How to Eliminate Noise Complaints in a CrossFit Gym

CrossFit Noise Complaints

Gyms are an inherently noisy environment. Tall ceilings amplify sound, machinery creates noise, dropped weights make big thuds, and athletes yell over the sound of it all. With all the sound created in a gym, noise complaints are super common in neighboring buildings.

These noise problems are even further amplified in CrossFit gyms. When someone drops a couple hundred pounds of weight from over their head to the floor, it's enough to make even the neighbors turn their heads. If they are like most neighbors, they will probably get tired of it too. Complaints from business owners can put a rental, lease, and or even an entire business into jeopardy.

Neighbors and passersbys are not the only ones who complain about the noise in certain CrossFit gyms. For some athletes, too much noise will break their gym experience, and they will end up seeking out a different gym that does not carry so much distracting sound.

Assessing and Correcting Noise Complaints 

For a business that has received noise complaints, it is up to them to correct the issue. If a business is working with a whole pile of complaints, they are likely on feeling pressed for time to find a solution. So what are the options?

When you're renting a space within a building, there's only so much you can do. Your first action should be to assess where the majority of the noise is being generated - it's likely your free weight lifting area. Next, assess whether this area shares a wall with a business that is complaining. If so, relocating the area may help.

Installing soundproofing and acoustical panels throughout the gym can also help minimize sound output. However, this can be a costly and time-consuming process. Just how much you'll be able to do will depend on your budget and your ability to alter the space, particularly if you're renting.

Investing in noise-reducing underlayments may also be an option, but you'll need to remove any existing flooring, and these underlayments usually cannot be used in weight areas. These kinds of major renovations often require the assistance of a sound engineer, a renovation team, and a whole lot of time and energy.

So why not go with the simple and affordable choice - a soundproof gym floor?

Soundproof Gym Floors

Investing in soundproof gym floor materials can help to deaden the sound of dropped weights and other impacts that may be disturbing others. These specialty materials can help to create a quiet CrossFit gym floor, which your athletes and anyone else in the vicinity of your gym will surely appreciate.

CrossFit Flooring Options

One of the most popular CrossFit flooring options is rubber, which offers a wide variety of benefits. First of all, rubber flooring provides excellent shock absorption that will protect the subfloor, while also providing thermal insulation from cold subfloors. Rubber is one of the most durable materials, strong enough to be used underneath heavy equipment while still maintaining a long lifespan. Plus, the non-slip surface of rubber keeps athletes safe from falling. On top of all of that, rubber is affordable. Since rubber flooring is available in tiles, mats, and rolls, it's a versatile option that many gym owners take advantage of.

All that being said, your average rubber flooring only offers some sound dampening properties. Rubber flooring isn't specifically made to reduce the noise in a CrossFit gym, and you may find that it just doesn't do enough for your weight lifting space. Some find that greater rubber thickness increases sound insulation, although sometimes the difference is negligible.

Sterling Athletic Sound Rubber Tiles

The best alternative? Sterling Athletic Sound Rubber Tiles. These rubber gym floor tiles are manufactured to provide superior sound reduction. Tiles are performance-engineered to control vibrations, minimize low-frequency impact noise, and reduce the transmission of audible structure-borne sound.

In a CrossFit gym, Sterling Sound tiles translate to a quiet space. Since these tiles provide both sound reduction and shock absorption, people in adjoining spaces will not only hear less from your gym, but they'll feel less of the impact from each dropped weight. When you consider what it feels like when 200 or more pounds are dropped onto the floor, you can imagine the significant difference that these tiles will make in a gym.

The benefits do not stop there. This CrossFit mat offers the durability that you need in any serious gym. You can drop free weights directly onto the CrossFit flooring without causing any damage - for years and years down the line. Plus, Sterling flooring is simple to clean and maintain just by sweeping or damp mopping with a pH neutral detergent (avoid bleach).

Installing Sterling Athletic Sound Rubber Tiles is easy. The tiles have interlocking edges which create tight seams for a high-performance surface. They're backed by a limited lifetime warranty, and make a popular addition to weight rooms, gym floors, professional sports facilities, and even university locker rooms.

There is no reason to take our word for the different these tiles make in a CrossFit gym.

Case Studies

Gym Noise Reduction

Zach Luke, the owner of Zero Machine CrossFit in Phoenix, Arizona, found his business in jeopardy when noise complaints began to come in. The gym, which is located in a strip mall, naturally generated a lot of noise and vibrations, and local businesses didn't appreciate the noise. Luke found himself at risk of losing his lease unless he came up with a solution.

Luke researched and tested many different flooring options, even working with an acoustical engineer to analyze different CrossFit mat options to try to find a solution.

At long last, Luke came across Sterling Athletic Sound Tiles. He ordered a few tiles to test them and was amazed at the difference that they made. Luke tested the tiles by dropping barbells weighing 135, 185, and 225 pounds. Then he added kettlebells to the mix. Both Luke's landlord and property manager showed up for the testing, and Luke reports both were awed by the way in which the tiles virtually eliminated the sound. Luke installed Sterling Athletic Sound Tiles in his 2,500-square-foot lifting area. The noise complaints stopped.

Dale Collison, owner of CrossFit Duluth in Duluth, Minnesota, ran into a similar problem with noise complaints. When his gym moved into a larger space, Collison found that the new facility wouldn't give him a lease until he agreed to purchase soundproof flooring.

After researching a variety of sound-decreasing gym mats, Collison discovered Sterling Athletic Sound Rubber Tiles. He ordered a sample and tested them with his landlord and the owners of two neighboring businesses. Collison dropped a 135-pound barbell onto the tiles from three different positions, including an overhead position. According to Collison, the difference between the facility's old floor and the Sterling tiles was ''like day and night.''

Collison expressed that athletes immediately took to the new tiles. They enjoy both the reduced noise and the increased comfort that the tiles have to offer.

Thanks to this CrossFit flooring, Collison was able to secure a lease, move his gym to the larger facility, and continue to keep up with his growing business. 

CrossFit Flooring: A Wise Investment

Sound Absorbing Material for Gym

Investing in a quiet CrossFit gym floor is a wise investment for any facility. Putting out less noise will surely improve your relationship with nearby business owners. Plus, it can help to draw in clients. As news of your gym's environment gets around, you may find that you attract clients from other, noisier gyms. Investing in quality flooring shows that you care about your athletes and the gym environment, and it's a great way to invest in your business' future and security, too.

Let Gym Rubber Help You

Ready to say goodbye to noise complaints and upgrade the flooring for your CrossFit gym? Our customer service team would be happy to help you. Getting in touch with Gym Rubber by Greatmats is an easy way to have questions answered, order a sample, receive a quote, and feel supported in the process.

For more on this topic please review our Crossfit Flooring product page.

Top Carpet-Safe Gym Floor Connecting Tile: StayLock Tiles

Most gym flooring requires a hard, level, flat subsurface to lay it on. Carpet is a little bit trickier, as it can pose problems underneath certain types of gym flooring.

Trouble With Carpet

Ultimately, carpet lacks the foundation and support needed underneath many types of gym flooring. Because carpet is typically soft with some cushion, laying rubber or foam gym flooring over carpeting causes flooring to sink at the seams. This causes tiles and mats to disconnect from one another. In addition, the nature of carpet also makes it easier for tiles to slip and slide around. With unstable tiles, the risk of twisting and ankle or falling increases.

Dense Carpet 

Home Gym Flooring Over Carpet

There is one exception. If you have a firm carpet with a dense ply, then your gym flooring options are expanded. Although not typically recommended on top of carpet, foam and rubber flooring will do just fine if the carpet is dense enough. Check in with a flooring expert to determine what kind of flooring options may work over dense carpet.

Interlocking-Tile Solutions

Fortunately, having carpet does not exclude the possibility of having gym flooring put in. For one of the best solutions for putting in a gym floor over carpet, consider a fabulous carpet-safe interlocking tile.

StayLock Tiles 

Staylock Gym Tiles

The top interlocking tile to use over carpet is the StayLock tile. StayLock tiles were specifically designed to provide fatigue relief for athletes doing aerobic activities. Not only do they provide safety and support for athletes, but they protect sub-flooring from weights and equipment as well.
StayLock home gym tiles can be used directly over carpeting without presenting a danger to the carpet or the athlete. Made of soft PVC, these tiles are flexible and pliable. Because they are on a foot system, they elevate the workout surface and provide great cushion.

They also provide excellent airflow beneath the tiles. This makes them great for damp areas such as basements. StayLock tiles are non-absorbent and extremely easy to clean and maintain. All it takes is a quick sweep or a damp mop to keep tiles fresh and clean.

Other Options

To read more about carpet-safe solutions, check out the Top Three Types of Carpet-Safe Home Gym Flooring. There, you can learn about folding mats, roll-out mats, and other carpet-safe interlocking tiles: all great options for carpet-safe flooring. Or, for more on this topic, review the Gym Floors product page at Gym Rubber.

StayLock Gym Flooring

For more on this topic please review our Home Gym Flooring product page.

Comparing Rubber Flooring Material: Natural Rubber vs. Urethane Rubber

Rubber is an extremely popular flooring product, especially for home gyms. However, not all rubber is created equally. Different rubber products are made up of different rubber compounds and thus have different qualities.

Rubber flooring material often involves a number of major components. However, the most well-known types of rubber products are those made predominantly of virgin rubber, and those containing urethane. Because those are the two most well known, we shall compare the two and their differing benefits. Understanding the differences between these two products will help you to determine which flooring product is best for your application. 

Rubber Flooring Material

Natural Rubber Flooring Material

Natural rubber is rubber that is harvested from rubber trees in the form of latex. Latex is a sticky fluid that is ''tapped'' from rubber trees and later refined into rubber. Typically, people tend to think that natural, or virgin, rubber is the superior product. It doesn't contain recycled materials and tends to cost more than rubber created with a urethane mix.


Natural rubber surfaces tend to make a more comfortable standing surface for people, as it contains greater cushion and pliability. It also has a better elastic memory so it tends to hold its shape better. Because of all of these characteristics, there is a widespread belief that natural rubber is superior to that which is made with urethane.

Urethane Rubber Flooring Material

Urethane is one of the fourteen member titles chemists utilize to classify rubber. In other words, urethane is not a foreign product, it is simply a type of rubber. Although it is not the only component mixed with natural or synthetic rubber to create rubber flooring, it is a very popular one.

What urethane rubber lacks in softness and pliability it makes up for in toughness. Urethane manufactured rubber floors are more scratch-resistant than natural rubber ones. Urethane (or polyurethane), when mixed with rubber, creates a harder product.

Urethane rubber flooring material tends to be more affordable because it often contains recycled rubber made from recycled tires. Recycled rubber products are more environmentally friendly than natural rubber since it helps reduce the number of tires sitting in landfills. 

Natural Rubber Flooring

Smell of Rubber

Most people carry the misconception that urethane rubber carries a stronger, worse odor than natural rubber. Once again, however, this is not necessarily the case. The type of rubber used in the manufacturing process is not the cause of the rubber odor. The cause is the binder used in the vulcanization process. Vulcanization is a process that gives rubber its elasticity and ''bounce back'' capability. In its natural state, rubber is brittle and susceptible to the expansion and contraction caused by fluctuations in temperature. Vulcanization reinforces rubber to make it more durable and temperature resistant.

In most cases where the rubber odor is strong, the binding agent used in the process was usually a sulfur-based agent. Gym Rubber by Greatmats offers rubber flooring material products that have been manufactured with sulfur-based agents and products that have not.

Before purchasing rubber flooring, make sure you know what kind of odor your different options carry. If your rubber flooring is for a stable or well-ventilated warehouse, you may find that the less expensive, higher odor, flooring is the way to go. If you're putting it in a bedroom or basement exercise room, you will probably be better served to go with a lower-smell option. Talk to your customer service representative to determine which type is best for your application. 

Synthetic Rubber Floor

Quality of Rubber

The quality of the rubber compound in rubber flooring material, or other rubber products, depends not only on the rubber and urethane but also the added components that are added. It is important to always understand the different added components, as some countries do not regulate what can be thrown into the rubber mix. There are manufacturers that have been known to even add motor oil into rubber mixes as an easy way to dispose of it. Make sure to use a trustworthy, transparent source like Gym Rubber by Greatmats. At Gym Rubber, all urethane rubber tiles and rolls are made in the United States and are held to the highest standards in urethane flooring. There are never toxic or unsafe mystery ingredients added into the rubber mix.

Rubber Flooring Material from Gym Rubber

Gym Rubber by Greatmats deals in products made of both urethane rubber and natural rubber. It is impossible to say that one type is better than the other because they both offer different benefits. Having sold rubber flooring since 1999, Gym Rubber has seen firsthand that there are specific advantages to each type.

No matter what kind of rubber product you choose, you can be assured that choosing it from Gym Rubber means you are getting the best. Check out their rubber flooring product page for examples. Each and every rubber product sold by Gym Rubber is top of the line at the most affordable price possible.

To Learn More

To learn more about rubber flooring material, get in touch with the Gym Rubber lead flooring experts, or check out the Buyers Guide. The Buyers Guide is made up of articles, blogs, customer profiles and how-to videos that will help you make the most informed decision possible.

For more on this topic please review our Rubber Flooring product page.

Top Three Types of Carpet-Safe Home Gym Flooring

Sometimes, all of the time and energy it takes to get to the gym makes the work out not even worth it. Getting up super early to make it to the gym before work is a difficult practice to maintain. That is exactly why home gyms are on the rise in popularity - they are the perfect alternative to a gym membership. Turning rooms into temporary or permanent home gyms make it possible to fit a workout into a really busy schedule. Plus, it is a perfect long term investment. With a home gym, you can leave paying pricey gym fees in the past and instead reap the rewards of a home gym that will last you a lifetime.

The best way to turn any room in the house into a home gym is simply by purchasing home gym flooring. Such flooring comes in a wide variety of styles, sizes and materials and can be used on top of nearly any kind of flooring that is already in place - including carpet. From high-impact weight training and tumbling, to pilates and yoga, there are flooring options that work for nearly any exercise or sport - and be put right in place over carpet.

The most popular options for carpet safe home gym flooring include folding mats, rolling mats and interlocking tiles. Carpet safe home gym flooring can either be installed permanently or can be used as a temporary gym flooring option. With easy installation options, gym floor mats can be stored and put away when not in use, then brought out into the living room of basement whenever one desires a workout. Read on to discover more about the top three types of carpet safe home gym flooring.  

Folding mats

Folding mats are some of the most portable types of carpet safe home gym flooring. Folding mats will not slip and slide around carpeted areas, nor will they cause any damage to carpet.

They pack up quickly, and they feature a vinyl surface around a foam core, making them easy to clean or disinfect. These folding mats range in thickness but are typically 4-6 feet wide and 8 feet or longer. Folding home gym mats are at least 1.5 inches thick, which makes them great for high-impact sports and activities. Ready to practicing tumbling or wrestling but don't want to trek all the way to the gym to do so? No problem. Simply pull out a foldable mat from the closet and you have a safe space to practice on.

Gym Floor Mats Over Carpet

Foldable mats can be used individually or connected together for larger spaces. Certain folding mats feature hook and loop closures, which adhere to other folding mats and to carpet, keeping them in place for rigorous stunting, gymnastics, or tumbling. If you have a workout buddy or if you're teaching a lesson, just lay down a second mat and connect them in seconds.

Roll Out Mats

Foam construction roll out mats are similar to folding mats in portability, durability, customizability, and carpet-friendliness. These 5-6 feet wide mats are constructed without seams in lengths of 10 feet and up, so you won't trip while doing technical moves. They also come in either a carpeted or vinyl surface for things like cheering or wrestling. Roll out mats are just as portable as foldable mats, allowing you to take your home gym anywhere you can carry it.

Multiple mats can be joined together with releasable vinyl tape or hook and loop connect strips, so putting them together is a breeze. Keep in mind that roll out mats are generally not as thick as vinyl folding mats, so they are not quite as effective for high-impact stunting. For increased cushion and safety, thicker vinyl folding mats are the answer.

A note of friendly advice - rubber roll out mats are not always safe for carpeting (unless the carpet is quite dense). These tend to be on the thinner side, some even down to 2mm thick, and carpeting doesn't provide enough of a sturdy base for these mats. That being said, rubber rolls can often be used as an underlayment to other hard flooring to add cushion and shock absorption.

Gym Flooring over Carpet

Carpet Safe Interlocking Home Gym Tiles

For those seeking a more versatile home gym floor, interlocking carpet safe gym floor tiles are what you need. Interlocking home gym tiles will bring out your inner designer, because it's so easy to mix and match colors to fit any decor needs in your home. They are much more customizable than folding or roll-out mats, but they tend to require a few more minutes of installation. These surfaces are great for weight training, dancing, aerobics, and a wide variety of other activities. They come in all sorts of finishes, including PVC, polypropylene and vinyl laminate.


These tiles are best installed over hard surfaces, so they might not be the best choice over carpeting that is super thick and cushiony. If the carpet is dense and sturdy, however, tiles will do just fine.


Carpet safe gym floor tiles are often chosen as a permanent home gym flooring solution. These tiles are great for everything from a portable dance floor (vinyl topped tiles) to a base for lightweight home gym equipment (PVC tiles). Choose this type of flooring if you have an odd-shaped room to outfit, or if you need more versatility than a single mat. If you're looking to do high-intensity aerobics or plyometric exercises, consider some carpet safe home gym tiles. Most of these tiles will feature a raised base that will grip your carpeting and prevent them from shifting. These tiles will also hold up to more abuse from shoes, and they will offer more grip and security than a standalone mats.

Carpet-safe home gym flooring

Environmentally Friendly Choices

Rest easy about your purchase knowing that there are environmental options with recycled material and many products are made in the USA.

Easy Maintenance

Many carpet safe home gym flooring products can be cleaned simply with a damp mop or a broom.

Alternatives

Do be aware - if you're looking to install heavy gym equipment in a more permanent home gym, consider non-carpeted areas in your house. The foam tiles and mats that do well on carpeting cannot support heavy objects well over time. The equipment will compress the foam, and it may slide.

Next time you're waiting in traffic to get to the gym, try daydreaming how your next session could be in the comfort of your home. New carpet safe gym floor tiles and mats can help you transform a carpeted room into a cozy gym in a matter of minutes. For more on this topic please review our Home Gym Flooring and Mats product page.

How to Choose the Right Thickness for Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring is hands down the most popular surface for home and commercial gyms. Why? A variety of reasons. Mainly, rubber is one of the most durable flooring materials available, so it is extremely resistant to damage and holds up for years even with intense usage. Next, rubber is one of the most affordable options. Finally, gym owners and users choose rubber for its insulative properties as well. Rubber tends to deaden sound and feels much warmer to stand on than harder surfaces.

Rubber products are available in a variety of forms including mats, tiles, and rolls. Each form has their unique benefits. For example, rolls are a super easy choice for covering large spaces. Tiles are resilient, easy to put together and simple to fit into any space, and mats are great for a quick and easy installation over smaller rectangle spaces. Once you've determined that you would like to use rubber for your flooring and you know if you want rolled or tiled rubber, it's time to determine the thickness you need for your facility. As a general rule, the flooring experts at Gym Rubber recommend the following: 1/4 inch rubber:

quarter inch rubber gym flooring

This product is great for areas where heavy equipment such as treadmills or elliptical machines will be used. It will do a great job of protecting both the machinery and your floor from being scratched. ¼ inch rubber will withstand very light weights being dropped on top of it. In general, you will also find 1/4 inch rubber in high traffic areas such as aisle ways. 8mm or 3/8 inch rubber:

There was a time not long ago when 3/8 inch rubber was the standard thickness used in most home and commercial facilities. However, the standard is starting to shift towards 8mm. When it comes down to it, 8mm rubber is lighter weight than ⅜ inch, which ultimately lowers shipping costs and makes it less expensive. The difference in cost becomes more and more noticeable the larger the quantity of rubber. However, from a performance standpoint, the difference between 8mm and 3/8 inch rubber is negligible.

8mm rubber gym flooring

Either 8mm or 3/8 inch rubber is great for weight rooms where weights between 50-75 lbs will be used on a regular basis. 1/2 inch rubber:

½ rubber flooring products function well in spaces where weights over 100 pounds are being utilized, but are not being intentionally dropped repeatedly. For facilities specifically focused on powerlifting, a slightly thicker ply is recommended.

3/4-1 inch flooring:

The thickest rubber flooring options - ¾ - 1 inch - are generally reserved for areas where heavyweight and powerlifting will be done. These thicknesses are usually more than most people need unless there is a great deal of dropping weights of more than 100 lbs on a regular basis. (Such as in deadlift or clean-and-jerk areas.) If you have additional questions about the thickness of rubber you will need for your weight lifting area, please call Gym Rubber customer service representatives. As experts in the rubber flooring for both home and commercial gyms, the friendly customer service crew at Gym Rubber by Greatmats are at your disposal for whatever doubt or question you may have.

3/4 inch rubber gym flooring