface. Go to ironmind and search for an article on how they build platforms. It's pretty easy and cost effective.

[titwagon]

Even with rubber bumpers?

Nvm then, you'll be fine.




My only reasonable option for bumpers were those fat crossfitter ones which only fit like 4/side on the bar, so I just went crazy on the platform to handle dumping ~600 worth of steel plates from my shoulders. Also, plywood laid directly on concrete would warp like crazy when it hits -40 in the winter here, so I had to do it a little differently. Used the same design for an atlas stone platform and it's solid.

[Propfrwrd]

Just what I was looking for!

Thanks guys!

[simp3204]

Nvm then, you'll be fine.




My only reasonable option for bumpers were those fat crossfitter ones which only fit like 4/side on the bar, so I just went crazy on the platform to handle dumping ~600 worth of steel plates from my shoulders. Also, plywood laid directly on concrete would warp like crazy when it hits -40 in the winter here, so I had to do it a little differently. Used the same design for an atlas stone platform and it's solid.

That is a sweet setup, about how much do you think all of that cost?

[Fluster]

Nice setup - Are those jerk blocks fixed or mobile?

[Smithers115]

Nvm then, you'll be fine.




My only reasonable option for bumpers were those fat crossfitter ones which only fit like 4/side on the bar, so I just went crazy on the platform to handle dumping ~600 worth of steel plates from my shoulders. Also, plywood laid directly on concrete would warp like crazy when it hits -40 in the winter here, so I had to do it a little differently. Used the same design for an atlas stone platform and it's solid.

Wow, thats impressive.

[titwagon]

Hijackt

That is a sweet setup, about how much do you think all of that cost?

Didn't pay attention. I was buying materials to build a barn and some other stuff at the same time. There's more stuff not shown, plus it started with a dirt floor, no paint, no insulation or sheeting on the ceiling, no heat, etc. so it wasn't cheap. As long my balance kept going up I was happy.

Nice setup - Are those jerk blocks fixed or mobile?

Fixed. They're pretty high so I can squat from them too.

[meat5x5]

Nvm then, you'll be fine.




My only reasonable option for bumpers were those fat crossfitter ones which only fit like 4/side on the bar, so I just went crazy on the platform to handle dumping ~600 worth of steel plates from my shoulders. Also, plywood laid directly on concrete would warp like crazy when it hits -40 in the winter here, so I had to do it a little differently. Used the same design for an atlas stone platform and it's solid.

With a setup like that you could open up your own mini-gym. I would love to have a home gym like that. (or is this a professional gym? I can't tell. it's built well enough where I am not sure!)