Do you really need rubber on the platform if you don't do and Olympic lifts?

[tcul1972]

I finally got around to building my platform so I am not lifting directly on the carpet in my garage. I just used 2 layers of 23/32" OSB board. I don't do any power cleans and such so I don't think the horse stall mats are really needed. I'm thinking if anything I could just screw a 1/4" equipment mat to it but am not even sure I will need that. I will be lifting in my new Adidas Adipower shoes when they get here so I don't think grip would be an issue.



Edit..
Title should read "any Olympic lifts".

[Tamara Reynolds]

No. You don't need rubber at all.

[tcul1972]

yea, I will probably try it as is for a little while. I could always get a cheap equipment mat for inside the rack if needed. It's not much of a platform but it's better than being right on the carpet like I was.

[Brian Harlin]

I've been liftin in my garage for months on an OSB platform I have done fine. I am going to get some mats but really only to protect the wood and because I don't clean it as often as I should and when it has enough chalk and dirt on it, it can get a little slick. But it's def not required.

Edit:
I just looked at your pic my rack and platform is almost identical to yours.

[Andrew_WOT]

Why build platform if you don't do Oly lifts, rubber mats would be more than enough, in fact better for floor protection and silencing.

[tcul1972]

Why build platform if you don't do Oly lifts, rubber mats would be more than enough, in fact better for floor protection and silencing.

because the garage is carpeted and I wanted a firm base to lift from. I could have just taken the carpet up where the rack is but I preferred not to.

[Charlie Davies]

My wife vetoed the horse-stall mats due to the strong sulferized rubber smell.
So I glued indoor/outdoor carpet to 3 layers of cheap sheathing-grade plywood.

It's very nice to lift on, but the plywood will eventually break down in the spots where I set down cleans and deads.
I might set down a couple rubber welcome mats there later.

[OCG]

The plywood is to spread the force of the weight out over the floor. Metal plates will break concrete quite easily with any kind of decent weight. The rubber is to lessen the wear the plates put on the plywood.

[Dastardly]

If you are deadlifting with iron plates I am pretty sure you need rubber. At my gym the platform has thick commercial grade rubber matting on top of thick plywood. Yet the plywood only seems to last a year or so before needing replacing. The wood disintegrates where the weights are lowered.

[tcul1972]

If you are deadlifting with iron plates I am pretty sure you need rubber. At my gym the platform has thick commercial grade rubber matting on top of thick plywood. Yet the plywood only seems to last a year or so before needing replacing. The wood disintegrates where the weights are lowered.

My 45s have a red rubber band around them so that may not be a problem. but it might be, I guess I will decide after a few uses. OSB board is pretty cheap so if it last a year or more I will be happy.