Best Type of Flooring For a Home Gym: Materials & Shapes

Get ready to discover the ultimate secret to creating a stellar home gym. It all starts with the right flooring, and there’s only one clear winner. Picture this: durability, shock absorption, floor and equipment protection, slip resistance, easy installation, portability, and low maintenance. Oh, and did I mention they have minimal seams? That means fewer cleaning hassles and a cleaner look for your gym. Here’s which type is best and what the alternatives are.

Large rubber mats are the best type of gym flooring for a home gym. Rubber mats offer durability, shock absorption, protection for the floor and equipment, slip resistance, easy installation, portability, and low maintenance. They have few seams, making them easier to clean and maintain. 

From unmatched durability and shock absorption to safeguarding your equipment, providing slip resistance, and boasting easy maintenance, rubber mats reign supreme. Let’s explore the reasons why large rubber mats are the top choice for home gyms and how they outshine other flooring options.

Which Type of Gym Mat Is Best For a Home Gym?

The best type of gym flooring for garages, basements, or other home gyms is the large rubber mat. They do everything you expect from gym flooring without issues. Rubber mats also have the fewest amount of drawbacks compared to other types of gym flooring. Not yet sure if you really need special flooring? Read this article about the necessity of gym flooring.

Rubber is durable, absorbs shocks, protects both your floor and equipment, isn’t slippery, low maintenance and low maintenance. Large mats create a clean look in your gym, don’t have any seams, and are completely waterproof. 

Just want to find the best gym flooring for your home gym? Here you can find high-quality rubber gym flooring that provides excellent value for money.

Here’s why rubber mats are the best;

• Durability: Rubber gym mats are highly durable and can withstand heavy use, impact, and abrasion. They are designed to handle the demands of gym equipment, including weights being dropped or dragged across the floor. This durability ensures that the flooring can withstand the rigors of a garage gym environment over an extended period.

• Shock Absorption: Rubber flooring provides excellent shock absorption, which is crucial for reducing the impact on your joints, as well as protecting the equipment and the underlying floor. It helps minimize noise and vibrations caused by dropping weights or performing high-impact exercises.

• No seams: Gym floorings that come in tile form will always have seams between the tiles. These seams can let dirt and liquids through. They are also a point of weakness. I’ve seen the jigsaw part of the tiles tear and then you’re left with a gap. Rubber mats have very few seams when laid properly.

• Protection: Rubber mats act as a protective layer for the underlying concrete or other flooring in your garage. They help prevent damage to the floor from heavy equipment, weights, or accidental drops. This is particularly important in a garage setting where the floor may not be designed to handle such impacts. Find the best gym flooring for heavy weightlifting here.

• Slip Resistance: Rubber gym mats have a textured surface that offers good traction, reducing the risk of slips and falls during workouts. This is especially important in a garage gym, where the floor may become dusty or wet due to various factors, such as humidity or proximity to vehicles.

• Easy Installation: Rubber gym mats are relatively easy to install. They typically come in square or rectangular shapes, allowing you to easily lay them down and interlock them for a secure fit. This makes installation and customization straightforward, even in irregularly shaped garage spaces.

• Portability and Flexibility: Rubber gym mats are portable and can be easily moved or reconfigured if needed. This flexibility is beneficial for home gyms, as it allows you to adjust the layout or relocate the mats based on your requirements. While rubber mats are not light like foam tiles, they are still movable with some help.

• Low Maintenance: Rubber mats are relatively low maintenance. They can be swept, vacuumed, or mopped to keep them clean. Rubber is resistant to stains and can handle spills, making it easy to maintain a clean and hygienic workout environment.

If for some reason you don’t want rubber mats, the next best choices are;

• Rubber interlocking tiles: Best if you want rubber but don’t want large mats.
• Vinyl gym mats: The best option if you don’t want rubber but still want large mats.
• EVA foam interlocking tiles with a rubber top: Best option if you want something cheaper and softer than rubber mats. 

Gym Flooring Materials

Several materials can be used for gym flooring, depending on factors such as the type of activities performed, budget, durability requirements, and personal preferences. Here are some common materials used for gym flooring:

• Rubber: Rubber flooring is a popular choice for gymnasiums and fitness centers. It provides excellent shock absorption, is durable, and can withstand heavy equipment. It also offers good traction and is resistant to stains and impact. Rubber is the most durable and keeps looking the best for the longest in a weightlifting room. Read a comparison of rubber vs foam gym flooring here.

• Vinyl: Vinyl flooring is another common option for gym floors. It is available in various thicknesses and designs, providing cushioning and support for activities. Vinyl is easy to clean and maintain, and it is often more cost-effective than rubber flooring. It tends to be a little less durable and has less noise damping. Read an article comparing rubber and vinyl here.

• Foam: Foam flooring, often made of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), is commonly used for areas where impact protection is crucial, such as weightlifting and aerobics. It provides excellent shock absorption, is affordable, and is lightweight. Foam tiles are easy to install and can be interlocked for a secure fit. Foam does dent and tear over time though. High-density foam is better than the lighter versions. 

• Wood: Wood flooring, such as maple or oak, is commonly found in gymnasiums, dance studios, and multipurpose sports halls. It offers a natural and aesthetically pleasing look. Wood flooring needs to be properly finished to ensure durability, and it may require regular maintenance to keep it in good condition. It’s not a great material for home workout rooms since it can dent too easily when weights are dropped on it.

• Cork: Cork flooring is known for its cushioning and shock-absorbing properties. It provides a soft and warm surface, making it suitable for yoga studios and low-impact activities. Cork is also environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic. While cork does offer cushioning and shock absorption, it can’t handle the heavy loads of weightlifting equipment and dropping weights. 

• Carpet: Carpet flooring with appropriate padding can be used in certain areas of a gym, such as stretching or yoga spaces. It provides a comfortable and soft surface, reducing strain on joints. Carpet is not suitable for areas with heavy equipment or high-impact activities. Standard carpet is not good as gym flooring.

• Artificial turf: Artificial turf is commonly used in indoor sports facilities for activities like soccer, football, and field hockey. It simulates the feel of natural grass and offers good traction. It requires regular maintenance to keep it clean and free from odors. It can also be used in weightlifting gyms to provide a more slippery surface for things like pushing a sled. However, it’s not suitable for the weightlifting area.

As you can see, rubber, vinyl, and foam are the best choices for home gym flooring.

Gym Flooring Shapes

Rubber, vinyl, and foam are the materials to choose from for a garage gym. The other types mentioned above are for specific purposes that don’t include weightlifting so they’re not suitable for most home gyms. 

Rubber, vinyl, and foam come in one of the following shapes:

Rubber Flooring

• Rubber Rolls: Rubber flooring is commonly available in rolls of various widths and lengths. These rolls are typically available in standard widths like 4 feet or 6 feet, and the length can be customized to fit the gym space. A slightly cheaper way to get rubber rolls is by using stall mats but they do have some downsides.

• Interlocking Rubber Tiles: Rubber tiles are another popular option. They come in square or rectangular shapes, typically ranging from 12 inches by 12 inches to 36 inches by 36 inches. The tiles are designed to interlock, providing a secure and seamless surface. Tiles are easier to lay because they’re lighter but they also don’t provide as smooth a surface as mats. 

• Rubber Tiles: Most rubber tiles for home gyms are interlocking like a puzzle. However, there are a few tiles out there that are not. They are just square rubber tiles. These tiles are usually much thicker and heavier so they’re less likely to move around. Because they are much thicker, they’re difficult to cut to the right size and thus often look messier than interlocking tiles. 

• Read an in-depth comparison of tiles and rolls as gym flooring in this post.

Vinyl Flooring

• Vinyl Rolls: Vinyl flooring is often sold in rolls, similar to rubber flooring. The rolls are available in various widths and lengths, allowing for easy installation in different-sized spaces. Rolls leave very few seams which looks cleaner and are easier to maintain and it means there are fewer points where little ledges can form. 

• Vinyl Tiles: Vinyl tiles come in square or rectangular shapes, similar to rubber tiles. They can be self-adhesive or have interlocking edges for easy installation and customization.

Foam Flooring

• Foam Tiles: Foam flooring, typically made of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), is commonly available in interlocking tile form. The tiles are square or rectangular and come in various sizes, usually ranging from 1 foot by 1 foot to 2 feet by 2 feet. The interlocking design allows for easy installation and customization. Foam gym flooring doesn’t come in rolls. These tiles are lightweight but in my experience, they tend to slide around. Sometimes even so much that they tear out of the jigsaw edges. 

• Foam Tiles With Rubber Top: Pure EVA foam tiles are quite vulnerable. Some EVA foam tiles have an added, thin layer of rubber on top. This increases the durability of the foam tiles and combines some of the benefits of rubber gym flooring with the benefits of foam. 

Gym Flooring Rolls vs Tiles

As you can see above, the two main shapes are tiles and mats or rolls. While they can be made from different materials, they share some common pros and cons. 

Pros of large gym flooring mats

• Seamless Surface: Rubber and vinyl rolls create a seamless surface without visible joints or seams, providing a clean and professional appearance.
• Customizable Fit: Rolls can be easily trimmed or cut to fit the specific dimensions of your home gym, accommodating irregularly shaped spaces.
• Fewer Seams: Compared to tiles, rolls have fewer seams, reducing the chances of dirt or moisture accumulation between the sections.
• Fast Installation: Installing rolls is generally quicker and easier compared to placing individual tiles. They can cover larger areas with fewer pieces to lay down.

Cons of large gym flooring mats

• Limited Mobility: Once installed, rolls are typically difficult to move or relocate. They are better suited for permanent flooring solutions.
• Challenging for DIY Installation: Unrolling and positioning large rolls of flooring material can be physically demanding and may require assistance or professional installation.
• Costly for Small Spaces: If you have a small home gym area, purchasing an entire roll may result in more material than you actually need, making it a less cost-effective option.

Pros of gym flooring tiles

• Modular and Portable: Tiles come in smaller, manageable pieces, making them easier to transport and install. They can be taken apart and reconfigured if you need to move or resize your gym.
• DIY-Friendly Installation: Tiles are generally user-friendly and can be installed as a DIY project without the need for professional assistance.
• Easy Replacement: If a tile becomes damaged, you can replace individual pieces rather than having to replace the entire flooring area.
• Versatile Design: Tiles often come in various colors, patterns, and textures, allowing you to create customized designs or designate specific workout zones.

Cons of gym flooring tiles

• Visible Seams: Unlike rolls, tiles have visible seams between the individual pieces. This can be a minor aesthetic drawback and may require occasional cleaning to prevent dirt or liquid accumulation in the seams.
• Time-Consuming Installation: Installing tiles may take longer compared to rolls, as each tile needs to be individually placed and interlocked.
• Potential Movement: Depending on the quality of interlocking mechanisms, tiles may be more prone to slight shifting or movement during intense workouts, requiring occasional adjustment.