Deadlifting In My Garage

[Matt-Panz]

I plan to use the SS recommended 3" plywood+horse mattress set up for the deadlift, along with using rubber coated plates, and deadlift in the balcony. Would that be adequate to keep the thump at bearable levels and the slab safe?

Depending on your building codes, yes.

What about a garage with a basement below?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Once again, depends on your building codes, i.e. the thickness and construction of the slab.

[Giri Kotte]

Depending on your building codes, yes.

weight-plates-steering--537.jpg
I checked the US convention of naming floors after I posted. India uses the UK convention. So, what I refer to as a first floor is actually second floor in US.And to clarify further, the plate I refer to is not a bumper plate but a rubber coated one (in picture). Would this change your answer?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Giri, this is not a terribly arcane concept: how thick is the slab you're dropping the barbell on, how much rebar is in the slab, and what is the quality of the concrete?

[Pluripotent]

Giri, this is not a terribly arcane concept: how thick is the slab you're dropping the barbell on, how much rebar is in the slab, and what is the quality of the concrete?

For me, I noticed when I drilled for the concrete anchors to bolt down the rack, I punched through the slab (Rogue anchors, three inches long), which I thought wasn't very encouraging. No idea how much rebar or concrete quality, but deadlifts don't shake the house too much.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Your garage floor slab is 3 inches thick??

[Pluripotent]

Your garage floor slab is 3 inches thick??

Basement. But yeah. Seems like someone cut some corners. It was poured 30 years ago. I would imagine 4 inches should be minimum, so it's definitely sub-par.