DIY Weightlifting Platform with Squat Stand Attached

We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology. If you use our links to purchase something, we may earn a commission. Read our disclosures.

A weightlifting platform is a must for any garage gym. It protects your equipment and, more importantly, your home. Here’s how you can build a DIY weightlifting platform that can also have a squat rack attached.

A weightlifting platform is something that is not needed. It takes up a lot of space, is very heavy, and can be somewhat costly.

However, if you are practicing the olympic lifts I say without a doubt that it is an essential piece to your garage gym.

I see it being similar to using a bearing barbell. If you’ve never used one, you don’t know what you’re missing. However, once you feel the soles of your weightlifting shoes pound onto the wooden platform during a split jerk, you can’t go back.

Also, it deadens the sound of the barbell which is good for your neighbors or sleeping children. So I decided to make one of my own, and it’s been a wonderful addition to my garage.

Supplies

4 4’x8′ 3/4″ Pieces of Cheap Plywood
1 4’x8′ 3/4″ Piece of Quality Plywood (A/B or A/C, tell a worker at the hardware store and they’ll know what you’re talking about)
1 4’x8′ 3/4″ Stall Mat (I purchased mine from Tractor Supply)
3-4 Tubes of Heavy Duty Liquid Nails
Box of 1.25″ Wood Screws

Tools

Total Cost: Approximately ~$150

Instructions

Lay down 2 of your cheap 4’x8′ plywood sheets.
Squeeze 1 full can of Liquid Nails making sure to get the corners.
Lay down 2 more of your cheap 4’x8′ plywood sheets perpendicular to the other two you laid down previously.
Screw sheets along edges about 2″ from the edge and down the middle,every 15″.
Cut 4’x8′ stall mat in half using a xacto knife.
Squeeze 1 full can of Liquid Nails on sides where the stall mats will be placed and lay down stall mats.
Measure width of the base of the squat stand and cut the nice plywood allowing the squat stand to be bolted.
Squeeze 1 full can of Liquid Nails where the nice piece of plywood will be laid.
Lay the plywood and but put weight plates all over platform allowing it to seal overnight.
Next morning: Bolt squat stand to platform using L Brackets, nuts, bolts, and lag bolts.
Train.

Final Thoughts

Bolting the squat stand to the weightlifting platform allows you to feel secure when using any squat racks, as well as allowing kipping pullups and any other dynamic movement used in the rack. I bolted a Rogue SML-2 Squat Stand to the platform and that review can be found below.

All in all the weightlifting platform is something that is a great addition to any garage gym, but I would say if you aren’t worried about noise and don’t olympic lift than it isn’t very important.

Check out the review of the Rogue SML-2 Squat Stand that I attached to the platform here: Rogue SML-2 Squat Stand Review

Coop Mitchell

Cooper Mitchell ("Coop') is the creator of Garage Gym Reviews. He's produced more content on home gyms and training equipment than likely anyone else in the world and is recognized as the foremost expert in the space. When not writing about barbells, squat racks, and other pieces of equipment, he can be found eating tacos and reading biographies on dead people. Coop has been featured in prestigious publications such as The Art of Manliness, Starting Strength, Men's Health, Business Insider and many others.

DIY Weightlifting Platform with Squat Stand Attached

Supplies

Tools

Instructions

Final Thoughts

Further reading