Im back deadlifting, but now prefer to pull off blocks 3-4 inches high.
My gym is very minimalist and does not have any blocks or mats I can use to create the blocks.
What should I use to create the blocks? I was thinking of going to the plastic and rubber shop to see if they have some cheap plastic rubber mats I can stack together, and I can maybe just leave these at the gym. Although I would prefer them to be more portable.
Any suggestions?
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Can you lift off of stacked plates?
@guineapig : That’s another option I as thinking, although I think I might find this annoying as the bar will probably roll off, and I often drop my weights so I don’t want to be damaging the plates or making unnecessary noise.
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Might could buy a 4x4 post and cut a ramp/angle to roll the loaded bar up into a crescent shape that you also cut?
Don’t be Weight slamming douche. Problem solved
I’ve used rubber patio tiles for almost a decade now. They’re fantastic.
You can see them in action here, stacked 4 high per side
I’ve used them in a commercial gym before: just cut them in half along the seam. 1 benefit being that now you’ve doubled your mats, but it also cuts down on weight to make them “mini-mats”. You can fit them in a large gym bag that way. They won’t stack quite as well as a square will, but I was still able to wedge them 7 per side without too much difficulty.
I was thinking cut up horse stall mats at Tractor Supply. But these would be easier!
Bunnings sell those for around 30 bucks a square metre. Two mats would give you eight squares big enough to hold a plate if you cut them up. Pretty sure the mats are just under half an inch thick so you’d be wanting maybe six to eight stacked.
Failing that you could knock together a couple of plywood boxes. You’d want to use 25 mm ply and set ribs running across the box every 100 mm or so for support.
@MarkKO: thanks. Going to Bunnings now.
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What are the dimensions of your mats?
I found some mats that are 50x50cm (20x20 inches). Was thinking I could cut these in half, but would that make them too small?
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I wouldn’t cut those. Normally Bunnings has the larger ones, but possibly that one was out. The ones I use are cut down to around 450×450 give or take.
The dimensions are in the photo I attached.
16" by 16"
When you cut them in half, depending on how much weight you’re pulling, you won’t be able to fit them all onto the mat, but you’d still be able to get the first few plates on, and it will still create the elevated height puling mechanic.
Does your gym have a rack? Pull in the rack with pins set at the appropriate height… Don’t drop the bar.
@strongmangoals: I would prefer to have the option of dropping the weight.
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