Best Gym Flooring Types

Whether you manage a commercial gym or have your own personal setup, there are several factors to consider in bringing to life the perfect space. The equipment within your gym is the most essential element. After all, without equipment, workouts aren’t possible! However, the gym environment itself and its design are aspects not to overlook. When designing your gym, it’s critical to consider selecting the best gym flooring. In most cases, your default flooring won’t be a suitable option.

Why Is Gym Flooring Important?

If you have a home gym, then the most important consideration for you is to create a space that allows you to get the most out of your regime. This will mean investing in equipment that matches your fitness goals. Additionally, this means designing a gym garage that is spacious and comfortable. For commercial gyms, the number one goal is to appease your customers. Customer retention and word-of-mouth referrals are critical in running a profitable business.

As a gym manager, your focus should be on keeping members happy. This will ensure they continue visiting your gym each week and pay their monthly subscription. Every tiny detail matters. If there’s something the customer doesn’t like, they will have no hesitation canceling and going elsewhere. The fitness industry is highly competitive, and gym facilities can be found almost anywhere. The flooring may not be a feature that you put a lot of thought into. However, your flooring is vital in keeping customers happy. It also is key to leaving a good impression.

People will be walking across the floor each day as they explore your gym. It is often the feature that generates the first impression. We will talk more about the specific benefits of suitable flooring in the next section. However, generally speaking, gymgoers want a safe, clean and comfortable surface that they can firmly grip. 

What to Consider When Choosing Flooring

Flooring can be expensive, timely, and disruptive to install, so you must get it right from the start. You will need to find a type of flooring solution that is fit for the purpose. Flooring products are designed for different applications, from indoor gyms to outdoor facilities, yoga studios, and school playgrounds. Then there are the unique applications for each type of gym area, such as free weights, cardio, and studios. Therefore, you will need to consider how your members will use the flooring. Additionally, you need to consider what equipment will be standing on it.

The critical point is to look for flooring that is strong and durable. It should withstand the heavy pressure of equipment and frequent daily use before it breaks down. You want to prevent having to quickly fork out more cash for a replacement. Flooring also comes in different thickness sizes, so the thicker the material, the stronger and tougher it will be. However, thicker materials may be more expensive. Therefore, make sure to find the right balance tailored to what your gym requires.

Gym flooring must ensure a firm grip for users. This is one of the main reasons you should only install specialist flooring built for gyms. A good grip will ensure people’s safety while working out. Additionally, it will prevent equipment from moving or people from slipping. This can help improve workout effectiveness. 

Hygiene is critical in commercial gyms. However, hundreds of people will be working out across the space every day. This means lots of sweat and bacteria will drop to the surface. You should aim to find flooring that will be easy to clean and won’t smell or stain. It should also not create a slippery surface for users.

Types of Gym Flooring

So we have explained why flooring is essential for your commercial or home gym alongside some purchasing considerations. Now, it’s time to look at the different types of flooring. Here are some of the most common types of gym flooring that you can opt for…

Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring is the most popular option for commercial gyms and an optimal solution. This type of flooring has several benefits, the most notable of which are heavy thickness and shock-absorbing features. This type of flooring has several benefits, the most notable of which are heavy thickness and shock-absorbing features. These features reduce noise when equipment collides with the floor and prevent damage. They will ensure your gym boasts a quieter environment and equipment lasts for longer. Rubber flooring provides an excellent non-slip grip, keeping people safe while working out. They are also easy to clean and maintain and can long for a long time before needing to replace. You can usually buy rubber flooring in floor tiles, floor rolls, or interlocking tiles. One of our partners, PowerGym Fitness specializes in rubber gym flooring if you are looking for where to buy it.

Foam Flooring

Foam flooring is another common choice for gyms, primarily where aerobic and cardio workouts are performed. It is also ideal for martial arts and gymnastics venues due to the material’s soft and comfortable texture. Foam flooring is light, can be easily cleaned, and often comes in multiple colors. The material is non-absorbent; therefore, it won’t soak up moisture.

Wood Flooring

Wood flooring can look visually appealing, but it does have some drawbacks. Most importantly, wood can be a slippery surface, which isn’t ideal when working out. Additionally, it isn’t very comfortable and can get damaged easily from frequent use. If you opt for wood flooring, we recommend that you place protective matting underneath equipment and spots where members will exercise.