Setting up your gym is exciting, but that little mistake can make your paradise a nightmare. And people often need to pay more attention to one significant aspect: the gym’s flooring. One chooses the wrong type, resulting in a slippery surface, worn-out floors, or worse, injuries. You need the correct type of flooring that will handle everything from heavy squats to intense cardio sessions.
In this article, we discuss five common mistakes you should avoid when buying gym flooring so it will provide functionality in space and be safe and durable.
1. Choosing the Wrong Floors on Which to Exercise
One of the worst mistakes when choosing a gym floor is not considering what exercises one will perform. Think about your training before deciding on the material for it. Not all flooring is equal, with some materials working better for specific exercises.
For example, if you are into weightlifting, you’ve got to have flooring that takes heavy equipment and dropped weights. Rubber flooring is ideal since it is strong, shock-absorbing, and can take a beating. Foam, well, it’s not going to hold up so well if you are dropping barbells every other set.
For lighter exercises, yoga, pilates, or the like, softer materials, such as foam or cork, are sufficient to provide cushion and comfort. But if you go for HIIT or cardio, you need something more supportive, such as vinyl or rubber, that could take in jumping and other high-impact movements.
So, before you start rushing to purchase flooring, take a moment to determine what types of workouts you will be performing the most. That way, you will choose a material that will work for you and fit within your budget.
2. Not Considering Durability
Choosing the cheapest choice may be tempting, but consider its durability under strain. Gym flooring must be durable because it will be used often, especially if you lift weights or undertake high-intensity workouts.
Rubber flooring is durable. Heavyweights, equipment tugging, and prolonged use won’t drain it. Vinyl and PVC aren’t bad either, although high traffic scrapes and dents them.
Comfortable, foam flooring has a little longevity, though. It’s more suitable for light use, like stretching or yoga, but it could hold up better under heavier equipment or heavy foot traffic. Of course, the last thing you want is to buy flooring that needs replacing after a year or two.
Indeed, it pays to think long-term. If you invest in a gym, let the flooring be long-lasting, too. Spending more at the outset using durable materials such as rubber or vinyl will save money in the long term.
3. Failure to Observe Safety Features
You should arrange your floor at home safely. If the floor is too slick, it will undoubtedly lead to accidents, especially at intensified moves. You need flooring that will keep you stable and reduce the hazard of slipping, tripping, and falling.
Undoubtedly, rubber tops the list when it comes to grip and safety. The textured nature provides traction, which is essential in jumping, lifting, and fast-paced exercises. Vinyl is an excellent alternative to rubber since it creates little friction and prevents slipping. Sometimes, the foam becomes too slippery and thus should be avoided for workouts that require stability, such as weight training.
Thickness also applies to safety: the thicker it is, the more impact the floor will absorb. A thicker floor helps remove some strain from your joints to prevent injury. Therefore, do not choose workout flooring simply because of designs. Instead, choose a non-slippery floor that can give you the best cushion to absorb your body when working out.
4. Neglecting Maintenance
While you may be set on aesthetics and comfort, remember that gym floors are full of care. Some of these flooring options require more maintenance than others, directly depending on what they are made of.
Rubber flooring is low maintenance. Simply sweep and mop it regularly. Vinyl is also similarly low-maintenance but may show scratches or stains if you need to be more careful.
Foam mats are more good! They absorb moisture and dirt and are less easily cleaned than rubber or vinyl. Unfortunately, heavy equipment damages them more easily, preventing those who lift weights from using them regularly.
A home gym user who is okay with the extra work may be satisfied with foam or cork mats, while a commercial gym or any place getting heavy use wants something a little more robust, quickly cleaned-in other words, rubber or vinyl.
5. Forgetting Installation Costs
Remember to add the installation cost when purchasing your gym flooring. Some types of flooring, like large rubber rolls, are a little fiddly to install yourself. If you opt for a particular kind of flooring, you may have to employ the services of a professional, and thus the overall cost increases.
On the other hand, interlocking mats or foam mats are super easy to install. You don’t have to use particular tools or expertise; just snap them together. If you want to save some money from installation or set up your gym as soon as possible, either option is ideal.
Remember that many of these interlocking tiles and mats will not stay in place nor glued down, especially when subjected to large amounts of traffic. If you plan on moving a lot of equipment into and out of the space, or if your workouts typically involve moving from station to station, you should reconsider any DIY options shown here for something more permanent.
Final Thoughts
These might sound like little things, but choosing the right flooring makes much of a difference if the place is to be used functionally and safely. Here are some common mistakes to avoid: consider what workouts you’ll be doing on your new floors, how tough the floors need to be, and how they’ll be maintained.
Safety features and installation costs should not catch one off guard. Invest in the right flooring, and your gym will be safer, more comfortable, and longer-lasting for working out. Take your time and research; choose the flooring that fits your workouts and your space.
Happy lifting!
