Topic: Sound Proofing the Garage Gym

[Chris Betancourt]

OK Alex, I will give you some tips and basic soundproofing theory.

First off sound travels TWO ways: the first is through air, the second is through structure.

The longer distance sound travels through air, the sound level is reduced. So increase the distance as much as you can from neighbor is first step, try to lift on the side of the garage farthest from him.

Sound can also be absorbed. Generally speaking, the lower in frequency a sound is, the harder it is to absorb easily (why bass seems to travel everywhere). Although from about 500hz and up, there are a lot of simple ways to reduce sound traveling through the air. One way is by soft materials converting that sound energy into heat energy; by using soft materials such as rigid fiberglass panels, the soundwave's energy makes the fiberglass absorb the sound. You can buy rigid fiberglass panels from your local air-conditioning contractor, the 'best' is Owens Corning 703 , 704, or 705. You would want to go with the thickest you can afford, or you can layer the panels; 2" of rigid fiberglass goes a long way in deadening sound. You want to hang the panels so there is a little air gap on the wall behind them; imagine the panels acting as large rocks by the shore that slow down the wave.

Now to identify the biggest problem, sound traveling through the structure. To get the best soundproofing results, acoustic guys would perform 'physical decoupling' as a means to eliminate a tremendous amount of sound transmission. Most top of the line cinemas will literally be built as a room inside a room with absolutely no rigid structural connection to the outside room. You may already know sound travels through the wall, but it also travels through the floor, the sound traveling through the floor can also travel to the wall and that is unacceptable for soundproofing. The easiest way to achieve this with relatively good results would be to install a few rubber isolators underneath your platform. If you wish to achieve an even better degree of reduced sound transmission you can find a company that can cut concrete and have them saw the concrete floor around the platform so that there is no possibility of structural sound transmission; that way the only sound you will have to deal with will be airborne.

[Alexander Poptodorov]

Thank you Chris,  your info is very helpful.
I will keep everyone posted on progress with the platform.   
I will build a true wisper-quiet platform.
In Health, Alex

[Chris Betancourt]

When you build your platform, you may also want to use Green Glue in between the layers of plywood:

http://www.greengluecompany.com/dealingWithImpactNoise.php

[Alexander Poptodorov]

I looked it up.  It sounds really good. 
Have you tried it?

[leighton richards]

I had this problem too.
I have 2 inch thick rubber stable mats down on my garage floor for an area approx 8 feet by 8 feet.
I also have the york rubber training bumpers, but the neighbours complained recently when the felt the house shaking and thought it was an earthquake.

I had the idea of using judo mats, so asked about in my local judo club and they had some old mats they didnt want so I got them for free.
The judo mats are about 6 feet by 3 feet area, roughly 4cm thick, and very firm.
I took 4 of the mats and stacked 2 on top of each other on the end of my rubber platform.
They are absolutely perfect, they actually absorb the majority of the vibration now when I dump 100Kg from head height.
You still have the sound of the weights slapping the mats, but it is really quite mild and I doubt the neighbours will hear that from inside their house.

[Jack]

Leighton,

This is a great tip; thanks very much. I hadn't yet thought of Judo mats to quell vibes and sound of impact.

Sjaak Smorenburg

[Craig Vandeweghe]

These are some great ideas. I'll be building home platform next weekend in my new house. I think I'll use horse mats and plywood for the platform. Then make some kind of mat for dropping onto to keep the noise down.

When I trained at Bud Charniga's last week he has crumble rubber mats about 3" think right on the concert floor. Even with the harder Eleiko bumpers it made very little noise. I think he sells them.

When I was a teenager I only had metal weights. I dropped them onto old sofa cushions (3 per side). This made almost no noise at all even at 130kg.

[Chris Betancourt]

I looked it up.  It sounds really good. 
Have you tried it?

No but countless home theaters have it installed and the results are good. They do a test at most dealers by getting a small piece of drywall, then knocking on it and the sound transmits, then they get a piece with the Greenglue and it doesn't transfer the knocking noise.

I think with all the other options discussed, you are basically going to want to layer your platform so it is like plywood-> rubber mat -> plywood -> rubber mat -> plywood -> rubber mat -> concrete floor

If you get the greenglue I would put it sandwiched between plywood and rubber mats.