If you’re exercising from home, your floors might take a bit of a beating. Whether you’re dropping heavy weights on them or doing bodyweight exercises, you want the best gym flooring so you don’t end up damaging hardwood floors or tiles beyond repair.
But not all flooring material is made the same. It’s in your best interest to do a bit of research on which one would suit your needs before you buy, to make sure it protects your floors and lasts a good long time as well.
If you don’t know where to start, there are home gym design experts you can call for help like the guys at the Training Station.
We’ve listed our top choices for a variety of workout types. If you’ve got a home gym and need to bump up your floor protection and non-slip safety, check these out!
Jump to:
- In a Hurry ? Here are our top-banked products
- Why Trust BoxLife?
- Who Needs Gym Flooring?
- How We Chose the Best Gym Flooring
- How We Tested Them
- Best Gym Flooring – Our Top Picks
- 1. Rogue Fitness Power Platform – Best for Weightlifting
- 2. Rogue Fitness Comp Matting – Best Temporary Flooring
- 3. DWC Rubber Mat Flooring – Best for Heavy Use
- 4. PLAE Achieve – Best for Large Gyms
- 5. Rogue Fitness Rubber Tile – Thickest Matting
- 6. IncStores Premium Soft Wood Print Foam Flooring Tiling – Best for Yoga Studios
- 7. REGUPOLaktiv Rolled Flooring – Best In Multiple Thicknesses
- 8. American Floor Mats 3/8in – Best for Light Use
- Buyer’s Guide: What To Consider When Shopping for Gym Flooring
- FAQs
In a Hurry ? Here are our top-banked products
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Why Trust BoxLife?
Our team have been personal trainers and first-time home-gym-creators. We’ve gymmed in fancy facilities, backyard boxes, and in the comfort of our own homes. Most of us have our own home gyms where we stay fit, so we know the importance of investing in the right bits and pieces of equipment to keep yourself and your home safe.
We’ve all tried different kinds of flooring material in our home gyms. Some of us have found success and some of us have had to replace our floors! So when we recommend gym flooring products here, you know we’ve been through the experience and know what to look for so you don’t have to make the same mistakes.
Who Needs Gym Flooring?
If you’re exercising from home, you need gym flooring. It doesn’t matter if you’re a heavy lifter or simply doing yoga poses—impact, movement, and sweat can all cause damage to your floors.
Those who exercise outdoors in their backyard might not need an extra layer, unless you want to kit your gym space out with artificial turf. There are a number of turf options you can consider, but we’re focusing on indoor gym flooring. If you’re a heavy lifter or planning on doing any kind of workout indoors, keep your floors and yourself safe by investing in protective flooring!
How We Chose the Best Gym Flooring
Firstly, we put together a list of the gym flooring products each member of our team uses in their own home gyms. Then, we leapt onto Google to find out which excellent options we were missing.
Once we’d come up with a robust list, we doubled down on the research to find the best of the best options. We read real-people reviews, phoned sporting goods retailers, and dived into the real nitty-gritty details of each one.
How We Tested Them
Although we researched a wide range of things, we ended up assessing 7 specific features to make sure these gym flooring options would work well.
- Material
- Footprint
- Thickness
- Grip
- Installation
- Noise Dampening
- Cost
Best Gym Flooring – Our Top Picks
Here are our 8 top-ranked products:
1. Rogue Fitness Power Platform – Best for Weightlifting
A robust vulcanized rubber mat
- Shock-absorbing rubber construction
- Ideal size for a “lifting zone” in a home gym
- Rubber gym flooring might be too firm for other activities
Rogue Fitness makes some superb gym flooring products, and these rubber tiles are a solid choice for a home gym if you’re going to be weight training.
Why We Like It
The Rogue Fitness Power Platform is a robust vulcanized rubber mat. Coming in at ¾-inch thick, it’s the ideal thickness to handle heavy lifting, plus the closed-cell rubber construction makes it quite shock-absorbing.
While sold as a “single” mat, it comes in various rubber tiles that are connected with a Modular Loose Lay Interlocking System. Once connected, the rubber gym flooring spans 6 by 7 and a half feet, the ideal size for a “weightlifting zone”.
The mat won’t move underfoot and it also features diamond-pattern texturing on the rubber surface to give you an excellent footing while lifting. Then there’s the waffle-pattern “impact zones” in the base of the mat, which absorb sound so the thuds of your weight plates dropping shouldn’t reverberate through the house.
Pros | Cons |
✅ Shock-absorbing rubber construction and ¾-inch thickness makes this mat perfect for weightlifting | ❌ Rubber gym flooring might be too firm for other activities |
✅ Ideal size for a “lifting zone” in a home gym and easy to install | ❌ |
✅ Diamond texture pattern on the top rubber surface enhances your grip and helps you stay stable during heavy lifts | ❌ |
✅ Waffle-pattern impact zones in the base help to reduce noise | ❌ |
Key Specs
Flooring Material | Re-vulcanized rubber, closed-cell construction |
Floor Space | 6 feet by 7 ½ feet |
Thickness | ¾-inch |
Grip | Diamond pattern for anti-slip properties |
Installation Process | Simple installation |
Noise Dampening | Waffle-pattern impact zones for noise reduction |
Cost | $399 |
2. Rogue Fitness Comp Matting – Best Temporary Flooring
One of the easiest ones to move around if needs be
- Perfect for places that need temporary flooring solutions
- 1.25-inch thickness
- Difficult to tell what material it’s made of
This is a heavy-duty mat, and it’s one of the easiest ones to move around if needs be. An excellent choice for those who need semi-permanent rubber gym flooring.
Why We Like It
The Rogue Fitness Comp Matting is ideal for a variety of uses, but we particularly love its size and thickness. This mat comes in a 10’ x 6’ strip, which is more than enough space for almost anything you’d like to do on it.
A unique roll-out design makes it simple to lay out whenever and wherever you need it, and then just roll it up and move it out of the way afterwards. Perfect for those who have an exercise pace that doubles as something else in the home!
With a thickness of 1.25 inches, there’s plenty of density under your feet, hands, or body when working on this surface. These rubber rolls are the sweet spot for bodyweight workouts and gymnastics, but not the best for heavy weights.
The surface of this rubber gym flooring is pretty smooth, but the rubber volume and the size of the mat means it’s very unlikely to slip on the floor while you’re working out. As long as you’re wearing decent shoes, your feet are unlikely to slip on the rubber layer as well.
It’s also been treated with a protective layer of Bio-Pruf, which is an antibacterial treatment that stops the growth of fungi and bacteria. So there’s no need to worry about your skin coming into contact with the rubber surface on floor-based exercises either!
Pros | Cons |
✅ The unique design of rubber rolls makes this mat perfect for places that need temporary flooring solutions | ❌ Difficult to tell what material it’s made of |
✅ 1.25-inch thickness is ideal for a number of activities, like calisthenics and gymnastics work | ❌ |
✅ The sizable footprint means there’s little chance of the mat slipping once it’s been laid down | ❌ |
✅ Also available in custom sizes so you can get it made to fit your gym space | ❌ |
Key Specs
Flooring Material | Unsure |
Floor Space | 10 feet by 6 feet |
Thickness | 1.25 inches |
Grip | Size of the mat means it most likely won’t move once you’ve placed it. Smooth rubber surface offers anti-slip properties with shoes |
Installation Process | Easy thanks to the roll-out design |
Noise Dampening | Unclear but likely to be effective |
Cost | $475 |
3. DWC Rubber Mat Flooring – Best for Heavy Use
These mats are nothing fancy, but they’re as hardy as they come.
- Ultra-durable Grade-A rubber is the gold standard in CrossFit and Olympic gyms
- These tiles are pricey
These mats are nothing fancy, but they’re as hardy as they come. Whether it’s just you gymming in your space or you’re building a CrossFit gym with plenty of expected foot traffic and the potential for heavy weight to be dropped, these are a great option for gym flooring.
Why We Like It
The DWC Rubber Mat flooring is Grade-A rubber with a ¾-inch rubber volume, which is the gold standard across gyms and CrossFit boxes. If you’re using this in your home gym for just a few people, it should last you decades.
Rubber tires are recycled down to make these mats, so you can rest assured knowing these mats are sustainable as well as crazy durable. They also do a pretty good job of dampening sound.
This is definitely the best option for gym flooring if you’re a heavy lifter. Trying to do cardio like jumping rope or other high-impact activities won’t work well—the mat is stiff enough to feel like a concrete floor under your feet upon impact!
It’s not clear what size one tile is, but you can buy them in packs of 6, 10 or 20. Be aware upfront that this flooring is pricey, but you probably won’t need to replace it… Ever.
Pros | Cons |
✅ Ultra-durable Grade-A rubber is the gold standard in CrossFit and Olympic gyms | ❌ These tiles are pricey, but they’re so durable that it’s worth the price |
✅ Made of recycled rubber tires, so it’s sustainable as well as durable | ❌ |
✅ Available in various sized packs depending on your space | ❌ |
✅ Easy installation and does a good job of dampening sound | ❌ |
Key Specs
Flooring Material | Recycled rubber |
Floor Space | Unclear |
Thickness | ¾-inch |
Grip | Excellent anti-slip properties (coin pattern on down side, smooth or diamond pattern on rubber surface) |
Installation Process | Easy |
Noise Dampening | Not bad |
Cost | Various costs for various size tile packs |
4. PLAE Achieve – Best for Large Gyms
This hardcore rubber/polyurethane mixed flooring is ideal for large spaces
- 15-year guarantee
- ½-inch thick
- Must order a minimum of 1200 square feet, making it pricey
You have to order a minimum of 1200 square feet of this flooring, so PLAE rubber mats are a better choice for those with a bigger gym or who can use the flooring for other applications as well.
Why We Like It
This hardcore rubber/polyurethane mixed flooring is ideal for large spaces. It comes in a roll of 4 feet wide by 35 feet long, so it’s a bit quicker to install than tiles if you do it right.
That being said, it can be tricky to get it right. The company’s 15-year guarantee is only valid if you use their recommended glues and installation processes, so take some care and time when laying this flooring.
You can choose from 8 different “color levels,” each featuring a particular color fleck in a specific concentration. Be aware that price goes up with color, but if your gym is kitted out in a particular shade, this is a nice feature.
The matting is half an inch thick, but does come in other thicknesses if you’d prefer. It’s got a smooth rubber surface but doesn’t compromise on grip, and it does a good job of absorbing sound too.
PLAE flooring comes with an impressive 15-year guarantee against manufacturing defects, provided it’s installed using their recommended adhesives and procedures.
Pros | Cons |
✅ 15-year guarantee puts your mind at ease about durability | ❌ Must order a minimum of 1200 square feet, making it pricey |
✅ ½-inch thick, but also available in other thicknesses for a variety of applications | ❌ |
✅ Exceptionally durable thanks to recycled rubber and polyurethane construction | ❌ |
✅ 8 different color levels to choose from, so you can match your decor or gym style | ❌ |
Key Specs
Flooring Material | Recycled SBR rubber tires and EPDM rubber granules bonded with polyurethane. |
Floor Space | 4 feet by 35 feet |
Thickness | ½-inch (but available in others) |
Grip | Smooth but grippy rubber surface |
Installation Process | Not easy (but if done correctly gets you a 15-year guarantee) |
Noise Dampening | Excellent |
Cost | Minimum order of 1200 square feet (expensive) |
5. Rogue Fitness Rubber Tile – Thickest Matting
At a thickness of 1.5 inches, the Rogue Fitness Rubber Tile way outstrips the rest.
- 1.5-inch thickness provides ideal shock-absorption for high-impact activities
- Don’t interlock so installation may be a little more tricky
If you need some seriously shock-absorbing rubber gym flooring, this one could be it. It’s not going to be the best for weight training or yoga, but for plyometrics and heavy stuff like the atlas stones, it’s ideal.
Why We Like It
At a thickness of 1.5 inches, the Rogue Fitness Rubber Tile way outstrips the rest. It’s ideal for activities that need extra shock-absorption to protect those floors. As well as great shock absorption, it also has excellent sound absorption properties.
You can buy it with a smooth surface or a crumb finish, but both are non-slip and keep you safe on your feet. A waffled pattern on the base keeps it from sliding on the floor.
We like that you can buy these in packs of 2, which means you can easily kit out a space of any size.
Pros | Cons |
✅ 1.5-inch thickness provides ideal shock-absorption for high-impact activities like plyometrics, atlas stones, etc | ❌ Don’t interlock so installation may be a little more tricky |
✅ Comes in a pair, so you can easily get the right size for your own space | ❌ |
✅ Excellent noise-absorption thanks to its thickness | ❌ |
✅ Optional surface finishes but both with good grip, and a waffle-pattern on base for non-slip grip | ❌ |
Key Specs
Flooring Material | Recycled SBR/EPDM rubber wear layer, 100% recycled SBR rubber backing |
Floor Space | 2 feet by 2 feet |
Thickness | 1.5 inches |
Grip | Optional finishes but good grip with both. Waffled pattern on base for anti-slip properties. |
Installation Process | Easy installation |
Noise Dampening | Excellent |
Cost | $75 per pair |
6. IncStores Premium Soft Wood Print Foam Flooring Tiling – Best for Yoga Studios
Perfect for low-impact activities that take place in a studio
- Stylish-looking foam mats
- Awesome color range
- Waterproof surface may be a little slippery sometimes
This foam tiling is pretty, practical, and perfect for low-impact activities that take place in a studio. Awesome color range available!
Why We Like It
The IncStores Premium Soft Wood Tiles are made of soft, comfortable EVA foam that adds a touch of support and comfort, but looks much more attractive than regular rubberized gym flooring!
These foam mats come in two thicknesses—⅜-inch and ⅝-inch—and an awesome color range. Note that each color has its own thickness, so you may need to compromise on one or the other to get what you need.
The surface has a waterproof coating so you don’t have to worry about spilled water or sweat on your foam mats! It’s perfect for close-contact floor exercises like yoga or Pilates, and as a bonus, it’s also super easy to install.
Pros | Cons |
✅ Stylish-looking foam mats available in awesome color range and look great in a studio setting | ❌ Different colors = different widths, so don’t get caught out |
✅ Available in 2 different widths so you can choose one that’s right for your activity | ❌ Waterproof surface may be a little slippery sometimes |
✅ Waterproof surface means you can exercise with peace of mind | ❌ |
✅ Easy installation for a single person to do on their own | ❌ |
Key Specs
Flooring Material | Closed-cell EVA foam |
Floor Space | 2 feet by 2 feet |
Thickness | ⅜-inch or ⅝-inch |
Grip | Moderate but might be slippery on occasion due to waterproof surface |
Installation Process | Easy interlocking tiles |
Noise Dampening | Slightly noise-insulating |
Cost | $69.99 to $309.99 |
7. REGUPOLaktiv Rolled Flooring – Best In Multiple Thicknesses
If you’re looking for more options in terms of thickness, the REGUPOLacktiv Rolled Flooring offers a wide range of choice.
- 5 different thicknesses
- Dampens noise fairly effectively
- Might need to but to install, so it can become a little tricky
If you’re looking for more options in terms of thickness, the REGUPOLacktiv Rolled Flooring offers a wide range of choices to help you find the perfect flooring.
Why We Like It
These rubber rolls are made from recycled tires, so they’ve got a good bit of shock-absorption and noise-dampening in them. Whatever you need them for, you can find a thickness to suit you, with 5 different thickness options.
They’re also available in two different lengths—25 or 50 feet. You may need to get creative with your cutting to get them to fit in a smaller space, but it’s a small price to pay for such good quality tiles.
You’ll also be able to pick from a wide variety of color options with flecks in the top rubber layer, so you don’t have to worry about it not fitting in with your decor. Very versatile choice!
Pros | Cons |
✅ Available in 5 different thicknesses and 2 lengths so you can find what you need | ❌ Might need to but to install, so it can become a little tricky |
✅ Dampens noise fairly effectively | ❌ |
✅ Anti-slip properties on the top rubber surface and excellent traction underneath | ❌ |
✅ Huge range of color options with flecks available to suit your own preferences | ❌ |
Key Specs
Flooring Material | Recycled rubber tires |
Floor Space | 4 feet by 25 or 50 feet |
Thickness | ¼-inch, 5/16-inch, ⅜-inch, ½-inch, ¾-inch |
Grip | Anti-slip properties and excellent traction on the floor |
Installation Process | Easy but might need creative cutting |
Noise Dampening | Excellent |
Cost | Varies depending on color and length |
8. American Floor Mats 3/8in – Best for Light Use
American Floor Mats make great gym flooring rolls that would be an asset in any light-use gym.
- Awesome color range to suit every style and need
- Rubber volume of 3/8-inch is perfect as a durable rubber layer cardio machines
- Not enough rubber volume for heavy lifting
The American Floor Mats vulcanized rubber floors are one of the thinner rubber options, but they’re ideal for gym spaces with machines as their main feature. The rubber volume may be less than others, but they’re more durable than foam flooring tiles and come in an awesome color range too!
Why We Like It
American Floor Mats make great gym flooring rolls that would be an asset in any light-use gym. With 3/8-inch rubber volume, these rubber floors are light but surprisingly durable. The vulcanized rubber layer is the perfect protective layer to stop cardio machines damaging your floors.
While rubber floors often come in black only, these ones come in an awesome color range so you can deck your space out to match your personality. The rubber rolls are easy to install, and while thin, provide more protection than vinyl flooring or foam flooring.
American Floor Mats also come with a 5-year warranty, which is appreciated. The rubber floors are made to lie flat and not curl, so they’re a great sweet spot for gyms that won’t involve personal trainers doing hardcore exercise.
The rubber volume is also thin enough that you can lay foam mats on top of it if you need an extra layer to find that sweet spot for yoga or stretching. It’s a good budget rubber option.
Pros | Cons |
✅ Awesome color range to suit every style and need | ❌ Not enough rubber volume for heavy lifting |
✅ Rubber volume of 3/8-inch is perfect as a durable rubber layer cardio machines | ❌ |
✅ Gym flooring rolls are easy to lay down almost anywhere and cut to size | ❌ |
✅ Comes with a 5-year warranty | ❌ |
Key Specs
Flooring Material | Heavy duty vulcanized rubber rolls |
Floor Space | 4 feet by 6 feet |
Thickness | ⅜-inch rubber layer |
Grip | Slightly textured non-slip surface |
Installation Process | Easy to install in spaces of all sizes |
Noise Dampening | Average |
Cost | $119.34 |
Buyer’s Guide: What To Consider When Shopping for Gym Flooring
Planning on kitting out your home exercise space with top-quality flooring to shield your floors and protect your feet? Here’s what to consider while shopping.
What You’ll Be Using the Space For
Your type of exercise matters. If you’re going to be weightlifting, you’ll need a dense mat that absorbs shock, so your floors stay safe from dropped weights.
On the other hand, if you’re going to be doing floor-based exercises like yoga or Pilates, you want a softer mat that creates a protective layer between your body and the floor but is still dense enough that you don’t sink right through it.
A springy mat is the sweet spot for cardio options like aerobics, as it’ll help reduce impact on the joints. If you’re going to be doing a range of different things on the mat, you might want to opt for something a bit more versatile or multi-layered.
Artificial turf could be a good choice for sled push or sprints, but it’s not going to offer a lot of cushioning or protection. If you’re only going to be using cardio machines in the space, vinyl tiles could be a good choice. They come in a variety of color options, are waterproof, and provide a light but durable protective layer.
Material That Its Made Of
Not all matting material is created equal! Generally, you can find EVA foam tiles easily, but they aren’t usually tough enough for weightlifting. Foam mats are great for yoga and bodyweight exercises, but rubber tiles will be durable and shock-absorbent enough for heavy lifters.
Rubber floors are by far the most popular. A solid rubber layer provides excellent shock absorption and you can find plenty of rubber options. Some of the best gym flooring companies, including Rogue Fitness, focus mainly on rubber floors.
PVC or vinyl flooring are long-lasting, easy to clean, and suitable for general workouts. Cork flooring is another good option for light workouts although it damages more easily. We advise against using low-pile carpet tiles, as they’re not as cushioned, durable, or shock-absorbing, although they might look nice! Plus, you have to stick carpet tiles to the floor with an adhesive.
Thickness of the Home Gym Flooring
The thickness of each mat has a direct impact on its cushioning, shock-absorption, and sound-proofing properties. Thicker mats will generally absorb shock better and dampen noise, but they also might not be quite what you need.
A ¼-inch mat is generally good for bodyweight workouts and light use that doesn’t require a lot of shock-absorption. A ½-inch mat is a better choice for more intense workouts that need a bit more joint protection.
Mats of ¾-inch thickness and above are your best bet for weightlifting. But it’s a good idea to test a few out before buying, especially if you’re doing yoga or something similar where comfort is a big factor.
Surface Texture
Ideally, you want a mat that has a non-slip surface. Most of them will offer some kind of non-slip texture on the under-side of the mat, but it’s important to have it on the top surface as well.
Look for raised patterns, textures, lines, or grooves. These are invaluable, no matter what exercise you’re doing, and we don’t recommend choosing smooth mats.
Sound Suppression / Noise Reduction
Sound-proofing isn’t a necessity, but it’s often a feature that’s much appreciated! With the right flooring, you can deadlift in the middle of the night and your partner or roommate won’t even wake up.
Flooring that’s designed specifically for sound-proofing can be expensive. But if you choose the right regular flooring, you can get a good bit of sound-proofing benefit out of it as well. Foam gym flooring isn’t often great for soundproofing, but a thick rubber layer should be good.
Ease of Installation
Some flooring comes in rolls, which often require cutting to fit into your gym space. Interlocking tiles are the easiest option to install, and you can easily customize them to any space. Larger mats are suitable for smaller workout stations.
Depending on what flooring you’re layering the mats over, you might need to lay a protective lining underneath it first (especially for hardwood floors). Also, consider if you’re going to be leaving the flooring down semi-permanently or lifting it after every session.
Water Resistance
Sweat can wreak havoc on poor-quality flooring! If you’re going to be doing light workouts that don’t really work up much of a sweat, you won’t need to worry much about it, but there’s always a chance of spilling your water and ruining your flooring.
Consider whether or not water-proofing is something you need in a mat. We highly recommend it, but it might up the price a little.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Sweat, dust, and dirt from your shoes can accumulate on the mats, leading to a grimy look and feel as well as diminishing the mat’s lifespan.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the mats before you buy. You’ll need to stay on top of it, so you might end up cleaning every few days to make sure your flooring stays durable and looking good.
For heavy sweating, you might want to clean with a disinfectant solution, but lower-quality mats might be damaged by a strong cleaning product.
Price
Obviously, this depends on your budget. If you’re going for a higher-quality option, expect to pay a little more per mat. Most manufacturers sell single mats and sell in bulk at a reduced price.
FAQs
What Is the Best Material for Home Gym Flooring?
The best material for your home gym depends on what you’re going to be doing there. If you’re going to be lifting (and dropping) heavy weight plates, rubber is by far the best. For lighter aerobic activities, dense EVA foam mats are a good option for gym flooring.
How Thick Should Home Gym Floors Be?
This also depends on your type of exercise. For bodyweight workouts and light, low-impact exercise, ¼-inch mats should be enough. For anything using heavy weight plates, ¾-inch and above would be the better choice.
For floor-based exercises like yoga where you’re lying on the mat, you might want to go for a slightly thicker but softer material, so it provides support but is still comfortable.
What Are the Best Ways to Secure Flooring in a Home Gym?
If you’re laying your flooring down in the garage or in a dedicated gym space, gluing it down works really well. Consider, though, that you might need to pull it up if you want to change the function of the room or if you move house.
Strong double-sided tape could be a better option than glue. Other options for gym flooring adhesives include carpet tape or mending plates, depending on your needs and availability. Remember, foam mats and rubber floors may need different adhesives as they wear quite differently.
Do You Need to Put Anything Under Gym Flooring?
If you’ve got nice tiles, wood, or a good quality floor underneath, you might want to lay down a protective layer before putting down your gym flooring rolls or tiles. This is also a good idea if you’re using rubber flooring tiles or rubber rolls.
If you’re setting up a gym in a bit of a neglected spot that has an uneven floor, you might need to sort that out before laying tiles. Lay some concrete or something similar to make sure the surface is level and smooth before you consider adding gym flooring to it.