When designing a home gym, it's wise to start from the ground up. Whether you are going to install nautilus machines and a weight stand with barbells, or just a few dumbbells and a stability ball, your choice of flooring is crucial. A cushioned surface will protect the floor beneath, prevent slipping while working out and help protect your body from injuries. Your knees, elbows and back will thank you as you perform bird dogs, planks and crunches, and you will be able to stretch in comfort.
What to Look for
A good quality floor mat will last for many years. The two most common types are interlocking squares and rolled mats made of foam or rubber. Thicker mats generally will be more durable and comfortable. The best mats look great, are easy to clean, easy to assemble or install, and easy on the wallet. Consider all of these qualities when shopping for your mat.
Fun And Fashionable
Soft Tiles offers stylish and reasonably priced floor mats. They come in many colors that will wake up your home gym and invite you to work out. Bright blue, red, green and yellow are fun, and they have flower-patterned mat tile that is perfect for a women's yoga room. They even have a pattern that mimics a wood grain floor. The tiles are 2 feet by 2 feet and come in two different thicknesses, 5/8 inch and 1 inch. Some colors are available in 1 foot by 1 foot squares for smaller areas. Tile prices range from $1.45 to $9 each and corresponding borders are $1 per linear foot at Softtiles.com.
Professional And Custom
Rubber Flooring Direct not only offers the ubiquitous black tiles in varying thicknesses, they also offer a rolled mat version that you install yourself. This will give your home gym a professional, seamless look that will last for years. Another option is a carpet-look workout mat that you can install to create a personalized homey feel to your workout room. For pricing, measure your space and contact the company at Rubberflooringdirect.com.
Efficient And Budget Friendly
A less costly approach is pre-cut rubber mats that go directly underneath your treadmill, elliptical machine, stationary bike or weight bench. You could order several to create "work stations" for an efficient workout area and you will still be able to enjoy your nice wood or tile floor in between the mats. These are available in a variety of exercise equipment-size cuts and thicknesses, and cost $109 to $169. Less expensive vinyl pre-cut sizes are available for $24 to $40 at Mygymfloor.com
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