The Best Rubber Flooring for Gyms

Everything you need to know about Rolled Rubber Flooring

For a lot of owners, designing your gym falls into two categories: 

• The items you are passionate about
• The items you didn’t realize are just as important to consider

Gym flooring typically falls into the latter. You know what the vibe of your gym is going to be. You have done research on the top cardio machines and the latest fitness class trends. But what do you know about flooring?

There are a variety of flooring options available for commercial gyms. The most popular flooring solution tends to be rolled rubber flooring.

About Rolled Rubber Flooring

Rolled rubber flooring provides a wall-to-wall solution for seamless movement & aesthetics. This product is known for its sleek looks and extreme durability. Most commercial gyms and fitness clubs use rolled rubber flooring to cover large areas. Rolls can be cut at custom lengths as well to fit any facility need, regardless of the shape or size.

Finding the Right Flooring Thickness

Rubber flooring for gyms comes in a variety of thickness levels. You should choose your thickness based on how you plan to use your space.

For example, ¼” thick rolled rubber is available, but depending on the amount of foot traffic and what the space is being used for, the material may be too thin. If you’re covering an area where weights will be repeatedly dropped on, we’d recommend a thicker option.

Industry-standard is 3/8” (8mm) thick. A 3/8” thickness is recommended for underneath cardio equipment and under some strength equipment. 3/8" thick mats will absorb shock from lightweight dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells. (That is, as long as weights aren’t regularly being deliberately dropped.)

½” thick rubber flooring is adequate for facilities where weights over 100 lbs will be used, but not deliberately dropped on a regular basis.

Thicker rubber flooring is generally reserved for areas where powerlifting will done. This is where you’ll find ¾” - 1”. These thicknesses are usually more than most facilities need through, with the exception of the deadlift area, heavy strength training facilities, Olympic weightlifting, etc. Take a look at 1” Tiles if you’re looking for the thickest style of rubber flooring.

Installation of Rolled Rubber Flooring

Your first step will be to remove the rolls from their packaging and unroll them onto the floor. Lay the rolls down in a way that will use your cuts efficiently (it’s best to have this planned way before it’s go-time). Cut all rolls at the required length (if needed), including enough to run up the wall. This is when ample time is going to come in handy, as you need to allow the cuts to relax in position for a minimum of two hours. If you have 24 hours, even better.

Place the edge of the first roll along your chalk line, and unroll. Continue rolling out the rest of the room and allow the rubber flooring rolls to acclimate to the room. 

Make sure the rolls are tightly butted up next to each other and check to make sure they are straight and without any wrinkles or folds. 

Check out our full installation guide for outfitting your facility with rolled rubber flooring here.

Maintenance of Rolled Rubber Flooring

Rolled Rubber Flooring is water-resistant and antimicrobial, which means you’re not going to find mold or mildew popping up. This, however, doesn’t mean you can “set it and forget it”. 

Your gym flooring is a big investment in your facility. Maintenance is easy with the right products and protocol, and imperative if you want your investment to last. Rubber flooring should be dry dust-mopped a couple of times a day; the more traffic you have, the more you should be sweeping, as dust and dirt will build up quickly. Combine this with a scheduled daily mopping and weekly deep cleaning routine.

Get more information on how to clean rubber flooring here. We put together everything you need, from products to process.

What’s the Difference Between Recycled Rubber Flooring & Vulcanized Rubber Flooring?

Rolled rubber flooring is made of 100% post-consumer rubber and post-industrial EPDM rubber. So what’s the difference between recycled and vulcanized rubber (another common type of manufactured rubber)?

Recycled and vulcanized rubber flooring are both made from crumb rubber that comes from car and truck tires originally destined for a landfill. Recycled mats & flooring are made from a mixture of this crumb rubber and a polyurethane binder that holds it all together.

This mixture forms a thick "batter", which is spread onto n a large screen and then put into an oven to bake and cure. So, picture an industrial-sized EZ Bake Oven. (Both have the same inedible batter.)

Vulcanized rubber mats are created when crumb rubber, latex, sulfur, and oil are mixed together. This is then baked at extremely high temperatures, under extreme pressure (between 500 and 1,000 PSI) until done. This high heat and pressure procedure is known as "vulcanizing." 

Recycled rubber is often more cost-efficient than synthetic and vulcanized rubber as there are fewer materials involved in the production process. It’s also the more eco-conscious decision. Recycling materials keeps waste out of landfills, and buying products made with recycled materials is an environmentally responsible choice that’s a win-win: facility managers get a top-notch, high-quality flooring solution and they’re making a positive impact on the environment (AND members will love both the premium flooring they get to work out on and the fact that their club is supporting eco-friendly production—so it’s a win-win-win!)

Where Can I Use Rolled Rubber Flooring in My Fitness Facility?

You’ll find many fitness center owners placing rolled rubber flooring in high-traffic areas, as it is very durable and easy to clean. There are also several thickness options available, which means that you’ll be able to find an option that meets your needs and your budget. Most gyms have the proper subfloor in place so that wherever you want it, you can place it. 

You can use rolled rubber flooring in:

• Locker rooms
• Cardio areas
• Free-weight areas
• Classrooms
• Reception
• Snack bar
• Any high-traffic commercial area
  

Additional Rolled Rubber Flooring Benefits

Make no mistake about it—Rolled Rubber Flooring is an investment that looks good, performs every day, and keeps members happy. Here are some other things we love about our rolled rubber flooring:

• 13 standard colors with unlimited customization options available
• Slip resistant, wet or dry
• Custom branding available—add your logo, an inspirational message, or any graphic (we’re not talking painted, printed, or sticker logos; our logos are water-jet cut out of the same flooring to create a seamless fit)
• Made proudly in the USA
• Little to no odor (say goodbye to that potent rubber smell)
• 5-year, 100% warranty
  
  

Let’s Get Started!

Reach out to our flooring experts or fill out a quick form for a product sample. We're here to help with product selection, design & layout, quoting, and maintenance. Whether it’s a brand new build-out or an upgrade to an existing space, we have the flooring solution for your facility.