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Best Home Gym Flooring Over Carpet for Workout and Exercise



By Greatmats Staff Created: July, 2017 - Modified: September, 2024

Have you wondered if you can put gym flooring over carpet? And if you can, what should you use for a home gym floor? For most gym flooring, you need a hard, level, flat subsurface to lay it on. If you try laying rubber or foam over carpeting, it will sink at the seams. This can cause your tiles or rolls to come apart. This is also dangerous because it makes it very easy to twist an ankle.

Can You Put Gym Flooring On Carpet?

Yes! The best solution to creating a home gym floor on carpeting is Greatmats' PVC modular floor tiles called StayLock.

StayLock tiles were specifically designed to provide fatigue relief for athletes doing aerobic activities. They protect flooring from weights and equipment and are firm enough to provide a stable foundation.

PVC Modular Floor Tiles are the Best Home Gym Flooring to Install over Carpet

Top Features of the StayLock PVC Athletic Floor Tiles
  • They can be used directly over carpeting without presenting a danger to the carpet or the athlete.
  • Best results are obtained when installed over low pile carpet.
  • Made of soft PVC, these tiles are flexible and pliable.
  • Because they are on a foot system, they elevate the workout surface and provide great cushion.
  • They have an active locking connector system requires no glue.
  • They provide excellent airflow beneath the tiles making them great for damp areas such as basements.
  • They are waterproof.
  • The tiles fit together tightly and will not separate over time.
  • This durable PVC flooring does not require an underlayment.


2 Styles of PVC StayLock Tiles for Home Gyms on Carpet

Greatmats offers 2 styles of PVC tiles for exercise flooring that provide a quick and easy DIY installation featuring our StayLock hidden connector design. StayLock Tile Bump Top and StayLock Tile Orange Peel.

1. StayLock Bump Top Tiles - 1x1 ft



StayLock Bump Top PVC Color Tile for Home Gym Flooring Over Carpet
  • Bump Top Surface: This texture will provide beneficial ergonomics for standing and traction for workouts
  • Can withstand the dropping of small free weights (up to 50 lbs) and bear the weight of most exercise equipment
  • Typical lifespan of this type of anti fatigue flooring is 20 years or more
  • Durable like rubber, cushion like foam
  • Active locking connector system
  • Easy DIY flooring solution
  • Ramped borders sold separately
  • Made from 100% Recycled Material




2. StayLock Orange Peel Tiles - 1x1 ft



StayLock Orange Peel PVC Color Tile for Flooring for Home Gym Over Carpet
  • Orange Peel Surface: This texture will deliver aesthetic appeal for home or commercial fitness spaces
  • Can withstand the dropping of small free weights (up to 50 lbs) and bear the weight of most exercise equipment
  • Typical lifespan of this type of anti fatigue flooring is 20 years or more
  • Durable like rubber, cushion like foam
  • Active locking connector system
  • Easy DIY flooring solution
  • Ramped borders sold separately
  • Made from 100% Recycled Material in the USA


How to Install Home Gym PVC Tiles Over Carpet

StayLock Orange Peel tiles are excellent for home gym, basement or ergonomic flooring installations. Made of a soft PVC material with a raised base, they are great for providing cushion and are safe for both wet and carpeted areas. These tiles are commonly installed over hard floors such as concrete and also over carpet to provide a flat stable surface for workouts or other activities.

Installing the ergonomic floor tiles over carpeting is easy as the tiles clip snugly together. No tools are required if you are not customizing the floor to accommodate obstacles or wall-to-wall installations. If customization is desired, that’s easy as well. All you’ll need is a tape measure, straight edge, pen and sharp utility knife.




Start in a corner with the loop sides of the tile facing out. Work your way out of the corner evenly in both directions as well as the center. Keeping each tile facing the same direction, press the tabs on the straight edges of the tile down onto the loops of the previously laid tiles until you feel it pop into place.

Once you’ve run out of room for full tiles, measure the distance from the remaining walls to already installed tiles and mark that distance on the tile you’d like to cut. Keep in mind the direction of the tiles when cutting.

Place the cut tiles flush with the wall and your installation is complete. Ramped border pieces are sold separately in both black or yellow options and with tab or loop connections. Corner border ramps have both the tab and the loop connection. Border ramps are connect in the same fashion as the tiles.

Home Gym Flooring Installation Tips


Do you still have questions about flooring for your home gym, such as:
  • What are the best the best floor conditions?
  • When do you need sub-flooring?
  • How to install home gym flooring on other surfaces like tile, hardwood or concrete?
Visit this Home Gym Flooring Installation Guide for more information.