Constructing a weightlifting platform generally requires around 1 hour of dedicated effort and a budget of approximately 200-300€, depending on the materials used.

You will need:

• Wood screws
• Wood glue
• Plywood (perhaps MDF for the bottom part)
• Rubber mats
• An good hobby knife

Choosing size and materials for your weightlifting platform

A standard olympic platform is 2,4 x 2,4 meters, while a commercial powerlifting platform is usually 2,4 x 1,2 meters. I personally made mine 2,4 x 1,8 meters, in order to save space but still have adequate space for olympic weightlifting or for two people deadlifting simultaneously. I would always recommend that you make your platform 2,4 meters wide if possible, since the barbell i 2,2 meters long, and I prefer to have a bit of room on each ends of the barbell. But in regards to depth, you should do whatever fits your space.

The standard would be to use plywood for the wooden insert between the mats (given that you want a wooden insert), and then have another layer of plywood at the bottom covering the entire platform – resulting in 2 layers (see pictures below). But the bottom part will barely be visible once the platform is done, and you could therefore save a bit of money by using MDF plates for the bottom instead.

Step by step

Start of by laying out the bottom layer of your platform. My local hardware store sold 2,4m x 1,2m x 15mm plywood plates, which made the build even more easy. This wooden bottom will help distribute the weight of a loaded barbell, so you do not expose a few cm² of your floor to huge forces.

Next you can add the wooden insert on top by adding wood glue underneath and finish of with wood screws. You probably do not need screws, if you apply an even layer of glue and let it dry under pressure (I did both). Many prefer the feel of a wooden insert under their feet while lifting. But, it also makes it much easier to keep the bottom parts of the platform together (if you used more than one piece of plywood for the bottom like me).

Additionally, I chose a width of 1 meter for my insert. This provides me with plenty of space for my feet, while making it unlikely that I drop the plates on the wooden part of the platform during lifts.

Now you just have to cut the mats. I used 4 mats for this platform, but I ended up with some leftovers scraps that I kept for another time.

In order to cut the mats quickly, you should get yourself a good hobby knife – it makes a big difference! Dont use the spare kitchen knife. I usually mark the mats using a big ruller and chalk. I then place something under the mat in order the elevate the part of the mat that I wish to cut. This helps keep the cut open so you can cut quicker and in a more straight line. I then trace the knife along the chalk line one cut at a time until I am through the mat.

I am still considering adding a 30mm high metal/wood strip in a grey colour around the perimeter of the platform in order to get more contrast between the platform and the rest of the rubber flooring, since people sometimes trip over the edge of the platform.

I hope this was helpfull.