Every gym, whether it's in your home or a local fitness facility, endures a lot, especially the gym floors. When performing cardio or strength training, gym flooring endures significant stress. It faces forces far greater than those experienced by typical floors.

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Consider the impact on your body as well. If you participate in aerobics or full-body strength workouts on floors that lack cushioning, your body will suffer. This can put your ankles, knees, and joints at risk of repetitive motion injuries. A solid floor can also jeopardize your musculoskeletal health, increasing the chances of fractures and tears during exercise.

To protect your body, workout space, equipment, and the underlying floor, cushioning is essential. The flooring you choose for your gym is crucial. Thankfully, various excellent options are available.

Gym rubber flooring is the preferred choice for home gyms and commercial fitness facilities. You will be pleased to know that multiple types of rubber flooring exist. Rubber flooring for gyms comes in various thicknesses, styles, and patterns, allowing gym owners to personalize their spaces from the ground up.

Akfit's Insights on Rubber Flooring for Gyms

As one of the leading fitness specialty stores in Canada, Akfit frequently receives inquiries about gym flooring. Our clients often seek our expert opinion on the types of rubber flooring available, and we're eager to share our knowledge with a broader audience.

In this article:

Virgin Rubber vs. Regular Flooring

Regular rubber flooring is made from recycled or vulcanized rubber, while virgin rubber flooring uses no recycled materials.

Regular Rubber Flooring

Standard rubber flooring for gyms, referred to as recycled or vulcanized, is typically the most affordable option.

Vulcanized rubber flooring sits in the mid-price range and is made from post-consumer products, including truck tires. However, this process involves treating the material with sulfur at high temperatures to enhance its strength.

Both recycled and vulcanized options are environmentally friendly, as these floors are crafted from reclaimed materials.

The production process for recycled flooring involves shredding tires into small pieces, milling them into granules, removing steel components, and cleaning the remaining granules. These granules are then mixed with a binding agent to create flooring material.

Vulcanized flooring is created from tire portions devoid of wires or belts. These pieces are processed into small bits, mixed with sulfur, latex, and oil, and subjected to extreme heat and pressure to form durable flooring material. Vulcanized rubber flooring is non-porous and does not require sealing.

Virgin Rubber Flooring

This type of gym flooring is produced from newly created rubber polymers without recycled materials. Fire retardants are often added for safety. Virgin rubber flooring is generally more expensive than its recycled counterparts.

After mixing the virgin rubber formula, it is vulcanized in a steam-heated press to enhance strength, resulting in a very resilient, non-porous material that does not require sealing.

Many people prefer the aesthetics and durability of virgin rubber gym floors over regular flooring due to its strength and resilience, which are particularly appealing for fitness facilities.

Toxic Rubber vs. Non-Toxic

Some clients express concerns about the presence of toxic rubber materials. They want to know if rubber flooring poses risks to humans or pets. This apprehension is understandable.

Natural rubber is derived from plants, which may seem advantageous. However, many individuals are allergic to natural rubber, deeming it toxic. Synthetic rubber is a preferred choice in these cases.

Creating synthetic rubber involves several toxic chemicals, raising concerns about safety. Toxic rubber is already a sensitive issue in healthcare settings, leading many to question its safety in gyms.

To err on the side of caution, opting for known non-toxic products, especially those that do not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is advisable. VOCs may trigger asthma, fatigue, headaches, and other health issues.

By choosing non-toxic rubber flooring, a healthier environment is fostered. Rubber flooring with the lowest VOC levels includes products made from vulcanized and virgin rubber.

For additional assurance regarding toxicity levels, consult the manufacturer.

Sizes, Thicknesses, & Patterns

Clients often ask how thick gym flooring should be to effectively absorb impact. It's a valid query, as flooring can vary from ¼ inch to over one inch in thickness.

As a general rule, different thicknesses cater to the following:

• Quarter Inch (1/4”): Ideal for protecting floors from heavy equipment, such as treadmills and ellipticals.
• Half Inch (1/2”): Suited for weight rooms with weights up to 100 pounds and for aerobic exercises.
• One Inch (1”): Perfect for powerlifting and high-intensity cardio workouts.

Consider also the mat or tile sizes and patterns of the rubber floor elements. What area do you need to cover, and how should the space be styled?

Rubber flooring elements are available in a wide array of sizes, styles, and patterns. Our Akfit specialists can help you explore options to choose the best fit for your home or commercial gym.

Interlocking vs. Rolls

Another important factor is whether to choose rolls or interlocking tiles for gym flooring.

Rubber rolls for gym floors are slip-resistant and come in various sizes, allowing you to select the option that fits your space. Commercial-grade rolls are also available.

Interlocking rubber floor tiles offer similar size variations and can be connected to achieve your desired dimensions.

While rolls provide ease of installation and flexibility for reconfiguring your gym, tiles excel in high-traffic areas and can be customized for your specific space.

Rubber Flooring Pros & Cons

Having explored numerous gym flooring options, it is time to summarize the pros and cons of rubber flooring.

Standard Rubber Flooring

Pros:

• Made from recycled materials
• Environmentally friendly choice
• Affordable option

Cons:

• Less durable
• May have higher levels of toxic rubber
• Not as strong

Virgin Rubber Flooring

Pros:

• Non-toxic option
• Designed for enhanced strength
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Non-porous, no sealing required
• For exceptional gym products, turn to the best Gym Rubber Flooring supplier. We are a one-stop shop for all your needs, with specialized staff ready to assist.

Cons:

• Higher cost
• Less eco-friendly

Under Half-Inch Thickness

Pros:

• Lighter, easier to install
• Suitable for equipment like treadmills and spin bikes

Cons:

• Not suitable for powerlifting or intense cardio workouts

Over Half-Inch Thickness

Pros:

• Better for heavy lifting and high-intensity cardio
• Enhanced cushioning to absorb impact

Cons:

• Thicker material is heavier, making installation or relocation more challenging

Interlocking Rubber Tiles

Pros:

• Highly durable for heavy traffic areas
• Allows customization
• Easy installation (no adhesives required)
• If one tile gets damaged, others remain unaffected and require less replacement

Cons:

• Longer installation time for larger spaces
• Water spills may seep through seams
• Surface may not appear as seamless as desired

Rubber Rolls

Pros:

• Durable for high-impact exercises
• Quick and easy installation
• Seamless appearance
• Resistant to water spills

Cons:

• Can be slippery when wet
• Heavier when installing compared to tiles
• Less configuration flexibility than tiles

Purchasing Rubber Flooring for Your Home

If you're buying rubber gym flooring for your home, keep these points in mind:

• Select non-toxic, slip-resistant products for safety
• Choose flooring that fits your home gym
• Consider ease of installation or movement during reconfiguration
• Determine the right thickness based on your primary exercises

One benefit of working with Akfit is that we can deliver and install items for you when configuring your home gym. Contact us if this service interests you.

Purchasing Rubber Flooring for Your Commercial Facility

Another advantage of partnering with Akfit is our regular assistance to commercial gyms with their equipment and flooring needs. Trust us for reliable service in building and equipping your commercial gym.

If you're looking to equip a commercial gym with rubber flooring, consider these factors:

• Select durable materials designed for high-traffic areas
• Utilize the right flooring type in different gym zones for optimal impact absorption
• Choose slip-resistant products to ensure safety
• Install easy-to-maintain materials

Reach Out to Akfit Today

At Akfit, we are ready to assist with your questions and help equip your home or commercial gym with quality products. Customers choose us because of our expertise and commitment to excellent customer service. We provide durable fitness equipment and offer services such as equipment repair, installation, training workshops, and in-home training. Contact us today to experience the Akfit difference.

Rubber, a Great Fitness Gym Flooring Option