Some of the most popular materials for home gym floors include rubber, EVA foam, vinyl, wood, and carpet. Which one is right for you depends on what type of equipment or exercises you regularly do and whether you’re looking for simple installation or something more permanent.
Below, the best home gym floors that will give you a soft(er) spot to land and protect your flooring from damage.
Give your home gym floors a major makeover with these TrafficMaster tiles. Constructed of shock-absorbing foam with a rubber wear layer on top, each interlocking tile provides both cushion and durability. The puzzle-like design of these 18 x 18-inch tiles makes it easy to configure them for your space and add or remove tiles as necessary. Edge pieces are included to give your flooring a finished look.
A popular pick for home gyms that feature weight machines, cardio equipment, or space for plyometrics, these tiles are 0.32 inches thick. While slightly thinner than some other options for gym flooring, they provide a solid surface for any activity you have in mind and protect your floors from repetitious movements or heavy equipment. The textured surface provides plenty of traction but might be slightly grittier than expected if you are on your hands and knees for your workout.
Price at time of publish: $49
Use these foam tiles to create a gym floor to cushion your joints as you squat, lunge, lift, and more to get your heart pumping. The underside of the textured tiles is grippy enough to stay put, though high-intensity movements might cause some shifting of the interlocked mats. The best thing about these mats is that they can be easily repositioned to fit your workout needs and aren’t a permanent gym flooring installation.
Price at time of publish: $26
Comfort padding provides plenty of cushion for pressure points while the non-slip, textured backing gives this mat a firm grip on the floor. These extra-large mats are 8 x 4 feet in size, which is plenty of room for a solo workout. If you need more coverage, then consider using two mats for your home gym floor.
Price at time of publish: $140
Each EVA foam tile measures 2 x 2 feet and connects in a puzzle-like design with the other tiles. Sets can be purchased to cover 24, 48, or 120 square feet. The interlocking design means that you can combine as many tiles as necessary for your home gym floor. And unlike some other interlocking mats, the Yes4All Foam Mats include edge pieces to finish the border of every tile.
Price at time of publish: $36
The Tough Mat rubber flooring is heavy enough to stay put during intense workouts but doesn’t require any permanent installation or adhesion. This makes it a great option if you have to rearrange or relocate your home gym in the future. Simply roll up this rubber flooring and reposition it as needed.
Price at time of publish: $130
When shopping for wood gym flooring, consider using engineered hardwood. You’ll get improved durability and this flooring material can be installed below grade—which is an important consideration if your home gym is in the basement.
This engineered hardwood floor from Optiwood is made of white oak and boasts a Janka rating of 2500, which is about two times harder than solid oak. That’s an important consideration if you plan to do weights or use heavy equipment on your gym floors, since softer hardwoods may dent under impact. In addition, this engineered hardwood offers straightforward installation over existing wood, tile, vinyl, or concrete surfaces without the need for additional underlayment. The waterproof Rigid core of this wood also means it can stand up to sweat, spilled sports drinks, and regular cleaning.
Price at time of publish: $77
A few innovations make this vinyl plank flooring stand out for use as a gym flooring. LifeProof has developed Ultra-Fresh technology to prevent the growth of mold or mildew on the underlayment or surface of your flooring—an important feature to consider if your gym is in a damp or humid area of the home. In addition, planks have a top layer treatment to offer enhanced resistance to scratches and stains. This waterproof flooring can be quickly and easily cleaned with a pH-neutral solution to wipe away dirt and sweat while preventing odors.
Click-lock installation and an attached underlayment make this vinyl flooring simple to install above or below grade. Plus, it can be installed over existing flooring, including tile, wood, or concrete. While this is a more permanent option for gym flooring when compared to rubber or foam mats, it provides a durable, waterproof option that can be supplemented with spot cushioning where needed.
Price at time of publish: $70
These peel-and-stick carpet tiles stand out for their durability. The proprietary Natural Touch™ PET fibers are made from recycled plastic and are stain-resistant and waterproof for spot cleaning of spills. The carpet tiles feature a fiber locking system that prevents fraying or unraveling, even if you cut tiles to fit your space.
Unlike wall-to-wall carpeting for your gym, these carpet tiles can easily be replaced if one becomes soiled or damaged beyond repair. While you still might want to supplement this gym flooring with a mat for extra cushion, it’s a great option for protecting your floor or equipment from scrapes and scratches.
Durability
Rubber and vinyl floors are the most durable options, though rubber is more universally appealing—it absorbs shock more effectively and is more affordable.
Type of Exercise
Choose rubber or foam flooring for intense exercises like jumping rope or weight training—they’ll absorb impact better than carpet, vinyl, or turf will. These materials are better suited for yoga or as a base for exercise bikes or treadmills.
Why Trust The Spruce?
A home workout enthusiast, Erica Puisis has been writing for The Spruce since 2017. Her own home gym setup features a low-pile carpet, but she has also used foam mats in the past to cushion the impact from her exercise routine. Materials like shock-absorbing foam are great for home gyms with weight machines and cardio equipment. This puzzle piece-like material should be around 0.32 inches thick or more to provide floor protection and traction. You should also properly pad the floor with the right materials. Foam or rubber will work well if you’re looking to equip your home gym with weight machines or cardio equipment. It provides much-needed cushion for your joints and overall floor protection underneath. If you’re building a home gym on the second floor, rubber and foam might be best to reduce impact problems. Installation of these materials is easily done by laying it out flat over the surfaces you’d like to cover and place your equipment.
