The short answer: for most home gyms, 8 mm rubber flooring is the sweet spot. It protects the floor under cardio machines and dumbbells and is the most common thickness for a general home gym. If you plan to deadlift or drop heavy barbells, step up to 3/4 inch (about 19 mm) or more, ideally on a solid subfloor. Ready to shop? Browse our gym flooring.
Why you need gym flooring
A gym floor does three jobs. It protects your floor from dents, scratches and heavy equipment. It absorbs impact and vibration, which also cuts noise for the people below you. And it gives you a stable, non-slip surface to train on. Bare concrete, hardwood, laminate and carpet all suffer under heavy equipment, and a treadmill or a dropped dumbbell can damage them quickly.
Step 1: Match the thickness to your training
Thickness is the biggest decision. These are typical ranges from flooring retailers' buying guides. They differ slightly from one guide to the next, so treat them as starting points, and always follow the instructions that come with your equipment.
| How you train | Typical thickness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yoga, stretching and bodyweight | A thin mat or light tiles | Comfort matters more than impact protection |
| Cardio machines (treadmill, elliptical, bike, rower) | About 6 to 8 mm (1/4 to 5/16 inch) | Protects the floor and cuts vibration and noise |
| General home gym with dumbbells, kettlebells and machines | About 8 mm (5/16 inch) | The most common choice for home gyms |
| Heavier free weights, controlled lifting | About 8 to 12 mm (5/16 to 1/2 inch) | More cushion for heavier loads |
| Deadlifts and regular barbell drops | 3/4 to 1 inch (19 to 25 mm) or more | Consider a lifting platform on a solid subfloor |
If you are unsure, go slightly thicker. The extra cost is small compared with repairing a damaged floor. Thickness is not the only factor, though. Density, the quality of the rubber and the subfloor underneath it all affect how well a floor protects what is below it.
Step 2: Choose tiles or rolls
- Interlocking tiles are the easiest to install, need no adhesive, and let you replace a single damaged tile. They suit small and medium rooms, and are a good choice for condos and rentals.
- Rolls cover a large area with fewer seams, so they suit a big basement or garage. They are heavy and harder to cut to fit awkward shapes.
Step 3: Think about your subfloor
Concrete slabs, such as a basement or garage floor, tolerate heavy training best. Wood, laminate and upper-floor units need more care. Choose thicker or denser flooring there, avoid dropping weights, and check your building's noise and floor-load rules if you live in a condo or an apartment. Make sure the floor is clean, dry and flat before you lay any flooring, and check that no moisture is coming through a basement slab.
Step 4: Measure and plan your layout
Measure the area you want to cover, including the space around your equipment, and plan for where the machines will sit. Cover the full footprint of each machine plus a safe step-on, step-off zone. Work out how many tiles you need by dividing the area by the size of one tile, and add a small allowance for cuts. A 24 inch by 24 inch tile covers 4 square feet. For a small room, tiles are the simplest way to build the layout, and you can add to it later.
Flooring to start with
Here are five options from our gym flooring range. Check each product page for full specifications, colours, current price and warranty details.
Ultimate Fitness 7mm Interlocking Rubber Tiles
Home gym starter: 23 by 23 inch residential tiles in black or grey, with no adhesive needed and a 15-year residential warranty.
Armour Rubber 8mm Interlocking Tiles
All-round choice: 24 by 24 inch commercial-grade tiles in several colours, with a lifetime warranty for residential use.
Armour Rubber 8mm Commercial Roll
Big rooms: a 4 by 25 foot roll covers 100 square feet in black or platinum grey, with a 10-year limited warranty.
Armour Rubber 10mm Interlocking Tiles
Heavier use: a thicker commercial-grade interlocking tile for busy gyms and heavier equipment zones.
Armour Rubber 1 inch Impact Tiles
Heavy lifting: built to take heavy impacts and cut noise, with corner clip connectors and a non-slip surface. Each tile is 20 by 20 inches.
Want more options? Browse all of our gym flooring.
Step 5: Install and look after it
- Lay it flat and tight: interlocking tiles click together, and you can trim the edge tiles with a sharp utility knife.
- Let it settle: new rubber can smell at first, so air the room out for a few days.
- Clean it simply: sweep or vacuum, and wipe with a damp mop and a mild cleaner. Avoid harsh solvents.
- Move heavy machines carefully: lift or slide them on a board instead of dragging them across the floor.
Pair it with your equipment
Flooring works best as part of a plan. Put it under your treadmill (our treadmill buying guide explains what to look for), your squat rack or power cage, and your dumbbells and kettlebells (see adjustable vs fixed dumbbells if you are deciding which to buy). Short on room? Read our guide to building a home gym in a small space.
Talk to our team
Spartan Fitness has showrooms across Canada. Our team can help you work out how much flooring you need and which thickness suits your equipment. Bring your room measurements and a list of the equipment you plan to use.
Gym flooring checklist
- What will I do on this floor: cardio, dumbbells or heavy barbell lifting?
- Is the subfloor concrete, wood or an upper floor, and are there noise or load rules?
- Have I chosen a thickness that suits my heaviest, loudest activity?
- Tiles or a roll: which suits the size and shape of my room?
- Have I measured the full area and added an allowance for cuts?
- Is the floor clean, dry and flat before installation?
Frequently asked questions
How thick should gym flooring be? About 8 mm suits most home gyms. Use 6 to 8 mm under cardio machines and 3/4 inch or more if you deadlift or drop barbells.
Is 8 mm rubber flooring enough for a home gym? Yes for cardio equipment, dumbbells, kettlebells and machines. For regular heavy barbell drops, choose a thicker floor or build a lifting platform.
Do I need flooring under a treadmill? It is a good idea. Flooring protects the floor, reduces vibration and noise and keeps the machine stable. Check your treadmill manual for the manufacturer's recommendations.
Can I put gym flooring on carpet? It is not ideal. Carpet is soft and uneven, so equipment can wobble and the tiles can shift. If you can, lay the flooring on a firm, flat surface. On hardwood, make sure the floor is clean so grit does not scratch it, and do not drag equipment across it.
Are interlocking tiles or rolls better? Tiles are easier to install and replace, and suit smaller rooms. Rolls suit large areas with fewer seams but are heavier and harder to cut.
How do I clean rubber gym flooring? Sweep or vacuum, then wipe with a damp mop and a mild cleaner. Avoid harsh solvents and let it dry.
Will rubber flooring smell? New rubber can smell for a while. Air the room out and the smell usually fades.