The Ultimate Guide to Aerobic Flooring: Key Features & Top Options

Aerobics is a fantastic form of exercise, and choosing the right flooring can help you get the most out of your workout while staying safe. Whether you’re looking to create an aerobics room in your studio or your home, we have plenty of suitable flooring options at Greatmats. Let’s explore the best aerobic flooring to help you get started.

What Is Aerobic Exercise Flooring?

Aerobic exercise is a form of exercise that focuses on cardiovascular health while incorporating strength training and flexibility for overall wellness and fitness. Aerobic exercise takes shape in myriad forms of activity, techniques, and equipment, from step and dance classes to spinning on stationary bikes and running on treadmills.


Aerobic flooring is designed specifically to support those high-impact movements. It features essential qualities like shock absorption and traction to help keep you safe during workouts and fitness classes while also supporting you as you move. Aerobic flooring comes in many forms, including products ideal for use in studios, home gyms, and group fitness spaces.

Key Features to Look for in Aerobic Flooring

Quality aerobics flooring should have the following features.

Impact Absorption

Step, dance, and high-impact workouts can wreak havoc on your spine and knees if you aren't performing on an impact-absorbing surface, which is why shock absorption is so important in aerobic flooring. By absorbing shock, the flooring may help prevent injuries and protect your joints.

Bounce and Resilience

Resilience, or the springiness of a floor, is also important in aerobics flooring. You want a certain amount of springiness to deflect and return some energy to your body to enhance your workouts.

Fatigue Reduction

Flooring with fatigue reduction properties can enhance your comfort during longer workouts. It also offers valuable support for instructors, helping to keep them comfortable during days when they’re teaching multiple classes.

Material Types

Quality aerobic flooring is typically made of materials like foam, rubber, and vinyl. Modular tiles are often made of quality plastic.

Installation Methods

Several types of aerobic floors are easy to install. Interlocking tiles are often DIY-installation-friendly, plus they can often be removed, or you can expand the floor later on. Roll-out flooring can also often be easily installed and is typically a better choice for larger rooms.

Glue-down flooring is a more permanent solution that usually requires a professional installation.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Athletes will sweat during aerobics workouts. You’ll want a type of flooring that’s easy to clean so you can maintain a safe, hygienic environment.

Shipping and Practical Considerations

Think about other factors, too. The weight of a product will impact its shipping costs, plus it can also affect the ease of a DIY installation. The floor’s weight and cost of shipping may also affect your budget.

Best Types of Aerobic Flooring

At Greatmats, we’re proud to carry several top options for aerobic flooring.

Interlocking Foam Aerobic Mats

Interlocking mats like the Martial Arts Karate Mats Premium are ideal for home gyms and low-impact workouts. Easy to move and install, these floor mats are durable and offer excellent shock absorption. They’re double-sided for versatile use, but may not offer the durability that you want if you’re creating a professional studio that will host multiple aerobics classes per day.

Modular Aerobic Floor Tiles

Modular aerobic floor tiles are available in plastic and vinyl. At Greatmats, we offer the StayLock Tile Bump Top Black and the EZ Portable Dance Floor Tile. Ideal for multi-use spaces, these tiles are highly durable, and many include fatigue-relief properties. The tiles are on the smaller side, so they might not be the best choice for a large studio or professional space.

Vinyl Aerobic Flooring Rolls

Ideal for flooring large spaces, like a commercial gym or large studio, vinyl aerobic flooring rolls like the Dance and Stage Pro Full Roll can be taped or glued down. These rolls create a seamless look, plus they’re easy to clean.

Padded Athletic Vinyl Flooring

Owners of professional studios often prefer vinyl flooring like the Athletic Vinyl Padded Roll. This roll combines comfort and durability, but its price point may make it impractical for home use or smaller facilities.

Rubber Flooring Rolls

Products like the Plyometric Rubber Roll Geneva are a top choice for high-impact training. These rolls deliver a heavier-duty performance and provide valuable cushion for athletes’ joints.

Choosing the Best Aerobic Flooring for Your Space

Consider your project and how you plan to use the flooring when you decide which product is best.

For Home Gyms

Space-saving, budget-friendly picks are often best for home gyms. Look for a DIY-installation-friendly product to save on the cost of a professional installation.

For Aerobics Studios

Durability and aesthetics matter when choosing flooring for a studio. Consider the class volume when shopping for flooring, too.

For Multi-Purpose Fitness Spaces

Versatility and modular solutions are often essential when you’ll be using a multi-purpose space. Look for flooring that can be easily removed or that is suitable for numerous uses.

Comparing the Best Aerobic Flooring

Order Aerobic Flooring from Greatmats

Aerobic exercise can be painful and even dangerous if you’re on a hard surface like wood. Let the Greatmats customer service team help you find the best aerobic flooring for your needs. Contact us today to learn more about our top products and to determine which may be best for you.