Treadmill Mats - Home Gym Resource

Treadmill mats are a great way of protecting your floor and treadmill at the same time. The repetitive motion and weight of a treadmill can leave unsightly indentations and wear on your beloved carpet. And they provide a barrier so dust and dirt are harder to get into the moving parts of the treadmill, making it last longer. These durable and versatile mats are designed to act as a protective barrier between your treadmill and the flooring. They offer a range of benefits that go beyond mere protection. Not only do they shield your floors, but they also provide stability during workouts, dampen noise, and make the area easy to clean. Here are the best treadmill mats for 2023. Best Treadmill Mats 2023 Best Overall Treadmill Mat: Rubber-Cal Elephant Bark 3/16" Rubber Mat (Amazon link) Best Noise-Damping Treadmill Mat: American Floor Mats 1/2" Heavy Duty Mat (Amazon link) Best Treadmill Mat For Compact Treadmills: ProSourceFit Treadmill Mat (Amazon link) Best Treadmill Mat For Large Treadmills: SuperMats Equipment Mat (Amazon link) Best Mat for:NameBenefitsOverall PerformanceRubber-Cal Elephant Bark (Check price on Amazon)- Excellent protection for flooring underneath. - Eco-Friendly: Made from recycled tires. - Reduces treadmill noise transmission to other spaces. - Long-lasting and easy to clean. - No color transfer. - 4' wide and available in several suitable lengths. - 5-year warranty.Very Heavy Duty & Noise DampingAmerican Floor Mats 1/2" Heavy Duty Mat(Check price on Amazon)- Great protection for flooring underneath. - Dramatically reduces treadmill noise transmission to other spaces. - Long-lasting and easy to clean. - 4' wide and available in several suitable lengths. - 5-year warranty.Compact Treadmills & CheapProSourceFit Treadmill Mat(Check price on Amazon)- Very affordable. - Suitable for smaller treadmills and home gyms. - Made from PVC. - Provides flooring protection and some noise damping. - Easy to clean.Large Treadmills & CheapSuperMats Equipment Mat(Check price on Amazon)- Affordable. - Large: 36" x 90". - Made in the U.S.A. - Provides flooring protection and impact resistance. Best Overall Treadmill Mat: Rubber-Cal Elephant Bark The best overall treadmill mat is actually a gym flooring roll. That means the size is slightly wider than for most 'real' treadmill mats but if you can fit this mat, it's going to be great. The rubber is super high quality and will stand up to all kinds of abuse, even outdoors (don't put your treadmill outdoors.) These mats are much higher quality than most treadmill mats since it's made to be heavy-duty gym flooring. Other than that, this rubber roll does everything treadmill mats do and sometimes better. It does come at a slight premium but it's still not that expensive compared to a new treadmill and well worth it in my opinion. Pros: Protection for flooring underneath. Plenty of protection for most situations. Eco-Friendly: Made from recycled tires. Reduces treadmill noise transmission to other spaces. Long-lasting and easy to clean. Very little odor. No color transfer 4' wide and available in several suitable lengths. 5 Year warranty Cons: Not cheap but worth it over PVC mats for extra longevity and quality. A bit too wide for small home gyms. Best Noise-Damping Treadmill Mat: American Floor Mats 1/2" Heavy Duty Mat This mat is very similar to the previous one, just a lot thicker. This thicker rubber roll is going to reduce the noise transfer to the floor and thus other spaces a lot. Find what makes a treadmill mat good for noise reduction here. This thick mat is also great for over a softer subfloor like carpet. It provides a layer of extra stability that thinner mats lack. Key Features: Pros: Great protection for flooring underneath. Eco-Friendly: Made from recycled tires. Dramatically reduces treadmill noise transmission to other spaces. Long-lasting and easy to clean. Suitable for both home and commercial gym use. 4' wide and available in several suitable lengths. 5 Year warranty Cons: Expensive Heavy A bit too wide for small home gyms. Best Cheap Treadmill Mat For Compact Treadmills: ProSourceFit Treadmill Mat If you don't need a super heavy duty treadmill mat and just want a mat that's good and affordable, this ProForm mat is your ticket. It's cheap, works well and is suitable for smaller and lighter treadmills. Key Features Pros Very affordable Not too large which works well for smaller treadmills and home gyms. Made from PVC Provides flooring protection and some noise damping. Easy to clean Cons Not suitable for heavy machines that see intense use. Durability not as good as rubber mats. Best Affordable Treadmill Mat For Large Treadmills: SuperMats Equipment Mat Need something affordable but for a heavier, larger treadmill? This Supermats Equipment Mat is great for heavy, large treadmills Key Features Pros Affordable Large: 36" x 90" Made in the U.S.A. Provides flooring protection and impact resistance. Provides plenty of grip Cons Not the thickest. Will provide enough impact and noise damping in most situations though. Will wear out with intense use. How to Choose the Best Treadmill Mat for Your Needs When it comes to selecting the perfect treadmill mat for your home gym, there are several factors to consider. Each individual's workout area and treadmill setup are unique, so it's essential to find a mat that best suits your specific requirements. If you don't quite know what a treadmill mat is for, click here to find an article on this site that goes through all the benefits. Let's dive into the key aspects you should keep in mind when choosing your ideal treadmill mat: A. Assessing Your Treadmill and Workout Area Start by measuring the dimensions of your treadmill and the available workout space. Ensure that the treadmill mat's dimensions match the size of your treadmill's base. It should be large enough to cover the entire treadmill footprint, protecting your floors from any potential damage caused by the treadmill's movement and weight. You want the mat to extend 3"-5" beyond the outside dimensions of the mill. This makes sure that the machine is safely on the mat without any risk of falling off. It also catches any sweat that might be flying around. Many people also like to have at least 2' of extra mat behind the treadmill. This way you have a spot to get on and off the belt that has good grip and is easy to clean. Additionally, check the available space in your home gym to make sure the mat fits comfortably within the designated area. B. Budget Considerations Treadmill mats come in various price ranges, so it's crucial to establish a budget beforehand. While some high-end mats offer premium features and long-lasting durability, there are also more affordable options that provide excellent protection and functionality. Determine your budget and explore the available choices within that range. Some of the features below like thickness and material have a big effect on the price. C. Thickness The thickness of the treadmill mat impacts its cushioning, noise reduction, and shock-absorption capabilities. Thicker mats generally offer better protection to both your treadmill and flooring by absorbing impact and vibrations during workouts. Mats 3/16" thick are sufficient for most cases. 1/2" thick mats are great for if you need more damping and firmness on a soft flooring like carpet. However, keep in mind that thicker mats may also raise the overall height of your treadmill, that's why you want a little bit of the mat sticking out at the back so you've got a little step up. D. Material Treadmill mats are commonly made from rubber, PVC, or foam materials. Rubber mats offer exceptional durability and grip, making them suitable for heavy-duty use. Rubber mats are the best overall but they are also the most expensive. Compared to the price of a new treadmill it's still not that much though. PVC mats are lightweight and easy to clean. PVC is the second choice behind rubber and the most common. They are a little less durable and provide less noise-damping and impact resistance. However, they are a lot cheaper and sufficient for most people. Foam mats provide excellent cushioning and noise reduction. However, foam isn't very durable with heavy equipment like a treadmill placed on top. Consider the advantages of each material and choose the one that aligns with your workout needs. F. Flooring Protection Besides safeguarding your treadmill, a high-quality mat should also protect your flooring from scratches, dents, and scuffs. Look for mats with features that ensure your floors remain in pristine condition, even with regular and intense treadmill use. Pretty much all mats do this but it does depend on the flooring underneath. The better you want to protect the flooring underneath, the thicker the mat should be. Rubber tends to work a bit better since it's firmer than PVC or foam. G. Easy Maintenance Select a treadmill mat that is easy to clean and maintain. Mats with smooth surfaces are generally effortless to wipe down, ensuring hygiene and a well-kept home gym environment. Rubber and PVC are both very easy to clean and maintain. You can just sweep them and mop them with a mild cleaning solution. Foam is absorbent and so can't be easily cleaned with water. It also absorbs sweat and spills which means foam can become a great spot for bad odors, bacteria, mildew and mold. It's probably clear I'm not a fan of foam as treadmill mats. https://homegymresource.com/how-to-clean-a-treadmill/ H. Noise Reduction If you live in an apartment or have noise-sensitive neighbors, consider investing in a mat that effectively reduces noise. Look for mats with sound-absorbent properties that minimize the noise generated by your treadmill during workouts. That means thick rubber mats at least 1/2" thick. All treadmill mats will dampen a bit of noise and vibrations but the more rubber there is between your treadmill and the floor, the less noise will be transmitted to the floor. Find the best treadmill mats for noise reduction here. I. Non-slip Surface Safety should always be a top priority in your home gym. Opt for a treadmill mat with a non-slip surface on both sides to ensure your treadmill remains stable and secure during your workouts. The mat should stay in place on the floor underneath and keep the treadmill in place on top. Pretty much all rubber and PVC mats do well in this area, that's what they're designed to do. The surface of the mat isn't the only thing here. The weight of the mat also help it stay in place. Avoiding Common Treadmill Mat Picking Mistakes When choosing a treadmill mat, avoid these common mistakes that could lead to an unsatisfactory experience: 1. Wrong Size Selecting a mat that doesn't fit your treadmill's dimensions may leave parts of your floors exposed, defeating the purpose of using a treadmill mat for protection. Measure your treadmill (or look up the dimensions online) and pick a mat that sticks out at least 3" on all sides. Most people like to have at least 2' of mat sticking out at the back. That provides a place to stand before and after your workouts. That way you're not sweating on the carpet that is hard to clean up. 2. Wrong Material Choosing a mat made from the wrong material can lead to inadequate protection, less-than-perfect noise-damping or reduced durability. Be sure to pick a material that meets your specific needs. If you want optimal flooring protection, noise damping, and durability, choose a 100% rubber treadmill mat. A rubber mat in the right size might not be marketed as a treadmill mat but as a gym mat. However, they are pretty much the same thing and sometimes better. 3. Wrong Thickness The thickness of the mat impacts how much noise is reduced, how well the flooring underneath is protected and how stable of a base it provides, especially on softer floors like a plush carpet. If you need more of the things above, go for a thicker mat. There aren't really any downsides to getting a thicker mat except that they're more expensive and heavier. FAQ What is the purpose of a treadmill mat?treadmill mats serve three main purposes: protecting the underlying flooring from damage caused by the treadmill, reducing noise transmission during workouts, and providing stability for a safer exercise experience.Do I really need a treadmill mat?While not mandatory, a treadmill mat is highly recommended. It protects your floors, minimizes noise that could disturb others, and enhances stability during workouts. Besides that, it also protects your treadmill from dust and dirt and makes the area easy to clean. Can I use a treadmill mat on carpeted floors?Yes, you can use a treadmill mat on carpeted floors. It helps protect the carpet from imprints and provides stability for the treadmill during use. For carpeted surfaces, consider a thicker and more durable mat for better protection and support.