You have finally come to the decision of making your own gym at home. While this can be a great idea, you need to think about what you need to get your gym up and ready.
One of the most daunting tasks of getting it up and running is figuring out what type of flooring you need to get. It can be hard because picking the wrong kind of flooring could either make or break your home gym.
Our Favorite Rubber Flooring Options:
American Floor Mats: Heavy Duty Rubber Rolls
This type is easy to install and comes in different sizes. Once you place it on the ground it stays flat and doesn’t curl up.
This is also very durable as it is commercial grade.
It can withstand most types of heavy machinery giving you more options to choose from.
Check For Pricing @ Amazon.com
American Floor Mats: Heavy Duty Rubber Interlocking Gym Mats
This rubber flooring is handy for whatever space you are using because of the interlocking tiles. It makes installing these mats easier than regular flooring. You will even be able to install it in the whole room since corner tiles are included when you buy the pack.
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Foam Flooring
If you’re going for a home gym that requires you to spend a lot of time on the floor, foam flooring may be the idea for you. This type of gym mat will make exercising a lot easier, as it is very comfortable working with.
You won’t have to get more uncomfortable than you already are by some of these workouts you have to do. However, with this type of flooring, it doesn’t work too well with heavier equipment. So, if you are thinking of using larger workout machines, this would not be the gym flooring for you.
It is also a budget-friendly option to choose, as foam can be bought in bulk for fairly cheap. You can get more for your money with this option.
Foam flooring also comes in many different colors, giving you more choices to pick from.
There are many different types of workout regimens, and if yours is less intense and doesn’t require a whole lot of machinery, than this is the right flooring for you.
It will help cushion your body for any floor workouts, and it will also help make your running and jumping exercises feel more rewarding.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Budget-Friendly
- Different Color Options
Cons:
- Doesn’t work well with heavier Gym equipment
Our Favorite Foam Flooring Options:
BalanceForm: Puzzle Interlocking Tiles
This lightweight foam flooring comes as interlocking tiles as well. It will also help you stay balanced during your exercise routine using its none slip surface.
You also won’t have to worry about damaging the floor since it is backed by a 2-year warranty.
Check For Pricing @ Amazon.com
ProsourceFit: Puzzle Exercise Mat
This flooring is designed to keep the floors underneath of it safe from harm. What’s even better is that it doesn’t contain any toxic Pthalates.
They are water-resistant and can be used in almost any space that you want to put them.
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Carpet Flooring
You may not know it, but carpet is one type of flooring that most people use in their own home gyms. It is easy to take care of, and it is already installed in most homes.
However, there is one thing you should remember; it will need to be a particular type of carpet. One thing you can look at is carpet types, as they are easier to install without doing the whole floor.
The type of carpet that works best for gym flooring is a low standard one. The longer the flooring hair is, the more difficult it will be to put equipment on it and workout. Low carpet provides good traction, as well as being good on joints.
However, carpet flooring can stretch over time, and you may have to replace it. It is something you should remember if this is the choice you decide to go with.
Pros:
- Easy to Take Care Of
- Easy to Install
Cons:
- Can Stretch Over Time
Our Favorite Carpet Flooring Options:
Commercial Carpet Floor Tiles
This Commercial type of flooring is made from 100% heavy-duty polyester; making its life last longer. It is not only super soft but very durable and easy to cut.
With your safety in mind, it comes with an anti-slip backing, keeping the floor mats from moving around while you are working out.
Check For Pricing @ Amazon.com
Ribbed Carpet Floor Tiles
Like the first option, this flooring comes with a backing that keeps it from moving. It is also stain and fade resistant, meaning you don’t have to worry about getting mold or mildew.
However, you will need to vacuum it regularly to sustain its quality.
Check For Pricing @ Amazon.com
– Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl is a simple choice when choosing home gym flooring. It can withstand the machinery and the weights you place on the floor. It is resistant to mold and mildew; in addition, cleaning the floors can be a breeze. It is long-lasting, saving you a lot of money in the long run. It also helps give your home a beautiful look.
However, if it gets hit the wrong way, it can crack and tear easily. Another thing to keep in mind is that you can be prone to more injuries if you slip, as vinyl can be slippery if you don’t wipe up spills quickly.
While this is probably the most “natural in-home style” type of flooring, it does take a lot to maintain. It is true, especially for a home gym type of area. Ensure that you don’t scuff or chip the flooring, and you want to be sure that any spills you make will be cleaned up right away.
Pros:
- Resistant to Mold and Mildew
- Cleaning up is Easy
- Very Long-lasting
- Easy to Maintain
Cons:
- Gets Cracked Easily
- Can be Quite Slippery When Wet
Our Favorite Vinyl Flooring Options:
Vinyl Floor Planks
This flooring is resistant to just about anything. This includes fire, wear, and mold resistance.
They can also easily be taken up and re-installed if you ever need to move them.
Check For Pricing @ Amazon.com
Vinyl Floor Tiles
These tiles come with a “Peel and Stick” design. There is also no wax finish, so you don’t have to worry about sliding around or accidentally slipping while doing your exercises.
These are also specifically used for indoor purposes. This makes them perfect for the space you put your home gym.
These are just a few choices you can pick from, but there are more out there.
Pick the floor mats that work best for your home gym, and that goes with what type you want to have.
Check For Pricing @ Amazon.com
What do You Need to Know Before You Start?
When figuring out where to start, you may have a few questions. Here are a few things we will cover to help you with what you need to know.
- What do you need before you purchase gym flooring?
- Different flooring: Which one works best?
- Why is gym flooring so important?
It will give you an idea of what you need to get started for picking out your gym flooring.
Things to Consider Before You Purchase Your Gym Flooring
The first thing you need to figure out is where you want to place it. You don’t want to get the flooring first if you aren’t sure if that type will work for you. Spacing is key to having a successful home gym.
Once you have decided on a spot, inspect the flooring that you already have. See how it looks and figure out whether or not you will have to level it out. The reason you have to level it is that if equipment lays on flooring that isn’t all the same, it could make something tip. It could cause serious injuries if you aren’t careful.
Once you have made sure that the area is leveled out, you can then go to picking the underlay. It helps with protecting your floor and equipment from getting damaged. You may need more in certain areas, depending on how much of certain items you have in different places.
Underlay is also helpful in keeping your body from getting sore. Have you ever walked on a hardwood floor, and your feet hurt after a while? Having the right kind of underlay with the right type of flooring can really ease the burden on walking around in your home gym.
It is something to consider as it can really make a difference if you have any workouts that require you on the floor like push-ups.
Different Flooring: Which One Works Best?
You may be curious to know which types of flooring work best. The answer is, it depends on what you are looking for. Let’s go over a few types to help you see which one would suit your needs best.
Keep in mind the floor styles don’t work the same for everyone. Look through this list to see the different things each has to offer. Some are more efficient for heavy machinery, while others are lighter, better for personal workouts.
Don’t let this scare you, though. You can also split up your gym flooring in different areas of the space that you picked out. For instance, you can place in one area, flooring, that would be good for personal workouts. The other side could be for your heavyweights, equipment, and other things of that nature.
Rubber Flooring
This type of flooring is one that people tend to opt for the most. It is easy to install, leaving you with less stress for setting up. However, it can be a bit heavy to move around. It is also very durable and can make soundproofing easier, especially if you are living in an apartment.
This type is also easy to take care of and clean up. Meaning if you spill water on it, it can be easy to wipe away. It is excellent because it can prevent you from slipping and injuring yourself.
However, one downside to this option is that is can be a bit expensive. It can depend, though, on the type you choose.
Many membership style gyms actually use rubber flooring as their main flooring choice. It is very versatile for any kind of workout regimen that you have. Because of how durable rubber flooring is, it will also make floor workouts a lot easier on your hands. It will help protect your body from injury and make it a lot more comfortable.
Pros:
- Easy to Install
- Very Durable
- Makes soundproofing easier
- Easy to Clean up.
Cons:
- A Bit Heavy to Move Around
- Expensive
Why Having a Right Type of Gym Flooring Is So Important?
You may not know this, but gym flooring has different aspects that will help make your gym a safe place. It can add many benefits to your gym.
When you pick the right floor mats for you, the following perks are what you will get.
- Help you become more stable.
- Lessens your body impact
- Increasing speed-strength
Your underfloor gets some great perks as well. It can prevent:
- Cracks
- Scuffs
- Scratches
These few things can make your home gym experience go a lot better. That is why in order to get the gym you want; you will need to make sure that the flooring matches your workout styles.
If you have ever sustained an injury while working out, then you know it’s something you definitely want to avoid in the future.
It is one of the reasons why picking out the right flooring for you is so important. It can help prevent any injuries if you are able to find a good quality underlay and good quality flooring.
Getting injured while working out can set you back a few weeks if you can’t work out for long. Even a minor injury can set you back. Preventing injuries of any capacity will help keep you on track and exercising the way you want to.
Final Thoughts
When choosing your flooring, keep in mind all the things you will need to do to keep it maintained. Choose something that will fit your gym style.
Keep in mind that you do have more options if you split the different flooring mats around the area you picked.
Making sure that each area is placed with the appropriate items to ensure your gym mats have a long life.