Home gyms are having their moment. Gone are the days of throwing an old cardio machine in the corner of the living room and calling it quits. Nowadays, consumers are looking to deck out rooms, or garages, with the works, including gym flooring.
While there's no shortage of options to choose from, the best gym flooring is multifunctional. It protects your floors, of course, but it also absorbs impact, provides some cushion for your joints during high-impact exercises, and dampens sound so you don't disturb the people around you. Because it serves so many purposes, you want to make sure you're choosing something that's durable and up for the task. There's your budget to keep in mind, too. Some types of flooring, like foam squares, may feel like a drop in the bucket, while thicker rubber mats are more of an upfront investment.
For this guide, we've rounded up all types of picks from rubber to vinyl to carpet at various price points, so there's something for everyone. We also provide guidance on how to narrow down your options to choose the best home gym flooring for your specific needs.
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The Best Home Gym Flooring - Our Top Picks
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- Best Home Gym Flooring Overall: FlooringInc Heavy Duty Rubber Rolls
- Best Budget Home Gym Flooring: ProsourceFit Exercise Puzzle Mat
- Best Rubber Home Gym Flooring: Rogue Plae Achieve 13mm
- Best Vinyl Home Gym Flooring: Rubber FlooringInc Modular Grid-Loc Tiles
- Best High-Quality Gym Flooring: Titan Fitness Black Rubber Gym Flooring
- Best Heavy-Duty Gym Flooring: Rogue Plae Achieve 18mm
- Best Carpet Tile for Home Gym Flooring: FlooringInc Berber Carpet Tiles
- Best Mat Home Gym Flooring: VersaFit Flooring
- Best Foam Home Gym Flooring: ProsourceFit Foam Puzzle Mat
Best Overall - FlooringInc Heavy Duty Rubber Rolls
SPECS
- Thickness: 3/8"
- Size: 4' wide (length is custom cut)
- Material: Rubber
- Weight: 2.2 lbs. per square foot
If you want heavy-duty gym flooring that's built to last, rubber is the way to go. These rolls from FlooringInc are made for commercial gyms and weight rooms, so they're rugged enough to withstand heavy, regular use. They're 3/8 inches thick—a nice sweet spot between too thin and too padded. Each roll is 4 feet wide but can be custom cut to perfectly fit in your space so you don't get the loose connections you can get with cheap foams.
While black is the predominant color in these rubber floors, you can customize your look by choosing a different color accent of rubber flecks. When they arrive, all you have to do is roll them out and you're ready to go. Plus, they're easy to take care of. Just wash with mild soap and water as often as needed.
What We Like
- Highly durable
- Can be cut to size
- Available in different fleck patterns
What We Don't Like
- More expensive than others
- Color can vary slightly between rolls
BUY: FlooringInc Heavy Duty Rubber Rolls
Best Budget Home Gym Flooring - ProsourceFit Exercise Puzzle Mat
SPECS
- Thickness: 1/2"
- Size: 24 sq. ft.
- Material: EVA foam
- Weight: N/A
Foam exercise mats aren't the most rugged type of flooring, but if you're looking for a budget-friendly option and you don't mind replacing them as needed, they're a decent choice. The ProsourceFit Exercise Puzzle Mat is made of a half-inch of high-density EVA foam that cushions your feet and absorbs impact as needed.
Each piece has a textured, non-skid surface for added stability and border pieces have a smooth edge for a clean look. This set comes in a pack of six, enough to cover about 24 square feet. If you need more than that, you can purchase multiple packs and connect them as needed. This flooring is available in three colors: black, blue, and gray.
What We Like
- Textured non-slip surface
- Easy installation
- Cushioned and shock-absorbing
- Several color options
What We Don't Like
- Each pack only covers 24 square feet
- Not as durable as other materials
BUY: ProsourceFit Exercise Puzzle Mat
Best Rubber Home Gym Flooring - Rogue PLAE Achieve 13mm
SPECS
- Thickness: 13 mm (1/2")
- Size: 4' x 35' roll
- Material: Recycled SBR rubber tires and EPDM rubber granules bound with polyurethane
- Weight: N/A
If you want a highly durable gym floor that stands up to practically anything, the Rogue PLAE Achieve is the way to go. Fair warning: This is one of the most expensive types of floors you can get, but it's an investment that lasts. To prove it, Rogue offers a 15-year warranty.
The PLAE Achieve flooring is made from 100-percent recycled rubber tires combined with rubber granules and bound with polyurethane. It has a two-layer design that resists sagging and indentation that can come with direct, heavy impact and regular use. Each roll measures 4 feet by 35 feet and is 13 millimeters (or 1/2 inch) thick. The basic flooring, or Level 1 as Rogue calls it, comes in black only, but you can upgrade to Level 2, 3, or 4 (for an extra cost) if you want a different color; there are 10 additional options.
What We Like
- Made of recycled materials
- 2-layer design that resists sagging
- Impressive 15-year warranty
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Takes up to 8 weeks to ship
Best Vinyl Home Gym Flooring - Rubber FlooringInc Modular Grid-Loc Tiles
SPECS
- Thickness: 1/2"
- Size: 12" x 12" (tiles sold individually)
- Material: High-grade polypropylene with vinyl top
- Weight: 2 lbs. per tile
If you're not a fan of the rubber look and/or feel, vinyl flooring is another durable option. Not only does it look like more expensive wood or tile, but it is also water-resistant, easy to clean, and can stand up to excessive wear and tear from exercise equipment or a lot of traffic.
These Modular Grid-Loc Tiles have an interlocking system that makes them easy to install (or uninstall) with no tools or prior experience. You can lay them over any type of existing flooring, indoors or outdoors. Because they're commercial-grade, they're scuff-resistant and can withstand loads of up to 25,000 pounds. They come in eight colors, from oak wood to white onyx.
What We Like
- Comes in 8 color options
- Easy to install
- Can be set over any existing flooring
What We Don't Like
- Each tile is sold individually
- Cost can add up quickly
BUY: Rubber FlooringInc Modular Grid-Loc Tiles
Best High-Quality Gym Flooring - Titan Fitness Black Rubber Gym Flooring
SPECS
- Thickness: 8mm
- Size: 4' x 15'
- Material: Rubber
- Weight: 96 lbs.
This Black Rubber Gym Flooring from Titan Fitness is one of the best values. It's not the cheapest option out there, but you can't beat the price for the quality. This flooring is made of non-slip rubber that has straight edges to allow for a seamless installation. It's 8 millimeters (or just under 1/3-inch) thick, so it provides cushioning and shock absorption without being too soft.
It comes in five colors and is sold in 4 feet by 15 feet rolls, which is enough to cover about 60 square feet of space. While you can't get it custom-cut before shipping, you can cut it to the size you need once you get it. The manufacturer recommends using a carpet roller when installing to make sure it lies flat and doesn't buckle.
What We Like
- Highly durable
- Good price for rubber flooring
- Comes in 5 colors
What We Don't Like
- On the thinner side
- Can't get it custom cut
BUY: Titan Fitness Black Rubber Gym Flooring
Best Heavy-Duty Gym Flooring - Rogue PLAE Achieve 18mm
SPECS
- Thickness: 18 mm (0.71")
- Size: 4' x 25'
- Material: Recycled rubber tires and rubber granules bound with polyurethane
- Weight: N/A
If your home gym gets a lot of traffic, or you want to install flooring in a commercial space, you need a heavy-duty option that can stand up to extensive wear and tear and the weight of equipment. This is the same Rogue PLAE Achieve flooring as our best rubber pick, but it's 18 millimeters thick, instead of 13 millimeters.
These extra five millimeters not only add cushioning that helps absorb impact but also make this flooring more resistant to sagging and indentation that can develop over time. This heavy-duty gym flooring is made of 100 percent recycled rubber tires and rubber granules that add some grippiness to prevent slipping. It comes in a total of 11 colors, but you'll have to pay extra if you want anything other than black or speckled black. Each roll is 4 feet by 25 feet, so you may have to buy multiple depending on your space
What We Like
- Ample cushioning
- Made from recycled materials
- Easy to install
What We Don't Like
- Expensive
- Some colors cost more than others
Best Carpet Tile for Home Gym Flooring - FlooringInc Berber Carpet Tiles
SPECS
- Thickness: 1/4"
- Size: 12" x 12"
- Material: 100% polyester
- Weight: 0.3 lbs. per tile
Carpet isn't as water- and odor-resistant as rubber or vinyl, but if you want a softer option, it's a good choice. The Berber Carpet Tiles from FlooringInc are made from 100 percent polyester and have a low pile so they're easier to clean than other types of carpet.
Unlike standard carpet which needs to be rolled out—and preferably installed by professionals—these do-it-yourself tiles have an adhesive backing that allows you to peel and stick them wherever you need. They come in seven colors and each box contains 20 tiles that measure 12 inches by 12 inches each, so you'll likely have to order a couple of boxes depending on your gym size.
What We Like
- Peel and stick tiles
- Come in 7 colors
- Fairly inexpensive
What We Don't Like
- Only suitable for low to medium traffic
- Not water resistant
BUY: FlooringInc Berber Carpet Tiles
Best Mat Home Gym Flooring - VersaFit Flooring
SPECS
- Thickness: 5/8"
- Size: 1m (3.28') per tile
- Material: Recycled rubber
- Weight: 27 lbs. per meter (tile)
Rubber flooring is one of the most durable options, but it often comes in bulky rolls that can be a little cumbersome to lay down yourself. This VersaFit Flooring is a good solution. Each tile is made of heavy-duty recycled rubber that's 5/8 inches thick. The tiles are 1-meter squares or about 3.28 square feet, so they're easier to manage than heavier mats or rolls. Instead of an interlocking design, they have precision-cut edges so they fit tightly together.
Because they're rubber, they're slip- and water-resistant and easy to clean, making them an excellent fit for your home gym. They're also designed to be highly flexible so they withstand cracking and breaking. There are four color options, plus a double-beveled reversible mat.
What We Like
- Made of recycled materials
- Smaller tiles are easier to manage
- Highly flexible
What We Don't Like
- Don't interlock so they could slip
- Don't come in packs
BUY: VersaFit Flooring
Best Foam Home Gym Flooring - ProsourceFit Foam Puzzle Mat
SPECS
- Thickness: 3/4"
- Size: 24" x 24" per tile (comes with six tiles)
- Material: EVA foam
- Weight: N/A
Foam mats are an inexpensive way to protect your floors and absorb impact, but they're not all up to par when it comes to quality. While this mat won't stand up to as much wear and tear as rubber, it's a good easy-to-lay option that's designed for convenience.
Each tile, which is made of EVA foam with a textured grip, measures 24 inches by 24 inches and is 3/4 inches thick. They have interlocking edges so you can connect them in any configuration you want. You can also buy multiple packs—each pack comes with six tiles—if you need to cover a bigger space. And unlike other foam mats that have specific smooth-edge border tiles, this puzzle mat comes with thinner border pieces, which makes it easier to expand it as needed.
What We Like
- End border pieces allow for easy expansion
- Comes in 3 colors
- Inexpensive
What We Don't Like
- Not as durable as other floorings
- Each pack only covers 24 square feet
BUY: ProsourceFit Foam Puzzle Mat
What to Look for in Home Gym Flooring
When deciding on gym flooring, there are several things to consider, including material, durability, available space, and the all-in cost. Here's how you can narrow down your choices.
Material
Gym flooring comes in various materials, including rubber, vinyl, carpet, and foam. Rubber is the most durable of the bunch, but there may be reasons you choose something else. For example, you might want the wood-like look that vinyl can give or the softer touch of carpet. Foam isn't as durable as rubber, but it weighs less and is often easier to lay. Before choosing a home gym flooring, decide what type of material you're looking for and then narrow down your choices based on that.
Durability
Of course, you want your gym flooring to last, but you may be able to get away with less durable materials depending on what type of exercise you do. For instance, if you're looking for something to go under a cardio machine to protect your floors, foam is probably durable enough. However, if you're often throwing heavy weights around and you need to dampen the impact and shock from landing, rubber is the better choice. Rubber is also a better choice for higher-impact exercises like jumping rope.
Your Space
The type of floor you're covering should also factor into your decision. If you're putting flooring down in a square room, any type will suffice. However, if there are obstacles that you have to work around, you need to find flooring, like rubber, that you can cut to your own specifications.
Cost
Cost for gym flooring can run the gamut, and manufacturers often list the price differently. You may find one company that lists the cost per square foot, while another lists a price per pack of six tiles. When calculating cost, make sure you know how the price is listed and then calculate accordingly based on how much space you need to cover.
Keep in mind that the cheapest option may not be the best in the long run. While foam is less of an upfront investment, it will need to be replaced more often than rubber. More expensive flooring often comes with a longer warranty, too—sometimes as long as 15 years—so you may be covered if something goes wrong.
FAQs About Home Gym Flooring
What is the best type of flooring for a home gym?
Rubber is the most durable and easiest to clean. It's also excellent at absorbing impact and dampening noise. However, if you don't want rubber flooring, vinyl, carpet, and foam can be suitable options.
How thick should my home gym floor be?
Your home gym floor should be at least 8 millimeters (or about 0.3 inches) thick. If you do a lot of weightlifting or your home gym sees a lot of traffic, thicker floors (or around 15 millimeters thick) are a better option.
Is carpet OK for a home gym?
Carpet can work in a home gym, but you should be choosy about the type. While plush carpet feels better to the touch, it can soak up moisture and bacteria and break down faster than lower pile options. If you decide to put carpet in your home gym, choose a material like Berber, which is more durable.
Is home gym flooring worth it?
Yes, home gym flooring is worth it. It protects your floors by absorbing the impact from weights and cardio machines, while also dampening noise.