Working out at home makes sense. You do not have to spend on gym memberships, and you can fit the workouts around your own schedule. With gym equipment becoming more affordable, it makes sense that more people are choosing to exercise at home.
Your current flooring may not offer the shock absorbency or durability you need for your preferred workout, or you may be looking to dedicate a whole room to a gym. If this is the case, we have laid out the options for the best home gym flooring in a handy guide below.
Choosing a Flooring
Your choice of gym flooring should be dictated by the type of exercise you want to do. A person setting up a large home gym with weight machines will need a different type of flooring to someone doing high-intensity workouts in an apartment. Once you have thought about this, you can begin to think about your budget.
Rubber Tiles
Rubber tiles are a great choice for home gym flooring. They are cheap, easy to lay, and absorb shock. In addition to this, rubber is extremely strong and durable, meaning it can take heavy weights being dropped on it from a height.
In addition to this, it insulates and soundproofs your room. It can come in tiles of interlocking mats. Both are easy to fit and can go right over another surface such as carpet or wood flooring.
Prices vary depending on the quality of the rubber you buy. It comes in a variety of thicknesses for many different needs.
Eva Foam
Eva foam is a very comfortable option. It is ideal for yoga, pilates, and anyone who may suffer from joint problems (particularly knees). It has a fantastic shock resistance ideal for aerobic workouts and is cheap and easy to install.
Foam tiles are very lightweight and are also easy to store. Because of this, they can also double up as an easy playmat if you have children and are short of space. The drawback is that they are quite brittle and heavy gym equipment will wear them down quickly.
Vinyl
Of all the gym flooring substances, vinyl is one of the most durable. Its look also makes it ideal for dual living, as it can be incorporated into a stylish living space. It is resistant to mold and mildew so is ideal for garages or basements.
Some cheaper vinyl can give off volatile organic compounds over time, so you need to be aware of this if using it in an enclosed space. Other than this the only downside is that it can easily tear and puncture, so may not be good if placed under the sharp edges of gym machinery.
Wood Flooring
Wood flooring is another very versatile substance. It can be combined with underlay and foam to provide cushioning or can be sprung for dance and aerobic exercise regimes. It is also readily available, inexpensive, and can fit in perfectly with the decor of your home.
The downside is that it can split and crack easily. If you have not also spent preparation time evening your floor when laying it, it can also warp and bobble causing uneven surfaces. Make sure you hire a professional to prepare and lay it for you.
Carpet
Carpet is another excellent choice. It is durable, shock-absorbent, and insulates as well as soundproofs your home gym. However, you need a particular type of carpet for use in a home gym. If not, the carpet will be designed for living spaces and shall quickly wear down.
When choosing carpet for a gym opt for corduroy or low-grade pile. You will have seen these before in many schools and public buildings. The reason for this is that they last when lots of wear is piled on them.
Carpet can come in rolls or tiles, which tend to be easier to lay. It will stand up to having weight and heavy gym equipment placed on it. It will however require more cleaning than other floor coverings.
Best Home Gym Flooring for Athletes
Synthetic turf is probably the most permanent fixture a gym floor could have, as it is unlikely to fit into the general theme of your home or apartment. However, for the serious athlete, it is a very viable option. It allows you to bring outdoor training inside when the cold winter months hit.
It is more expensive than other flooring coverings but it actually has very little bad points. It needs regular cleaning, but will not dent and chip even when faced with heavyweights and abrasive pulling exercises.
Cork
Cork is a very environmentally friendly choice. It is a natural substance, biodegradable, and offers reasonable shock absorption. It often comes in easy to lay tiles.
Cork is resistant to mold, mildew, and fire. It will be fine when heavy weights and machinery are placed on it. However, it can tear and chip if items are dragged along its surface so it is not good for any exercise that involves dragging.
Sprint Tracks
Sprint tracks are a very unique surface for your home gym. They are ideal for people who do a lot of track exercises and want to bring the stadium indoor. They are also great for reducing the risk of injury.
They are a lot more expensive to install compared to other flooring types. They can also be very harsh for anyone wanting to do floor exercises, so should be avoided for anything other than sprinting and running.
Installation
Once you have the material and a budget, you just need to go out and purchase the flooring. If you will need to get it installed professionally, remember to incorporate this into your budget.
We offer a free home estimate on our website for anyone looking to install the best home gym flooring. We can offer a large range of flooring types, all tailored to your needs. Visit our site and provide your details so we can get back to you with a personalized quote for your home fitness space!
