The gym is one such place where activities of high physical intensity take place, these also include instances of dropping heavy weights, running, jumping, or just general high footfall which may result in rapid damage to the floors. The best way to avoid excess costs on changing and repairing gym floors is to gain proper knowledge about the different types of flooring options and then choose the best from the lot.
Concrete floors don’t work well in gyms as they lack the capability to absorb the shock that can be created by dropping any heavyweight thus can lead to injuries and other damages. The right gym flooring is extremely important as it increases stability, reduces body impact, and boosts plyometric power.
There are many types of gym flooring that are all different in shapes, sizes, and materials, though the option that is seen to be used at most gyms is rubber floor tiles. But there are many more options that work well with both commercial and home gyms.
The correct gym flooring also helps in keeping the subfloor protected from any scuff, scratch, or any other type of damage. While choosing a flooring option for the gym one should consider all aspects, that includes the space, the type of equipment that will be used in that area, and any other important factors.
The difference between the flooring of commercial gyms and home gyms
In the case of commercial gyms, flooring plays a big role in giving a commercial feel to the whole space, while still providing proper safety. Using high-quality gym flooring also helps in maintaining and reducing odor which can be very common in places like public gyms. Gym flooring options like rubber floor tiles and vinyl flooring are extremely easy to clean, moreover, they do not absorb any moisture which means that they don’t carry any type of bacteria from sweat.
An individual should pay the same type of attention when choosing a gym floor for their home gym and they should not take it lightly just because there is less footfall in a home gym. The basic requirements of good gym flooring are the same but there are some options that work well only with home gyms. Home gym mats, vinyl studio mats, and stretch mats are some of the additional options that can be seen in home gyms. Though home gym mats are mostly used by individuals because they are more cost-effective than other options.
What are the different types of flooring?
There are many options of flooring that can be used by individuals while building a commercial gym or home gym. Some of the actions and their benefits are listed down below.
- Foam flooring – Foam as a material is one of the most comfortable options for gym floors and is best for floor-based workouts like yoga, pilates, or ab workouts. Foam flooring gives the feeling of an exercise mat, so an individual who has already installed foam flooring in their gym won’t have to invest money on additional exercise mats. This type is way cheaper than rubber but is not as durable as rubber mats. It has shock-resistant abilities which make it great for High-Intensity Interval Training workouts in other words known as HIIT workouts.
- Rubber flooring – Rubber flooring can be a bit on the pricier end but is one of the best flooring options for home gyms and commercial gyms due to its durability and shock-absorbent quality. The material of rubber floor tiles is extremely strong, resilient, and sturdy, this makes rubber floors ideal for any and all types of exercise. It’s the ultimate gym flooring because it is great at covering any existing surface, including concrete. Rubber floor tiles have the ability to support even the heaviest equipment, they are extremely easy to both install and maintain over a period of time. Moreover, they are water resistant and soundproof in nature, all these features make them a better option than others.
- Cork flooring – Cork flooring is an eco-friendly flooring option that is made of renewable, and fully biodegradable material. The design of this type of flooring is ideal for HIIT exercises and weight training as they are resistant to shock. Additionally, they are also resilient to fire, mold, mildew, and mites which makes them a good option for home gyms. Glue-down cork tiles can be used on top of a floating cork floor so that one can use heavy machinery like an elliptical trainer or a treadmill. This type of flooring also has naturally insulating and water-resistant capabilities.
- Carpet – Carpet is probably the most popular flooring option for home gyms among homeowners. A carpet is soft which makes them comfortable to exercise on and extremely easy to maintain, moreover, this also comes already installed in most homes so most homeowners don’t have to go through the problem of installing them additionally. A low commercial-grade carpet works best for home gyms as they provide good traction and stability. Anti-fatigue carpet tiles are great because they have a higher shock absorbency than other types of carpet. These types of carpets are great for weight training, and HIIT moreover, their soft texture makes them great for yoga and pilates.
Key takeaways
Choosing the right type of flooring is extremely important for gyms because it is an areas where individuals perform activities of high physical intensity. While some individuals may use home gym mats as the type of flooring some tend to use wooden or vinyl flooring among the huge options of gym flooring.
