Comparing Rubber Gym Flooring - Rolls, Mats, Interlocking Tiles

Rubber has been chosen as the preferred flooring material for commercial gym and home weight room flooring for decades. Because it's such a popular flooring option, there are a wide range of sizes, thickness, designs, and densities. Read on below to learn about the differences between the rubber flooring option.

rubber floor mat roll

Gym Traffic

The first consideration to make when choosing gym flooring is to think about the amount of traffic and abuse the floor will need to withstand. If you have a weight training facility used for competitive college or pro athletic teams, bodybuilding and powerlifting, it will need to be thicker and much more durable that those used in most home gyms or senior centers.

Rubber has built a reputation for protecting the subfloor through impact absorption, reducing vibration and cutting noise from machines and free weights. It is capable handling heavy exercise equipment and foot traffic. Rubber flooring is a popular choice because its very durable, simple to clean, and is often times made from recycled rubber. It can also be recycled at the end of its life.

gym floor mat

Rolled Rubber

The thickness of rubber flooring is going to have the most noticeable impact on the overall durability of the flooring installation. A 1/4- to 3/8-inch rubber floor will suffice for light to moderate use while heavily-used areas will require a thicker rubber surface match that lifespan. In areas where weights will be dropped, 1/2- to 1 1/2-inch rubber flooring is better equipped to handle the impact without damaging the subfloor. While most thick rubber flooring will outlast a 15-year warranty under standard use, regularly dropping kettlebells, dumbbells, and barbells will decrease the lifespan of even the best flooring.

rubber rolls, mats & tiles

Rolled rubber is the most economical flooring option for weight rooms (per square foot) for larger installations, and it also leaves the fewest seams. However, due to the nature of its size and weight (often coming in 25-50 foot long rolls), installation can be difficult without help. Thickness options are also limited - generally to 1/2 inch or thinner.

rubber gym floors

Rubber Floor Mats

Rubber floor mats, often sold in 4x6 foot sizes, offer another economical option with the capability of a thicker surface than rolled rubber flooring. Rubber floor mats, also often used as horse stall mats, range from 3/8 to 3/4 inch thicknesses. While the mats are very heavy and don’t move very easily, these straight edge mats will slowly started to inch apart from each other over time. They are often used as supplemental padding in areas where heavy weights will be dropped during olympic lifts.

Interlocking Puzzle Mats

Interlocking, puzzle-style tiles offer convenient installation and a tight, durable fit without shifting. These tiles are commonly only used in smaller rooms because their higher cost per square foot and the fact that they are easy to custom fit to an irregularly shaped space. The smaller 2- to 4-foot tiles (1/4 to 3/4 inch thick) are easier to manage, especially if installed by a single person.

For cardio areas, where shock absorption is less of an issue, thinner rubber flooring will suffice just fine.

gym floor rubber mats

Alternatives to Rubber

Some customers report enjoying the comfort and warmth or carpeting for cardio workout areas, but we warn against it as stains and bacteria can be hard to remove from carpet areas.

Foam and plastic materials can also be used for weight room flooring. Like carpeting, however, great care should be taken when or if you decide to use these materials. Foam mats will become indented from heavy objects, so it’s important to make sure there is proper weight distribution.

PVC Plastic flooring, such as StayLock tiles, is rugged enough to handle heavy weight equipment and offers cushioning similar to foam, but typically carries shorter-term warranties than rubber weight room flooring.

We offer a perfect flooring solution for every use space, whether it be a commercial gym or a home user in their basement. There is a weight room flooring option out there to fit anyone's needs.

Interlocking Rubber Tiles vs. Rolled Rubber Flooring Blog

If you're considering new rubber flooring for your home or business, one thing to consider is the difference between interlocking rubber floor tiles and rubber rolls. Both flooring options have their unique benefits and are best suited for specific scenarios. Rubber floors, mats and tiles are either made from a virgin rubber material, synthetic rubber material or a recycled content material and in some cases a combination of more than one rubber type.

interlocking vs rolled rubber

Home Gyms

For use in most home gyms, Greatmats recommends interlocking rubber tiles. This is because the tiles can be easily installed and don’t require any adhesive or tape to put them down. Because of this, they can also be easily removed and re-used in another room or home. Seams are typically very tight so the floor will appear to be one solid piece with no edges to trip over.

These tiles can be custom fit to any size room with only a simple utility knife.  (We recommend that you let your rubber flooring acclimate to the room temperature and humidity for at least 24 hours before cutting to size.) Rubber floor tiles are offered in a range of thicknesses and colors. Greatmats' knowledgeable customer service representatives are available to help find the perfect flooring for any space.

virgin rubber floor tiles

Commercial Facilities

In commercial facilities, you can also use interlocking rubber tiles although you may want to go with a thicker tile than you would for home gym use. Interlocking tiles are well-suited for use cases where the flooring needs to be relocated repeatedly. They are ideal if you are leasing your building, for example. Because interlocking tiles are available in various sizes, thicknesses, and colors, we can help you to find the right tiles to meet your needs.

Rubber rolls are typically less expensive but they have different requirements. All rubber rolls need a glue or tape-down installation to create a safe workout floor. Because of this, rubber rolls are a more permanent flooring solution than tiles.

rubber mat flooring

While some rubber flooring is known for its strong smell, this product is low odor. This can be important if you are using this flooring in a smaller room with low ventilation. You will find that the material binder in the rubber makes all the difference. In flooring where the rubber binder is sulfur, the rubber mats will often have a strong rubber smell. When the binder is urethane, the smell is very low.

One thing to note when considering rubber rolls is that they are not waterproof. They should be used in places where the flooring will remain dry. If your rubber flooring does get wet, you'll need to hand dry it if it has already been installed. Because of this, we recommend use rolled rubber for use in dry places such as weights rooms and supply rooms, but not wet areas such as laundry room and bathrooms.

rubber flooring rolls

Playgrounds

Playground rubber flooring is also available in an interlocking rubber tile. Greatmats offers a wide variety of different styles and fall height ratings. Playground flooring adds an extra level of cushion and protection for children in outdoor settings. It is a safer and cleaner playground flooring option when compared to both wood chips and rubber crumbs, as both of those options can be dug out, pushed aside, or thrown around.

If you have any questions regarding any of our products, please don't hesitate to call or send us a message. Our friendly customer service representatives are happy to help you.

gym flooring

Best Home and Commercial Gym Flooring Options

When it comes to flooring for your home or commercial gym floor, there are some things to consider. If rubber flooring is being considered, think about if it is important to have the flooring be low-smell. For home gyms, we generally recommend a low-odor option. This is because, if you have forced air and decent insulation, that smell can disperse throughout your home and be a nuisance for some time. Some rubber flooring has a strong “new tire” smell, but it’s not determined by whether or not the rubber flooring is made from recycled rubber. The binding agent (usually sulfuric or urethane based) will determine the power of the odor.

Home and Commercial Gym Flooring

If rubber or foam tiles seem to be the best option, We typically recommend a smaller sized tile option (such as our Interlocking 2x2 tiles).For a larger area, we will usually quote you a larger tile size (Geneva 3x3). This is because, in a smaller area, you will typically find yourself wasting less product when cutting for a wall-to-wall installation if your tiles are smaller. For use in a larger facility, the larger tile size is nice as it leads to fewer seams in the floor.

best commercial gym flooring

Recycled vs. Virgin and Plyometric Rubber Gym Flooring

There are many different materials that are now being used to make gym floor mats, including plastics and rubbers. Every flooring material has its own unique advantages and best use cases.

You can find recycled rubber gym mats, which provide environmental benefits while delivering quality performance, or you can find virgin rubber, which is often more durable and visually appealing. Plyometric rubber mats are another variety of rubber mats that are designed specifically for jumping and lunging exercises.

recycled vs. virgin rubber

Learn below about the advantages of recycled, virgin, and plyometric rubber.

Comparing Rubber Gym Flooring Materials

Recycled Rubber Flooring

Why Recycled Rubber?

The vast majority of rubber material is used to manufacture tires. So recycled rubber mats and other recycled rubber flooring is made from old tires.

There are many advantages to choosing recycled material over mats made from virgin rubber.

Price: First of all, it can be much more affordable than most other rubbers. One of the main benefits of recycled rubber is that it is often far less natural or synthetic rubbers. Recycled rubber often costs less than half of what comparable non-recycled rubber would.

Environmental Impact: If you consider yourself an environmentally-conscious person, you will likely appreciate the eco-friendly nature of recycled rubber. Producing gym flooring mats from recycled rubber requires fewer resources to be used and less energy be expended in the creation of the flooring. Recycling also keeps material about of the landfill and lowers the need for the harvesting of fresh material. Getting rid of old rubber materials is actually a difficult process. By its very nature, rubber is tough and durable. While this is what makes it so popular in the first place, it also makes it incredibly hard to dispose of properly.

Despite the advantages of of recycled rubber, many used tires go to waste. Around the world, tons of rubber is buried in landfills and not recycled for use in future products. But when recycled rubber gym floor mats and other recycled rubber products are purchased, it’s helping to keep rubber out of landfills and protect the earth’s natural resources.

There are many ways that rubber can be recycled. This includes acid reclamation, which utilizes sulfuric acid to breakdown the material, alkali recovery, which treats the material with heated alkali, and pyrolysis, which heats the rubber in an oxygen-free vacuum.

virgin rubber vs recycled rubber

Below are some of the recycled rubber products that Greatmats proudly offers:

Rubber Flooring Rolls 1/4 Inch 10% Confetti

These rubber flooring rolls are made from recycled material that is durable, pliable, and easy to install. These rubber rolls are 1/4 inches thick and are great for used in weight rooms and workout rooms as they provide traction to feet and shoes.

These mats are made in the U.S.A. and have a 10 percent color confetti design. The rolls have tiny flecks in them that form a varying color pattern which give personality and vibrance to the room. With strong materials and an easy installation process, these mats are perfect for home or commercial use. They can even be used for industrial areas, giving you better traction on the floor.

Rubber Tile Diamond 10x10 Ft Kit 3/8 Inch Black

This black rubber tile mat is perfect for gyms and weight rooms due to its durable and rugged design. Using a puzzle-edge interlocking design, the mats fit together in a firm hold that allows you to fill large or small rooms. The mat is made from 99% premium recycled rubber, and is guaranteed to be free of wire or other fibers.

This recycled rubber mat requires almost no maintenance outside of regular cleaning, and the material is non-absorbent, so it won't harbor bacteria or mold-growing water.

Rubber Tile Interlocking 2x2 Ft 1/2 Inch 20% Color Stocked Pacific

This rubber mat is stylish from its black or gray flecks that are in the rubber tile. This gives the mat visual depth and character and lets you add a little style to your workout center or weight room.  

This product, like many of our products, is made from recycled tires. It has a beveled-edge construction that results in no gaps, and it comes with a 5-year warranty, giving you added peace-of-mind when you purchase. As these made are made with an advanced wet-jet cutting technology, they fit together perfectly forming clean interlocks.

Performance Rally 14.5 mm Interlocking Tiles per SF

The unique appearance and peak performance of these interlocking tiles sets them apart among similar rubber mats. You can choose between colors like ''Steel Appeal 2,'' ''Mocha Latte 2,'' or ''Blue Premium,'' allowing you to get the perfect design for your personal taste.

These tiles are great for busy workout areas that have lound exercise machines and free weights. This is because these tiles are both shock absorbent and sound absorbent. They can also be used for tracks, making them one of the most versatile gym floor mats you can find.

Virgin Rubber Flooring

virgin rubber

Why Virgin Rubber?

While recycled material certainly has its advantages, there are many reasons that you may want to choose virgin rubber instead. Whether the reason behind the choice is the appearance of the virgin rubber flooring or their long-term performance, new rubber might be the best solution of a specific rooms needs.

Appearance:Many people feel that virgin rubber has a better appearance than recycled. New rubber often has a bold solid color all throughout the material, even when the surface is worn away. A problem with some recycled-rubber mats is that once the surface is worn away, the mats will carry a full or faded appearance. This is not typically the case with virgin rubber.

Smell:The smell is also another advantage of new rubber. In some cases, recycled mats can have a rubbery tire smell, which is off-putting to many people. Because of this many gyms and workout facilities will choose new rubber over recycled rubber. In an enclosed area, such as a weight room with low ceilings, sometimes new rubber is a better options because of the smell.

Longevity: In some cases new rubber will have better long-term performance when compared to recycled rubber. Often times virgin rubber will have superior shock absorption and will be able to provide cushion for longer. If you are going to put your rubber mats through years of abuse from exercise shoes, free weights, cardio activities, and workout machines, then you may want to choose new rubber. This is of particular concern if the mats are considered a long-term investment. People who need mats for businesses or municipal workout centers, which often receive lots of traffic, will often prefer new rubber.

Below are some of the amazing virgin rubber flooring products that Greatmats offers:

UltraTile Rubber Weight Floor Black

Made with a recycled rubber base and virgin rubber top, these mats are durable and effective, making them an ideal choice for college weight rooms and workout facilities. The mats are built with precision to exact specifications and are made using high-quality rubber. This results in these tiles creating a workout surface that is both soft yet durables.

This material is perfect for any facility that will use lots of workout equipment, and they can be placed over interior flooring to provide protection for gym floors and other surfaces. By using a dowel-pin connection system, these mats will hold together and can be used to cover large rooms.

Geneva Interlocking Rubber Tile All 3x3 ft Sizes

These 3x3 tiles can be used to fill a large workout facility, giving you better traction and protection for the flooring. These rubber tiles have a puzzle-edge connection system, which allows them to fit together quickly and not require the use of adhesives or pins of installation. Because they are made from a blend of recycled and new rubber, they also have a low odor, making them ideal for small indoor facilities.

While these mats are great for facilities, they can also be used for home gyms. To create the perfect home workout area while also still protection the homes interior flooring, these virgin rubber blend tiles are perfect.

Plyometric Rubber Rolls

what is virgin rubber

Why Plyometric Rubber?

Plyometric rubber flooring is a softer alternative to traditional rubber flooring. It is made specifically for plyometric exercises, which involves a heavy amount of jumping. The flooring is designed specifically to be used for plyometric exercises, which involves a heavy amount of jumping, but can also be used for other aerobic exercises. In fact, ''plyometrics'' is by definition a jump-training workout. Plyometric rubber is less dense than most rubber mats, so it has a more cushioning for joints and absorbs shocks better than many other materials. It also has a smooth surface that is perfect for push ups, planks, and handstands.

Plyometric Rubber Roll 1/2 Inch

This product is a perfect example of the benefits of plyometric rubber flooring mats. It has a shock-absorbing body that allows you to perform many different exercise, including jumping and lunging. This rubber product can be easily rolled up if it needs to be stored, and is light enough for anyone to handle. If you are using it for temporary surfaces, you don't need extra materials, but if you are going to place it permanently, securing it with tape or adhesives is suggested.

For maintenance of this roll, all you have to do is vacuum as needed and occasionally mop the surface. Please give the rolled rubber time to dry being storing it.

The Perfect Rubber Gym Floor Mat is Waiting for You!

Greatmats offers a wide selection of gym floor mats, so there is a perfect flooring material out there for every home or facility.

Whether you want eco-friendly recycled material or the long-lasting durability of new rubber, you'll find everything you need, including selection, service, and reliability, when you purchase from Greatmats.com!

rubber recycled mats