Deadlifts on mats

grapaj

My gym has implemented a new *heavy deadlifts to be done on gym mats* policy. Like the thick, 2" red gym mats.
I tried it and it felt spongy, just wrong and hard to set up for sumo style, which is my favourite style. My pointed toes were half on the mat at this stance.
Anyone else have to do this? They were going around enforcing it to all the lifters this morning, moi included. Frustrating!

gym4life2

Could you set the plates on the mats, and then between the mats put a board the same thickness?

SonyaCele

if possible, rearrange the mats so that they are only under the weights, and not where you stand.

BrianSharpe

Time to find a new gym?

RoxieDawn

Complain.

SezxyStef

why are people dropping the weights anyway..? I do deads at home on hardwood and have never "dropped" it.

kwtilbury

My guess is it's because people are dropping the weight. Can't blame the gym.

That said, I'm not sure it's safe to do floor lifts on an unstable surface. As others have suggested, I would put mats underneath the plates, but keep your feet on the bare floor.

CarlKRobbo

SonyaCele wrote: »

if possible, rearrange the mats so that they are only under the weights, and not where you stand.

^^^^^ This!!

Move the mats so just under the plates, Feet on the ground. Weight will negate some of the increase in height.

You need your feet on a solid grounded base. If the gym refuse, and do not understand that, time to go find a real gym

Chef_Barbell

BrianSharpe wrote: »

Time to find a new gym?

This.

klrenn

Can you push the mats further apart so that the plates are close to the edge of the mats? That will give more room under the bar for your sumo stance. Before my gym got a deadlift platform and bumper plates I used foam mats in this way when deadlifting (the plates don't have to line up with the middle of the mats)

LazSommer

try conventional?

Leadfoot_Lewis

BrianSharpe wrote: »

Time to find a new gym?

^This!

try conventional?

? Will make no difference. You need a hard surface to "press the floor away from you" when you Deadlift.

grapaj

Thanks all. I will see if I can get the mats under just the edge of the mat so I can get my sumo feet off of it. I haven't seen any dropping when I'm there a 0'dark-stupid but who knows what happens the other 23hrs of the day.

LazSommer

Leadfoot_Lewis wrote: »

BrianSharpe wrote: »

Time to find a new gym?

^This!

try conventional?

? Will make no difference. You need a hard surface to "press the floor away from you" when you Deadlift.

She said her feet were half on half off, implying (to me) the mats weren't under her, just her sumo stance was wide enough to have her feet on the mats.

grob49

I'VE seen it time and again people start bouncing every rep. When I was powerlifting you would get a red light if you drop the weight. Ask the gym to get a mat big enough to completel extended past the plates. Not just the little squares I have seen at so many gym's. You can't blame the gym. There is a lot if expense involved in keeping a gym up. I see guys dropping heavy bum bells all the time and have seen then break because of that.

tulips_and_tea

grapaj wrote: »

Thanks all. I will see if I can get the mats under just the edge of the mat so I can get my sumo feet off of it. I haven't seen any dropping when I'm there a 0'dark-stupid but who knows what happens the other 23hrs of the day.

Haha! That made me laugh.

I agree that stable ground is necessary for your own safety. Can't believe they were actually enforcing it. I'm guessing that after a few complaints they'll let up a bit and not be so strict.

gym4life2

Conventional or sumo, you need a solid footing. As for dropping the weight....I don't think anyone is ""dropping"" it, but there is no reason to control the negative. Just make sure you keep your hands on the bar....for safety reasons. Try spacing the mats, but then you need to stand on something to keep the height correct, or you are then doing a different lift, which is OK too

SezxyStef

grapaj wrote: »

Thanks all. I will see if I can get the mats under just the edge of the mat so I can get my sumo feet off of it. I haven't seen any dropping when I'm there a 0'dark-stupid but who knows what happens the other 23hrs of the day.

haha yah 0'dark stupid is a friend of mine too...

If they can (I use them at home) ask them to get the firmer mats...you know those colorful ones...lots use black under treadmills etc...interlocking.

gym4life2 wrote: »

Conventional or sumo, you need a solid footing. As for dropping the weight....I don't think anyone is ""dropping"" it, but there is no reason to control the negative. Just make sure you keep your hands on the bar....for safety reasons. Try spacing the mats, but then you need to stand on something to keep the height correct, or you are then doing a different lift, which is OK too

sure there is a reason to control the negative...

1. You aren't dropping the weights and cracking floors
2. you get a better burn and build better...

Always control the negative as much as the positive...if you don't you are doing half a workout.

LazSommer

gym4life2 wrote: »

Conventional or sumo, you need a solid footing. As for dropping the weight....I don't think anyone is ""dropping"" it, but there is no reason to control the negative. Just make sure you keep your hands on the bar....for safety reasons. Try spacing the mats, but then you need to stand on something to keep the height correct, or you are then doing a different lift, which is OK too

There's no need to do half the lift?

grapaj

[/quote]

She said her feet were half on half off, implying (to me) the mats weren't under her, just her sumo stance was wide enough to have her feet on the mats. [/quote]
Yep, this is what I was trying to say

BZAH10 wrote: »

I'm guessing that after a few complaints they'll let up a bit and not be so strict.

Hope so.

shor0814

grob49 wrote: »

I'VE seen it time and again people start bouncing every rep. When I was powerlifting you would get a red light if you drop the weight. Ask the gym to get a mat big enough to completel extended past the plates. Not just the little squares I have seen at so many gym's. You can't blame the gym. There is a lot if expense involved in keeping a gym up. I see guys dropping heavy bum bells all the time and have seen then break because of that.

Or they could do buy (build) deadlift platforms with plywood and mats. Way cheaper than floor repairs and keep customers happy.

TR0berts

I'd talk to the management/owner(s) and let them know that a better option for deadlifts would be to put in a platform. Keeps the underlying floor safe; keeps the lifters safe, by virtue of having solid footing; and generally (IMO) looks more enticing to people wanting to incorporate deadlifting - especially if the person in question is a potential new member who's reviewing gyms and wants to deadlift.


eta: Just realized shor0814 mentioned platforms. Oops, should've read the whole thread.

shor0814

Cutaway_Collar wrote: »

Damn, if it were me, I'd walk up and tell them I'm going to sue the *kitten* out of them should some damage happen to my knees.

The moment you bring up "legal", you will see things falling into place.

Just say you will slap a 1 mil lawsuit plus medical expenses. Don't laugh or smile when you say this.

Give that one a shot. When they revoke your membership and walk you out of the gym you can guess where you went wrong.

jolive7

What is wrong with dropping it lol