[UPDATED in 2025]
Whether you’re walking, jumping, squatting, or doing burpees, your flooring should provide the level of cushioning and slip-resistance you need to work out. To safely perform exercises, you need the right flooring. There a ton of different workouts from kickboxing and yoga to HIIT and weightlifting, they all benefit from having the correct type of flooring.
We would love to tell you the exact flooring you need, but the truth is that the best flooring solution depends on a few different factors. What works for one project may not be ideal for another. A commercial or home gym is a big investment. Flooring is a big part of the many things you will need to consider. Keep reading to find out the best type of fitness flooring and how to find the right solution for your project.
In this article:
- 4 Must-Have Qualities of Fitness Flooring
- The Best Type of Fitness Flooring
- Installation: Gym Flooring Rolls vs Tiles
4 Must-Have Qualities of Fitness Flooring
Your flooring will control what you can safely use and will determine the level of impact you can practice. For example, if you choose very light gym tiles and plan to use Olympic weights, you may not get adequate sound absorption and the tiles could prematurely wear. However, if you invest in thicker, high-quality rubber flooring, it can handle an intense free weights session, protecting your subfloor and minimise noise and vibrations.
When thinking about your fitness flooring, here are four must-have qualities to look out for.
Non-Slip
A non-slip surface is important in a gym. As you naturally move through your workout, a non-slip surface creates a good level of traction. This helps to reduce any slips and falls. Fitness flooring provides a safe environment for exercise.
The Sprung 20mm rubber heavy duty tile is one of our most popular options for gyms. With optimum shock absorption and non-slip safety, it creates a high comfort surface with plenty of traction.
Durable
Your commercial gym flooring should be durable enough to withstand years of exercise and use. High-intensity workouts are no match for premium quality flooring. A material such as concrete may be durable in the long-term, but it comes with no shock absorption qualities. Drop a heavy dumbbell on concrete, and it may result in damage. This is why it’s so important to find a flooring solution that is not only durable but shock absorbent, non-slip, and water-resistant.
Shock Absorbent
Rolls of rubber flooring or interlocking gym tiles are a good solution as they provide plenty of shock absorption and look great. Sprung’s Jet Black Rubber Fitness Roll constructed from a smooth HD rubber is a smart and straightforward option for your gym.
Easy to Maintain
The Best Type of Fitness Flooring
When it comes to fitness flooring, you have a few different options. The best material for you really depends on how you’re going to use the space, the size of the area you’re covering, and the type of equipment you plan on installing.
Before talking about the best type of fitness flooring, let’s talk about options you should actively avoid. When a surface isn’t designed for exercise and fitness, it’s more likely to lead to injury and damage to equipment. If you’re buying cheap rubber tiles not designed for fitness, typically, the material won’t be the right density for high impact exercise and heavy weights.
Perhaps one of the most important things to consider when selecting fitness flooring, is thickness, especially for areas where there are high levels of impact and free weights. A versatile thickness for most gym activities is 20mm and above. For areas where no weights are used, perhaps just gym machines, a lighter thickness is suitable. We would recommend rubber gym flooring rolls from 6mm and above or lighter tiles in 11mm or 15mm.
Rubber Tiles & Rubber Rolls
One of the best options for fitness flooring to support your workout style is rubber flooring. This is because it’s available in a range of thicknesses and styles. It starts at about 11mm thick and goes up to 63mm. You can choose between tiles, rolls, and interlocking tiles. Rubber is usually the go-to choice for commercial gyms because of its versatility.
Customer Insight:
"I wanted a fluid, cohesive look to my PT Studio so opted for gym roll in a wonderful flecked design. So pleased with the finish and it's really easy to clean!"
Wood Gym Flooring
Gym Sled Track and Functional Training Turf
For more advice on the right flooring solution, we’ve pulled together a gym flooring buying guide to help you make the best choice for your project.
Installation: Gym Flooring Rolls vs Tiles
Now that you have a better idea of the type of fitness flooring to use, you can make some final decisions. With rubber flooring, you have two choices: rolls and tiles. The gym rubber tiles tend to come in either a standard tile or with an interlocking system. Depending on how you plan to use the space and the size you have available, one option may suit you more than another.
If you’re opening a commercial gym, you may find that rubber fitness rolls will work for specific areas of your facility, for example, rubber rolls are a great solution for cardio spaces and spin studios. They cover large areas (with less waste) and come in lighter weight options which support heavy equipment. For free weights zones, heavier rubber tiles will provide the shock and sound absorption you need.
You may prefer interlocking tiles or puzzle tiles for a home gym as they are super simple to install and don’t require adhesive. They are suitable for small and large spaces and have a seamless and professional finish.
There are pros and cons to both types of flooring which we explain in further detail in our guide on how to choose between rubber gym flooring tiles and rolls.
