Thread: MDF or Plywood for weight lifting bench?

Firstly MDF is not as strong as plywood. But for your purpose MDF, 18mm thick would be fine.

Originally Posted by rod1949

Firstly MDF is not as strong as plywood. But for your purpose MDF, 18mm thick would be fine.

Thanks for the fast reply. The board I got is 1/2 an inch which is 12mm. Do you think what would still be alright for this?

I dunno about you, but if im loading a bench with 200kg id want it to be secure!!!

Personally id run 18mm form ply.

I agree you should use 18mm board and my preference would be plywood. Formply would be even stronger but maybe a little too expensive. I would also use threaded inserts for screwing the board to the bench.

Even the filmed bunnings 18mm ply for $60 a sheet is enough.

On the plus side, you could use the offcut for a step for calf raises or make a squat box out of it.

Ply would be the best, mdf will sag under that much stress ply will still flex but it will spring back better. Also it would depend on the frame work under the wood, if it runs all the way around the outside edges of the pad mdf will be fine.
(from a self confessed gym junky... and woody)

Thanks for all the great replies. I guess I'll suck it up and get the plywood today.

One more question. The original plywood was less than 12mm thick. If I go any thicker than that I'll run into problems with not having enough room to put the cushion and covering back over it. Do you guys think the 12mm could get the job done so I can reuse the old cushion and coverings?

I attached a pick of the where the board will sit on the bench.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Obitrice

Thanks for all the great replies. I guess I'll suck it up and get the plywood today.
One more question. The original plywood was less than 12mm thick. If I go any thicker than that I'll run into problems with not having enough room to put the cushion and covering back over it. Do you guys think the 12mm could get the job done so I can reuse the old cushion and coverings?
I attached a pick of the where the board will sit on the bench.
Thanks!

Years ago I fixed up a used bench I bought from the Trading Post and replaced the ply with hardwood. From memory I used a large piece of jarrah milled down to 3/4" but I attached two jarrah cleats to the back of the board fitted with inserts for the mounting bolts to screw into. They stiffened the board lengthwise as well. I sold that bench 12 years ago and it had served me well since 1984. FWIW

You might be able to get away with the 12mm given your bench has two poles running along the length of the board cushion. As long as you reproduce the dimensions of the original board you should be ok.

Happy lifting!

I picked up some 18mm today from the scrap area at Home Depot. I think I got some good pieces to work with. I'll post some pics to show off my handy work lol. Thanks for all the help with this.