Suggestions for rubber, interlocking, rubber (not foam/EVA) floor mats or tiles for a home gym?
We're setting up our home gym again. Currently have generic interlocking EVA foam tiles which are too squishy and soft for weights, so we want rubber. Dual-purpose gym/spare room and they'll be laid over carpet, so best for them to be interlocking. Current EVA foam mats always migrate due to the carpet pile and bunch up when they hit the skirting board.
THESE from Arkmat appear to fit the bill but it's a considerable outlay (3m x 3.6m area). Not sure if a better/cheaper alternative exists.
What have other STWers have used in similar circumstances?
Thanks.
I fitted the 15mm mats from Sprung. They're not interlocking though - they are an "interference" fit, wall to wall. Can't think of anything negative to say about them. Once fitted they've been absolutely rock solid. I did lift the carpet, though I may have got away with not doing so at the risk of additional hassle whilst fitting.
https://www.gym-flooring.com/products/15mm-sprung-pro-gym-flooring-sprung-rubber-heavy-duty
Bigdug essentials interlocking tiles are what I used in my shed. They're more plastic than rubber but plenty tough. They are smaller than your mats so probably less wastage too. Cheapest I found by some margin.
https://www.bigdug.co.uk/bigdug-essentials-interlocking-vinyl-floor-tiles/v/TRCPNBK_1/
I think the Sprung ones above were what we had in the gym (when I was training regularly). If that is so, I'd use them again in a heartbeat.
Cheaper solution? Find a place that does equestrian supplies and see if they will sell you the rubber stall mats? They seem to be thick enough and tough enough.
Thanks all.
I've looked at those Sprung ones and similar that look ideal apart from not being interlocking. Lifting the carpet is not an option (apparently) and my worry is, despite their weight, interference fit ones would still migrate and bunch up slightly.
Vinyl vs rubber - I won't be thumping weights down in a 'roid-fuelled rage, but am I right in thinking I'm probably better going for rubber? Those BigDug vinyls look ideal for my garage/workshop though...
If you're fitting wall to wall then I can't see how the 15mm mats will move. They're certainly too rigid and heavy to bunch up in any way.
I got these from Tufferman, similar to the BigDug options above but worked out a bit cheaper for a whole garage sized kit.
Purchase Interlocking Floor Tiles - Floor Tiles & Mats
They are definitely on the harder side than the proper 'gym mats' but fine for putting in the garage. I primarily wanted them to cover up the dusty concrete garage floor and make it a bit more of a pleasant space to be using whether tinkering with bikes or using the turbo trainer.
I am not sure how well they would go down on top of carpet. I imagine they would move around a little bit unless you ran them wall to wall.
They are bloody slippy in my road SPDs as well. Fine in any other footwear
If you're fitting wall to wall then I can't see how the 15mm mats will move. They're certainly too rigid and heavy to bunch up in any way.
I could go wall-to-wall between wardrobe doors and opposite wall, but far wall has window alcove with radiator pipes etc. Just seeing how much the current foam mats move around from a single walk across them makes me apprehensive about non-interlocking. 'Kin carpet! Near 'wall' is a pull-out daybed-into-double bed so needs a mat-free space to roll out into.
(keen for mats under the cardio too as the cross trainer especially wobbles around in use due to thickness of 'kin carpet and underlay. If I had my way, there'd not be a carpet!)
I've been considering similar for my, currently, carpeted gym room.
I think the carpet or the mats have to go. Mats on top of carpet and underlay are never going to be much good. Too much squish and movement. Carpet has to go I reckon.
The alternative is to remove the mats you are currently using (because they are a hazard and not needed). Enjoy your workouts on the nice carpet. Carpet gets worn out? There's your excuse to remove and put a proper floor down 😉
Horsey stabling flooring might suit too
I think the carpet or the mats have to go. Mats on top of carpet and underlay are never going to be much good. Too much squish and movement. Carpet has to go I reckon.
Mat on carpet would have been an issue for me as I wouldn't have been able to open the door (well, not without taking a chunk off the bottom of it) 😂
I have the ‘more plastic than rubber’ garage floor tiles, the type where you use a mallet to get the edges of the tiles knocked into each other. I reckon the joints would start popping out if laid over carpet and underlay.
Horse mats…a very very heavy and cumbersome option! Horrible things although at least they won’t be covered in urine and shite when you have to try and take them back out…
In all honesty, time for a frank carpet discussion. Roll the thing up and stick it in the loft, it will be in better condition when needed again than if it stays down.
You could then ‘spend big’ on the flooring you found, or stick some laminate flooring down and then your existing foam tiles can just go in the spots you need it, and it won’t move around like it does now.
Mat on carpet would have been an issue for me as I wouldn't have been able to open the door (well, not without taking a chunk off the bottom of it) 😂
That'd provide the perfect excuse for why I'd not be using the gym 😀
I have the ‘more plastic than rubber’ garage floor tiles, the type where you use a mallet to get the edges of the tiles knocked into each other. I reckon the joints would start popping out if laid over carpet and underlay.
Horse mats…a very very heavy and cumbersome option! Horrible things although at least they won’t be covered in urine and shite when you have to try and take them back out…
In all honesty, time for a frank carpet discussion. Roll the thing up and stick it in the loft, it will be in better condition when needed again than if it stays down.
You could then ‘spend big’ on the flooring you found, or stick some laminate flooring down and then your existing foam tiles can just go in the spots you need it, and it won’t move around like it does now.
I was favouring larger tiles (1000x1000) over smaller to minimise the number of joints, partly for that reason. Thanks for flagging it up as an issue on those thinner/plasticky tiles.
I know the best solution would be lifting the carpet but that's not an option 😐
I'm favouring the biggest mats I can find and fitting them wall-to-wall as much as possible.
Wall to wall with a rug over the top where it needs to be "presentable"?
I have Horse Stall maps in my garage gym. They have had rough AF covid-era plates dropped on them 3 times a week with no ill-effects.