Author: Jessica TimmonsDecember 31, 2022By Jessica Timmonsmbg ContributorJessica Timmons is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Healthline, Pregnancy & Newborn, Modern Parents Messy Kids, and more.Who needs home gym flooring?How we pickedBest options of 2023Installation tipsFAQsImage by Kike Arnaiz / StocksyDecember 31, 2022Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may earn a small commission.When it comes to setting up the home gym, we tend to focus entirely on the equipment. But an oh-so-important and oft-overlooked element of the home gym becomes glaringly apparent the minute you start a workout—and you're standing on it.
Who wants to stress about dinging that hardwood with your new kettlebell, hammering your joints on unforgiving tile, or smushing your carpet with your gigantic treadmill when you're trying to get your sweat on?
That's where dedicated home gym flooring comes in. We worked alongside fitness and interior design experts to round up seven of the best options for specific workouts, so you'll have the foundation you need (literally) for some serious training.
The best home gym flooring of 2023:
Best for weight trainingAmerican Floor Mats Fit-Lock Rubber FlooringGo to reviewBest for high-impact workoutsGorilla Mats Premium Large Exercise MatGo to reviewBest for cardio equipmentiCork Floor Cork Floating FlooringGo to reviewBest for yogaLifeproof Click-Lock Luxury Vinyl Plank FlooringGo to reviewBest for kickboxingAmerican Floor Mats Ultimate Stand-Alone Gym MatGo to reviewBest for aerobicsAmerican Floor Mats Extreme Rubber Gym TilesGo to reviewBest for mobility trainingYes4All Interlocking Exercise Foam MatsGo to reviewThe best home gym flooring of 2023:
Best for weight training
American Floor Mats Fit-Lock Rubber Flooring$25/ tile on Amazon$11/ tile on American Floor MatsGo to reviewBest for high-impact workouts
Gorilla Mats Premium Large Exercise Mat$160/ mat on Gorilla Mats$150/ mat on AmazonGo to reviewBest for cardio equipment
iCork Floor Cork Floating Flooring$73/ box on iCorkGo to reviewBest for yoga
Lifeproof Click-Lock Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring$65/ case on Home DepotGo to reviewBest for kickboxing
American Floor Mats Ultimate Stand-Alone Gym Mat$107/ mat on AmazonGo to reviewBest for aerobics
American Floor Mats Extreme Rubber Gym Tiles$26/ tile on American Floor MatsGo to reviewBest for mobility training
Yes4All Interlocking Exercise Foam Mats$31/ 6 tiles on AmazonGo to reviewShow MoreReasons to get home gym flooring.
By tailoring your gym flooring to your preferred type of workout, you can ensure that everything—your home and body included—has the protection it needs.
"Proper flooring takes proper care of your body," explains Paul Fischer, a certified personal trainer and owner of Framework Personal Training. A supportive, grippy surface will offer shock absorption and cushion your joints while also minimizing the risk of slipping and falling, no matter how sweaty you get.
Dropping a little money on a dedicated gym floor also protects your home, says Felicia Rish, senior commercial interior designer at Architects in Partnership. "If you drop a 20-pound kettlebell on hard surfaced flooring, you'll probably have a new ding in your wood flooring or a chunk missing from your concrete floor," Rish explains.
There's also a psychological component to a good gym floor. "Your environment contributes to your success," says Fischer. "A room that is set up for intentional exercise is another tool for goal setting. Just like studying in a quiet room, a proper gym creates positive habits."
If you're side-eyeing your carpet right this minute, keep in mind that many types of flooring can support a solid workout. "It's perfectly safe to work out on existing home surfaces like laminate and carpet, though these can provide less grip than traditional rubber flooring," explains Kerri Husk, sports therapist and owner of Huskie Sports Therapy & Performance. But if your current floor has no give (think tile and polished or bare concrete), certain workouts will require the addition of a good fitness mat at the very least.
Our picks for the best home gym flooring of 2023
Best for weight training: American Floor Mats Fit-Lock Rubber Flooring
:view on Amazon | $25/ tile:view on American Floor Mats | $11/ tilePros
- Interlocking design is secure and easy to set up (and take down)
- Sold individually and in sets
Cons
- Only available in a single tile size (and it’s big)
If your home gym includes dumbbells, kettlebells, or any type of resistance equipment, you should seriously consider these heavy-duty rubber tiles.
They’ll absorb impact to protect your floors, and the seamless interlocking design means there's no adhesive is necessary. The tiles simply fit together like giant puzzle pieces. That’s a benefit, as Fischer points out that rubber flooring has a tendency to shift and shrink. “I like the interlocking rubber tiles, as they keep tight seams,” he says.
The tile approach also keeps things flexible. “In a home situation, I would opt for a floating rubber system rather than a rolled system,” recommends Rish. “That’s mainly because most rolled systems require an adhesive.” If you need the option of converting that home gym into a nursery in a few years, these interlocking tiles will be easy to take apart with no damage to your floor.
Best for high-impact workouts: Gorilla Mats Premium Large Exercise Mat
:view on Gorilla Mats | $160/ mat:view on Amazon | $150/ matPros
- Non-toxic materials
- Shock-absorbing
- Non-slip, double-sided design keeps it in place
- Portable
Cons
- May need rug anchors if used over carpet
This freestanding exercise mat is specifically designed to protect your joints and your floors when you’re busting out burpees and other high-impact moves. It’s made with non-toxic rubber and has a firm but cushioning feel and a no-slip grip. Plus, it’s available in a range of spacious sizes to suit your space.
At one-quarter inch thick, these mats offer the absorption you want during high-impact workouts. And since they roll right up when you’re done, they quite literally turn any room in your home into a usable gym space.
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.Best for cardio equipment: iCork Floor Cork Floating Flooring
:view on iCork | $73/ boxPros
- Eco-friendly
- Great flex and shock absorption for heavy equipment
Cons
- Not waterproof and might absorb sweat
Cork flooring is a stylish and impressively effective choice for home gyms. Not only is it impact-resistant, cushioning, and low-slip, it’s particularly beneficial if you have a treadmill, stationary bike, rower, or another oversized piece of equipment. Cork is smooth and resilient, but it naturally flexes and compresses to absorb shock beautifully. It also insulates nicely against acoustical vibrations to reduce noise, no matter how fast you’re sprinting, stepping, or spinning.
Another bonus: unlike most other flooring materials, cork is a renewable resource that won’t shed microfibers or trap dust. Plus, it's super easy to keep clean (though it isn't completely water-resistant).
Best for yoga: Lifeproof Click-Lock Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
:view on Home Depot | $65/ casePros
- Treated to resist odors and stains
- Simple drop-and-lock installation system with pre-attached underlay
- Affordable
Cons
- Requires installation
There’s a reason yoga studios all seem to have the same floor. “Vinyl is the best product for [yoga] because it can be cleaned easily, has a little give underfoot, and is aesthetically pleasing,” says Rish. “You can opt for a lot of different patterns here that look like real wood or stone, which gives you a more biophilic or Zen design aesthetic.”
This option from Lifeproof is antimicrobial to resist mold and mildew. It’s also scratch and stain resistant and waterproof if you’re feeling the Bikram yoga. While you will have to install it, the drop-and-lock system is straightforward. Plus, it can go right over existing tile, wood, concrete, and vinyl floors.
Laminate, hardwood, and even polished concrete also tend to crop up in the yoga world, but Rish still prefers vinyl for its slip resistance, she says. “I would go with something that does not have a beveled edge,” Rish adds. “Dirt likes to make a home in the crevices so save yourself some sanity and make sure it has a flat edge.”
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.Best for kickboxing: American Floor Mats Ultimate Stand-Alone Gym Mat
:view on Amazon | $107/ matPros
- Sold in varying thicknesses and sizes
- Stays flat
- Textured surface for good grip
Cons
- Expensive
Whether you’re using a heavy bag or following a contact-free cardio kickboxing class, you need a secure base that’s not too slick. “You want a non-slip surface that’s easy to clean, and it needs to be fairly firm (not foamy) to help provide a stable platform to train on,” says Husk. That’s key when you’re throwing both contralateral and ipsilateral combos.
These stand-alone mats are heavy enough to stay put no matter how nasty that left hook/right round gets, and a proprietary manufacturing process ensures they’ll always lay flat—no curling edges here. They come in multiple sizes and thicknesses, and there are even options for a little splash of color.
Best for aerobics: American Floor Mats Extreme Rubber Gym Tiles
:view on American Floor Mats | $26/ tilePros
- Durable
- Highly shock absorbent
Cons
- Expensive
- Only available in a single tile size
Prefer your workouts low-impact and high-intensity? These rubber gym tiles will give you a great base for any studio class that leads you through an energetic, calorie-burning workout. The tiles come with a connection piece for a secure fit, which is key when you’re moving quickly through high knees or dance moves. (The last thing you want is your floor coming apart.) The rubber also absorbs shock well and is slip-resistant even when it’s wet, which means no slipping or sliding.
The tiles have a patented wear layer for long-term durability and come with a 15-year warranty.
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.Best for mobility training: Yes4All Interlocking Exercise Foam Mats
:view on Amazon | $31/ 6 tilesPros
- Lightweight means quick assembly
- Non-skid and shock absorbing
- Affordable
Cons
- Won’t stay connected under strenuous activity
If your fitness focus is mobility training to really work range of motion, this foam flooring is a good pick. It assembles in just minutes to create a supportive, cushioning platform so you can focus on flexibility and strength. Because of its light weight, the interlocking feature is best suited to controlled, intentional movements. It’s also the least expensive option on our list, which is always a bonus.
What to know about putting down a new floor.
When you're putting down your new home gym flooring, you'll want to consider your existing flooring. Here are some pro installation tips depending on the type of floor you're working with:
- Over concrete: This is an unforgiving surface for high-impact workouts, and if it's finished, it may also be slick. The good news is that you can put any of the options on our list over a concrete floor, but you'll want to pick a product that will maintain tight seams if your workouts are high-energy.
- Over carpet: If you're keeping the carpet, your best bet is to opt for a stand-alone mat that is heavy enough to stay in place through any workout. You may want to opt for rug anchors, too, which are designed to keep things securely in place.
- Over hardwood: This is where you'll want to protect your investment and keep things flexible for the future, says Rish. That means floating, shock-absorbing surfaces are best.
- Over tile: Tile is another ultra-rigid surface that can also be quite slick. Keep your tile (and your joints!) in good shape with any of the floating or stand-alone picks on our list. But keep in mind that tile can crack easily, especially if you're dropping heavy weights, so you'll want to go with a thicker flooring option.
The takeaway.
When it comes to your home gym, the floor deserves as much thought as the rest of your gear. The more tailored it is to your specific at-home workouts, the better. "I personally find it easier to commit to a workout at home if it is aesthetically pleasing and already set up for me," says Rish. "Having a dedicated space for you to do your thing will help you choose fitness over anything else."
