Gym mat to thick...?

[Arkansan]

Quick questions. Is 3/4" to thick to do squats and deadlifts? Would 1/2" be better?

Just had a this thought going threw my head during my workout yesterday. So I'm throwing it out there.

[owasM]

3/4" is perfect if its a nice dense rubber mat.

[StephanBB]

yes, use 3/4" 4x6 stall mats. Get mine for $40 each.

[drgains]

Its perfect and you wont find a better deal on stall mats if you have a tractor supply co. in your area. They were just on sale last week for $32, not sure if they still are or not.

[Arkansan]

Good. Now I don't have to move stuff around.lol I was just woundering because I hear you don't want to were shoes with a heel. It just got me to woundering if my mats were to thick.

Thanks
Kelly.

[raynelson188]

OP:

Like everyone has said........3/4" mats are perfect.

As for the Tractor/Supply.........I bought mine there. If you talk to the manager and are buying as many as 8 or 10 he/she may give you a small discount.

If someone buys as many as 8 at the TS in my area the manager will give a 10% discount.

Edit:

Posted before I saw the OP's last post.

[raynelson188]

I hear you don't want to were shoes with a heel. It just got me to woundering if my mats were to thick.

Thanks
Kelly.

HUH? What does shoes with a heel have to do with mats? Just curious.

BTW, you are correct about the heel thing. Then again, some like to put a board under their heels when squating. I think it puts more focus on the quads but I'm not sure as I have never done them. Then again........it could be for balance (doubtful).

[judgecrandall]

Yeah, I'm also not following the connection between heels and mats. Shoes with a heel aren't a bad thing, especially for squats and olympic lifts/weightlifting. They're generally frowned upon for deadlifts though.

[Arkansan]

Hum...don't really know how to explain the shoe thing. Something about how an athletic shoe the heal would compress over the heavy weight. Causing some problems with the lift.(think now it's just me over thinking)

So that had me thinking when the weight got heavy. The thickness of my mats might start messing up my lifts.

And I don't know a lot of lifting folks around here that would know the answer.

[raynelson188]

Hum...don't really know how to explain the shoe thing. Something about how an athletic shoe the heal would compress over the heavy weight. Causing some problems with the lift.(think now it's just me over thinking)

So that had me thinking when the weight got heavy. The thickness of my mats might start messing up my lifts.

And I don't know a lot of lifting folks around here that would know the answer.

I'm not sure I'm following but if your thinking your going to lift anywhere near enough weight to effect a .75" stall mat you must be one more beast.........and that is an understatement to say the least.

[judgecrandall]

I'm not sure I'm following but if your thinking your going to lift anywhere near enough weight to effect a .75" stall mat you must be one more beast.........and that is an understatement to say the least.

I'm having trouble as well as this has nothing to do with the mat, but I think he's talking about shoes with compressible heels. These are definitely to be avoided, and include anything with a squishy sole, like running shoes. There are more nuances to lifting shoes, but basically, compression = bad. The most popular recommendation for lifting shoes is Chuck Taylors. You could also get weightlifting shoes or even go barefoot. But like Ray said, you don't need to worry about the compression of the mat becoming an issue. Just focus on lifting and you'll be fine.

[GoBigBlue]

I squat and deadlift barefoot on them with no issues. They are so dense you might as well be on concrete. Plus the grip they provide is perfect for barefoot lifting. They aren't like those foam square things they sell at Dicks that are meant for a yoga mat and 98 pound woman or a gurly man.

[Arkansan]

Lol.. Sorry I brought up the shoe thing. Looks like it just made things more confusing.

I also have some 1/2" mats. I just wanted to make sure that lifting on a 3/4" mat would be fine, and not that lifting on 1/2" inch would be better.

Thanks again and sorry for the confusion.

[ironwill2008]

3/4" is perfect if its a nice dense rubber mat.

^^^^ This.

The density of the rubber is the key; as long as it has minimal 'give' to it, you're good to go. And has been mentioned, 3/4" stall mats are probably the best bet overall when considering availability, suitability, and cost.

[raynelson188]

Lol.. Sorry I brought up the shoe thing. Looks like it just made things more confusing.

I also have some 1/2" mats. I just wanted to make sure that lifting on a 3/4" mat would be fine, and not that lifting on 1/2" inch would be better.

Thanks again and sorry for the confusion.

I misunderstood the reason for the shoe comment. You put them together as if they had something to do with each other and it confused me (ask my wife....I'm easy to confuse).

Try squatting, deadlifting....etc....with no shoes on. If you like that then problem solved. If not get some chuck's. Overall just never squat in running shoes or the like for already mentioned reasons.

[mjwilson396]

I squat and deadlift barefoot on them with no issues. They are so dense you might as well be on concrete. Plus the grip they provide is perfect for barefoot lifting. They aren't like those foam square things they sell at Dicks that are meant for a yoga mat and 98 pound woman or a gurly man.

Exactly. There is no give on the stall mats.

[Arkansan]

Thanks,
I might be looking to the stall mats. Mine are the one you can buy at academy sports.

[rlundregan]

Thanks,
I might be looking to the stall mats. Mine are the one you can buy at academy sports.

If I am understanding you correctly, what you have are those closed-cell foam puzzle mats that fit together. Those are not nearly as good as stall mats.