Plywood platform?

[over40]

I’ve got 3/4” rubber stall matts on my garage floor for lifting.

What’s the advantage of using a sheet of plywood? Just a harder surface to push on? That’s my guess but though I’d ask.

[Charlocity2]

Yes.

I actually have 1/2" horse stall mats on top of 3/4" plywood in my garage. I have a 4' by 4' sheet of 1/2" plywood in between the horse stall mats on the ends, specifically for that harder surface to push on.

I think most would recommend more layers of plywood than I have. I just wanted something easy to takedown if and when I move.

[stef]

Platforms protect the floor. Generally, a few layers are used for plywood. Rubber is optional.

[CrouchingWayne]

I've got 3/4" rubber gym mats in top of 2x layers of 3/4" plywood.

Is there any benefit to replacing the center of my platform with plywood? I thought it was mainly for Olympic work.

[AndrewLewis]

I’ve got 3/4” rubber stall matts on my garage floor for lifting.

What’s the advantage of using a sheet of plywood? Just a harder surface to push on? That’s my guess but though I’d ask.

It protects the foundation/ground under the platform, especially with the quick lifts.

The standard configuration for a platform is a square of 3/4" plywood (one sheet 4'x8' side by side with another), then another square of plywood rotated 90deg to the first layer, then a final layer with a single sheet of plywood is rotated again 90deg to the second layer and centered. 1'x8' of rubber stall mats are put on both sides of the center plywood. At least one polyurethane layer is put on the top sheet of plywood for protection and ease of cleaning. Whatever you do, do not sand the polyurethane smooth.

[thejosef]

I've got 3/4" rubber gym mats in top of 2x layers of 3/4" plywood.

Is there any benefit to replacing the center of my platform with plywood? I thought it was mainly for Olympic work.

It's seems to be mainly for Olympic work (quick feet!), though some say it can feel more stable. I use 3/4" horse stall mats (only) and they are PLENTY stable with zero give.

[Charlocity2]

It's seems to be mainly for Olympic work (quick feet!), though some say it can feel more stable. I use 3/4" horse stall mats (only) and they are PLENTY stable with zero give.

I used to lift on horse stall mats only. I added plywood underneath, albeit only one layer of 3/4", when I noticed instability in certain spots.

That instability was caused by ribs on the bottom of the mats. The top of the mats have a diamond head pattern.

[CrouchingWayne]

It's seems to be mainly for Olympic work (quick feet!), though some say it can feel more stable. I use 3/4" horse stall mats (only) and they are PLENTY stable with zero give.

Thanks, that's consistent with what I had read previously which is good. I quite like the look of the wooden center but my space is so small that keeping it rubber is more versatile. Luckily the matting I use has flat too and bottom so no ribbed pattern to worry about.

[IlPrincipeBrutto]

What’s the advantage of using a sheet of plywood?

When doing OLs (especially jerks, IMHO), it helps to be able to slide your soles a bit on the platform. That's much easier on (dry*) plywood than rubber.


IPB


*
In very humid conditions, plywood can get a bit sticky.

[AndrewLewis]

I suppose you could make an 8'x8' lifting platform out of solidwood. That'd be pretty badass.