I am converting a section of my garage 12'x20' into a workout area and read just about every thread on here about home gym flooring. I still am unsure of what to use. My workout area will consist of a body solid multipress rack, 300# olympic barbell set, an FID bench, a dumbell rack that holds 5-60 lb dumbells and a lat pull down station. The flooring I select will be covering the raw concrete floor in the garage.
Here are my options:
#1 inexpensive EVA foam flooring that is sold everywhere (sports authority, Dicks, Costco, Walmart, Ebay,etc) in 1x1 or 2x2 interlocking tiles.
Pros: inexpensive (0.50 - 1.00 / SF), provides the most cushion for doing floor work
Cons: Might compress too much under heavy equipment; leaving dumbells, weights and benches on it will indent it; seams may pull apart easily; surface seems slippery; top skin looks like it can be easily scratched.
#2 Horse Stall Mats http://www.tractorsupply.com/detail....=07440&x=0&y=0
http://www.stallmats.com/products-ra...otectorlok.htm
Pros: Come in interlocking or flat sided; Extremely tough; underside is ribbed to promote airflow, moderate price (4x6 mat is 40-50 bucks)
Cons: Heavy, if local pickup is not an option shipping kills the deal; strong rubber smell (which dissipates over time); flat sided version has ugly seems when placed next to each other (sides are tapered - SOMEONE PLEASE CONFIRM THIS FOR I AM GOING BY PICTURES ONLY); Interlocking version costs more
#3 Gorilla Mats (Same as an interlocking horse stall mat but marketed towards weight rooms - same price too)
http://www.stallmats.com/products-ra...gorillalok.htm
#4 Muscle Mats http://www.floorscore.com/muscles.html
Pros: Very similar to a horse stall mat, but made for weight rooms.....they are ODORLESS! Also, they have a studded bottom to promote airflow underneath so no moisture is entrapped to form mildew or mold.
Cons: Cost is higher than horse stall mats (4x6 mat is $60.00) They don't come in interlocking, have to live with seams.
#5 Generic Recycled Rubber Tiles http://www.greatmats.com/products/ru...erlocking.html
Pros: Attractive, interlocking seamless design; 2x2 tiles makes installation easier than cutting large mats = less waste; Can add color chips to tile to match decor; Low odor product
Cons: cost is approaching $3.00 / sf; bottom may be flat = no air flow. Can't think of any other cons...?
I am leaning towards the interlocking horse stall mats unless I can find mats with straight edges that will line up next to each other with minimal seams. My concerns with this product is the smell, and the top surface texture (can someone describe it?) I am also tempted to try those EVA foam tiles for the low price, but would hate to waste the money if they don't hold up under heavy weight equipment. Suggestions???
Please share your experiences / pictures and let's make this the ultimate home gym flooring thread!
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09-14-2007, 12:22 PM #1
Home gym flooring thread (foam, rubber, horse stall mats,etc)
Last edited by USER876; 09-14-2007 at 12:27 PM.
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09-14-2007, 02:06 PM #2
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09-14-2007, 02:16 PM #3
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09-14-2007, 02:19 PM #4
I would go with horse stall mats.
Check out here
www.therubberman.com
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09-14-2007, 02:27 PM #5
One small issue with generic horse stall mats is thickness. I got a couple (from Agway, delivered) that work great, but are slightly 'off' thickness-wise. If you are worried about seams, this could be a problem. Personally, I don't care much because they do what they are supposed to.
Also, my two cents on "smell" is that its not a problem. I did wash them thoroughly after delivery, however.
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09-14-2007, 03:13 PM #6
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09-14-2007, 03:29 PM #7
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09-14-2007, 03:34 PM #8
I have stall mats with straight edges. They actually line up pretty well. I have two different kinds. One kind with a smoother texture and one that has a rougher texture. The smoother mat had a much stronger smell to it. However that has gone away completely over time. The rougher textured mat never had a significant smeel to speak of. The only down side with the textured mat is that it collects dirt at a record pace.
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09-14-2007, 05:33 PM #9
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09-14-2007, 09:11 PM #10
For benching and squatting I prefer having carpet under my feet. It has better grip than rubber if it happens to get a little chalk or moisture on it. I rolled out some carpet which covers most of the room, and have a couple rubber mats in an area that I use for deadlifts and such, which is plenty for me since that's the only place I'm worried about weights touching the floor.
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09-15-2007, 10:17 AM #11
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09-15-2007, 10:34 AM #12
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09-15-2007, 06:41 PM #13
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09-15-2007, 07:06 PM #14
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09-16-2007, 02:45 PM #15
- Join Date: Sep 2006
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Decide yet?
I am trying to make the same decision for my 14'x18' basement area.
Repped for good reasearch and post!
I never thought about horse stall mats (suburbanite!) but now that you mention it, I have worked with them. I helped line the floor of a shed for goats. The horse stall flooring was very heavy and very durable. It had the smooth and ribbed sides. I think it would be excellent for a gym floor as long as the seams were flush and not a trip hazard! I train clients at home and don't need anyone face-planting into a stray DB!"Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret."
Training regularly but no progress?
You need one or more of these: more food, more weight, more reps or more rest.
Check out: www.muscleandbrawn.com
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09-18-2007, 11:03 AM #16
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09-18-2007, 01:04 PM #17
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09-18-2007, 01:24 PM #18
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09-18-2007, 01:40 PM #19
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09-18-2007, 02:10 PM #20
I got the tractor supply stall mats. They are about 3/4" thick. I drop my heaviest dumbells on them with no probs. They rule. Sometimes they are on sale for $33 or so, I paid $42 each for mine. They will outlast me 4 sure.
[]---[] Equipment Crew Member No 7
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09-18-2007, 02:13 PM #21
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09-18-2007, 03:10 PM #22
thanks for the pictures.......
I think I am going to go with rubber vs the foam mats since my area is so big (12x20). I am tempted to try foam, but I would hate to complete the whole area just to rip it up if I am not satisfied.
The horse stall mats do look good even though they are not interlocking.
I have decided that I do want an interlocking system though.........so I have requested samples of about 6-7 different types of mats.
The cheapest per square foot are the interlocking horse mats (protector mats or gorilla mats)
http://www.stallmats.com/products-ra...gorillalok.htm
http://www.stallmats.com/products-ra...otectorlok.htm
I am leaning towards these pending receipt of sample. I want to see the surface texture. The only disadvantage is is they only come in 4x6 size so I would have to cut them to fit my area. Also, they don't come with any finishing material for the ends so you have to cut the interlocking tabs off the ends pieces. They are even cheaper if you get them in plain 4x6 mats with no interlocking tabs. I am worried though that if I go with the plain edged horse stall mats that if they are not cut perfect I will see gaps where the SEAM together. EDIT: Another advantage of these mats is that the underside is grooved to promote airflow so dampness won't be trapped between the mat and the concrete floor below.
So far the most impressive sample I have gotten on an affordable product was this mat.....
http://www.greatmats.com/products/ru...erlocking.html
Advantage is that it comes in 4x4 squares and also has 1x2 finishing pieces so the installation is more flexible and clean. It does cost a bit more. (~2.70 a square foot). I am waiting on samples from some other suppliers that are similar to these 4x4 squares, but they come in 2x2 squares
Shipping can make or break the deal too.....but I will post more once I get few more samples to compare.
I did receive a few samples that were not so nice....basically these are made out of recycled tires and some of them just seemed very inconsistent and of poor quality, and really smelled bad. More to come later.
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09-30-2007, 09:38 PM #23
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I just found these foam pads on Amazon, but I'm not fond of the blue color.
http://www.amazon.com/24-Playmats-se...213322&sr=8-10
Seems cheap for 16 square feet, and I don't want to spend that much to put something down for when I get my rack. I don't know where else to look for them, I didn't see any at Walmart and Dick's has some for $50 which is extortion.
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10-01-2007, 02:54 AM #24
Try a local auto parts store. I saw these 24" at a Wal-Mart for $18 (Charcoal/Black, 6-pack), but decided to first check a Pepboys auto supplier since I had recalled seeing them there for what I thought was a better $. Sure enough, they had the exact same 24", black, 6-pack (just with a different name and marketing pics for garage/auto use) for only $12. They're likely all produced at the same place and then packaged (and priced accordingly) for different markets/consumers, if you get my drift...
Last edited by HandsOn; 10-01-2007 at 02:59 AM.
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10-01-2007, 06:18 AM #25
Yes I saw the foam mats at pep boys this weekend....24 square feet (6 - 2'x2' squares) for 9.99 after rebate. They were very thin though, probably 3/8." If I used foam I would at least use 1/2" but preferably 3/4." I've done some testing with the foam mats. I guess they are ok for small areas. They tend to indent, though, when heavy weights (plates, dumbells, bench,etc) is placed on them and take a few days to come back to shape. Also, the surface tends to tear if you drop hex bells on them. I would go rubber, even if you can't do your entire room, at least put some 4x6 mats under your equipment. I've seem them for as cheap as 40 dollars each and they will really perform as intended.
After receiving about 12 samples of different rubber interlocking flooring, I have realized that there are a ton of retailers out there but only a few manufacturers of it. Basically a lot of it is all the same stuff (called different names, and priced different). I've decided on the LockTuff flooring. I really liked the tread pattern on it and it comes in 4x4, and 2x4 with end pieces so finishing off a room will look really clean. A bunch of people sell it online for about the same price.
http://www.greatmats.com/products/ru...erlocking.html
My second choice would of been the gorilla mats (a better buy) but the pattern is VERY rough and I think it would be a pain to clean them. Also, no end pieces are available so the install would not be as clean.
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10-01-2007, 03:00 PM #26
- Join Date: Mar 2007
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I'm looking to get matting but at $3/sq foot, I can't afford it. I figure I need 20x15 for my garage, that's 300 ft, about $1000. Even half that is tough. A buddy of mine put down an epoxy floor covering, I'm thinking of doing that.
Iraq is not a breeding ground for terrorists, but a burying ground.
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10-01-2007, 03:23 PM #27
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10-01-2007, 03:54 PM #28
An epoxy floor covering is more for cosmetic purposes. It will not protect the floor from dropped weights.
One suggestion is to get 4x6 horse stall mats and only put them in the areas in which you are working out, around equipment,etc. If you must do the whole floor (is the whole area going to be a workout area???), interlocking is expensive, but if you go with 4x6 mats and just butt them up against each other, you can cover the whole area for about 1.60 a square foot. Each 4x6 mat is about 40 bucks, and they are half an inch thick or greater.
These mats were nice too and not interlocking (I have samples) and are all under 2 bucks a square foot. you can also get 4' wide rolls of rubber cheap (~1.50 a square foot).
http://www.tractorsupply.com/detail....=07440&x=0&y=0
http://www.buytack.com/products-ranch/sfp/gorilla.htm
scroll down to gymatts
http://rubbermats.com/afm.html
Trick is to find them locally...no shipping!
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10-03-2007, 02:15 PM #29
- Join Date: Apr 2007
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Does anyone know of any stores that carry the 3/4" thick mats? I just tried Walmart, Lowes, and Dick's. Walmart and Lowes only have to dumb 1/2" thick stuff which seems way too thin, and Dick's has 3/4" but I'm not paying $50 for a single pack when I need two. I'd like to spend about $50-60 total. The only cheap ones I found were the ones I linked to, though I'm not fond of the electric blue color and I don't know if they'll be firm are soft as hell because they're for babies.
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10-03-2007, 06:44 PM #30
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