Cheap way to build over a dirt floor?

[Soule]

I’m looking for some insight on effective, cheap methods of building a gym floor in a shed that currently has dry, elevated gravel/dirt for a floor.

I was thinking of buying three 16’ 6x6s, leveling them with mason sand, filling in the gaps with sand and then putting plywood over them. Maybe a layer of typar or some sort of moisture barrier between the dirt and the plywood?

Anyone have experience with this?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Dirt settles away from lumbar. You need to pour some concrete.

[Soule]

Roger that. Whats the minimum thickness i could get away with for weightlifting?

[Johnsonville]

Brick pavers work well, just make sure to do it right and they won’t settle. Rent a good tamper, or you could pour a slab, but pavers would be easier and less of a mess

[Mark Rippetoe]

Roger that. Whats the minimum thickness i could get away with for weightlifting?

3 layers of 3/4" work pretty well.

[Soule]

Brick pavers work well, just make sure to do it right and they won’t settle. Rent a good tamper, or you could pour a slab, but pavers would be easier and less of a mess

This looks expensive. 500-600 a pallet. I need to fill maybe 180sq feet.

Thank you, gentlemen.

[Johnsonville]

Not sure what the situation is where you are, I’m a mason contractor and at my yard the pavers run $1/sqft. You can split up pallets too. Just to give you an idea if you’re pouring concrete, that would be about 100 bags of 80lb premix concrete for 180sqft for a four inch slab. If you get the sand, Portland, and stone yourself you might save a few bucks though.

[Soule]

Not sure what the situation is where you are, I’m a mason contractor and at my yard the pavers run $1/sqft. You can split up pallets too. Just to give you an idea if you’re pouring concrete, that would be about 100 bags of 80lb premix concrete for 180sqft for a four inch slab. If you get the sand, Portland, and stone yourself you might save a few bucks though.

good info, thanks again!

[Soule]

Thanks again gentlemen.

I used a combination of cement and bricks to set a pretty solid foundation, nice and level.

Filled up the space between and outside the 6x6 beams with any big rocks i could find and about 3000lbs of gravel.

Laid down 3/4 plywood lengthwise and another layer crossed on top. Added a platform from stall mats and a nice sanded maple 4x8.

Just installed an ac unit and working on insulation panels.

This thing is pretty fucking solid — I don’t think it’s going anywhere.

Could upload pics if anyone’s interested in looking!