When you have a week’s worth of packed schedule and don’t have the luxury of time to head to the gym, installing one at home is a good choice. Having a gym at home can help maintain your fitness and keep you active, improving your overall health and lifestyle. If you decide to allot space at home for your gym, you must also carefully think about what flooring will be best for your workout routines.
In this blog, discover the four best types of flooring ideas you can use for a successful sweat session in your gym.
Table of Contents
Rubber Flooring
One of the most common flooring materials used for gyms is rubber. Most homeowners and even gym enthusiasts desire this material because of its strength, resilience, durability, and sturdiness. Rubber is stable enough to support any exercise equipment, and it is also one of the best surface covering, such as concrete floors.
Clark Rubber is a recommended brand for home gym flooring material because it comes in a wide range of price points, thicknesses, and sizes to suit your preferences. Aside from its durability, rubber is also a good shock-absorbent material, especially when you plan to include lifting weights in your workout routine.
Installing rubber flooring is simple and painless, and you’ll be surprised with this material’s advantages:
- Water-resistant
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Soundproof
However, the disadvantages of rubber include: being expensive, heavy to lift, and a poor insulator.
Vinyl Flooring
Another great home gym flooring material is vinyl. It is easy to clean and water-resistant, while its appearance can blend in with your home decor nicely and smoothly. Most homeowners normally love using vinyl for their home gyms in basements and garages because they are resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew.
Like rubber, vinyl is durable and sturdy to hold any heavy gym equipment. However, it’s not as shock-absorbent as rubber. Most people love vinyl because it’s easy to maintain and can handle harsh cleaning chemicals when you need to use a stronger cleaning agent to wipe and remove sweat stains. However, when choosing vinyl, you also need to be aware of its disadvantages:
- Can easily tear and puncture, especially by sharp objects
- Has a VOC emission health risks
Foam Flooring
If your type of workout is yoga or pilates, you might consider choosing foam as the flooring material for your home gym. Choose foam floor tiles that can interlock easily without hassle when you prefer easy installation and portability.
The foam material offers extra cushion for your comfort while working out; it’s like there are exercise mats laid all over your gym. It’s also a great choice when you want better shock resistance for your HIIT workouts.
Choosing foam is also a good option when you are on a budget. However, you must be prepared for its less durability as compared to rubber and vinyl. This material can also not support heavy gym equipment because it is less rigid and stable. Aside from its less durability, foam also has a short lifespan. Expect the need to replace your gym flooring after a few years.
Cork Flooring
A material that has high shock absorbency and good support during intense workouts and weight lifting is cork. This material is eco-friendly and resistant to mites, fire, mildew, and mold. Because of these qualities, cork is also a good option for having your home gym installed in your basement. The disadvantages of cork material are the following:
- It can be easily scratched or torn
- Heavy weights and gym equipment can cause dents
- It can fade when exposed to direct sunlight.
Choose The Best Material for Your Gym
After knowing the different flooring options for your home gym, it’s time to consider what you really need. Ultimately, your choice should allow efficient and effective exercising to induce happy hormones, boosting your mood and improving your overall quality of life.
Also read: Best 5 Weight Training Equipments For Every Home Gym
References:
https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a25346656/best-home-gym-floors-mats/
https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/g38901109/best-home-gym-flooring/
https://www.thespruce.com/best-home-gym-floors-4155610
