New rack....skip the platform?

[buddy0329]

I have a dedicated 4'x'8' deadlift platform that is 2.25" in total height made up of 2-layers of 3/4" plywood and a 3rd layer of finished hardwood and rubber mats.

I've been toying with the idea of getting a new rack again. I would like 6-posts for weight storage. A Rogue RM6 would be overkill but still oh so sweet. My old Parabody flat foot rack just sits on 3/8" rubber mats on the basement floor slab. Never been a problem since I don't do anything abusive like dumping the bar or weights onto the ground.

I was originally thinking that I would be building a new 12' x 12' x 2.25" platform if I got something like an RM6. Would I be nuts to skip the platform and just put the new rack onto rubber mats unsecured? Part of the consideration is that I only have 94" of ceiling height, at least at the joists; more in between them.

[radrd]

I'd say you'll be fine. My rack is also on rolled rubber with no platform and cement slab basement foundation underneath.

[GamecockLifter]

Skip the platform. Best decision I made was ditching mine when I upgraded to a 6-post. Makes for a more efficient space and looks cleaner.

[Duplicitous]

I have my platform in front of my rack with a cutout section inside the rack. The rack itself is just on stall mats.

[buddy0329]

I'd like to avoid stall mats. When I built the deadlift platform I originally bought 3/4" stall mats from a local garden and farm center. The off-gassing was so bad we had headaches in the wagon during a 15 minute drive home. Afterwards they stunk up the garage within a couple of hours. Returned them the next day and bought 3/8" rubber mats I sourced from a fitness outlet; I stacked two layers of them to get to 3/4". They cost more but it was worth it to me to avoid the fumes. Perhaps they were just too "fresh" and that experience wouldn't be repeated again, but I'd rather avoid that experience again.

What's the minimum thickness to use? Is 3/8" good enough? Anybody have a good source they would recommend foe either mats or rolled flooring? Locally the best I've found has been from the same fitness store I used before but they only have 3/8" mats.

[EricAtl]

3/8 rolled rubber is the best, I have it in one area. Stall mats are fine, as long as they don’t smell too much. My mats are a combination of new ones and some used; used ones didn’t smell at all.
You don’t need a platform. I just cut this piece of 3/4” plywood and slid it into my rack, but standing on rubber flooring is fine too. I did polyurethane both sides.

[C123C]

3/8 rolled rubber is the best, I have it in one area. Stall mats are fine, as long as they don’t smell too much. My mats are a combination of new ones and some used; used ones didn’t smell at all.
You don’t need a platform. I just cut this piece of 3/4” plywood and slid it into my rack, but standing on rubber flooring is fine too. I did polyurethane both sides.

Would love to have a flush setup like this with large platform outside as well as insert in rack. That said I have a 6 poster on mats over concrete foundation and it's totally fine. Was free standing and I anchored it down when I was doing my belt squat install as well. I like it anchored but makes no real difference. I do like platforms but mainly it's aesthetic if you have a proper setup.

[Duplicitous]

I'd like to avoid stall mats. When I built the deadlift platform I originally bought 3/4" stall mats from a local garden and farm center. The off-gassing was so bad we had headaches in the wagon during a 15 minute drive home. Afterwards they stunk up the garage within a couple of hours. Returned them the next day and bought 3/8" rubber mats I sourced from a fitness outlet; I stacked two layers of them to get to 3/4". They cost more but it was worth it to me to avoid the fumes. Perhaps they were just too "fresh" and that experience wouldn't be repeated again, but I'd rather avoid that experience again.

What's the minimum thickness to use? Is 3/8" good enough? Anybody have a good source they would recommend foe either mats or rolled flooring? Locally the best I've found has been from the same fitness store I used before but they only have 3/8" mats.

I wasn't suggesting you get stall mats, but rather was pointing out that my rack just sits on mats (not bolted). If you go rolled, most here would recommend Regupol or similar.

[buddy0329]

I took the plunge, now I'm all in.

I found the same 4x6 diamond-pattern Body-Solid mats I used in my deadlift platform and picked up 8 more of them. 2 of the new mats are setup in front my deadlift platform to better transition off the platform where I keep the deadlift jack. That area will transition to a new 12' x 12' primary rack lifting area. For now at least I'll keep the old Parabody rack since it has a lat pull down and low-row until i decide I need the space for something else.

All I have to do now is pick out a new rack!

Thanks everyone!

[BenMcLeodNZ]

Mine just sits on concrete, I don't drop my weights or lay on the floor so concrete is perfect. Although I do have a small pad I put down for my T Bar Rows