Make Your Own Deadlift Blocks

In this video I show you how I made the deadlift blocks at Untamed Strength out of spare horse stall mats. Deadlift blocks can be used for block pulls or deficit deadlifts.
Follow me on IG @untamedstrength
Untamed Strength is a Strongman/Powerlifting Gym in Sacramento, CA
www.trainuntamed.com

[@dirtbird43]

Hey Alan, I work for a rubber manufacturing company. Soapy water helps to lubricate your box knife when cutting mats. Just dip your knife whenever the cutting feels 'sticky'. Try it out :) Cheers

[@michwng]

Fantastic. Thanks for the tip!

[@bryrst]

Just tried this out and it worked beautifully. Thanks!

[@Strider86]

Genius

[@ResistanceQuest]

Alan you always have such a clear and understanding voice in your instructional videos. Keep it up brother. Peace

[@DreadwingOne]

Shots fired at Rogue lol

[@ApeSlayer]

*$800 my ass*

[@DreadwingOne]

rogue's entire catalog is over priced imo

[@erikbentley9005]

DreadwingOne definitely. elitefts has almost identical quality and is cheaper

[@salsolis9254]

Texas Strength Systems also has really high quality equipment for even less. Elitefts has the Texas Power Bar for $348, or buy it direct from TSS for $250

[@TheShivedj]

everyone knows Rogue is overpriced as fuck for everything lol

[@canererbay8842]

0:28 Exactly. I work out at home (in an actual room with carpet and everything) and I made blocks of used A4 paper sheets bagged and duct taped at proper heights for different plates. P.S. A4 is large enough for my little 10 kg plates.

[@Burgundeh]

Great idea! There needs to be more money saving tips and alternative shared by strength and fitness youtubers. You're awesome man much love.

[@k4tzagram]

I don't know how experienced you are with drilling, but it hurt my heart a bit to see it when you gripped the blocks and drilled very close to your fingers. Glad you didn't hurt yourself. Keep up the nice content, I'm loving it!

[@AlanThrall]

Joachim Dunér it's a dull drill bit attached to a drill with about as much power as my toaster. I'd be more concerned about my safety when trying to pick up 500 lbs. THAT's dangerous

[@5zazen]

Joachim Dunér In 1991 when I deadlifted 495x5 at 250 with a belt, deadlifts seemed safe. Last week at 200 and age 45 I pulled 505x2 straps only. Unlike Olympic lifts, you have time to adjust. If it feels off, just let the bar go. Very safe if you know your limits and don't approach a deadlift as a speedlift, but squeeze the weight instead.

[@TrollinUnited]

5zazen Qa

[@Jean-Pierre.Hortefeux]

the drill isn't even long enough

[@blainemoore97]

I'm never gonna make any of this stuff but I watch anyways.

[@jessegoodell1871]

pro tip. Use the straight edge with the utility knife. Add a little water and it cuts like butter. Be carefull. You will be surprised how easy it cuts.

[@Dippedinblackink]

When you say add water, do you add water to the horse mat or to the blade?

[@Mike_219]

LUBE your blade. Seriously. 3 in 1 oil, wd 40, anything like that will make the box cutter slice through the mats like butter.

[@chadmc3704]

If this is true, this should be top comment. Cutting those stall mats tries your patience.

[@brois841]

@@chadmc3704 Only if you keep them flat... as long as there's something underneath like Alan showed, they slice open like nothing.

[@piotrdygas5345]

rack pull over the knees is good for your digestive system! Gotta confuse a muscle right Alex Destiny?

[@charlcoetzee93]

Nick B I think he's saying rack pulls are a great alternative to deadlifts if you have lower back problems

[@mp-sv2cp]

Rack pulls behind the ears

[@samsoninthepit]

What top dimension do you recommend? In your initial shot it looks like you cut them to 24" by 16", but the stacks themselves looked a bit smaller. Great video, thank you very much

[@threethrushes]

Train on time.

[@swimraces]

This is a great idea, thanks. Had never thought of using horse stall mats, but as I have two spare after building a platform, I should be able to whip these up pretty quick.

[@CarlZ]

super quality idea ~ another great video

[@bryngolden9133]

Good stuff Allen. Never seen the T nuts before. Perfect for the application.

[@youmair3d]

I see many asking for dimensions in the comments and no one answered. Its 24"x18".

[@Worlds.Strongest.Mauro10]

We don't deserve you

[@temofasa7477]

Is Alan the Macgyver of gyms? Or Bob Vila of gyms?

[@fencingrocks3]

really digging the diy videos

[@seymorebutts2478]

You the man Alan!

[@benjaminthomas6117]

Excellent stuff here man! Thank you!

[@15awesomehighfive]

awesome! EXACTLY what I needed!

[@AlexAhern]

I love you Alan and this video encaptionates why ❤

[@jepeuxlefaire3374]

*Thanks for the tips, very usefull!*

[@archmaesterofpullups]

I followed this video and have some feedback for anyone interested in doing this. * Stall mats usually have circles on the bottom to provide texture, unlike the ones Alan has (media.tractorsupply.com/is/image/TractorSupplyCompany/2219003). This provides the disadvantage of less contact between the mats for the glue to hold. However, it provides an advantage of being able to use normal nuts, instead of tee nuts, on the bottom of the mats since the texture will stick out further than a normal nut. I tried using both normal nuts and tee nuts and normal nuts were better for this application. When you drill your holes, drill from the bottom (the side with the circles) towards the top. * I used four .75" stall mats from tractor supply but apparently they lie about the thickness and it came out to a total of 2.75" once complete. * I'm not very handy. One tip is that, when drilling the screw in, drill on high speed/low torque mode until the screw comes out the other side. Hold the nut on the end and continue screwing and the drill will "pull" the nut into place. This will likely cause the screw to hang out the other side too far. Reverse the drill direct and pull it back out a little and you'll be left with the nut being super tight in place without the screw hanging out.

[@batsy3763]

This is useless

[@alexazul5197]

Hello. Replying super late but was hoping you'd be able to answer. Is one horse stall mat enough to create the pair of 3" and 1" blocks?

[@archmaesterofpullups]

@@alexazul5197 It'll take two stall mats to make a pair of 3" and a pair of 1.5" blocks with a leftover half of a mat.

[@alexazul5197]

@@archmaesterofpullups Hey thanks for the quick reply! I think I'm just going to make two pairs of 1.5" blocks since I only need them for deadlifts. Will make the changes you made.

[@podcastmachine8617]

Great ! Plz tell me how to make Gains next

[@jefferylord3068]

Thanks!

[@sitdowngaming3]

Amazing!!!!

[@garypriest7679]

Great idea thanks

[@oliverpogi920]

Lots of "thats what she said" moments.

[@xspower21]

great video Alan;)

[@brianoliver4960]

Weeeeeeeell, I know what I'm doing on my day off today.

[@zachlloyd9392]

GENIUS!!!

[@VicDienekes]

Hey Alan is that a particular brand of horse stall mat? Trying to find what's generic in the US in the UK is a bit challenging! Are the ones you have made of thick rubber?

[@kylehinds2373]

Hey Alan, do you ever have problems with the weight moving on those mats? I see some people put small pieces off wood to hold the weight in place. Thanks.

[@shawngadwa269]

Real talk. Can the average lifter tell the difference between a slightly bent bar and a perfectly straight bar? I think not. Especially considering the average lifter doesn't actually lift.

[@lisaladida408]

Is your goal to be average?

[@shawngadwa269]

No, of course not!

[@danielroot8872]

Shawn Gadwa the average lifter doesn't even lift haha

[@konstantinosstamos1745]

it will cause the bar to roll down your back, then bicep / elbow tendonitis

[@alexjorgson1435]

Do you even lift? The answer is always no.

[@ocara50000]

rack pulls above the knee for those trap gains, weighed stretch is the way am I right

[@3Runner95]

Where the fuck do I get Horse stall mats? lol

[@dannynichols4488]

3Runner95SRB tractor supply

[@l4dcartman]

Tractor supply co. or craigslist comes to mind.

[@cranki6316]

I think at Tractor Supply Company.

[@AlanThrall]

Tractor supply Co. or any equestrian feed and pet supply store

[@honkblarg339]

Step 1: Find horse Step 2: Ask horse where to find mats

[@PlugThePull]

notification squad !!!

[@stevenkarbowski2366]

How many uncut horse stall mats did you start out with before you made all the squares?

[@nathancooper3779]

What are the dimensions of the blocks?

[@Cat-ng8yu]

I think it’s 18 inches by 24 inches.

[@claritolucena763]

How to order

[@davidk2553]

Is a 3/4 inch horse stall mat thick enough to use for deadlifts if there is a concrete floor beneath it?

[@ooshawn]

@alan thrall/ I'm wanting to put together a little workout spot in my garage to do a 5x5 program. how much do you think it'd cost to get average to good equipment? thanks - shawn

[@CrimsonStrider]

Alan (or anyone else), do you guys feel the safety strap system some racks use are harmful to bars? I bought a rack with safety straps today in part because I hate doing rack pulls off pins. They bounce around, move around, and are not nice to the bar. my bar is imported and I'd like to protect it.

[@raffaeleferraro2257]

Is block pulls a back exercise?

[@kimd1456]

How much weight can you deadlift on these? Is it safe to drop 600 pounds?

[@roysmith5902]

I'm confused about the deficit lifts. If it's no good to lift in running shoes because the soles are too squishy, how can it work to lift while standing on three inches of squishy mat?

[@PatrickLarson]

Have you stood on horse stall mat? It's not squishy.

[@cmdrfunk]

@@PatrickLarson Just imagine all those horses bouncing around

[@millermann123]

Or you just buy 2 thick (4cm) mats of ruber (that are sometimes used at playgrounds) for about 10 bucks per piece.

[@gabyi10]

guys i need your help! i have some elbow pain from armwrestling and locking the elbow when i do presses.any tip? should i take a break for a few days?

[@zakwilson3007]

315ForReps do connective tissue work (300 tricep extensions with a mini band) after every push day. Look it up it will take that lockout pain away:)

[@kazab72]

If you cba you can use plates instead

[@guitarpwner67]

No end theme song? I feel so incomplete ...

[@SoCaL7]

Hey Alan, what is the length and width you decided on for your blocks?

[@Cat-ng8yu]

I think is 18 inches by 24 inches

[@gfrm456]

Would these be good to protect the floor for doing deadlifts not on a platform?

[@tomjonesfitness]

Yes, they would do the job, I think you could do with just the single layer horse stall mats.

[@gustavocarrillo9058]

i want to deadlift at home. Do I need a special floor to do it? i dont want to mess up my floor...

[@thomast6823]

guxxx just buy horse stall mats like the one used in the video

[@cellardoor8943]

As long as you live in a ground floor apartment,you good

[@TheShivedj]

you need to be on slab i.e. concrete. I would not suggest deadlifting on a wood beam floor like a 1st floor above a basement or 2nd floor.

[@gustavocarrillo9058]

thanks 💕💕👋

[@salsolis9254]

Alan has a really good DIY deadlift platform video. Save your floor and your plates and build a platform.

[@thehumblebardmusic]

Hey Alan, do you offer any online coaching?

[@tomjonesfitness]

He does but as a PDF download only, just go to his website www.trainuntamed.com/category/videos/ where he offers a beginners and an intermediate program.

[@nolenlifts4661]

So he made them out of one or two horses tall mats

[@Kirkmichals]

two mats, each 4 by 6

[@danielengel1295]

Man to buy those blocks from a fitness company they are super costly.... Making your own might be the way to GO.

[@OzarksCreekandTimber]

Huh never pegged you as a black and decker kinda guy.

[@jwubwub]

How high should I make the deadlift blocks if I just want to get some big black booty and rackpull above my knees?

[@kamo7293]

over 800 for pulling blocks... thats ridiculous

[@elemental4rce]

you train on time.. don't tell me what to do

[@jefferylord3068]

landmines destroy barbells!!!

[@Matthew-mq6fz]

All these Drill Experts and their stupid safety comments...

[@jeffpedals]

Awkward question. But I've watched many of Alan's videos..but for the life of me I can't make out what he's saying in that pirate voice at the end of each of his video's.🤔🙈

[@jm309767]

Hi Alan, Please be more careful when using a power drill. Placing your hand underneath the drill-tip is very poor form. If you slice your hands, you'll be out of work/lyfting for a week.

[@devynwiesner6211]

800 fucking dollars LOL

[@pokeyouindaeye]

Watching him drill with his hand pressing-up right underneath... #cringe

[@siiimonyt8390]

all the lifting this guy does but doesn't look like he lifts :3 must suck

[@jakobmayr8696]

simon white just because he doesnt were tight shirts and be a show off doesnt mean he hasnt got a good physique. Stop talking shit and get your ass to the gym.

[@mochachocoloco7426]

simon white please dont project your own insecurity online. Kthxbai

[@pehenry]

1:10 - Circular saw, jig saw, or table saw? Or are you just trying to go the no power tools route for the benefit of your audience members without power tools?

[@pehenry]

It sounds like you have never used such tools before...

[@Mike_219]

Unnecessary and much messier.

[@gooblegobble3416]

Knife works much better. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYK9m6utipmKkLs

[@klrdto3250]

Any recommendations on finding budget priced rubber mats

[@billtainter]

Nice bro

[@silveradobp]

God damn genius Gump!

[@dksculpture]

Simple, clever design, especially using the Tee nuts and washers that sink in a bit (but not too much) for a flush, finished top and bottom. Thanks!

[@JonathanLalrempuia]

0:14 ouch 🤣 why do ya have to come at me like that

[@mariusxy9062]

would this make a good alternative for sledgehammer target if you don't have room for a big tire...? I think it could workout...

[@PedroUmanzor]

Are these the stall mats that weigh ~90 lbs? Wouldn't they be too heavy for deadlift blocks? Does anyone know?

[@rykehuss3435]

Hey Alan, your legs wiggle side to side when you DL/squat, is that normal?

[@craigmayberry1147]

seems like maybe a sawzall metal blade would be equally effective to cut mats?

[@octane8872]

I always stack my gyms plates, but it's inaccurate

[@JustMe-999a]

It's a lot faster to cut the mats with with a jig saw

[@Rageof1000Mongooses]

Can't you cut these things with a circular saw?

[@mikep3322]

U could use for deficit deads also

[@randomboy123ify]

Can I use staples instead of nails?

[@oxman1800]

whats a good length and width?

[@MrNormallan]

Love u Alan ❤️

[@mongoosekhan3079]

4th view wow!

[@seann2769]

There goes the possible Rogue Fitness sponsorship

[@bigbadwolf200335]

Do you have a head cols Alan?

[@QQyoko]

So is your only dislike with a rack pull the potential for barbell damage?

[@thomast6823]

QQyoko I think the other issue is that the bar will be slightly bent as the weights are hanging in mid air as opposed to resting in something solid. This means there is slightly less carry over to the deadlift

[@venkteshprasadmayarao7265]

What other problem is there?

[@thechairman74]

It just depends on why you are doing the rack pull versus the block pull. Generally speaking, you do block pulls as a direct deadlift variation so you don't want to go too high. Usually 6-8 inches is the highest. You're looking to replicate the feeling of a floor pull but elevated. A rack pull is generally for a pull done with the bar from slightly below the knees on up. You usually get less and less benefit the higher the bar is if you're looking to work on your deadlift.

[@venkteshprasadmayarao7265]

Rack pulls are pretty good for overloading the upper back/traps and to do double overhand holds for grip work without having to tax the spinal erectors too much.