There’s a wide range of home gym flooring ideas. It includes rubber, vinyl, wood, foam, concrete, and more. This guide reveals the pros and cons of each of the types that can fit your home or garage gym.
For those who work out at home, gym flooring is a crucial part to consider. You have to provide a solid flooring option. So you can place the equipment safely and exercise flawlessly. It’s important to choose a home gym floor that will protect your house from getting cracks.
The regular home floor is unlikely to be yielding. It may not withstand the workload. Especially, if you use heavy weight equipment like dumbbells and barbells. Let’s get the nitty-gritty of common home gym flooring options.
Reasons You Need Proper Home Gym Flooring
- Protect your floor. Working with weights, dropping heavy equipment, and dragging benches will lead to scratches or cracks. Installing thick gym flooring will prolong the regular floor’s lifespan.
- Protect your workout equipment. The same goes for your gear. It may add up over time, requiring lots of space. In case of rolled or dropped weights, it’s better to have a thick-padded mat to keep it safe for long.
- Provide a smooth surface. The common ground with no gym flooring may have seams or uneven joints that could disturb you. Howe gym must include a flat surface to work on.
- Good traction is a must. Provide a solid level of gripping at home gym. So you could pull and lift heavy weight equipment safely.
- Provide shock absorption. Dropping heavy weights may end up with exercise equipment bouncing back up. The solid absorbing impact will keep the gear still.
- Create a comfy workout area. Soft padding on the floor will affect your exercising. Admit it, working on a cushioned mat is better than on the ground. Extra padding is essential for athletes with weak joints, knees, and lower back pain. Proper gym flooring makes training more enjoyable.
- Keep the gear still. In case you consider installing heavy equipment at the home gym, it should be well-secured. Make sure all the machines are motionless while performing.
- Good-looking home gym flooring is a nice thing to have. It’s not only efficient but it brings a neat look to the workout area. This could be a great stimulus to get back to work again and again. Why not brag to your fellows with your top-notch home gym design!
- Look for quality materials. Consider solid gym flooring that is non-toxic. As you’re going to spend lots of time there, make sure the place is safe for your health. A home gym is made to feel better, not worse. The exercise mats have to be odorless so you could work out with no probs.
Home Gym Flooring Options
Lots of options can be considered as home gym flooring. We made up a list of popular ideas that might come in handy. We also mentioned a few options that may seem not so obvious. But still, they worth your attention for sure.
Rubber
Rubber flooring is an excellent option for home and garage gym. Most public gyms and fitness centers are equipped with such a floor.
Rubber is a quite versatile material. It allows you to perform a wide array of exercises while staying safe and comfy. The modern market offers rubber mats, rubber tiles, and rubber rolls. Each of them provides a variety of thickness designs to hit your needs. Rubber flooring comes in a range of colors and sizes to keep your home gym in the spotlight.
A rubber gym flooring is popular as it’s highly durable, easy to clean, and easy to install. That’s also an affordable option. The rubber flooring price ranges from $1 to $20 per square foot. The average cost is about $2 to $4. The products provide different rubber options and quality features.
Rubber flooring is water-resistant, which is a plus for home gyms. It features sound- and shock-absorption. Drop heavy weights securely on the ground. And you won’t disturb your neighbors!
As for rubber gym flooring downsides, it requires solid effort to install. The material is bulky and heavy. It means you’re likely to need a helping hand. Rubber has poor temperature insulation. Mind that if you work out at the garage or basement, the floor could be cold in winter. Besides, some rubber options are quite pricey.
Rubber Tiles
Interlocking rubber tiles are the most common option as they are DIY-friendly. Interlocking tiles allow you to put the floor together as easily as a puzzle.
Consider thicker rubber tile flooring if you plan to work out with heavy exercise equipment. Interlocking rubber tiles are sturdy enough to withstand workouts with barbells and free weights.
As for the price, the flooring tiles are around $2 to $4 per square foot.
Rubber Rolls
Rubber rolls are good due to their seamless design. If installed duly, the workout space seems like a whole. What a great good-looking option that is easy to maintain.
Rubber gym flooring comes in a range of thicknesses for different purposes. The thicker floor provides firm protection when it comes to highly-impact training.
The price goes from $1 to $8 per square foot.
Ruber Mats
If you’re looking for a durable rubber floor to cover a small area with, a rubber mat is a way out. It’ll provide you with enough cushioning and shock-absorption locally. Place rubber mats under your lifting platform, treadmill, and racks with equipment. This will protect your floor from cracks as well as the gear.
1/4″ thick rubber mats are great for bodyweight workouts. While 3/4″ thickness is ideal for Olympic weightlifting and dumbbell exercises.
The price ranges from $20 up to $200 per square foot.
How to Install Rubber Flooring
Loose lay your gym floor so you could pick up the rubber tiles easily. Use double-sided carpet tape around the workout space. Make sure the rubber floor is fixed securely. You may consider gluing the rubber to ensure a motionless position. This is good for high-intensity training.
Foam
Foam gym flooring is one of the most affordable options. Spruce up your home or garage gym with a range of colors and sizes. Colorful foam tiles can be found in lots of gyms and fitness classes.
Foam flooring is easy to install. Place foam floor tiles like you’re solving a puzzle. Interlock tiles are a nice option to consider.
This type of gym flooring is excellent for beginners. The foam is light and durable. It can withstand workouts with basic equipment. However, it’s not perfect for Olympic weightlifting and free weight training.
Foam gym flooring comes in an array of tiles and mats. There’s a range of thicknesses and sizes to fit your needs. High-density foam is great for intensive training. The foam floor costs from $1 to $5 per square foot.
Foam floor is not good for heavy weights. It may not bounce back over time with constant compression. Moreover, keep sharp objects away from foam tiles. As they could cut or puncture the gym floor.
Close Cell Foam
EVA foam tiles are closed-cell foam that is used for gym flooring. It’s quite durable, anti-fatigue, and waterproof. EVA foam is soft that makes it pleasant to work out on.
Open Cell Foam
Open-cell foam is another home gym flooring material. As the cells in the foam are open, the air can easily pass through. That makes the foam rather flexible and breathable. It has a great shock-absorbing feature to withstand dropped equipment.
How to Install Foam Gym Flooring
Loose lay your home gym flooring. This will help you to lift and move foam tiles easily. Put the tiles or mats together and fix them with double-sided tape. Go around the foam gym flooring. It allows you to secure the floor or move the sides if necessary.
Vinyl
PVC vinyl tiles are great for garage gyms as well as home gyms. They are highly durable and provide some gripping. That’s a good gym flooring option for heavy weight lifting.
Vinyl gym flooring is available in interlocking tiles and rolls. Both options are DIY-friendly, which is a good perk. Such a floor idea is acceptable for the garage where you keep your gym and vehicle.
The cost ranges from $2 to $20 per square foot.
The vinyl floor comes in an array of sizes and colors to create a nice-looking gym. Its durability and flexibility make the flooring option highly versatile. Besides, the gym floor is easy to clean due to its smooth surface. Vinyl is water- and mold-resistant that is perfect for garage flooring.
On the other side, the vinyl gym floor has poor shock absorption. Unlike foam or rubber gym flooring, vinyl is less durable.
How to Install Vinyl Gym Flooring
Loose lay your gym flooring. This allows you to lift the tiles and put them in their place. Use double-sided tape to fix the gym flooring securely. Tape around the floor so you could move it if needed. You may also glue the vinyl tiles or rolls to the ground to make the floor immobile.
Carpet
Carpet is another home gym flooring option that you may be considering. It’s flat, soft to the touch, and budget-friendly. However, we do not recommend using your old carpet as a home gym flooring option.
Regular carpets may contain toxic materials. Besides, it accumulates dust and dirt immensely. In terms of high-intensity training, this may lead to hard breathing. Any uncomfortable feelings must be avoided when exercising.
Carpet flooring isn’t a water-resistant option. It soaks all the liquids – water, sweat, etc. Wet flooring may lead to mold and respiratory issues. Make sure your home gym is highly ventilated.
On the other hand, the carpet is solid enough. It’s capable of gripping home gym equipment, like under desk elliptical, well. The surface is soft, which makes the type of flooring pleasant to exercise on. If carpet flooring seems acceptable for your gym, you should consider carpet tile flooring then.
Carpet Tile Home Gym Flooring
Carpet tiles are thick enough to protect the floor but not too plush. A low-pile carpet is a reasonable option that is commonly used. It’s quite durable and easy to clean. The floor tiles are easy to install so you could do it on your own. The price is reasonable too. Home gym carpets are worth $2 to $10 per square foot.
Carpet tiles could last for years in a good condition. They are easy to maintain, which is a plus. It’s a great workout space that is smooth and soft. The carpet flooring allows you to perform a wide range of exercises and stay comfy. The flooring tiles come in a variety of color and size options. So you could arrange a good-looking home gym.
Speaking of downsides, installing gym carpet flooring may be challenging. Thus, look for interlocking tiles that will alleviate the set-up process. The carpet flooring may stretch over time due to high-intensity training. The carpet holds moisture. Look for water-resistant options to avoid such an issue. You’ll also need solid floor protection underneath. Carpet can’t prevent cracks from dropped equipment when weight lifting.
How to Install Carpet Tiles at Home Gym
Loose lay the flooring. This will help you to pick up the tiles and move them flawlessly. Use double-sided carpet tape around the flooring area. It allows you to fix the carpet tiles or move them if needed. If you crave more stability, consider gluing the carpet to the floor to make it totally motionless.
Turf
You may face synthetic turf at the local gym and consider this option as a home or garage gym floor. Well, such a surface is worth your attention. And here’s why.
The synthetic grass provides smooth and soft flooring. The cushioned surface is great for all-around workout, pilates, stretching, and more. The price ranges from $2 to $8 per square foot.
Turf flooring is perfect for Crossfit and HIIT workouts. It’s quite durable to withstand pulling or pushing gym equipment. The surface is a long-lasting flooring option that is friendly to high-intensity exercises. It provides solid grip and traction. Besides, artificial grass brings a trendy look to the gym appearance.
Mind that turf requires a firm underfloor layer. You may need an added layer of protection when lifting weights. Turf is quite comfy for stretching but not good for sit-ups and burpees. This type of flooring is not so easy to install. Consider turf tiles instead of rolls that are more DIY-friendly. Artificial grass is not the cheapest option but still, quite solid.
How to Install Turf Flooring at Home Gym
For turf tiles, use double-sided tape around the workout space. This will fix the tiles to avoid wobbling. Turf rolls are usually glued to the floor to make them motionless.
Cement
A garage or basement gym could be a solution to exercise at home. There may be enough workout space to set up all the necessary equipment. Besides, the cement floor is smooth and it’s easy to clean. You don’t need to fork out for flooring renovation. Or do you?
Cement type of flooring isn’t the best idea to consider. First, gym equipment may slide due to poor slip-resistant features. Second, the concrete floor is too solid that may damage the gear. Or vise versa, the dropped weights may damage the floor. Last, the cement floor is too cold to work out on it (crunches, push-ups with battle ropes, etc).
Therefore, cement is a good option as a basic layer. But it’s recommended to put some rubber tiles or mats over it to provide a solid grip. The concrete floor is a great start but you need more protection for yourself and your home gym equipment.
Wood
Hardwood is a common type of flooring at home. No wonder, why you’re thinking to place your gym there. It’s smooth and easy to clean. It’s hard enough to withstand weight lifting and dropping. Wood is good-looking too.
However, wooden flooring is not a good idea. It doesn’t provide enough grip. The gym equipment is likely to leave scratches and cracks shortly. There’s little shock-absorption. As well as hardwood tiles, this option is unsafe. It’s recommended to set rubber tiles or exercise mats on the wooden floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Home Gym Flooring?
Proper gym floor depends on a range of aspects to consider.
Rubber gym flooring is the most popular option. It’s durable, slip-resistant, and waterproof. The rubber floor is easy to install and maintain. It provides solid shock-absorption. A great solution for beginner and advanced athletes.
Rubber mats are great for home gyms that require little space. If you need thick padding underneath a treadmill or bench, consider a rubber mat. It grips well and has a smooth surface.
For those who are thinking of a garage gym, vinyl tiles may come in handy. PVC vinyl features great traction and durability. You’ll be able to keep your equipment as well as vehicles safely.
Foam flooring tiles are ideal for beginners who crave a budget-friendly option. The material is flexible enough and provides some shock-absorption.
Concrete, wood, and carpet home gym flooring options are at the end of our list. Such variations lack gripping, shock-absorption, and secure equipment position.
How Thick Should Gym Flooring Be?
Rubber flooring goes anywhere from 1/4″ to 3/8″ thick. The thicker the flooring you choose, the more protection it will provide.
Heavy lifters are recommended to pick at least 3/4″ thick mats. As the product provides enough cushion in case of dropped equipment. It lowers the impact when the gear bounces back up. 1/2″ thickness is ideal for dropping weights as well as kettlebells. For beginners who work with light equipment, 1/4″ thick flooring is enough.
Here’s the checklist that could help you choose the gym floor thickness:
- 1/4″ thick – great for light equipment and treadmills.
- 8mm or 3/8″ thick – good for 50-75 lbs weights.
- 1/2″ thick – suitable for 100 lbs weights and more (no dropping).
- 3/4″ to 1″ thick – good for 100 lbs weights and more (dropping allowed).
- 2″ thick and more – perfect for heavy weights to provide enough cushion and sound absorption.
How Much Does Home Gym Flooring Cost?
Home gym flooring price goes from $1 to $20 per square foot. The average cost is between $2 to $4. Depending on what type of flooring, size, and thickness you choose, the price tag is different. For instance, rubber tile flooring for a 10′ x 10′ home gym is worth $400-$500.
How to Clean Gym Flooring?
Most gym flooring options require easy cleaning. In most cases, you’ll need just mild soap, a mop, and water. Take some cloth to remove dust from racks and equipment. Your home gym must be well-ventilated. Provide enough fresh air to breathe well.
Check the manufacturer’s prescriptions on how to clean the gym flooring you purchase.
Can I Use Horse Stall Mats for Gym Flooring?
Horse stall mats are made with rubber that is sturdy and durable. The good point is that they are shock-absorbent, which is good for heavy weight use. The stall mats are also waterproof and easy to maintain.
You may be advised to use horse stall mats for the gym as they are cheap. But remember, this gear is designed for animals, not athletes. Besides, most stall mats have a strong smell. It may seem you’re working at a tire store. This may disturb you during training.
Another downside is that a stall mat provides not enough traction. You may slip around while doing exercises like burpees.
In a nutshell, we do NOT recommend horse stall mats for gym flooring. There are enough products available on the market that are specially designed for workouts.
Home Gym Flooring Explained
Choosing a solid gym floor may be challenging. That’s why we made this ultimate flooring guide to reveal the most efficient options. They are great for home gyms as well as garage gyms.
Proper flooring affects your safety and convenience while exercising. Thus, think thoroughly about the type of flooring that suits you best.