Lifting Platform - Custom/DIY

2 layers of (2) 4'x8'x3/4" sheets of stacked in perpendicularly, (8) 24"x 24"x 1.5" rubber tiles (from Titan) with a 3" border around the platform to cover up the layers. (2) 4' x 8' x 3/4" plywood stacked in the center on top of each other. The top plywood has a Early American stain with a custom logo. To achieve this clean the surface, apply lacquer thinner to edhance the wood grains, once dry apply the decal sticker, stain the plywood the more layers of stain the darker it will be. Once dry, carefully remove the decal and you will have a negative. Next you will apply 2 coats of polyurethane to the top layer, you can add play sand to the polyurethane to add some grit to the platform to improve grip and prevent slipping.

A DIY platform works great & is the most economical way to get a deadlift platform 2 layers of plywood, with some horse stall mats on top

Double layer of plywood with a top layer of oak, stall mats on the sides and screwed together. I couldn’t imagine paying retail prices.

I built my deadlift platform to be both movable and expandable. For the base, I used a single layer of 1/2” plywood. After about three months of heavy use, I’ve had zero issues with it—mostly because the entire gym is already floored with 3/4” horse stall mats. For the top layers, I used 3/4” sanded plywood for the lifting center and 3/4” horse stall mats for the drop zones. My primary goal was to save space and ensure I could easily pick up and move the platform when I'm not deadlifting. Because the three sections don't have to be permanently interlocked, I also have the flexibility to expand the overall length of the platform… just in case a specialty bar longer than 7 feet happens to make its way into the gym.

I have plans to add designs to the wood and a wood finish to make it look really nice

Cheaper, easier, and definitely uglier than a commercially available platform but it works well for the space I have. I used 2 layers of OSB and 1 layer of sanded plywood to create the main platform. I used 2x4's, sanded plywood, heavy-duty door hinges, and sheets of rubber floor mat to create a "foldable" deadlift platform to save space. Using 3 layers gave me enough height to use 2" wood screws to secure the rack and the DIY plate holders I made too.

Nothing screams home gym like a custom platform with the gym logo.

Easiest way to build one in my opinion. Extra piece of plywood underneath to save the floor. Only thing I would change is maybe make the center piece 3 foot wide instead of 4. When I’m deadlifting the first set of plates can get kind of close to the wood. As you can see from the bar behind it.

I built a 6x8 platform with the usual plywood+stall mat setup. I had to cut 1/8 shims to level it out. I built a stainless steel ramp for the front as well.

12’x12’ platform. Dropped snatches from overhead and my floor has survived. Plywood and stall mats will do it.