Best floors for home gyms

When you’ve secured all the right equipment for an awesome workout space, look down. The right home gym flooring does more than just support all the workout equipment; workout room flooring is durable enough to handle all the rigors of a good workout, soft enough to protect the body from injury caused by continuous impact, and has enough grip to prevent injuries from slips, trips, and falls.

There are several flooring options that check off all those boxes and make a gym look appealing (to the homeowner and guests!).

Rubber tile

Great for shock absorption, rubber tiles are easy-to-install (just interlock the tiles!) and perfect for workout spaces that need to be on-the-move or put away. Rubber tiles are affordable, durable, and add a unique style to any home gym.

Rubber sheets

These floors are one of the top contenders for commercial and home gyms. Rubber sheet floors are incredibly durable and can take the weight of heavy equipment. Rubber flooring are easily installed over concrete (like in a basement) or another type of flooring; the floor is fairly heavy, however, so some muscle is needed for transport and initial installation.

Foam

Foam is a lightweight gym flooring option, perfect for those who need to set up a workout space and put it away occasionally. It is also affordable and can be assembled in colorful patterns and designs. Unfortunately, the main disadvantage of foam is the lack of durability. Heavy equipment can leave dents on foam. Strenuous workouts can also tear and damage foam.

Cork

This eco-friendly and hypoallergenic wood flooring option can be harvested without damaging the tree. Cork flooring adds the warm look of wood to any workout space while still providing cushion and insulation. The latter property makes cork flooring for those who want to get their groove on while working out. Cork floors are ideal for insulating sound and heating/cooling. Unfortunately, because it is wood and incredibly soft, cork can be damaged by water, heavy equipment, and even pet paws; always consult a flooring professional when considering cork for a basement or over a slab.

Vinyl

Vinyl is synonymous with durable, making it a good option for home gyms. Many vinyl floors are water resistant and can be installed with padding that provides shock absorption. This flooring is also easy-to-clean and can easily be installed over a concrete slab.

Carpet tile

Carpet tile is a very versatile type of flooring, making it ideal for a playroom, home office, or home gym. For shock absorption, install carpet tile over padding. Carpet tile is easily maintained with a regular vacuuming. If a carpet tile is damaged, the tile can be pulled up and replaced with another tile.

Carpet

This soft and durable flooring is ideal for a home gym, providing plenty of shock absorption and durability to any workout space. While carpet with a high pile is not recommended (because of snags and tears), there are many other carpet products that are ideal for a home workout room. Carpet comes in a variety of styles, is easy-to-clean, and can be incredibly budget-friendly. For a small home gym, ask a local flooring professional about purchasing a remnant. Carpet remnants are the remainder of a roll of carpeting; carpet stores usually discount them for a quick sale.