When to Use Gym Rubber Flooring？

Thinking about building a home gym and wondering if rubber flooring is the right choice for your space? You probably know that rubber flooring is the gold standard in gym flooring, but maybe you’re concerned about potential drawbacks.

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The last thing you want is to make a purchase you regret. This guide can help! We’re taking an in-depth look at rubber flooring to find all the benefits and some important considerations. 

Discover the top nine rubber flooring pros and cons to help you make a smart shopping decision. 

What is Rubber Gym Flooring?

Known for its versatility and durability, rubber flooring is the ideal surface for your gym. Whether you’re trying to create a workout room or updating a commercial gym, you can find the perfect flooring to meet your needs.

Most rubber flooring is made from materials like recycled vehicle tires. This makes the flooring extremely durable and low-maintenance. 

Rubber flooring also comes with several DIY-friendly options. You can choose from interlocking tiles, rolls, mats, and sheets to fit your space.

Pros of Rubber Gym Flooring

Rubber is the ultimate gym flooring option, and there are many reasons for this, from durability to DIY installation. Check out these advantages of rubber flooring that make it so popular.

Slip Resistance

Rubber flooring is unique because it becomes more slip-resistant when it gets wet. That means you have a safe, slip-free surface to work out on, no matter the conditions. You don’t have to worry about spills causing potential injury.

Plus, because it doesn’t get slippery when wet, rubber flooring is also ideal for outside use. Install it in your yard to create an easy outdoor workout area. 

Water-Resistant

In addition to being slip-resistant, rubber flooring is also water-resistant! 

To be 100% certain no water ever reaches your subfloor, you can seal the flooring with a rubber floor finish and sealer and also seal the seams with a seam sealer. Without a finish and sealer, there is still a chance water can get under the flooring.

Incredibly Durable

Rubber flooring is built with durability in mind. After all, it needs to handle heavy workouts and high-traffic commercial gyms. 

While the common misconception is that thicker rubber means higher durability, that’s not necessarily true. Durability is more about density. Dense rubber flooring is tough and durable.  Low-density rubber flooring is more shock absorbant but also not quite as durable.

Vulcanized rubber are the most durable. If you need superb durability, make sure to search for these options.

• Vulcanized rubber: During the vulcanization process, the rubber is compressed into a dense, ultra-durable, non-porous rubber. This option naturally has a significantly milder scent than non-vulcanized rubber.

Absorbs Impact

Intense workouts can put a lot of stress on your joints, so you need flooring that can absorb the impact of your burpees, plyometric workouts, and dropped weights.

High impact rubber flooring can lessen the stress and wear on your knees, back, and hips, and protect you from injury.

For the best high-impact gym flooring, look for products made from recycled, lower-density rubber. You can also find flooring with waffle backings designed specifically to absorb heavy impacts.

Easy Installation

One of the best things about rubber flooring is the ease of installation. Whether you choose rubber floor tiles, rubber rolls, or rubber gym mats, you can upgrade your gym in a single afternoon. 

Rubber tiles are the most DIY-friendly option. The edges interlock together like giant puzzle pieces, and they’re heavy enough that you don’t need to glue them down. 

Rubber flooring rolls are also extremely easy to install. You just roll them out, and you’re done!

Cons of Rubber Gym Flooring

Smell

Rubber flooring does have a distinct smell. This is caused by off-gassing from the glue that holds the flooring together and the rubber itself.

Some products smell stronger than others, depending on the type of raw material used or how the flooring was made. For example, virgin rubber flooring doesn’t really have a smell, so if you’re sensitive to the smell, this would be the best option for you.

When you first get your flooring, the smell will be the strongest, but after installation, it will become less intense after a few weeks. 

You can also mop a few times with a mild soap and water cleaning solution like Dawn or Tide, and then keep the room well-ventilated or leave the flooring outside to dry. This should alleviate the smell.

Style

Rubber flooring is very functional, but it’s not necessarily known for its style. For the most part, your flooring is going to be black. If you want a minimalist look, this isn’t a problem. 

One way to amp up the style is to introduce color. Some options will come with EPDM color flecks, containing anywhere from 10% to 95% color fleck. 

Price

As you consider rubber flooring pros and cons, price may be a big factor. Rubber is premium gym flooring. It’s ultra-durable with highly sought-after features like shock absorbency, a non-slip surface, and easy installation. This is an investment in your gym and your fitness, and the cost is worth it.

The company is the world’s best Gym Rubber Flooring supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Heavy

The densest and most durable options are pretty heavy, especially if you’re installing a cumbersome rubber roll or a mat. 

If you want more portable gym flooring, consider something lighter like 6mm Energy Rubber Tiles.

Conclusion

Those are the biggest rubber flooring pros and cons. Now that you know the top pros and cons, you’ll have a better idea if this is the right home gym flooring for you. 

If you want to upgrade your gym with rubber flooring, get started with some free samples to find the perfect options for you.

An example is the Rubber Equipment Mat, made from a high-quality rubber that doesn’t absorb moisture, making it resistant to bacteria growth (and whatever nightmarish Demogorgon grows out of spilled shaker bottles). The 3mm (1/8”) Rubber Equipment Mat also works great to keep your equipment from slipping; this mat fits perfectly under the REP Dumbbell Mat and features texture on both sides to keep the mat and equipment solidly in place.

If you want to do heavier lifting, you’ll prefer a thicker 3x4’ Floor Mat that’s ¾" or 19mm thick. (That’s the typical standard thickness for a commercial gym floor.) These have texture on the bottom to keep it from slipping, but no texture on the top so it’s comfortable on your skin when you do floor work. The 4x8’ Floor Mat is also ¾" thick with similar texture – but these suckers are hefty, weighing nearly 100lbs each.

Foam is still shock-absorbent, but heavy or aggressive use can cause gauges in the material over time. It tends to be cheaper, but it’s harder to keep clean, due to the pores, and it won’t last as long as thick rubber. However, if you’re looking for a soft space for bodyweight workouts, yoga, core work, and light weights, foam should do the trick.

An example of a foam mat is REP’s Exercise Mat. It’s lightweight and easy to move around, and it’s made with thick 1.5” (38mm) internal foam. An even thicker foam mat is the 4-Fold Fitness Mat, made from 2.5” (64mm), medium-firmness foam. This mat features four different 2x4’ sections, so you can fold it up and store it even in small spaces. It’s less of a gym floor and more of an added cushion on top for you to practice your handstands and yoga.

Gym Flooring Rolls vs. Gym Flooring Tiles

When choosing between rolls and tiles for gym flooring, consider your space, installation preferences, and the type of workouts you'll be doing. 

Rubber rolls are great for larger spaces since they provide seamless coverage and are easy to install in open areas. They're typically more affordable for covering big spaces and offer solid protection for heavy equipment like barbells and squat racks. 

Rubber tiles, on the other hand, offer more flexibility and customization. They’re perfect for smaller or irregular-shaped rooms and allow you to easily replace damaged sections without tearing up the entire floor. Tiles are also ideal if you plan to move or expand your gym later. 

Ultimately, if you want efficiency and uniformity, go for rolls. If you need versatility and ease of replacement, tiles are your best bet. 

What Gym Flooring is Best for a Garage or Basement?

When deciding between rolls and tiles for your gym flooring, it's important to think about your space, installation ease, and the type of training you'll be doing. 

Rubber rolls are perfect for large, open areas like a garage gym. They offer seamless coverage, making them ideal for heavy lifting zones, and provide solid protection for equipment like barbells and racks. Rolls are also more cost-effective for covering larger areas, especially in a garage where you might have more square footage. 

Rubber tiles, on the other hand, are great for basement gyms or smaller, irregular spaces. They’re easy to install and replace, which is helpful in basements where moisture or odd layouts might be a concern. Tiles are also ideal if you plan to expand or rearrange your setup later. 

For a garage gym, choose rubber rolls for uniformity and easy cleaning. For a basement gym, opt for rubber tiles for better customization and moisture control. Both options provide excellent durability and shock absorption, so it ultimately comes down to the specific needs of your space. 

INSTALLING GYM FLOORING

It’s not complicated to lay down your flooring, whether it’s a mat, roll, or a tile, although the larger mats and commercial rolls can be surprisingly heavy and may require multiple people to move them. The Commercial Rolled Flooring weighs 200lbs per 25’ roll, and even the 4’x6’ Floor Mats weigh 88lbs per mat.  

The tiles (like the Rubber Floor Tiles and Gray Fleck Puzzle Tiles) are generally the easiest to install, especially in a basement or small space where you don’t have a ton of space to maneuver. Tiles are lightweight (8lbs each) and small (24”x24 to 29x29”). However, they’re thinner and therefore not quite as tough than the heavier, pro-level mats. 

Tips for installing your gym flooring

The base matters: If possible, it’s best not to lay rubber flooring on top of soft carpet, as that can create some instability. Ideally, remove the carpet or make your gym on a bare or flatter surface. 

Some people recommend putting a layer of paper between hardwood and gym mats to further protect your floors. In addition, you can add a subflooring if you are putting gym mats directly on top of concrete that could have moisture. 

If you want to lay a mat on top of vinyl flooring, make sure the material of your floors won’t have a bad reaction with the rubber. Rubber can react with chemicals in some vinyl and create stains. 

Secure it: You can also secure your flooring and prevent unwanted movement or gaps with either special flooring glue or double-sided tape. If you know the flooring will be a permanent piece of the room you are installing it in, you probably want to use glue. If you're looking for less-permanent setups, opt for the double-sided tape. 

Before using either adhesive, make sure all surfaces are clean, dry, and free of dust, dirt, oil, and loose material. Any cracks or holes in the flooring should be filled. The surface should be smooth and level to ensure proper adhesion.  

Double-Sided Floor Tape allows you to stick your gym flooring without making it too permanent – ideal for leased or spaces and temporary solutions. Tape is super easy to use: 

• Peel the backing off the tape to stick it to the base floor. 

• Peel the top layer off. 

• Simply place the tiles, mats or flooring on top. 

• You’re done. There’s no drying time. 

Double-Sided Floor Tape is designed to adhere perfectly along all edges and seams for a smooth surface. When you’re done, it’s no problem to remove the flooring and tape cleanly without leaving residue or damaging underlying surfaces. 

Rubber Flooring Glueis the best bet for a more permanent adhesive. With this adhesive, your flooring isn’t going anywhere for a long time. Although it takes a little more finesse than tape, Rubber Flooring Glue is not difficult to use. There’s no mixing, no priming, and it cures fast. This glue is simple to trowel, too.  

• You’ll need a notched trowel for the adhesive. We recommend a 1/16” square (1.5mm) notch trowel.

• Apply the glue to the base floor and you have 30 minutes to roll out the flooring on top for best results. 

• If the adhesive begins to skin over before you get the flooring all laid out, you may need to apply a new layer to ensure a fresh, wet surface for the flooring. 

• Work in smaller sections to manage the working time and avoid this issue.

• Apply the glue at temperatures above 60°F and below 90°F. 

• One gallon will cover 90SQFT (just shy of a 25’x4’ roll of flooring).

Learn more about installing gym flooring here. 

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