What flooring should I use for a home gym?

Person walking on a rubber floor protection mat

Choosing the right flooring for your home gym is crucial for creating a safe and effective workout space. The choice of flooring can impact your workout experience, safety, the longevity of your equipment and the protection of your floor. Remember, the best flooring for your home gym depends on your workout routine, equipment, and personal preferences. Here are some popular options:

Rubber Mats:

Pros: Provides excellent shock absorption, durable and easy to clean. Perfect for use under equipment such as treadmills, cross trainers, cycles, rowers, benches and multi gyms. Great for helping to reduce noise.

Cons: May have a strong initial odour.

Foam Flooring:

Pros: Soft and comfortable, provides good shock absorption, easy to install, and often more affordable than rubber.

Cons: Less durable than rubber, may not withstand heavy equipment or high-impact exercises.

Vinyl Flooring:

Pros: Durable, easy to clean, and comes in a variety of styles and colours. It's a good option if you want a floor that resembles wood or tile.

Cons: Not as shock-absorbent as rubber or foam, may require professional installation.

Interlocking Tiles:

Pros: Easy to install, often made of rubber or foam, provides a comfortable surface for floor based workouts, and can be customised. Ideal solution for safeguarding your floors or carpets from potential damage caused by exercise equipment such as a bike, cross trainer, rower, treadmill, or weight bench.

Cons: Quality varies; ensure you choose from quality brands such as HXGN, or York.

Cork Flooring:

Pros: Natural and environmentally friendly, provides a soft surface, and is resistant to mould and mildew.

Cons: May not be as durable as rubber, and it may show indentations from heavy equipment.

Carpet Tiles:

Pros: Provides a softer surface, absorbs impact well, and can be relatively affordable.

Cons: May require more maintenance, especially if you sweat heavily during workouts.

When choosing flooring, consider the type of exercises you'll be doing, the equipment you'll be using, and your budget. It's also essential to ensure that the flooring is suitable for the specific needs of your home gym and that it provides the right balance of support and shock absorption.