Foam flooring for home gyms and kids play rooms

Greatmats’ lightest, softest, and most vibrant home gym flooring option are out foam floor tiles. Our interlocking foam tiles are available i

Foam home gym flooring

n a variety of thicknesses and mat densities. This determines how hard they feel when you jump (or fall) on the tiles as well as how long the foam tiles hold up. Density is a measurement of the amount of foam there is in each square inch of material. One foam floor tile can be thicker but less dense than another foam tile. As an example of this, our denser 3/8 inch Elite Exercise Tiles are a longer lasting product on average for aerobic use than our Premium 5/8 inch tiles even though the Premium tiles are the thicker of the two products.

kids foam flooring

When choosing between different types of foam tiles, it's important to keep in mind how the flooring is going to be used. If you're creating a play area for toddlers, the Premium is an excellent choice. Available in a variety of colors, they create a fun play floor for kids to run around on. If instead the flooring is going to be used for adults practicing Judo, Greatmats' suggest a different foam tile option, such as our Grappling 1-5/8” mats.

foam tiles for kids

Foam is lightweight and easy to install. It’s as simple as putting the tile together with their interlock system and then cutting down any border tiles to perfectly fit the tiles to your space. Border strips are available for most foam mats and allow you to turn your puzzle tiles into border or corner tiles. The border strips make creating an island an easy and hassle free task. It also aids in creating a wall-to-wall layout because you can start against the wall with a straight edge piece.

kids foam gym

Foam mats are available for barefoot use as well as for shoes and boots. How the flooring will be used, who will be using the flooring, and how long the flooring is expected to last should all factor in the decision on which foam mats to purchase.

Comparing Folding Gymnastics Mats - The Nitty Gritty Details

With so many choices, it can be seem daunting to choose the right gym flooring. There are so many details and nuances to each flooring option that finding the exact product for your home or recreational space can seem like a hassle.

Knowing a little bit about the basic characteristics of folding gymnastics mats will make the search much easier. Folding gymnastics mats seem to be listed in a complex code (V2, 18-oz vinyl, 2.5-inch, 5x10, polyethylene; the list goes one), but once all the labels make sense, it’ll be easy to find the perfect gym flooring for any area

comparing gymnastics mats

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Below is a guide to understand the different terminology and options for folding gym mats:

Comparing Folding Gymnastics Mats

4V vs. V2

(Connectors on 4 sides vs. 2 sides)

One of the main factors you need to decide on is having hook 'n loop connector strips on four sides of the mats, which is identified by ''4V,'' or hook 'n loop connectors on two sides of the mat, which is identified by ''V2.'' The desired layout of the gym mats will determine whether 4V or V2 gym mats are the right option.

4V has velcro on all four sides of the mat, which allows you to make connections from any side and create larger mat spaces for activities such as wrestling or martial arts. If the area where the mats are going to be used is wide and large, having velcro connectors on all four sides of the mats is the best option.  V2 mats can be used for many different purposes, but because they only have connectors on two sides, they are best used for creating strips or runways of padding as opposed to completely filling a room. V2 mats are commonly used as wall padding for gyms and training areas.

foldable gym mat

18 oz vs. 19 oz vinyl

One of the aspects you'll want to choose from is 18-ounce or 19-ounce vinyl for the cover of your mat. The purpose of the vinyl is that it protects the foam mat underneath and provides traction to athletes. This helps the mat both be a durable surface that also delivers cushion and softer landings to users.

If you are going to have a lot of friction and the potential for ripping, tearing, and wearing away the mat's covering, then you will probably want to choose the 19-ounce options. The 19-ounce vinyl will provide years of reliable use and will stand up to the continual abuse that is present with use day after day. However, the lighter 18-ounce option can still provide quality results to your gym.

1.5 vs. 2 vs. 2.5 inch thickness

The thickness of the mat will also matter. Thicker mats are advantageous as they provide more protection to athletes. However, as the mat gets thicker, it also gets heavier and bulkier to store, which makes many people choose the thinner option.

A 1.5 inch thick mats is lightweight enough while still providing adequate cushioning. It can be effective for kids' gymnastics and light workouts, and the lightness makes it better for temporary surfaces, such as gyms that host basketball as well as wrestling or judo.

2-inch thickness provides a well-balanced combination of strength and weight. The mat is also thick enough to cushion heavy adults during wrestling or jiu jitsu, but the mats are still lights enough to be moved around without much effort.

2.5-inch thickness provides the most cushion but can be heavy to move. This version also utilizes a combination of both closed and open celled foams. For used in a permanent space that requires plenty of padding on the floor, 2.5 inch thick mats are the best option.

gymnastics mats 10 feet

4 vs. 5 vs. 6 foot width

Gym mats come in widths of four, five, or six feet to ensure that they can can exactly fill any space.

Four-foot mats are often the preferred choice if you simply need a narrow strip of padding. These mats are commonly used for activities such as fencing, but are also popular choices for uses at tumbling mats and gymnastics mats.

If you need a slightly larger strip of padding, or if you simply want to fill a larger room, you can choose five-foot widths as well. The five ft mats provide a large, quality surface with not being as difficult to handle as some mats of larger widths.

If an entire room is being permanently padded, six-foot mats are likely going to be the best choice. These will help you cover a large space quickly and allow you to get the large footage of padding you need. Six-foot widths are commonly chosen for covering walls as they provide head-to-toe protection for most athletes.

The Number of Panels

The overall length of the installation will be determined by the number of panels in the folding gymnastics mats. Most panels are two-feet wide, so the mats go up in overall length by increments of two. Mats typically come in the sizes of three panels (six feet), four panels (eight feet), five panels (10 feet) and six panels (12 feet).

Color Options

Gymnastics mats are available in a wide range of colors to match any existing color schemes. In most cases, the mats you select can come in blue, red, yellow, green, and many other colors. The mats can also be ordered in combinations and interchanging colors to add a design style to any installation.

One use for the different colors is organization. For a taekwondo class, different colored mats may help in spliting the class into two groups. You can use different floor coloring for different groups and send, as an example, students under 12 to the blue mats and students 12 and over to the red mats. The coloring of mats can also be used to mark boundaries of a competition space, such as wrestling boundaries or fencing strips.

folding gymnastic mats

Polyethylene (Closed Cell) vs. Polyurethane (Open Cell) Foam Cores

There are two types of materials that are very popular for folding gymnastic mats. The first is polyethylene and the second is polyurethane. It’s important to understand the differences between the two materials to choose the right mats for any space.

Polyethylene is the most common type of foam available. It has a high-impact strength and can absorb a lot of energy without breaking. It can withstand high-impact use and is able to absorb a lot of kinetic energy without breaking or deforming. It is used in a cross-linked design, creating a closed-cell foam that is resistant to mildew and mold, as well as bacteria and rot. Polyethylene is commonly wrapped in vinyl to prevent the foam from being cut or gouged. It is a preferred material for cheerleading, gymnastics and wrestling.

Polyurethane foam provides better cushioning as it is an open-cell material. It has the consistency of a sponge or a loaf of bread, with air throughout the material to provide a softer landing. As this type of foam is very spongy it’s not the best choice for activities that include walking, running, or jumping. This form of foam is generally used in combination with the polyethylene foam in folding gymnastics mats that are 2.5 inches or thicker.

4x8 gymnastics mat

Choosing a Few of the Best Options

Gym Mats 4x8 Ft x 1.5 inch 4V 18 oz

This 4x8 gym mat has four panels and velcro on all four sides. The layout makes it perfect for many different uses, including gymnastics and tumbling. This mats layout makes it a great choice for a wide array of uses including gymnastics and tumbling. It can be one of the most effective mats for filling a small space, and the 1.5-inch thickness makes this smaller mat perfect for temporary use, as it only weighs about 20 pounds.. These mats are light enough that even kids can handle them, making them a great choice for temporary padding of a gym floor.

Gym Mats 5x10 Ft x 2 Inch 4V 18 oz

If the space demands only the finest gym mats, this 5x10-foot foldable ma is the only way to go. It has two-inches of thickness, giving you plenty of padding and support, but the entire mat only weighs about 36 pounds, so most people can pick it up and fold it when needed. If the mat is too heavy for a single person to carry, it can easily be carried and layed out by two people. This is one of the most commonly used folding mats for judo or wrestling due to its thickness and connection versatility.

Folding Gym Tumbling Mat 6 x 12 ft x 2 inch V2

Available in 16 colors, this effective gym mat is perfect for flooring on many different surfaces. As this six panel mat is 12 ft in length, it can quickly and easily cover a large area. It has velcro on two sides, so it can be laid out side-to-side with other mats if needed. This is one of the longest gym mats available today, making it a perfect option for tumbling runs.

Gymnastic Mat 4x6 ft x 1.5 inch V2

This 1.5 inch thick mat has a small profile, making it one of the lightest and most compact gym floor mats available. It comes in multiple colors and only weighs 18 pounds, so creating a padding surface and quickly removing the material is no problem at all. The mat comes in a wide range of colors, allowing for it to match the character and style of any space.

Gymnastic Mat 4x8 ft x 2.5 inch V2

If heavier adults will be using the mat for higher impact activities, this folding gym mat will provide the cushion and safety needed. It has velcro on two sides so you can create long lengths of padding, and it has a total weight of only 26 pounds, making it manageable for many people. With a cross-linked PE layer topped with a PU layer in the core, it offers a much softer landing than any of the previous mentioned mats which strictly utilize the denser PE foam.

Great Mats Has Your Folding Gymnastics Mat

Greatmats' high-quality flooring will last for years of daily use.

When you need excellent gym floors, browse our selection of materials and you'll find everything you need for any home gym or recreational space!

How to Choose Among the Top 4 Gymnastics Mats

“Gymnastics mats” is a broad term that covers a wide range of mats and use cases, such as tumbling, artistic gymnastics, and vaulting to name several. With that being said, one mat obviously cannot universally be the best option for every gymnastics activity as the function of the mats vary as much as the activities.

Folding Mats

Top Gymnastics Mats

Folding mats, sometimes referred to as panel mats, give a firm cushion to athletes and are covered in a durable vinyl to help the mats last for years of use. These mats are one of the most versatile as they are easy to install, store, transport and connect together to cover larger areas.

Customers love Greatmats folding gymnastics mats for somersaults and cartwheels. They even make a great aid in different conditioning drills that involve hopping, balancing on an edge, or even assisting in learning to standing up from a seated or reclined position, as you can fold them into varying heights of 1-2 inch increments.

Best Tumbling Mats

Octagon Mats

When working on techniques that involve torso bending and arching, another vinyl-covered mat works best - octagon mats. We offer octagon mats in a range of sizes to best fit the heights of the gymnasts. These mats are also used as harmless obstacles for leaping, and tools for rolling.

Incline Wedge Mats

For progressive skill building, wedge mats, also known as cheese mats, are useful for transitions as wells as tumbling and conditioning. The unique benefit of these mats is that they combine the stability of folding mats with a gradual height variation that is important for key skill building. The unique incline quality of the mats make them an extremely versatile skill training tool for gymnasts of all levels.

Thick Gymnastics Mats

Skill Cushion Mats

All three of the previously mentioned mats are relatively firm. For protection from harder falls, the thicker and softer skill cushion mat will provide the most protection. In most cases you'll want a ''fluffy'' mat that is around 1 foot or thicker and will disperse the majority of impact of a fall, preventing injuries while learning to fall or land properly. These mats are commonly used for dismounts off of bars or vaults.

While all of these mats are great for gymnastics, make sure you know how you'll be using them before you choose. Incorrectly using a mat or using the wrong kind of mat can make training harder, but can even cause injury when used for the wrong purpose. Talk to Greatmats' flooring experts to help determine the best kind of gymnastics mats for any application or use.

What Size Tumbling Mat Should I Get

Top 11 Eco-Friendly Flooring Materials

When laying out your next flooring plan, consider the use of eco-friendly materials for your project. There is a wide range of eco-friendly flooring options on the market today that are made with materials that don’t compromise on form or function, all while still benefiting the environment. There are many factors that go into not just which recycled material to choose, but what makes certain forms of flooring environmentally friendly.

Among the options to consider are sustainability, recycled content, reclaimed materials, recyclability, carbon footprint, transportation and toxic content. Then there is the aesthetic, comfort, health, safety and durability components of making your flooring selection. Explore the content below to see the various options for recycled and eco-friendly flooring.

Rubber

Pros: Rubber flooring is a common flooring choice for gym and playgrounds, but has been becoming more popular in kitchens due to its durables and anti-fatigue properties. Made from ground up tires, rubber floors are durable, low maintenance and comfortable to stand and walk on. Rubber floors protect the existing floor beneath them as they are both impact and water resistant. Recycled rubber also serves as a thermal and sound insulator and is fire resistant. Rubber flooring is available in a wide range of colors and pattern options, allowing for the rubber flooring to be a creative accent in a modern home design.

Cons: Many rubbers can emit gasses and odors, making well-ventilated areas the typical location for rubber floors. Many rubber flooring products are designed with a non-slip top texture, untextured rubber flooring can become slippery, particularly when wet.  It is also susceptible to seepage and staining issues if not cared for properly.

Green Flooring Materials

Cork

Pros: Cork flooring offers a unique blend of being both a recycled product and a sustainable one. Recycled cork flooring is typically made from the excess cork that is created during the cork bottle stopper manufacturing process. Cork flooring is also made from a material that is naturally replenishable. Cork is carefully harvested from the bark of a cork oak tree, which can grow back its bark in approximately three years. This material is not only fire retardant, it also has natural insect repellent and antimicrobial properties, reducing allergens in your home. Cork flooring has a natural elasticity to it that allows the flooring to have some ‘give' when it’s stepped on, thus making cork flooring a comfortable flooring material. It also provides both thermal and acoustic insulation and recovers well from marks and indentations left by high heels or furniture.

Cons: Unfortunately, cork trees only grow in a limited geographical area in the Mediterranean so careful harvesting is a must. Cork flooring is soft and comfortable to stand on, but because of that it can also be damaged by sharp objects such as dropped knives and pet nails. Permanent indentation can occur if heavy furniture sits on it for a long period of time. Cork is water resistant, but spills need to be quickly cleaned up as liquid left on the cork surface for long will absorb into the flooring.

Cork flooring is not recommended for use in basements or over in-floor radiant heat systems.

Note: Some manufacturers have created rubber-cork blended flooring.

Fire Resistant Flooring Materials

PVC plastic

Pros: While not typically viewed as environmentally friendly, PVC flooring can be a good option for green flooring as some manufactures have been able to use recycled plastic material to make a high quality, durable floor covering such as the black Staylock tiles sold at Greatmats.com, which consist of 100 percent recycled material. PVC flooring tiles can also be recycled again once they reach the end of their lifetime. Using plastic flooring tiles can also eliminate the need for adhesives, further helping prevent the need for new petroleum-based products to be created.

Cons: PVC is a synthetic material and is much harder to give an natural looking appearance.

Eco Friendly Flooring

Bamboo

Pros: Bamboo is harder than any hardwood flooring option, and bamboo grows quickly in the wild, making it a sustainable and popular green flooring option. This durable grass grows to maturity in 3-6 years and is very lightweight. Bamboo floors are resilient, easy to maintain and easy to install and come in a wide array of colors. Quality bamboo flooring is also water, mildew, and insect repellent, thus making bamboo flooring a long-lasting flooring option. Bamboo’s hardness allows for it to be highly crack resistant.

Cons: Of the thousands of varieties of bamboo available, very few are appropriate for flooring. Low quality bamboo flooring is sometimes made with improper varieties of bamboo, and this flooring is of an inferior quality and will not stand up to the demands of flooring. Bamboo flooring made with improper varietes is known to shrink, cup, and delaminate after installation. Bamboo flooring cannot be used over in-floor radiant heat systems.

Concrete

Pros: Often used as structural sub flooring, concrete can serve double duty when polished or tinted for a finished look. Concrete can also create a tiled effect using different colors. To create more design possibilities, other materials such as glass can be inlaid into the concrete. Polished concrete is durable, easy to clean and will not conceal allergens such as dust or mold. Concrete is also an amazing heat conductor and thus is a common flooring option for use with a radiant floor heating system.

Cons: Concrete offers little-to-no physical comfort value as a hard, unforgiving surface.

Linoleum

Pros: Often confused with chemical-based vinyl, Linoleum is created with natural materials including linseed oil, cork dust, tree resins, wood flour, pigments and limestone. Linoleum is water resistant and fire retardant, making it a safer and durable flooring option. Natural linoleum is allergy and asthma friendly as well as being biodegradable. Linoleum can also be used in spaces that are often too loud as it works as a sound absorbing flooring material.  

Cons: Linoleum must be polished to resist stains. While the linseed oil is non-toxic it does emit aldehydes that may produce an odor.

Reclaimed or Salvaged Wood

Pros: Reclaimed Wood reuses existing wood from trees that died long ago. The wood can be reclaimed from trees that were previously chopped down, dead standing trees, or lumber taken from deconstructed buildings. Reclaimed wood gives a rustic look and gains character from imperfections such as streaking, nail holes and knot holes.

Cons: Some woods are not appropriate for radiant floor systems as it may cause them to warp or split. If the reclaimed wood needs to be transported a far distance to where it will be used, the environmental benefit may be outweighed by the emissions from its transport and the monetary cost of transporting the wood.

Note: Engineered wood floors can provide increased durability, but may also contain formaldehyde.

Natural Fiber Carpeting

Pros: There are several options for carpeting made of natural materials - such as wool, hemp, sisal, jute, seagrass, linen, coir and cotton. Wool is extremely long lasting and durable. It can also be dyed in any color, allowing for endless customization. Wool repels water and serves as a good insulator while also being fire resistant. A wool-hemp blend adds in mold, mildew, pest and UV resistance. Grass-based carpeting is versitilie, easy to install, and affordable. It's also made from sustainable materials.

Cons: Carpeting in general, collects dust, dander and chemicals and absorbs gases. Wool carpeting is only suitable for use in dry and well ventilated areas.  It is not a good choice for areas such as bathrooms. Grass-based carpeting is not highly durable and can deteriorate if exposed to sunlight and water for extended or repeated periods. It also has limitations to color varieties as some can not be dyed.

Terrazzo

Pros: Terrazzo is made of small pieces marble, granite, glass, etc. set in concrete or an epoxy-based adhesive. This flooring material is extremely durable, nearly indestructible, and is expected to last for over 40 years of heavy use. Terrazzo typically won't chip, stain, burn or support bacterial growth and has endless design possibilities. Terrazzo can also be recycled after its useful lifet

Cons: Terrazzo is durable, but because of that it is very hard and isn’t suitable for standing on for long periods of time. Epoxies often contain forms of volatile organic compounds which can be harmful to air quality.

Recycled glass

Pros: Making use of used wine and beer bottles that could otherwise fill up a landfill, glass tiles are non-absorbent, meaning they won't mold or mildew in damp environments. Glass tiles come in a huge array of color options, allowing for infinite customization. Glass also won’t stain. Glass reflects, light providing extra illumination for otherwise dark rooms.

Cons: Glass can be fragile to dropped objects and isn’t impact resistant. It also can cause body fatigue as an unforgiving, hard surface.

Leather

Pros: Leather flooring provides a soft, warm feel underfoot. This makes it a perfect flooring material for bedrooms and other area of the home where there won’t be heavy foot traffic and is commonly stood on with bare feet.  Like reclaimed or salvaged wood, leather also provides character as it ages.

Cons: Leather is not moisture resistant, making it a poor choice for areas such as kitchens, bathrooms or basements.

Flooring options made of recycled materials can go on and on. Recycled flooring comes in a wide range of forms. Carpeting can be made from recycled plastic bottles and used vinyl. Hard flooring can be made from reclaimed bricks or collelstones.  Even standard vinyl or ceramic tile floors can be recycled and used again. With such a wide array of environmentally friendly flooring options on the market today, there is little reason to not save some money and help the environment by giving eco-friendly flooring a try.