Originally Posted by
Mark D
I should probably introduce myself first, I'm Mark D, 53 year old male, been doing barbell training for about a year but decided to try it the right (SS) way now. I live in suburban New Jersey.
I'll probably be building a garage gym later this year (after some other projects which will free up the space). I'm currently going to the local Gold's Gym which, while not ideal, hasn't been too bad. I'm planning a home gym for convenience and scheduling, Gold's opens at 5:00 AM, and I need to be in my car, showered and dressed and on my way to work, by 5:50 in order to get to work on time. After work the gym is packed, but a home gym frees up that option if I don't feel like getting up at the asscrack of dawn. In addition my wife has been talking about trying barbell training, but she feels self-conscious in a public gym (the garage gym was actually her suggestion).
I've pretty much decided on my basic equipment, a Titan T3 power rack, a bench from Titan (the one with wheels on one end so it'll be easier for my wife to move), and a B&R bar. Iron plates will be sourced locally, either Craigslist, garage sales, flea markets or (last resort) buying new. At age 53 I don't see Olympic lifts happening, so I don't think I'll need bumper plates, at least not for now.
I have a couple questions about the platform. The garage gets some water in it when it rains really hard (my area has high water anyway, I've dug holes to plant flowers and had them fill half way with water before I could get the plant in). Not much, just some damp spots. My concern is with the plywood, would it be advisable to put horse stall mats under the plywood first to protect them from moisture (I assume the mats are solid, i.e. no holes in them, so they'd form a barrier). Would it be a good idea to paint or otherwise seal the plywood? Or is there some alternative to plywood that would be stable in a damp environment like that? I'd still put the horse stall mats on top.
Speaking of horse mats, could they go under where I stand as well, instead of the wood in the middle with horse mats under the plates? I'd cut away the mats to anchor the rack into the wood.
I'd rather not drill into the concrete floor of the garage since we'll be moving someday, or I'd just use a couple layers of horse mats and anchor the rack to the concrete.
Thanks in advance!