For most home and commercial gyms, rubber provides the widest range of benefits. Rubber has a high coefficient of friction in both dry and wet conditions, meaning it stays slip resistant even when users are sweating heavily during their workouts. Rubber’s natural resiliency provides much better sound deadening than vinyl, tile, and similar hard surfaces. Rubber’s natural resiliency also increases users’ comfort during floor exercises, cushioning knees and ankles from impact. Finally, rubber’s durability provides outstanding protection from damage from free weight and heavy strength equipment to concrete and expensive hardwood floors.

Recycled rubber is manufactured from used tires, has a characteristic “used tire” smell, and is relatively inexpensive. It is very durable but is only available in limited color options- primarily black or black with color flecks. It is often an excellent choice for garage gyms where aesthetics may be less important than in the main living areas of the house. While the smell lessens somewhat over time, it is an inherent part of the flooring and will never fully go away.

Virgin rubber flooring contains no recycled rubber and has none of the used tile smell some users find objectionable. Virgin rubber tiles are available in a broad range of colors, patterns, interlocks options- including some with hidden tongue-in-groove style interlocks- and are an excellent choice for mid to high-end home gyms. Virgin rubber provides easier cleanability than recycled rubber due to its closed cell construction.

For clients seeking to do exercise routines that will include dance style movements- particularly side-to-side foot slide- the lower slip resistance of modular Vinyl Tiles is an excellent choice. While vinyl tiles are typically less resilient than rubber tiles, a rubber underlayment often may be used to provide increased sound deadening and cushioning

Carpet Tiles provide good insulation value, sound control, and lower cost, but are not nearly as durable or easy to clean as harder surfaces. Additionally, fitness equipment manufacturers note that airborne fibers from the carpet will work their way into the inner workings or the equipment that may lessen the service life of the machines