Rubber Gym Flooring, Gym Flooring, Gym Floor Mats and Rubber Gym Tile

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Rubber Gym Flooring

Does rubber gym flooring have a strong smell?

Vulcanized gym rubber flooring can have a strong odor, especially when it's installed in an indoor space. For indoor installations, you may want to use non-vulcanized rubber, which has a milder smell, like a rolled rubber.

What is the cheapest rubber gym floor?

Rolled rubber is the most economical option, especially when you're performing an installer in a larger room or area. Regrind and confetti rolled rubber are usually the most affordable rolled rubber options.

How thick should rubber gym flooring be?

Rubber is available in a number of different thicknesses, but the thickness really becomes a concern when you're using the flooring in areas where heavy weights will be dropped, such as in Olympic free weight lifting facilities. If you're working with significant weights, then be sure to choose rubber mats that are at least 3/4 inches thick. The thicker the flooring, the more shock absorption and protection it can offer to your subfloor.

How do you cut rubber gym floor?

Install rubber gym flooring, as needed cut to fit with a sharp utility knife and a straight edge to guide your cut. To make a cut, you'll need to make a series of shallow scores until you cut all the way through the flooring. If you're working with thicker rubber, then place a 2x4 board underneath the mat. Position the board so that it's on the edge of your cut, and the rubber that hangs over will help to open up the cut. This process makes it easier to make your cuts.

How To Clean Rubber Gym Floor Mats

1. Vacuum with a rotating brush vacuum.
2. Use a nylon mop with warm water and a mild neutral pH cleaner for stubborn areas.
3. Mop thoroughly to prevent residue build up.
4. Petroleum-based cleaners or those containing a wax agent should not be used.

Rolled Rubber Gym Floors

Rolled rubber flooring are a popular gym flooring option, and is often used because of its affordability. Rolled rubber is great for larger installation, because it reduces the number of seams left in your finished flooring when compared to smaller rubber tiles.

The installation process itself is simple, but you will need multiple people to help transport and handle the rolls, which are large and heavy. Depending on the space that you're working with and how you position the rubber, you may be left with more leftover material than you would see if you were working with smaller tiles.

At Greatmats, we offer a variety of rolled rubber in different sizes and thicknesses. The smaller rolls are 4x10 feet x 1/4 inch thick. These rolls weigh as little as 60 pounds each, and are a great option for use underneath gym equipment. They can be shipped directly to your door via ground service. While larger rubber rolls must ship via freight.

Our larger rolls can measure 25 or 50 feet long, and they're suitable for larger projects, like flooring entire rooms. However, because these rolls are larger, they're also significantly heavier; a 25 foot x 8 mm thick roll weighs about 190 pounds. You'll definitely need multiple people on hand to help transport and install these larger rubber rolls. We can also order rolled rubber in custom cut length.

Rubber Gym Mats Interlocking

Puzzle-style interlocking rubber tiles tend to be one of the most popular flooring options for gyms. Rubber is naturally dense and heavy, so rubber flooring can weigh quite a bit. Smaller tiles are more manageable, especially if you'll be installing the flooring yourself. Our 2x2 or 3x3 foot rubber tiles mean you won't have to deal with large, heavy rubber rolls, and the tiles can easily be carried through doorways, stairwells, and other tight areas.

Rubber gym flooring tiles help to reduce the amount of product that will be wasted during an installation, and this is particularly true when you compare the tiles to rubber rolls or mats. With tiles, you can expand your floor in the future just by adding more tiles.

There's no adhesive needed to install rubber tiles, and if you add or remove tiles you won't damage the floor. For wall-to-wall installations you can cut the tiles to fit using a sharp utility knife. If you're performing an island installation, then you may want to invest in the rubber tiles that come with border strips to create clean, finished edges.

Since these rubber gym tiles have a modular design, the weight of each individual tile is reduced. This lighter weight makes the tiles more manageable, and just one or two people can perform the installation on their own. To install the tiles, all you have to do is line them up and push their seams together like puzzle pieces. The tiles connect securely and won't pull apart while in use.

These 2x2 foot tiles are available in a variety of thicknesses, and depending on the tiles' thickness, they weigh between 3 and 22 pounds each. Our puzzle interlocking tiles are available in thicknesses ranging from 1/4 to 3/4 inches thick. The tiles are available in all black or color fleck options up to 90 percent color. We also offer a 3/4 inch thick 4x6 foot interlocking mats.

Because rubber gym flooring tiles are smaller, they're conveniently sized and easier to handle than larger rubber flooring options. When choosing rubber tiles, make sure that you order tiles that are thick enough to withstand the amount of traffic and use that your gym will see.

Rubber Gym Floor Mats

Rubber gym floor mats make a versatile option that can be used in any gym. Rubber mats tend to be more affordable than interlocking tiles of the same size, meaning that you can potentially save money if you're able to use rubber mats instead of tiles.

Rubber mats usually measure 4x6 feet in size. They have straight edges and can be dry laid because of their significant weight. These gym mats come in a variety of different thicknesses, and are often used in Olympic lifting areas because of the excellent shock absorption the thicker mats provide. We recommend you use mats that are at least 3/4 inches thick in these higher impact areas.

Rubber gym mats are both dense and heavy; a 3/4-inch-thick 4x6-foot mat can weigh more than 90 pounds. The weight means that you'll likely need multiple people to help with the installation. Our 4x6-foot rubber mats are available in 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, and 3/4 inch thicknesses, with the thicker mats offering more shock absorption and protection. The mats are usually black. Some mats may have a stronger rubber smell than others, depending on how they are manufactured.

These straight edged mats can be placed on top of existing flooring to provide additional protection. You can reinforce areas where weights may be dropped, or use these mats beneath heavy gym equipment or in areas that see particularly heavy traffic. If you need to cover a large area, you can place the mats up against each other.

Rubber Gym Tiles

If you like the idea of puzzle style interlocking tiles but want something a little bit different, then consider our rubber gym tiles. These tiles are highly versatile and can even be used outdoors. Pavers connect together using different interlocking systems to create a stable, united surface.

You'll find rubber pavers available in a variety of thicknesses ranging from 1 inch up to 2.75 inch. These rubber paver tiles are available in both black and full color options, and ramped borders are also available for some models.

Rubber Gym Floor Density

Consider the different rubber densities when selecting the product that's right for you. Plyometric rolled rubber is a lower density rubber flooring. It has a little more cushion than traditional rolled rubber and is popular for use with plyometric exercises. Gyms often use plyometric rubber in areas where the workouts will include a lot of jumping.

Rubber Gym Floor Thickness

Rubber flooring comes in many different thicknesses, and 3/8 inch or 8 mm tends to be the most popular thickness for gym use. These thinner rubber floors are most suitable for home gyms and commercial facilities where weights are not being dropped.

For free weightlifting areas and gym floors that will see heavy use, we recommend a 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch rubber gym flooring to adequately protect the subfloor. These thicker options provide better shock absorption. The heavier the weights and the more often that they're dropped, the thicker the flooring you will need in order to properly protect your subfloor.

How to Choose the Right Rubber Flooring Thickness.

1. If your gym floor mat has mostly foot traffic or machines, a thinner rubber floor can be fine.
2. Most weight rooms need a thicker floor to provide enough protection and shock absorption, especially if weights will be dropped.

Rubber Gym Flooring Composition

In most instances, rubber flooring is black, but there are other choices that you can choose from, too. Black rubber flooring is made from recycled rubber and is eco-friendly. In some cases, you'll find that the black rubber contains color flecks. These flecks are made of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), a synthetic rubber, and they provide some variety in the flooring's appearance.

When shopping for rolled rubber, you'll be able to choose from black, natural, color flecked, and confetti options. Scraps from colored rolls are reground into black rubber to make the confetti style. Rubber mats are usually available only in black.

Sound and Vibration Reduction Rubber Floors

Most gyms are built with a concrete subfloor, but concrete isn't really ideal for a gym. Concrete is cold and hard, which is uncomfortable and unhealthy for athletes. Rubber mats can create a buffer between the concrete and the athletes, and helps to soften the impact that affects athletes' bones and joints. Because rubber is so dense you may not be able to feel a difference by just walking on the floor, but as you work out, you'll find that your body will thank you for this more forgiving surface.

With clanging weights, loud music, and multiple conversations, gyms are loud spaces by nature. Weight rooms can also be particularly noisy. Gym rubber floors sound reduction features dampen sounds in gyms, making the space a quieter environment that's more enjoyable for athletes, trainers, and staff.

While rubber gym floors reduces shock and protects your body from the concrete floor, its shock absorbing properties also help to protect the subfloor from the impact of dropped weights. Just think of the damage that dropped dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells could cause to your subfloor if it's not protected. A rubber floor helps to absorb the shock of the impact, and is a worthwhile investment to protect your subfloor.

CrossFit Rubber Gym Flooring

CrossFit training centers have unique needs when it comes to their flooring. Because of the intense use that these gyms see, their flooring needs to be strong, highly durable, and capable of withstanding repeated dropping of heavy weights. Most CrossFit gyms opt for rubber gym flooring because it helps to absorb shock and is also highly durable. Additionally, rubber flooring is slip resistant, and offers sound and thermal insulation for a more comfortable gym environment.

Rubber flooring offers benefits for the athletes, too. It helps to reduce the stresses and impacts that intense workouts have on the body, especially when a lot of jumping is involved. The flooring is both firm and forgiving so athletes don't lose output during heavy lifts because of a floor that is too heavily cushioned.

CrossFit facilities often use rubber gym 4x6 ft mats for weightlifting areas. The highly durable mats help to absorb the shock of dropped weights. Rubber mats help to protect CrossFit subfloors from dropped heavy weights, and the thicker 1/2-inch mats offer particularly good shock absorption. Interlocking thicker mats are also available, so gym owners can create larger surfaces that won't shift during use. These larger floors offer superior subfloor protection even for gyms that see heavy use.

For areas where burpees, push-ups, handstands, and other exercises are conducted, consider our smooth surfaced rolled rubber flooring. This rolled rubber makes for a surface that is more forgiving when an athlete's skin comes into contact with it. You can even install thinner rolled rubber in multiple layers to create a thicker floor that offers additional protection.

Weight Room Gym Flooring

Rubber flooring that is installed in weight rooms will see more demanding use than your average flooring located in other areas of the gym will see. This means that your weight room's flooring may have a shorter lifespan than the rest of your gym's flooring. Most rubber flooring is guaranteed for at least 5 years, but also has an expected lifespan of 10 years or longer. Re-vulcanized rubber is more durable than non-vulcanized rubber, so it's a good investment for weight rooms.

Weight room rubber floors are available in many thick rubber options. Rubber weight room gym floors are easy enough to install that you may be able to perform the whole installation on your own. For larger installations, rolled rubber can be a more economical choice.

Home Gym Flooring Options

For home gym flooring, consider the durable Pebble Gym Floor Mat that offers durability with the benefit of being lightweight and easy to install. The mats are strong enough so that they can be used beneath heavy exercise equipment. Made of a high-density EVA foam, the mats may become indented by a heavy piece of home equipment. Both lead and latex-free, the mats are easy to clean and are waterproof. They're ideal for home gym floor use.

Because foam tiles in general make a softer surface than rubber, they're preferred for use in home exercise rooms, floor exercises, martial arts, basement floors, and more. Foam tiles come in varying thicknesses ranging from 10 mm to 1.5 inches thick. You can choose from a wide range of colors and styles, which gives you creative freedom over the appearance of your home gym.

Rubber Gym Floor Installation and Care

Most of the rubber gym floor mats can be installed without professional help. Interlocking tiles are simple to install, because of their convenient size and the fact that they need no adhesive. Rolled rubber can be dry laid for simplicity, but when your installation covers more than 400 square feet, it's recommended that you use a glue down or tape down installation for rolled rubber gym flooring. For wall-to-wall installations, you can use a utility knife to cut most rubber flooring material to fit. This also allows you to install flooring around any obstacles or angles.

Our rubber gym flooring and mats are designed to be easy to clean. It's important to keep both foam and rubber flooring clean of dirt in order to preserve their lifespan. For rubber, use a neutral pH floor cleaner.