What is the Best Surface for Your Home Gym?

Installing your dream home gym is a decision that is never taken lightly. You will have to carefully budget and decide the perfect space where you can achieve your fitness goals from the comfort of your home. Whether it is excelling in weight training or achieving your cardio goals, a well-designed home gym enables you to work out safely and effectively within reach of your bedroom.

Once you have a good idea of what you will be primarily using your home gym for, you must ask yourself have you got the right surface for the equipment you will be using. If that includes heavy weights, you need to think about the damage that they can do to your home without adequate flooring.

Similarly, if you are doing cardio or yoga predominantly, you need to ensure that the surface is giving your body adequate support and cushioning throughout your workout. Finally, regardless of whether you are focused on cardio or weights, will your home gym flooring be able to adequately absorb noise so that you aren’t disturbing either your family or your neighbors.

There are a variety of surfaces that you will see in home gyms, with each of them bringing their own different positives and negatives. Below we take a look different surfaces used in home gyms and examine their pluses and minuses that will help you make your own surface installation decision that bit easier.

1. Concrete

While some people like the raw and rustic concept of a concrete gym surface, as well as being a minimalistic option, there aren’t many other benefits.

Pros:
– Little to no work needed
– Maintenance

Cons:
– No shock absorbance
– Heavy weights can cause damage

2. Wood

Looks clean, sleek and professional, and is a great option for a studio style gym. Depending on the dynamic nature of activity, it isn’t always a good option for a heavy sweater.

Pros:
– Looks stylish
– Durable for light to medium weighted equipment

Cons:
– Can be slippery when wet
– Doesn’t reduce noise well
– Expensive

3. Vinyl

A very practical choice, it can come in a harder or softer format. Softer vinyl is a common choice for a garage gym.

Pros:
– Easy to maintain
– Durable

Cons:
– Poor impact absorption

4. Carpet

Still one of the most common choices of home gym flooring. Whether that be in a rolled out or tiled format, it’s convenience and price keep it in high demand.

Pros:
– Cost effective
– Maintenance
– Comfortable

Cons:
– Poor impact absorption
– Odor and dirt build up

5. Foam Tiles

A great choice for a short-term option, someone with budget restraints, or whose primary purpose is Yoga or Pilates.

Pros:
– Versatile
– Good cushioning
– Easy to install
– Choice of design
– Cost effective

Cons:
– Durability
– Not suitable for heavy equipment

6. Artificial Turf

The choice for athletic performance workouts. A good quality turf surface will add excellent shock absorbance and allow for multipurposed use including pushing and dragging sleds.

Pros:
– Noise reduction
– Good option for impact absorption (with a good underlayment)
– Multifunctional

Cons:
– A good quality turf can be expensive
– Installation
– Usually requires a larger space to be fully utilized

7. Rubber

There is a reason why rubber is the premier gym flooring option and why you will find it in most commercial and home gyms. Given its versatility, it just about ticks every box out there. Rubber surfacing is available in the following forms:

Tiles/Mats

Typically, the cheapest option for rubber, these can be a great option given their versatility and easy installation.

Pros:
– Versatility
– Installation
– Impact absorption
– Excellent traction
– Noise reduction
– Durability

Cons:
– Cheaper options can have a distinct rubbery smell
– Mats can slide with heavy use

Rolls

Popular in high performance gyms, specifically for athletic tracks and lifting platforms. Can be sourced in varying thickness and depending on usage. Depending on length, rolls may not be suitable for smaller home gyms.

Pros:
– Impact absorption
– Excellent traction
– Noise reduction
– Durability
– Maintenance

Cons:
– Can be a costly option
– Poor installation can cause seams or crevices

Wet Pour / Pour-in-Place

The new age of gym surfacing for both home and commercial gyms. EPDM Rubber granules mixed with resin which is then poured on the surface and troweled. With all the benefits of rubber combined, endless options of custom logo or brand design on a seamless system, there has never been a more eye-catching surface.

Pros:
– Limitless design options
– Excellent traction
– Noise reduction
– Impact absorption
– Durability
– Maintenance
– Anti-Microbial

Cons:
– Complex design spec can add cost
– Requires expert installation

The Winner: Rubber

The opportunities with a rubber workout surface are endless. Given all of its beneficial performance, health and acoustic properties, along with its longevity, this is our recommended choice of surface for home gyms. Its versatility makes it the best floor surface for a home gym. Regardless of your specifications, budget or fitness goals there will be a rubber surface that will take your home gym to the next level. When you invest so much time, effort and money to design and execute your dream home gym, make sure that it has the perfect foundation to flourish on.

If you would like to find our more about rubber surfacing as an option for your home gym, check our Rubcorp’s Performance Line and let us tell you how we can help you create the perfect surface for you.