Brown University hired me and my brother to build custom lifting platforms for their gym. A major problem was that people damaged the floors by dropping heavy weights. The university wanted platforms that would withstand weight constantly being dropped on it. Knowing that the weight would be dropped in a vertical motion over time, we knew to use material that could dissipate force and resist fatiguing.
Our design was made of birch plywood and horse mat, and was finished with multiple layers of polycrylic. The plywood was layered multiple times to reinforce its plys, allowing the force from weight dropping to dissipate better. We sized them to fit each half rack so that the lifter can stand on the platform to squat, or bring the weight out to drop it. We made it easier for weight lifters to safely put down weight, while protecting the ground of the gym.
