Flooring designed for a specific sport can enable an athlete to give her best performance. For example, if you're a martial artist, you require flooring that offers traction and cushions your body from forceful impacts with the floor. Yoga class flooring should be cushioned to accommodate your floor exercise, yet should possess anti-bacterial properties to discourage germ transmission. Finally, your volleyball team will benefit from nonslip flooring that also helps absorb impact from jumps and leaps.
Indoor Tracks
Two types of indoor track flooring can be used by athletic clubs, high school teams and collegiate track and field groups. HUR Flooring notes that rolled rubber flooring has been certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations, or IAAF. IAAF is the governing organization for worldwide track and field events, including Olympic competitions. Rolled rubber flooring is resistant to runners’ spiked shoes, and can be obtained in two thicknesses and several surface colors.
A pad and pour floor can be customized to your needs, and includes a variable-thickness rubber mat and top surface color. This flooring can be used for indoor track events, in addition to aerobics workouts and court competitions. This type of indoor track flooring is not IAAF certified.
Court Sports
Court sports such as basketball, volleyball and racquetball often use maple flooring for their competitions. Wood Floors Online emphasizes that maple is a naturally hard wood, even though it’s naturally resilient. When maple is paired with a substantial subfloor, the maple floor’s absorbency is enhanced. Finally, maple flooring provides athletes with good traction and grip for athletic shoes.
Fitness Flooring
If you’re an aerobics aficionado, you’ve likely danced on flooring specially designed for fitness classes such as high-impact or step aerobics. Flex Court Athletics notes that this modular tiled flooring can be configured to any space, and its nonskid surface absorbs impact as well. The flooring is also waterproof and stain resistant. Finally, fitness flooring contains integrated anti-bacterial protection that limits growth of mold and germs.
Weight Rooms
Weight room flooring takes constant abuse from dropped hand weights and barbells. Weight Room Flooring Source reports that many weight rooms use textured interlocking rubber tiles with high tensile strength and durability. The best tiles are made from solid rubber, and can usually be installed without adhesive. High-end rubber tiles are manufactured to last for years.
Sports Flooring Selection
If you’re considering a sports flooring purchase, L & T Health and Fitness recommends you view floors installed in upscale fitness centers and athletic clubs. You can select similar flooring that fits within your budget, and can save money by performing the subfloor preparation work yourself. If the work isn’t done properly, however, the manufacturer may not honor your purchase warranty.
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