Concrete and hard based floors can easily be damaged in a space used for exercise and fitness. Not only is it unsafe and uncomfortable to work out on a hard surface, repetitive impact and heavy equipment can damage the subfloor resulting in costly repairs and replacement.
In this article, we'll explore the best gym floor mat options that are designed to protect both the user and the external environment.
What are Gym Floor Mats?
Gym floor mats are specialised mats designed to prevent damage on wooden, concrete, and other hard surfaces when doing physical activities in the home or gym. They provide cushioning that helps to reduce the impact on the joints and back while protecting the surface underneath from scratches, dents, and other damage. Gym floor mats come in various thicknesses and sizes to suit different workout areas.
They can cover the entire floor or just a designated area. They are typically made of rubber, foam, PVC, or carpeting materials that provide an anti-bacterial and slip-resistant surface. The mats have a textured surface to help reduce slipping during workouts and come with a non-slip backing to stay in place during use. Some gym floor mats have extra padding for added comfort and shock absorption.
Gym floor mats can be a protective layer between the hard surface and any exercise equipment or weights. They can also help protect against dust, sweat, and spills that can damage hard surfaces over time. By using gym floor mats, you can extend the life of your floors and keep them looking better for longer.
Gym floor mats come in various colours, styles, and sizes to fit any home or commercial gym space. Whether you're protecting your hardwood floors from heavy weights or your carpeted area from sweat, there's a floor mat for every need. Select the right type of gym floor mats for your workout area, and enjoy knowing your floors are safe from damage.
Different Types of Gym Floor Mats
Gym floor mats come in various materials and shapes, designed to protect your floor from the wear and tear of equipment. Here are some of the types of mats available:
- Interlocking foam tiles - These foam mats comes in lightweight and durable interlocking pieces that provide cushioning and shock absorption when exercising. The interlocking pieces make installation easy and fast while providing a slip-resistant surface. Additionally, these mats feature an excellent grip surface and are easy to clean and maintain. These gym flooring mats also come in bright colours to help create an inviting and motivating space. This flooring solution is perfect for home gyms, commercial gyms, sports studios for Boxing and MMA or any other space needing extra protection from weights and heavy equipment.
- Rubber puzzle mats - Rubber puzzle mats are widely used as gym floor mats. These are typically thick and dense, providing shock absorption when you drop weights or jump around during your workout. They also provide a cushion to reduce the impact on your joints, helping you avoid injury. Rubber mats tend to be easy to clean and maintain. They can also reduce noise and vibrations from your exercise equipment, making them ideal for home gyms.
- Rubber matting roll - Rubber flooring roll is a popular option for gym matting and offer great protection to the floor. The rolls of rubber are resistant to moisture, easy to clean, and come in various thicknesses. Generally, it is the ideal option for wide open spaces with lots of equipment as it covers large areas more economically reducing waste.
- Self-Locking Rubber Tiles - Another excellent gym floor solution is self-locking rubber tiles. These tiles come with plastic inserts hidden underneath which allow each tile to link together without using adhesive or compression. These mats offer superior stability and are simple to install without specialist assistance.
- No matter what type of flooring you have in your gym, there is a mat that can protect it from the wear and tear of daily use. Whether you want something lightweight and easy to install or something shock-absorbent and protective, gym mats are ideal. Not only will they help keep your floors safe, but they also create a more comfortable and inviting atmosphere in your gym.
Benefits of Having A Gym Floor Mat
When setting up your home gym or facility, a gym floor mat is one of the most important pieces of equipment. Not only do these mats help protect your floor from damage caused by intense activity, but they also make workouts more comfortable and enjoyable while keeping users safe and free from injury.
Here are some benefits of investing in quality gym floor mats:
Shock absorption
Gym floor mats are designed to absorb the shock of heavy weights and intense exercises, reducing the impact on your joints and muscles as you move around. This means that you can perform more challenging activities without fear of damaging your property and have a softer landing spot for exercises such as plyometrics, HIIT, resistance or suspension training.
Provide cushioning and support
Gym floor mats can provide much-needed cushioning and support for your joints. They help to reduce the chances of injury by providing a softer surface for you to move on, making it easier to go from one workout position to another without fear of strain or pain.
Noise reduction
Hardwood floors and other surfaces often echo and reverberate sound. Gym floor mats can help reduce the noise level in your gym by absorbing sound vibrations, creating a more peaceful workout atmosphere. Noise reduction improves concentration and makes listening to music or audio recordings easier without disruption.
The body's absorption of sound vibrations is also reduced, which helps reduce fatigue and create a comfortable environment. When choosing gym floor mats for noise reduction, look for options with a higher thickness (40mm and above).
Easy to clean and maintain
Gym mats are designed to be easy to clean and maintain. They come in various materials and can be wiped down with a damp cloth or vacuumed regularly. Many gym mat companies offer cleaning products that can help keep your floor mats looking great for years.
Easy-to-clean and maintain gym mats are important to protect your floors from wear and tear. Keeping the mats clean helps keep them in good condition, which can help prolong their life. Additionally, regular cleaning prevents dirt and dust from damaging the flooring material underneath.
Low cost
Most gym floor mats are inexpensive, making them a cost-effective way to protect your floors. Depending on the type and size of the mat, prices start at affordable costs which is significantly lower than replacing damaged floors caused by impact from gym equipment.
Portable and easy to install or move
Some gym floor mats are lightweight enough they can be easily moved around and reconfigured when loose-laid. You don’t need any specialised tools or skills to install most mats they either interlock with connectors or by design (puzzle) or are butted together using compression and sometimes adhesive.
Versatile and attractive
We know how important the right gym floor mats are for protecting your floors, but did you know that they can also be attractive and aesthetic? Depending on the type of gym floor mats you choose, you can customise their colour or design to match the rest of your workout space. This means you don’t have to sacrifice style to get the protection and support you need.
Economical
An often overlooked benefit of gym floor mats is that they are very economical. Even though you may have to pay a bit more for higher-quality mats, in the long run, it's worth it. Not only will they last longer, but they will also protect your floors from damage much better than cheaper alternatives. It is much more cost-effective to prevent costly damage than to go without protection or use low quality options that will not withstand high use.
Conclusion
Overall, gym floor mats protect your floors from damage and can save you the time and money of having to make repairs or replacements. Whether you are outfitting a full-scale fitness centre or just looking for something to cover up your hardwood in the spare room, there is a mat that will fit the bill perfectly. Proper maintenance can last years and provide you with the peace of mind that your floors are protected from wear and tear.