Home Gym Flooring: Rubber Mats, Interlocking Tiles, or Rolled Rubber Flooring?

What flooring is the best type of flooring for a home gym? Is rubber mats the best way to go or maybe interlocking tiles, or maybe rolled rubber flooring? There are many options on the market today. Below is a brief overview of some of the most popular home gym flooring products on the market, with a discussion of some of the pros and cons.

rubber mats

Rubber mats were initially designed for the animal husbandry industry (horses, cows, etc.) to help protect livestock from cold floors and from slips and falls. As a result, these rubber mats are quite durable; after all, they must endure the abuse of 1,000-pound animals as they stomp around with their sharp hooves.

Rubber mats generally consist of very dense rubber that is 3/8″, 1/2″ or 3/4″ thick. These mats are solid black in color. Weight room rubber mats are also available in gauges thinner, but their uses are generally for under machines If you plan on using free weights with very heavy weights for squat racks or have free weight landing zones, 3/4″ thick mats are recommended. The price difference is not that big between 1/2″ and 3/4″, so it is better to go for heavier weight products.

Regardless of the thickness of the mat you choose, you may want to stay away from mats that consist of 100% recycled rubber. They tend to give off an odor that becomes quite strong, especially in a closed area like a gym. If the mats are going to be placed in a garage where there is a lot of ventilation, you may be able to use the mats with a high concentration of recycled rubber and save a few bucks.

interlocking tiles

Interlocking tiles are usually made from a ground rubber material with a colored stain. Interlocking tiles are cut from rolled rubber flooring like puzzle pieces. These interlocking tiles are typically 3/8″ or 1/2″ thick. One of the biggest reasons to use an interlocking tile is that it is easier to install, lift and move, etc. And if part of the floor becomes damaged, you can simply remove the damaged tile(s) and replace with new tiles instead of ordering an entire floor. Mosaics are available in solid black, but it is generally recommended to use flecks of color in a 10% or 20% mix to hide fingerprints and dirt. Solid black floors actually show white dirt like hand chalk, footprints, lint, etc.

rubber roll flooring

Roll rubber flooring offers the ability to cover large areas quickly. Rolls are typically 4′ wide and can be up to 70′ or 80′ in length. Roll rubber flooring is available in 1/8″, 1/4″, 5/16″, 3/8″ and 1/2″ thicknesses. Mats are great for rooms where a product is needed. durable but want to decorate. The flecks of color really add to the aesthetic of the room. Another great feature of using rolled rubber flooring is that the seams are almost invisible. And it’s easy to cut out any damaged flooring and replace it with a piece new.

As you might have guessed, thicker products will stand up to the rigors of dumbbells, free weights, and the abuse associated with weight rooms.

Here are some suggestions for a home gym floor. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please visit us online at http://www.MadMatterInc.com. We look forward to the opportunity to help you find the right gym floor for you.