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technicallyhappyarcade · 8 months

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Tips for Maintaining Your Home Gym Flooring

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Whether you're on the cusp of starting your home gym or worried about your equipment's lifespan due to your lack of proper flooring, you're not alone. And while aesthetics certainly play a part, the wrong flooring can be a severe hazard. It can damage your gym equipment or your floor or increase your risk of injury.

Before starting my home gym, I spent hours researching and sifting through several options. I tried to find the best home gym flooring to withstand heavy weights, high-intensity cardio workouts, and everything in between.

This article compiles exhaustive research and my experience training on different types of flooring in commercial gyms to guide you through the choices and help you invest in a flooring solution that's right for you.

How We Chose the Best Home Gym Flooring

We chose the best home gym flooring options by carefully analyzing various factors. We needed to give many options based on different exercise styles, including bodyweight training, yoga, CrossFit, and powerlifting.

We also wanted to ensure our choices reflected a range of budgets to accommodate those who wish for the best value. That said, we included some higher-end brands (like Second Skin) for those willing and able to pay more for higher quality and durability.

Finally, we included different types of flooring for the many home workout environments that home gym owners would have (concrete, carpet, and hardwood) to ensure the list represents the best options.

Our Top Picks for the Best Home Gym Flooring

Best Home Gym Flooring Overall: Rubber Flooring Inc. 8mm Strong Rubber Roll

Pros

Free custom-cutting to any length over 15 feet (rounded to the nearest foot) with 20 color-fleck variations is available

There is a five-year warranty on standard color options and a 25-year warranty on the Biggie SmallzTM colors

30-day money-back guarantee

USA-made

Eco-friendly and mainly made from recycled rubber materials

Cons

It may have a rubber odor when it first arrives

DIY installation may be challenging for some

The rolls may curl or shift slightly over time

When outfitting your space with the best home gym flooring, the Rubber Flooring Inc. 8mm Strong Rubber Roll is the ideal choice.

Unlike most flooring rolls that come in preset increments only (like 15, 50, or 100 feet), the 8mm Strong Rubber Roll can be ordered in one-foot increments starting at 15 feet. For example, if your space is precisely 17 feet long, you can request that exact amount. Rubber Flooring Inc. will even custom-cut it for free and give you a couple of extra inches on each roll, just in case.

This feature is underrated. With other companies, custom cuts aren't available, so you'd be forced to buy a single 15-foot roll and leave two feet of your floor incomplete or pay for two 15-foot rolls to cover the entire workout space just to be stuck with a bunch of leftover material.

The roll is available in 20 different color variations, from classic black to lipstick red, so that you can add some pizzazz to your rubber gym flooring.

The 8mm Strong Rubber Roll is made in the USA, which appeals to those who want to support the American economy and value the higher standards that American manufacturing must meet. Rubber Flooring Inc. offers a five-year warranty on standard colors and an impressive 25-year warranty on its Biggie Smallz™ colors, one of the best warranties I've ever encountered for rubber gym flooring. Plus, the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for customers in the United States and Canada.

It will most likely emit a rubber odor at first since it's mostly made from recycled rubber. The smell can be unpleasant, but to reduce it, you can air out the rubber roll and clean it with a mild soap and water solution before installation.

The installation might be a hurdle if you have yet to DIY experience. I did find the video in the company's "Install Info" helpful. However, you'll still need a good understanding of essential tools (measuring tape, t-square, and utility knife) and fundamental construction principles. If you have no experience in this field, calling a professional would be brilliant.

Lastly, the rubber roll may curl or shift slightly with drastic temperature changes or if heavy things get dragged across it, like a fully loaded bumper plate tree. You can use double-sided tape to secure the rubber roll sticks to the floor to prevent this.

Best Rubber Flooring for Home Gyms: Second Skin Stomp Roll

Second Skin Stomp Roll

Material: Recycled rubber

Dimensions: 4' W x 15', 25', or 50' L

Thickness: ¼ inch, eight millimeters, ⅜ inch, ½ inch, or ¾ inch

Suitable for: General fitness, HIIT, powerlifting, and Olympic weightlifting

Check Price

Pros

Five thicknesses that are suitable for low- to high-impact activities

Includes noise-reducing technology

It has a mild odor

USA-made

Made from recycled rubber materials

Cons

Only available in black

Custom cuts cost extra

DIY installation may be difficult

Consider the Second Skin Stomp Roll if you are looking for rubber flooring that can reduce noise and vibration from your home gym equipment.

Second Skin was initially known for auto and audio soundproofing, but many of its products are also used in gyms due to their excellent noise and vibration dampening. This distinctive feature makes the Stomp Roll a solid choice for home gyms where quieter workouts are essential due to shared living spaces or the sleep schedules of young children.

With five different thicknesses, you're almost guaranteed to find one suitable for your exercise style. The quarter-inch thickness is excellent to place under any of the best treadmills or for bodyweight training, while the ¾-inch thickness is ideal for general weight training and HIIT. If powerlifting, CrossFit, or Olympic weightlifting is more your style, the ¾-inch thickness can provide enough protection for your floor when placed on top of plywood, like on a lifting platform.

Despite being made from old tires, Stomp Roll's product page claims an "extremely mild odor." I can't confirm the strength of its smell, but if true, this is a significant advantage over the many rubber flooring options that tend to off-gas unpleasant odors for weeks after installation. Having near-odorless flooring can make a difference for those with asthma or other respiratory conditions (even just a sensitivity to scents in general).

If adding flair to your rubber gym flooring is essential, you'll be disappointed that the Stomp Roll is only offered in black.

Furthermore, unlike the Rubber Flooring Inc. 8mm Strong Rubber Roll mentioned previously, custom cuts of the Stomp Roll cost extra. Custom lengths are "available on request," one customer even left a review saying, "I had a very custom project... They cut my pieces exactly as I requested at a fair price."

While it's great to know that you can get custom lengths other than the default 15-, 25-, and 50-foot lengths, I would be more impressed to see them offered at no extra charge.

The Stomp Roll installation process is simple but requires basic DIY skills and understanding. If you're uncomfortable with self-installation, a professional's help may be necessary but will add to the overall cost. Keep this in mind, especially if you prefer a hassle-free setup.

Best Home Gym Flooring Over Concrete: Rogue Power Platform

Rogue Power Platform

Material: Recycled rubber

Dimensions: 90” W x 72” L

Thickness: ¾ inch (19 millimeters)

Suitable for: General weight lifting, HIIT, CrossFit

Check Price

Pros

The diamond-pattern top gives a good grip even when slick

It can be used indoors or outdoors

The ¾-inch thickness and waffle-pattern impact zones minimize noise and vibrations

Easy installation due to the interlocking design

Made in the USA

Eco-friendly

Cons

The fixed size might not suit all gym spaces, and trimming it might damage the interlocking mat system

Expensive compared to budget-friendly alternatives

Potentially unstable with weighty weights

The Rogue Power Platform is an excellent flooring choice for anyone with a concrete floor because of its durable rubber construction and waffle-pattern impact zones. The diamond-pattern top layer also gives it a better grip even in slick conditions, which is excellent for those who prefer to have their home gym outside and work out in humid conditions.

RELATED: The Dangers of Outside Workouts

The ¾-inch thickness is durable, making it ideal for general weight lifting, HIIT, and CrossFit. The waffle-pattern impact zones dampen noise and vibrations, which helps keep your concrete floor protected and your neighbors happy.

While it might seem extra-wide, the 90-inch width ensures that every weight plate on your favorite Olympic barbell will be supported, with three inches on each side to account for occasional sideways movement. The default 72-inch length is surprisingly roomy and can accommodate two barbell setups for you and your workout partner when doing controlled exercises like deadlifts or rows.

The mats feature a modular, loose-lay interlocking system and sections with beveled edges. Installation is relatively straightforward, with no adhesive required. This is a significant relief for those who could be more DIY-knowledgeable.

However, its 72″ x 90″ footprint may not suit all spaces, and trimming it might damage the interlocking mat system.

If you're into Olympic lifting, there are better choices than the Power Platform. At 72" long, this is the minimal length you should accept for weightlifting. While it technically could work, your feet could land beyond the perimeter of the platform during a split jerk if you have long legs. In the event of a bailed lift, it's only a matter of time before a failed snatch or clean and jerk lands off the platform and damages your floor. The Rogue 8' x 8' Oly Platform is a better option for Oly lifting.

The Power Platform is also more costly at $399 compared to budget-friendly alternatives like 4' x 6' horse stall mats from Tractor Supply, where a single mat can be found for around $60. Two horse stall mats would total roughly $120 and, when joined together, would offer a bigger platform for less than half the cost.

Finally, the platform might need to be more stable with ultra-heavy weights due to the rubber material. After all, there's a reason why lifting platforms usually have a centerpiece made out of wood—it's more firm than a rubber surface. While this would probably be unnoticeable with light to moderate weights, it's worth pointing out for those who want to lift heavy.

Best Home Gym Flooring Over Carpet: Second Skin Stomp Mat

Second Skin Stomp Mat

Material: Recycled rubber

Dimensions: 4’ W x 6’ L

Thickness: ¼ or ½ inch

Suitable for: Bodyweight training, general weight lifting, HIIT

Check Price

Pros

Shock-absorbing properties protect your floor from damage, whether it's from a treadmill or barbell

Includes noise-reducing technology

Installation is a breeze

No adhesive needed

USA-made

Eco-friendly

Cons

No ¾-inch thickness

Costly

Even when weighed down by heavy equipment, these mats can shift slightly over time

The Stomp Mat offers several advantages, making it the most appealing choice and the best home gym flooring option to place over carpet. Its shock absorption capabilities safeguard your carpet fibers from getting torn up while protecting your existing subfloor from damage.

The ¼-inch mat weighs 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms) and provides excellent noise reduction, making it a great option for supporting standalone exercise equipment like a high-quality rowing machine or treadmill. The machine's weight on top of the mat keeps it in place. The ½-inch thick mat, on the other hand, weighs 60 pounds (27.3 kilograms) and offers even more sound isolation and flooring protection.

The Stomp Mat lacks a ¾-inch thickness option. This limits its suitability for powerlifting-style training because it may not be able to handle significantly heavier weights. It's also not an excellent choice for Olympic lifting or CrossFit because the thinner options won't withstand repeated weight drops from overhead.

Additionally, it's relatively costly compared to budget options. The ¼-inch mat is priced at around $99.99, and the ½-inch mat costs around $179.99. A ¾-inch horse stall mat from Tractor Supply Co. costs about $60, offering more thickness at a lower price.

Installation is a breeze because it's a mat instead of a roll. Lay it over your carpet and place your equipment on top, or get lifting.

Technically, you don't need adhesive, but double-sided flooring (carpet) tape or rubber adhesive applied around the edges of the mat is a wise choice. Even when weighed down by heavy-duty cardio machines, these mats can shift slightly over time. Using multiple mats, you can place mending plates under the mats where their seams join to keep them from separating over time.

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