Do Treadmill Mats Reduce Noise? Best Noise-Damping Mats For 2023

Is your treadmill a little noisier than you would like or your neighbors are complaining? You’re probably going to look for a solution. There’s a solution that can transform your workout space and surrounding areas into a quieter and more enjoyable environment: treadmill mats.

Treadmill mats are effective at reducing noise and vibrations that would otherwise transfer through the floor. Use 1/2″ thick rubber mats or thicker for the best results. Mats also have other benefits like; protecting your flooring, reducing treadmill movement, and increasing hygiene.

How do treadmills mats work to reduce noise and which ones are the best? You can find out below. Or click here to find the best overall treadmill mats.

Do treadmill mats reduce noise?

The first thing we should look at is if treadmill mats actually reduce noise/vibrations and if so, how they do it.

Treadmill mats are often recommended for good reason. They do a lot of things like; protecting your floor, keeping dust out and reducing noise.

And yes, treadmills do reduce noise but only in certain situations. Not all noises that are produced by a treadmill are reduced by putting a mat under it. Treadmills are different and produce different noises at different levels. Some treadmills are much quieter than other.

That said, pretty much all treadmills in all situations can benefit from having a mat under them.

Do you need gym flooring on a concrete floor? Click here to find out more.

Which noises/vibrations does a treadmill mat reduce?

Treadmill mats are rubber or PVC mats that are made to do a few things and damping noise is one of them.

A treadmill creates noise in two ways;

• The motor moving the belt: Usually a continuous humming and slight vibration.
• The impact of feet on the belt: Rhythmic thump.

Suggested post: Quiet alternatives to a treadmill

Treadmills usually have rubber or plastic feet under them that allow you to set the height so it doesn’t wobble. These feet might have a little damping in some situations but more often than not there isn’t much damping there. That means the vibrations and impacts that are created by the treadmill and impacts, go directly into the floor. This vibrates the floor and amplifies the noise, not only for you but anyone you share the floor with.

The mat goes in between the floor and the treadmill. A treadmill mat is a rubber or PVC mat. Rubber/vinyl is pretty good at absorbing vibrations. That means by putting this layer in between, most of the noise and vibrations will be absorbed by the rubber and not make it to the floor where they can cause trouble.

So you can see a treadmill mat is pretty good at damping noises and vibrations that could make it to your neighbor’s ears but it has less of an effect on the noise level inside the room.

Treadmills don’t only vibrate through the floor. The sound goes in all directions. By using a mat, the noise inside the room will be lower as well but the difference is not as big as for the neighbors.

Especially if you like running fast or even High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), there will be quite a lot of vibrations. A mat is essential to reduce this. HIIT is also a great way to burn more calories in a short period of time and also improve your cardiovascular health. A good interval timer is going to make HIIT workouts much more enjoyable. Check out the GymNext Flex timer. It’s super easy to set up and control contrary to most other interval timers making the set up for any workout a breeze.

Need a good spot to put your treadmill? Click here to find the best places and why.

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Choosing a Treadmill Mat for Optimal Noise Reduction

1. Material Quality: Selecting High-Density Rubber or PVC Mats

Opt for treadmill mats made from high-density rubber or PVC materials. These materials are known for their exceptional vibration absorption properties, which contribute to effective noise reduction.

High-quality rubber mats, in particular, excel in damping vibrations and minimizing noise transfer. Look for mats that are constructed with durable and resilient materials to ensure long-lasting performance.

Foam might be good at reducing noise for a while but it deteriorates quickly under heavy machines.

2. Thickness: Striking a Balance for Noise Reduction

Strike a balance between noise reduction and practicality when considering the thickness of the treadmill mat. A mat with a thickness of approximately ¼”-1/2″ is often sufficient for most home gym setups, providing effective noise damping without compromising stability.

Thicker mats, such as those measuring ¾” or even thicker, offer even greater noise reduction but come with higher costs and potential challenges in terms of portability and maneuverability.

3. Size and Compatibility: Ensuring Proper Coverage

Ensure that the dimensions of the mat match the footprint of your treadmill to ensure proper coverage and support.

Measure the length and width of your treadmill accurately and select a mat size that accommodates those dimensions, leaving some extra space for stability.

A properly sized mat will provide a stable foundation and effectively dampen noise throughout your workouts. You want about 6″ around the outside dimensions of the treadmill to be covered.

4. Weight and Stability: Enhancing Noise Reduction and Preventing Movement

Opt for a treadmill mat that has sufficient weight to stay in place during intense workouts.

A heavier mat offers increased stability and helps to minimize vibrations and noise transfer to the surrounding areas. 1/2″ thick rubber is generally plenty heavy enough.

5. Non-Absorbent and Easy to Clean: Promoting Hygiene and Floor Protection

Choose a mat that is non-absorbent, preventing liquids, sweat, or spills from seeping through to the floor.

A non-absorbent mat is easier to clean and maintain, allowing you to keep your workout space tidy and hygienic. This feature doesn’t do anything for noise reduction but it is a feature good treadmill mats should have.

6. Anti-Slip Properties: Ensuring Stability and Safety

Ensure that the treadmill mat has anti-slip properties to provide a secure and stable surface for your treadmill.

Mats with anti-slip features offer enhanced stability, preventing the treadmill from shifting or moving during workouts. This not only promotes safety but also reduces noise caused by treadmill instability, allowing you to focus on your exercises without distractions.

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Which treadmill mats are best for noise and vibration damping?

Which mats are the best at reducing noise while also being good at the other things a treadmill mat should do? The key trick here is to use rubber mats. But not just rubber mats that are marketed as treadmill mats. Those are usually too thin to properly dampen noises.

You want the rubber rolls that are built to be gym flooring. These rolls are usually 4′ wide, which is perfect for a treadmill and you can buy them in different lengths to suit your needs. These gym rolls are also available in much thicker versions which makes them superior for noise damping.

#1: Heavy duty:  IncStores ¾” Extreme Mega Rubber Mats

This is a very thick, heavy, and sturdy mat. This is a great option for damping noise and vibrations. These rubber mats aren’t only good at damping vibrations but also look great and are very durable. One downside is that these mats are a bit short for longer treadmills. Check which size your mill has first.

#2: Practical and affordable: Rubber-Cal treadmill mat

At 3/8” thick, this is a lot thinner than the last option. However, this is also a lot cheaper and easier to handle than the very thick one. It’s going to be plenty thick for most situations, looks better, and is very high quality.

#3: For hardwood floors: Supermats high-density mat

The finish of some hardwood floors doesn’t like the antioxidants in some of the rubber mats. This can cause discoloration on the floor. PVC doesn’t have that problem. It’s not as thick and heavy as rubber but this PVC mat does come close and you don’t have to be worried about your floors.

Suggested post: Will a treadmill damage my floor?

#4 GenaFlex Heavy Duty Tiles

You need something that’s going to provide the most noise damping possible, these GenaFlex tiles are your ticket. They are 1″ thick composite rubber tiles. The top layer is nice looking, slightly textured rubber for grip and easy cleaning. The bottom is heavy duty rubber that has a coarser texture and is great for shock and vibration absorption.

The tiles are 20″ x 20″ and can be connected. you can choose to only use them under the feet of the treadmill but only if your treadmill doesn’t do incline or you make very sure the incline setting doesn’t roll the treadmill off the tiles.

#5 Gym flooring

Alternatively, you can take this opportunity and get the foundations of a home gym right. Gym flooring is the foundation a home gym should be built on. So if you plan on getting more gym equipment later on, why not start right?

Rubber gym flooring is quite similar to a treadmill mat. Foam gym flooring is softer and less durable. It’s very effective at damping noise but you might have to replace it a bit more often.

Doing the whole room in one go will make things look much neater and is a good motivation to get a complete home gym that helps you to get in shape even quicker.

Find more about gym flooring here.

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Comparing Treadmill Mats to Pads for Noise Dampening

When it comes to dampening treadmill noise, you may wonder which option is better: using a full treadmill mat or placing a few pads under the feet of the treadmill. Let’s explore the considerations and benefits of each approach:

Treadmill Pads: Using pads made of the same material as a treadmill mat placed under the feet of the treadmill can provide similar noise and vibration dampening benefits. As long as the pads are adequately sized, they can effectively reduce the noise transmitted to the floor, comparable to a full mat.

However, there is one massive drawback to using pads. Most treadmills have powered incline. That means the front of the treadmill is pushed up and the little wheels roll backwards a little. On high incline settings that means it can roll off the pad or tile. And that’s obviously something your really don’t want to happen.

Treadmill Mats: In addition to reducing noise and vibrations, full treadmill mats offer some unique advantages. They absorb noise not only through the feet but also from other parts of the treadmill, further minimizing overall noise levels. By covering the entire area beneath the treadmill with rubber, mats provide enhanced noise reduction.

Additional Benefits of Treadmill Mats:

• Dirt and Dust Prevention: A full mat acts as a barrier, keeping dirt and dust away from the treadmill. This helps prolong the longevity of the machine and reduces maintenance needs.
• Slippage Prevention: While rubber materials typically offer good traction, over time, slippage can occur. A full mat reduces the risk of one side of the treadmill slipping off a pad, providing greater stability during workouts.
• Aesthetically Pleasing: Treadmill mats contribute to a neater and more organized appearance in your home gym, enhancing the overall visual appeal.

Considerations: Considering all factors, a full treadmill mat surpasses the benefits of using only a few pads under the feet. For those seeking extra noise dampening, incorporating cork pads between the mat and the treadmill can provide a slight improvement. However, it’s essential to recognize that there is a point of diminishing returns where additional damping may yield minimal benefits.

By opting for a full treadmill mat, you can enjoy superior noise reduction, increased stability, dirt prevention, and a visually appealing workout space.

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Alternative Solutions for Reducing Treadmill Noise

Looking for ways to reduce treadmill noise without completely insulating the entire machine? We’ve got you covered! Here are some practical steps you can take to keep both yourself and your neighbors happy by minimizing treadmill noise:

• Choose a Quieter Treadmill: While this may not be an immediate option for everyone, it’s worth considering when purchasing a new treadmill. Higher-quality units generally have better construction and damping in the running deck, resulting in reduced noise and vibrations. Look for models known for their quieter operation and superior vibration absorption.

• Perform Regular Maintenance: Proper maintenance plays a significant role in noise reduction. Keep all components of your treadmill tightened and well-lubricated as recommended by the manufacturer. Regular maintenance not only reduces noise and vibrations but also extends the lifespan of your treadmill.

• Adjust Your Training Schedule: If your neighbors are bothered by the noise, try adjusting your workout time to a period that suits both you and them. Finding a mutually convenient time can significantly alleviate noise-related concerns.

• Focus on Running Technique: One major source of treadmill noise is the impact created by your feet hitting the belt. By adjusting your running technique to minimize impact, you can reduce noise while also benefiting your joints. While it may not always be possible to improve, it’s worth evaluating and refining your running technique for a quieter and healthier workout.

• Optimize Room Furnishings: In addition to using a treadmill mat, you can further minimize noise by considering the room’s overall acoustics. Hard surfaces tend to reflect sound, leading to increased noise levels. To combat this, incorporate soft and heavy furnishings in the room to absorb noise. Consider using heavy curtains, foam tiles, or similar sound-absorbing materials to reduce noise reflection and enhance overall tranquility.

By following these alternative approaches, you can significantly reduce treadmill noise, create a more pleasant workout environment, and foster harmonious relationships with your neighbors.

Remember, incorporating a treadmill mat alongside these strategies can further enhance noise reduction and contribute to a more enjoyable home gym experience.

Another option is choosing a different type of cardio workout: Suggested post: Quieter alternatives to a treadmill