Your Guide To Deadlift Platforms
Deadlifting is the ultimate strength and power upper body exercise. But it’s also the toughest on your gym flooring. When you buy a platform for deadlifting, you put yourself in the best position to achieve a new PR (personal record) without wrecking your gym floor. A quality deadlift platform will also protect your weight plates from damage and significantly reduce the noise from your garage gym. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about these platforms, along with information to guide you to the best purchase of a deadlift platform online.
What is a deadlift platform?
A deadlift platform is a rectangular platform that you stand on when deadlifting. Home deadlift platforms are usually made from a combination of wood and rubber. There are two basic deadlift platform designs: One platform type has a 4 x 4-foot inner wooden section. The outer part of the platform is made from rubber. The standard size of this type of home deadlift platform is 8 x 4 feet. Another platform type is 8 feet wide and 8-12 feet deep. It's designed for Olympic lifts such as the 'snatch' and 'clean' and 'jerk'. The center is also made of wood, while the outer edges are rubber.
How thick should a deadlift platform be?
A quality deadlifting platform will give you up to two inches of padding between your feet and the floor. This will effectively absorb the barbell impact while greatly reducing noise and vibration. The Titan Full Deadlift Platform With 8 Rubber Tiles features 1.6-inch thick rubber tiles.
What should I look for when buying a deadlift platform?
The first consideration when buying a deadlift platform is the available space. Measure your home gym area, and make sure it’s structurally strong enough to take the weight if you're dropping your barbell from overhead while doing Olympic lifts. Check the construction material, including the steel gauge from which the frame is made. Remember, the lower the steel gauge, the stronger the material is. The Titan Full Deadlift Platform With 8 Rubber Tiles is constructed from 11-gauge steel. You should also consider whether the deadlift platform has any accessories. One particularly useful extra is band pegs. These allow you to add accommodating resistance to the deadlift for speed training. The platform should also come with hardware, such as bolts or floor clips, that allow you to secure the platform to the floor. If you're setting up your home gym in a rented facility or don’t want to drill holes in your floor, a deadlifting platform that needs to be bolted down isn’t going to work for you. Look for a platform with clips to provide a non-permanent solution. Titan Full Deadlift Platform with 8 Rubber Tiles comes with band pegs and 4 floor clips to secure the deadlift platform to the floor of your gym.
Can you make your own deadlift platform?
Yes, you can make your own deadlift platform. However, unless you have a very rigid steel frame, your homemade deadlift platform might not be fit for the purpose. By purchasing a professionally made frame and filling it with plywood or other materials, you can be sure the platform is sturdy enough to do the job. The Titan Fitness Deadlift Platform Frame is available in three options: frame only, frame with 4 rubber tiles, and frame with 8 rubber tiles.
Can a deadlift platform be used for Olympic lifting?
Yes, you can use a deadlift platform for Olympic lifting. However, you'll need to make sure the platform is big enough for lifts such as the snatch and clean and jerk which require more room than a deadlift. For Olympic lifting, the best size for platforms is 8 square feet. You can also do squats on a deadlift platform. Place the platform firmly against your power rack, making sure there's no gap. Step back on it when you unrack the bar. Alternatively, you can position your squat racks on the platform.
Is a deadlift platform necessary?
Not every person who deadlifts in their home gym needs to buy a deadlift platform. If you're deadlifting less than 300 pounds, your standard rubber gym flooring, with a ¾-1 inch thickness, can absorb the shock and protect your flooring. If you're deadlifting 300 or more pounds, if you use metal plates, and if you're used to dropping the bar to the floor, a home deadlift platform will save your floor from deterioration. Even if you don’t drop the bar, the vibration that runs through your hands when you lower the bar to the floor can be quite painful. A home deadlift platform will eliminate that vibration. Another consideration is the floor you're deadlifting on. If it's anything but concrete, you should consider a home deadlift platform. Subfloors made of wood don't have the structural integrity to handle years of deadlift wear and tear. If your home gym is located on a second story or higher, such as an attic — and if you want to stay on cordial terms with your loved ones — you will definitely want to buy a deadlift platform. It will significantly reduce the vibration that runs through the building when you’re doing your reps.
The Deadlift Platform Difference
A deadlift platform will provide your home gym with the underfoot integrity to allow you to deadlift with total peace of mind. You won’t have any concerns about your floorboards splintering, the concrete cracking, the building vibrating, or your neighbors complaining about the noise. The Titan team is always available to provide any extra assistance you need to make the best deadlift platform online buying decision.