Gym Owner Says Deadlifts Damage Flooring

[Detrus]

Got told by gym owner that I should do deadlifts in a vertical smith machine because doing them elsewhere damages flooring. The flooring is about 3/4" all black rubber

I landed rough on a lot of 300-370 lb deadlifts and didn't notice anything. Didn't ask him if he replaced any flooring recently. What does damaged rubber flooring look like in those cases?

All iron plates, mostly legacy Yorks, not using deep dish, loose fit on sleeves.

Only got noticed because I was doing power cleans with 135lb and the plates were clanking very loud because they're loose on the sleeve. Hampton 30-33mm 7' bar, a lot of legacy York plates are loose on it and some old deep dish plates are super noisy. Another bar fit those plates way better, they got rid of it.

[Chaosvash]

Tell him he's a ******* for not having concrete floor.

[Stasher1]

Is there a different type of flooring under the smith?

[Detrus]

Is there a different type of flooring under the smith?

No. The smith already poked through the flooring. I never tried it but I think 17" plates don't land on floor but the rods of the smith do.

[KBKB]

Time to find a new gym?

[InspecktaDeck]

Time to find a new gym?

This. I mean, if you can pull 800lbs on the smith machine then you'll be good for a 315x1 on a barbell.

[Detrus]

Time to find a new gym?

Not before I find out what damaged rubber flooring looks like. The owner isn't there most days. But I would accomodate a more reasonable request like adding extra flooring if he provided it.

Seriously is that plausible? Rubber flooring damaged from deadlifts? Do you have to drop from hips to see the effect?

[KBKB]

Not before I find out what damaged rubber flooring looks like. The owner isn't there most days. But I would accomodate a more reasonable request like adding extra flooring if he provided it.

Did he say it was the rubber flooring that was being damaged? Or was it whatever it is that's underneath the rubber?

I think the latter is more likely.

[Detrus]

Did he say it was the rubber flooring that was being damaged? Or was it whatever it is that's underneath the rubber?

I think the latter is more likely.

Well he said he has to replace it and it's expensive. Concrete gets repaired not replaced right? Maybe he misspoke but would he really have to repair it unless he sells the place?

[KBKB]

Well he said he has to replace it and it's expensive. Concrete gets repaired not replaced right? Maybe he misspoke but would he really have to repair it unless he sells the place?

I dunno. It probably depends on the extent of the damage. If you drop weight on an unprotected concrete floor often enough, it'll pulverize the concrete. At that point at least some of it needs to be replaced - probably more than just the powdery stuff that you can sweep up.

But it could be that his rubber mats can't handle the abuse either.

If you like the gym and the gym owner, you could offer to help pay for the construction of a proper deadlift platform.

[Detrus]

If you like the gym and the gym owner, you could offer to help pay for the construction of a proper deadlift platform.

There would be no place to put it. That gym is stuffed. I don't like the gym but it is 24hrs and nearby. I'll probably make do unless I get kicked out.

[rlundregan]

Would the owner be willing to purchase a stall mat and a sheet of plywood? He could cut a couple of pieces of wood about 2x3 or so and cover them with pieces of the mat for a cheap, portable option. The pieces would go under the sleeves/weights on the bar to protect the flooring, and could stand against the wall and out of the way when not in use. Not too expensive for him, andgym members can still deadlift.

[AttyGuy]

Dude, be more respectful of other people's space, hearing and property. Don't have any "rough landings." Bring your own collars so that the plates aren't loose. And remember, it's not your gym. You want freedom? Build your own gym at home.

[Northernmoris]

Tell him he's a ******* for not having concrete floor.

You sound very level headed and mature.

Well he said he has to replace it and it's expensive. Concrete gets repaired not replaced right? Maybe he misspoke but would he really have to repair it unless he sells the place?

Mispoke? Its his gym. Maybe its a be excuse for not wanting you to DL there either way its his gym. I'm not trying to give you a hard time but his gym his rules. Its still better than free pizza Tuesdays.

Dude, be more respectful of other people's space, hearing and property. Don't have any "rough landings." Bring your own collars so hype plates aren't loose. And remember, it's not your gym. You want freedom? Build your own gym at home.

This.

[AttyGuy]

Mmm, pizza.

[ironwill2008]

Dude, be more respectful of other people's space, hearing and property. Don't have any "rough landings." Bring your own collars so that the plates aren't loose. And remember, it's not your gym. You want freedom? Build your own gym at home.

^^^^ This.

Membership to a commercial gym is an agreement to follow the rules set by management/ownership. While I sympathize with your situation (I was victimized by the exact same thing back in the day, and was one reason why I train in my own gym now), none of your arguments are valid in the face of the fact that it's not your gym.

[Blacksmith80]

ask that ******* does he hold a gym or a ballet hall.

[817boy]

Find a new gym

[Stasher1]

Find a new gym

This was my first thought as well. The second a gym owner tells you to do your deads in a smith machine, you know to start looking for a new place to workout.

[PaulRivers]

Got told by gym owner that I should do deadlifts in a vertical smith machine because doing them elsewhere damages flooring. The flooring is about 3/4" all black rubber

I landed rough on a lot of 300-370 lb deadlifts and didn't notice anything. Didn't ask him if he replaced any flooring recently. What does damaged rubber flooring look like in those cases?

All iron plates, mostly legacy Yorks, not using deep dish, loose fit on sleeves.

Only got noticed because I was doing power cleans with 135lb and the plates were clanking very loud because they're loose on the sleeve. Hampton 30-33mm 7' bar, a lot of legacy York plates are loose on it and some old deep dish plates are super noisy. Another bar fit those plates way better, they got rid of it.

Just wanted to mention - "bumper plates" are what people use so they can drop the plates. They're made completely out of rubber, like these, so they don't break the the plates or the floor -
http://www.roguefitness.com/new-hg-rogue-bumpers.php

The other question is - are you dropping your deadlift at the top? For the most part you can avoid damaging equipment just by not dropping it, lowering it down in a controlled manner instead. The gym I'm at doesn't have bumper plates, so I just lower the bar down for both the deadlift and the power clean.

I don't know what your situation is myself - I'd be kind of cranky I paid money to join a gym, then was told - *after* I joined - that I couldn't do the lifts I specifically joined the gym for. If I was doing a controlled letdown of the bar onto the floor with the deadlift, and the gym guy came along and went "who, whoa, whoa, I didn't know you were like going to *use* the bar, that might possibly could theoretically maybe at sometime damage my floor" - I'd be kinda pissed. The comment about the smith machine makes me think maybe this is the case.

On the other hand, I don't *drop* the bar from the top either.

[BloodType3R]

You see these threads all of the time. Members post in other peoples threads about this but then they are surprised when it happens to them.

Some of the first questions I'd ask before joining a gym is what are their policies on deadlifts, chalk, dropping weight, grunting, etc..
You really shouldn't be surprised if someone gets upset when you slam hundreds of lbs on their floors if you never asked if it was ok to do so. Don't go looking for proof that you aren't damaging a floor.. look for the right gym in the first place.

[stoqgata]

This was my first thought as well. The second a gym owner tells you to do your deads in a smith machine, you know to start looking for a new place to workout.

This.

[Stasher1]

On the other hand, I don't *drop* the bar from the top either.

Truth be told, this is kind of a pet peeve of mine. I can see dropping a bar on a failed lift, but imho, if you can lift it, you ought to be able to set it down without dropping it. I do my deads (365-405, depending on my mood and energy level) on a concrete floor with iron plates and two little $3.47 welcome mats from Walmart to keep the noise to a minimum. No marks on my concrete, and minimal damage to the cheapo welcome mats after months of use.


My favorite Rippetoe video...




It's not about deads, but still relevant.

[817boy]

You see these threads all of the time. Members post in other peoples threads about this but then they are surprised when it happens to them.

Some of the first questions I'd ask before joining a gym is what are their policies on deadlifts, chalk, dropping weight, grunting, etc..
You really shouldn't be surprised if someone gets upset when you slam hundreds of lbs on their floors if you never asked if it was ok to do so. Don't go looking for proof that you aren't damaging a floor.. look for the right gym in the first place.

I asked this before setting up my gym in a storage unit. The guy seemed surprised, i said i will protect your concrete floors w/ 2 layers of 3/4" horse stall mats. He said as long as its protected and you dont upset any of our other customers that is fine.

[Detrus]

Dude, be more respectful of other people's space, hearing and property. Don't have any "rough landings." Bring your own collars so that the plates aren't loose. And remember, it's not your gym. You want freedom? Build your own gym at home.

I do bring my own collars, lockjaws, and the plates are still loose. I'm guessing it's the sleeves on Hampton bars at fault, not the legacy Yorks. On another bar they fit better.

You see these threads all of the time. Members post in other peoples threads about this but then they are surprised when it happens to them.

Some of the first questions I'd ask before joining a gym is what are their policies on deadlifts, chalk, dropping weight, grunting, etc..
You really shouldn't be surprised if someone gets upset when you slam hundreds of lbs on their floors if you never asked if it was ok to do so. Don't go looking for proof that you aren't damaging a floor.. look for the right gym in the first place.

When I was signing up at this gym I asked staff wether deadlifts were OK. They said yes as long as you don't drop. They didn't specify I had to do them on the smith machine. There is a sign to use smith for deads, I asked about it, staff said just don't land hard. Now the owner says different and that is not ok to me. I just didn't ask staff or owner who who, shouldn't be my problem.

People drop stuff there plenty. Dumbell bench press, using T-bar rows on floor instead of using dedicated machine. There are don't drop signs that get ignored, or more precisely people use more weight than they can avoid dropping. I mean, if he really enforced those policies half the regulars would be out.

I didn't think to suggest extra padding then. We'll see how that goes. Owner is rarely there though. If it's really the rubber that gets damaged, it should go well but I get the feeling it's not that.

[817boy]

Truth be told, this is kind of a pet peeve of mine. I can see dropping a bar on a failed lift, but imho, if you can lift it, you ought to be able to set it down without dropping it. I do my deads (365-405, depending on my mood and energy level) on a concrete floor with iron plates and two little $3.47 welcome mats from Walmart to keep the noise to a minimum. No marks on my concrete, and minimal damage to the cheapo welcome mats after months of use.

I never put my deadlifts down easy, i dont let the bar drop from waist level or nothing but i dont try to set them down quietly. I guess if all i had was two small welcome mats down i would try to drop them softly.

[BloodType3R]

I asked this before setting up my gym in a storage unit. The guy seemed surprised, i said i will protect your concrete floors w/ 2 layers of 3/4" horse stall mats. He said as long as its protected and you dont upset any of our other customers that is fine.

and now that you have established ground rules you know what to expect. Wise.

[AttyGuy]

When I was signing up at this gym I asked staff wether deadlifts were OK. They said yes as long as you don't drop. They didn't specify I had to do them on the smith machine. There is a sign to use smith for deads, I asked about it, staff said just don't land hard. Now the owner says different and that is not ok to me. I just didn't ask staff or owner who who, shouldn't be my problem.

People drop stuff there plenty. Dumbell bench press, using T-bar rows on floor instead of using dedicated machine. There are don't drop signs that get ignored, or more precisely people use more weight than they can avoid dropping. I mean, if he really enforced those policies half the regulars would be out.

I didn't think to suggest extra padding then. We'll see how that goes. Owner is rarely there though. If it's really the rubber that gets damaged, it should go well but I get the feeling it's not that.

That's awfully nice. . . . .

It's still someone else's gym, not yours. The owner is an a--. There. Someone said it. He's unfair and mean and an a--. It's still his gym. You can suck it up, go somewhere else, or build a home gym. Most of us don't like a--holes and so we work out at home.

[AttyGuy]

My favorite Rippetoe video...




It's not about deads, but still relevant.

And the troll gets kicked in the vid too!

[Stasher1]

That's awfully nice. . . . .

It's still someone else's gym, not yours. The owner is an a--. There. Someone said it. He's unfair and mean and an a--. It's still his gym. You can suck it up, go somewhere else, or build a home gym. Most of us don't like a--holes and so we work out at home.

And some of us are a--holes, so we have to work out at home.