Best Home Gym Flooring – 2023

Sydney Kaiser

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Last Updated: January 3, 2023

When building your perfect home gym, it’s important to consider the flooring just as it is important to consider the equipment. Sure, we talk a lot about treadmills, rowers, dumbbells, exercise bikes, as well as other fitness equipment that you should consider for your home gym, but what about the floor that this equipment will be used on? Our experts have put together this list of best home gym flooring that you should consider when creating your home gym.

Popular flooring found in homes and commercial gyms is rubber rolls, mats, turf, and even carpet and vinyl. All have different purposes that we’ll get into below. In our opinion, rubber is the best type of gym flooring and it’s what we highly recommend for you to place your home treadmill on, but we’ve made sure to include a variety since not all home gyms are alike.

Why You Should Trust Us

Our reviewers test and use a lot of different fitness equipment. We also work out a lot in our studio as well as in our own home gyms. That is why when coming up with this list, we’ve drawn from our personal experiences with using the flooring in our studio as well as our home and garage gyms. You can trust that we’ve compiled this list with flooring that we’ve used and found to be best ourselves.

Our Expert’s Picks For Best Gym Flooring For 2023

• IncStores ¼” Tough Rubber Roll
• Tractor Supply ¾” Stall Mats
• ProsourceFit Puzzle Exercise Mat
• Impact Rubber Tiles
• Rubber Flooring 4’ x 6’ Premium Mats
• Turf Tiles
• Indoor Outdoor Carpet
• Vinyl Flooring

Sneak Peek of the Best Home Gym Flooring:

Here Are The Best Home Gym Flooring Options For 2023

1. IncStores ¼” Tough Rubber Roll

Rubber rolls can be a really convenient way to cover your entire gym floor. They’re found in the home and commercial gyms. We recommend IncStores ¼” Tough Rubber Roll as our number one home gym flooring for a number of reasons. First, it comes in recommended and custom sizes that can be tailored to fit your space. Each Rubber Roll is 4 feet wide and machine cut so when placed together there are no gaps. The rolls come in a minimum of 15 feet long but can be cut to fit your gym.

IncStores also offers them in various fun colors, so you can really customize and coordinate everything in your gym. The IncStores ¼” Tough Rubber Roll is the flooring in our studio. We use all of the equipment we test on it, including treadmills that work well on this floor. The Rubber Rolls help eliminate dust and fabric fibers that can get into the motor when placing a treadmill on flooring such as carpet. Also, the Rubber Rolls help keep large and small pieces of fitness equipment planted to eliminate any sliding that can happen on other types of floors. It can show dirty footprints, but that is expected with black rubber floors and the Tough Rubber Rolls clean up easily and well with a vacuum and mop.

We find the ¼” thickness to be perfect for under treadmills and other equipment as well as for most use. The Tough Rubber Rolls from IncStores does come in other thickness besides ¼”, like 8mm, ⅜” and ½” which might be better for heavy lifting especially if you plan on throwing some weights around. Having thick gym flooring helps protect the floor underneath the rubber.

2. Tractor Supply ¾” Stall Mats

A tried and true favorite among home and garage gyms is horse stall mats. They are proven to be durable to withstand any use. I’m speaking from experience when I say that they can handle anything because I’ve seen them stomped on by numerous horses. If they can handle my gelding pawing with shoes on, then they can handle treadmills and dropping weights with ease.

One reason why they’re so durable is that they’re large, heavy, and thick. Stall Mats from Tractor Supply are 4’ W x 6’ L and ¾” thick. Each mat also weighs a whopping 94 lbs. These Stall Mats are dual-textured with a button surface on one side and a flat surface on the other. We recommend keeping the mats flat side up to help keep your equipment even. Plus the flat surface is easier to clean. They’re considered a staple among gym flooring because they’re rubber so they absorb the shock that comes with plyometric exercises as well as protects your subfloor from any damage.

One thing to note is that they can have a strong rubber smell when you first get them. We recommend washing them and leaving them out in the sun (if possible) to help get rid of the odor. You could also leave them for farm animals to walk over (among other things) and that smell will get out as well. Although it might be replaced with other less favorable smells this way. The smell does diminish with time, and it’s really one of the very few downsides to these mats. They are popular among home gyms for a reason, being they protect your floor, hold any equipment, and can handle any workout.

3. ProsourceFit Puzzle Exercise Mat

Another seamless type of flooring is interlocking tiles. These fit together perfectly like a puzzle, hence the name: ProsourceFit Puzzle Exercise Mat. The tiles are textured to help prevent slipping and they’re made of foam for a cushioned feel underfoot. These are softer than rubber flooring and lightweight at only 4.3 lbs. So, these are a great option if you’re wanting gym flooring that is easily movable and for areas like an upstairs gym. They’re also an affordable option.

The ProsourceFit Puzzle Exercise Mat is water-resistant and can be easily cleaned with a cloth, dish soap, and water. They also come in black, blue, brown, and grey to fit with the color scheme of your home. The Puzzle Exercise Mats come in three different sizes to fit your gym space. The tiles come with edge pieces for a clean look, too. The 24-square feet size comes with six 24-inch tiles and 12 border pieces.

ProsourceFit’s Puzzle Exercise Mat is best if you want to cover part of your gym’s floor. However, they can be cut to cover your entire gym, too. They’re ideal for performing all kinds of workouts like yoga, pilates, as well as strength training with weights. Fitness equipment can also be used on top of the Puzzle Exercise Mat. ProsourceFit also has even thicker Puzzle Exercise Mats if ½” isn’t thick enough. You can purchase ¾” and 1” mats that fit together like puzzles, too.

4. Impact Rubber Tiles

The Impact Rubber Tiles combines the EVA foam and recycled rubber together to bring you a lightweight, durable gym floor. The bottom is foam while the top is rubber. The recycled rubber on top comes in multiple colors and has a slight texture to help prevent any slipping. The foam underneath is great for soundproofing and is also water-resistant.

Just like the ProsourceFit Puzzle Mat, the Impact Rubber Tiles interlock together like a puzzle. They come in ⅜” and ¾” thickness and each tile weigh around 3-4 lbs depending on the thickness. One tile covers about 3.67 square feet and the Tiles can work as a large mat to cover part of your gym or they can be cut to size to fit your entire gym floor.

You’ll get plenty of shock absorption for your high-impact workouts, so your joints will thank you. All kinds of workouts can be performed on the Impact Rubber Tiles, and your cardio equipment should work well when placed on them, too. Each tile comes with border pieces for a clean look, and their setup is quick and simple.

5. Rubber Flooring 4’ x 6’ Premium Mats

Our final rubber floor option is the 4’ x 6’ Premium Mats from Rubber Flooring Inc. They’re made of 100% recycled rubber that is easy to clean and has less smell than horse stall mats. You can vacuum and mop them when needed. With the 8mm and ⅜” thickness to choose from, know that your subfloor will be protected. You’ll also get shock absorption in your workouts. The Premium Mats come in multiple speckled color options as well as plain black.

The rubber is non-porous so it doesn’t absorb water and is mold resistant. We like that the texture is smooth yet non-slipping. These mats are heavy at 47 lbs to 60 lbs depending on thickness, so they’ll stay in place while holding even your heaviest equipment.

The Rubber Flooring 4’ x 6’ Premium Mats fit together nicely to eliminate gaps and can be cut to fit any space. We appreciate that they come backed by a 5-year warranty from Rubber Floor Inc.

6. Turf Tiles

Another flooring option is turf. These Turf Tiles are an enticing option for your home gym because they interlock together and are 1” thick. Turf is known for being durable, yet providing traction and absorbing the impact on your joints from high-impact activities.

The Turf Tiles are water-resistant and come in the green grass color. They are able to be cleaned by sweeping or wiping with a detergent and water. They can require a little bit more maintenance over time if they become matted though. It’s recommended to brush them with a synthetic brush to eliminate this if it bothers you.

The Turf Tiles have recycled rubber on the bottom which keeps them from moving. They weigh about 14.5” per mat, which helps keep them in place, too. The interlocking design is seamless and cohesive for a clean look. It isn’t best for placing under equipment like treadmills, but you’ll be able to perform all kinds of workouts like HIIT, CrossFit, and sled-pushing.

6. Indoor Outdoor Carpet

Carpet is another durable gym flooring option. This indoor-outdoor carpet has short polyester fibers for a clean look that can allow for a lot of versatility. It is easier to clean than regular carpet, but not water-resistant. We love that this indoor-outdoor carpet comes in multiple sizes ranging from 6’ x 10’ all the way up to 6’ x 50’. It has unbound edges that can be cut down to be the perfect size for your gym.

Indoor-outdoor carpet gives you traction with the ribbed texture to prevent any slipping while working out. Even though it is best for low-impact workouts because of its limited shock absorption, it does have a rubber backing to help keep it in place.

An indoor-outdoor carpet is a nice option if your home gym space is a multi-use area. It is ¼” thick and fairly lightweight when purchasing the smaller sizes so it should be pretty easy to install in your gym.

7. Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is another common type of flooring found in gyms. This vinyl flooring is definitely a more stylish alternative that is versatile for the home. Don’t let its good looks fool you though, it’s highly durable and a good option for your home gym. The vinyl flooring comes in 1’ x 1’ tiles that connect together for a tight fit that stays securely in place. It also comes in multiple finishes to coordinate with your home.

We like that it is water and mold resistant, and easy to clean with a wipe of a cloth. It’s also scratch-resistant, so it’s great if your gym gets a lot of foot traffic. Vinyl has been known to last long-term as well.

While it isn’t best for using heavy weights and other equipment because it won’t help prevent slipping, you can use it to cover your entire gym floor and place equipment on mats to eliminate this.

What To Consider When Buying Flooring For Your Home Gym

When purchasing flooring for your home gym it’s important to take into consideration some factors. Factors like flooring type, your equipment, and activity, as well as thickness, can determine how well things like your subfloor and even joints are protected.

Type Of Gym Flooring

Our best home gym flooring list above includes a variety of popular flooring options for home gyms. Gyms have multiple uses for various types of exercise, and not all are alike. That is why it is important to consider the type of flooring available.

Rubber Flooring

Rubber is an excellent flooring choice for gyms because it offers shock absorption, it’s water and sweat-resistant, easy to clean, and it can also protect your subfloor from damage if thick enough. We highly recommend placing rubber under equipment like treadmills, heavy free weights, and strength training equipment. Rubber is best for all types of workouts, especially those that involve high-impact like jumping, as well as dropping weights. The shock absorption will make these movements friendlier on your joints and the floor underneath the rubber.

Rubber can be used to cover your entire gym or just part of it and it comes in a variety of types such as rolls, mats, and tiles. Whether they fit together seamlessly with clean edges or like puzzles, rubber stays in place, although they might require fastening to do so. It’s highly durable, yet can be very heavy and hard to move.

Foam

Alternatively, foam is a lightweight flooring option that is usually quick and easy to install and remove. If your home gym doubles as another type of space, foam can be convenient if you need to clear your gym out of the way when you’re done with your workout.

Foam is softer than rubber and provides a cushioned feel underfoot. You can do all kinds of workouts on foam and use it to cover all or part of your gym’s floor. You can place heavy fitness equipment on it, but the foam can become dented with time. It isn’t as durable as other flooring types, but it can be a more affordable option.

Turf

Turf is perfect for high-impact activities, and it provides a texture that’s great for CrossFit and sled-pushing. They can be pretty easy to clean and durable but might need extra maintenance like brushing if they become matted.

Turf is backed with rubber to prevent slipping and is water-resistant to eliminate the chances of it getting mold. We don’t recommend placing motorized equipment on it, but it can be used to cover all or part of your home gym.

Carpet

When we talk about carpet in home gyms, we aren’t talking about shag carpets from the 70s or even plush carpeting. We are talking about all-purpose carpet that is often used indoors and outdoors. This type of carpet can be great in basements, garages, as well as other areas of the home. It isn’t waterproof or mildew resistant though.

Carpet is very durable and great for covering all or part of your gym. It is a softer alternative to the other flooring option and can be enticing if your workouts involve a lot of time on the floor. Low-impact activities are also best since carpet doesn’t offer shock absorption for your joints. We don’t recommend using heavy weights or placing equipment like treadmills on it because the fibers can get underneath the deck and damage the rollers, deck, and motor over time. If you do have carpet in your gym with your treadmill, we recommend placing a mat under your treadmill to protect it from this damage.

Vinyl

Vinyl is arguably the chicest and most stylish home gym flooring option. It’s found all around the home, so it will look great in your gym, too. Vinyl is comfortable underfoot, easy to clean, and water-resistant. It also comes in a variety of finishes like wood and tile for different looks.

Vinyl is very durable, but not best for placing heavy weights or fitness equipment on. For equipment like rowing machines, exercise bikes, ellipticals, and treadmills we recommend placing a rubber mat under them to keep them from sliding around.

Activity/Equipment

Now that you know a little bit more about each floor type. Let’s get into what you’ll be doing in your gym – exercising! It’s important to consider what kind of activity as well as equipment your home gym will house.

Some types of flooring like rubber and turf are better for higher impact activities that involve running and jumping because of the protection they provide for the joints. Heavy fitness equipment should only be placed on certain types of flooring as well.

Thickness/Texture/Durability

As mentioned above, different types of flooring are better for different activities and some are more durable than others. The texture is important to consider if you want to eliminate slipping, or if you want an easy-to-clean surface.

Gym flooring comes in various thicknesses. ¼” inch for rubber is great for most purposes but you might want a thicker floor up to ½”+ if you’re lifting and dropping equipment like heavy free weights to avoid damaging your subfloor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best flooring for a home gym?

Rubber is the best for all-around use, so whether you are doing high-impact workouts, lifting heavy weights, or using machines like treadmills, rubber is the best option to help protect your joints and your subfloor.

How thick should home gym flooring be?

8 mm is the most common floor thickness found in public and private gyms. ¼” can work for home gyms, however, if you are lifting and dropping heavy weights we recommend looking into ½”+ floor thicknesses.

Can you put gym flooring over carpet?

You can put gym flooring over carpet but it really depends on the carpet. We don’t recommend placing the flooring over a thick, plush carpet because the surface of the flooring isn’t going to feel stable and secure to workout on.

If you need to secure the flooring with a fastener this could damage the carpet underneath, too.

How often should you clean home gym flooring?

A good rule of thumb is to wipe your home gym floor after every workout, and to clean it more thoroughly with appropriate cleaners about once a week, depending on how often you’re using your home gym.