Why I Built a Wood Floor Gym
Last month, my concrete basement floor nearly busted my knees deadlifting. Cement just ain’t made for dropping weights. Saw this gym mat idea online but figured wood flooring would last longer and look dope. Grabbed a tape measure, checked the space – 12×10 feet corner near the water heater.
Grabbing Supplies Like a Maniac
Rushed to the hardware store after work Friday. Got:
- Eighteen plywood sheets
- Five gallons wood glue
- Box of nails thicker than my pinky
- Circular saw borrowed from Dave
Forgot knee pads. Knees paid for it later.
The Bloody Installation Process
Started at 6AM Saturday tearing out nasty carpet strips. Sweat dripping by 7AM while cutting plywood. First piece splintered ’cause I measured wrong. Wasted half sheet. Got the hang by sheet three – cut long panels along the wall edges.
Smeared glue like peanut butter on each board before slamming it down. Punched nails every foot – hammer slipped twice, took skin off my thumb. Said words that’d make sailors blush. Three hours in, my back screamed but pushed through.
Hit major roadblock near furnace pipes. Cut wonky triangles to fit around ’em. Looked like toddler puzzles but hammered those suckers flush.
Finishing Touches Disaster
Thought staining would be easy part. Nope. Stain blotched like spilled coffee where glue seeped through cracks. Sanded rough patches Sunday morning – dust coated everything like snow. Coughing for hours after. Slapped clear coat finish that made everything shine like greased lightning.
Final Reality Check
Took two full weekends and $380 later. Dropped 220lbs barbell first time – THUD echoed but wood didn’t crack! Knees thanked me instantly. Still got glue stains on favorite jeans and blisters healing. Worth every damn ache. Got thirsty midway? Just scribbled what I learned:
- Measure thrice cut once ain’t no joke
- Plywood soaks stain differently across sheets
- Circular saw kickback nearly took my eyebrow off
Now sipping protein shake staring at that smooth wood floor. Best project since building those deck stairs. Threw rug under treadmill though – splinters suck.
