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Best Types of Flooring for a Home Gym

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Max Winters | Last updated Dec 30, 2024 10:00 AM ET

Your home gym should be a place of functionality, inspiration, and comfort—a workout space that lets you focus on fitness without worrying about scuffed floors, slipping, or noise reduction. One key to achieving this? The right gym flooring option!

Why Flooring Matters in Your Home Gym

Your gym floor isn’t just there to look good (though that’s a nice bonus). The correct flooring protects your floors and your joints. There are a wide range of options depending on your preferred type of exercise.

Shock Absorption: Protects your joints from the repetitive impact of workouts.
Equipment Protection: Prevents your weights, treadmill, or elliptical from damaging your floors.
Sound Dampening: Reduces noise so you won’t wake the household with every burpee.
Safety: Provides grip to prevent slips and injuries.
Durability: Stands up to heavy weights and constant movement without wearing down.

8 Types of Home Gym Flooring

1. Rubber Flooring

Heavy-duty rubber mats are the gold standard for home gym floor protection. It’s tough, versatile, and a perfect choice for all kinds of workouts.

Excellent shock absorbent material with textured surface options making it a favorite to put over concrete flooring.
Heavy to move but highly durable material that is resistant to damage from cardio equipment and heavy weights.
Easy to clean and good for soundproofing.
Ideal For: Weight training, high-intensity interval training, heavy gym equipment.
Cost: $2–$8 per square foot, depending on thickness and quality.

2. Foam Flooring

Foam mats offers a softer touch, making it a comfortable and affordable option for many home gyms.

Cushioned surface like foam tiles are perfect for yoga, Pilates, and bodyweight exercises.
Lightweight and easy installation process—excellent option for temporary set-ups.
Budget-friendly, array of colors, and available in interlocking tiles.
Ideal For: Low-impact strength training workouts, stretching, and martial arts.
Cost: $1–$4 per square foot.

3. Artificial Turf

This type of gym flooring brings an outdoor feel indoors, making it perfect for garage gym flooring or as a turf strip on a backyard patio.

This realistic grass-like surface comes in various thicknesses or can be laid over other gym floor tiles for personalized shock absorbency.
Ideal for resistance training, agility drills, and faster-paced workouts, but may be scratchy for floor movements.
Durable and resistant to wear, even with heavy use.
Ideal For: Functional training, CrossFit, and sports-focused workouts.
Cost: $3–$7 per square foot, depending on quality and padding.

4. Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl planks are a stylish and practical option, combining aesthetics with durability.

Water-resistant and easy to clean—ideal for multi-purpose spaces.
Offers moderate cushioning and durability, but is susceptible to sharp objects.
Popular in commercial spaces and with gym owners as it comes in a variety of patterns, mimicking wood or stone for a polished look.
Ideal For: Cardio, light weightlifting, or as an all-purpose solution.
Cost: $2–$7 per square foot.

5. Carpet Tiles

For a cozy and flexible solution, carpet tiles can be a surprisingly effective gym flooring choice. They are a popular option for multi-use areas.

Provides warmth and comfort underfoot, great for cool basement floors.
Does require regular cleaning as it is not moisture resistant.
Decent sound absorption for quieter workouts.
Ideal For: Low-impact workouts, flexibility training, and general fitness spaces.
Cost: $1–$6 per square foot.

6. PVC Flooring

Similar to vinyl flooring, but these flooring tiles generally come as interlocking panels for seamless installation. These exercise mats provide a rugged, safe surface for exercise machines and intense training.

Non-slip surface ensures safety during intense sessions.
Durable for long-term cost-effectiveness.
Easy to install with interlocking edges.
Ideal For: Heavy exercise equipment, barbell training, intense workouts, or garage gyms.
Cost: $3–$6 per square foot.

7. Cork Flooring

Cork is an eco-friendly option and naturally cushioned option for home gyms. Lacks the funky rubber smell of many gym flooring products.

Soft underfoot with natural shock absorption.
Provides noise cancellation and insulates against temperature fluctuations (great for concrete floors)
Aesthetically pleasing while also sustainable and biodegradable material.
Ideal For: Yoga workouts, floor exercises, and light weight fitness equipment.
Cost: $3–$8 per square foot.

8. Hardwood Flooring with Mats

For those prioritizing aesthetics, hardwood floors paired with exercise equipment mats are an ideal choice to create a gym space when you don't want to cover the entire floor.

Timeless look that doubles as a functional living space.
Add yoga mats or rubber tiles for shock absorption during high-impact exercises.
Durable enough for heavy equipment but requires care to prevent scuffs.
Ideal For: Multi-use spaces, light exercise zones, low investment for those early in their fitness goals.
Cost: $5–$12 per square foot for hardwood, plus $1–$3 per square foot for mats.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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