New Gym Floor Installation: 2019 Guide

Written June 12, 2019 - Rejected

New Gym Floor Installation: 2019 Guide

Are your planning to put up a new gym, or are you just looking at how you can redesign your work out haven? Modern gyms today accommodate various specializations and the need to comply with flooring requirements becomes a complex consideration for gym owners and managers.

Why is Gym Flooring Important?

Modern gyms and fitness centers have customers who are interested in different activities. When your flooring is right, your customers will love working out in your gym, but when it is not the right one, they will probably leave for someplace better. There are three main reasons why it is very important to install the right gym flooring.  

1. Gym flooring needs to be durable and strong to withstand exercising on it. These floors will also support heavy equipment and machines. When it comes to choosing the best gym flooring, the thicker, the better, the stronger it is, the tougher it will be.

2. Gym flooring also needs proper grip to prevent accidents and unnecessary falls and injuries. Flooring that has a proper grip will not slip easily and will secure equipment and machinery better.

3. Gym flooring must be easy to clean and has clear hygienic benefits for gym users. Keep in mind that gyms can be a humid and sweaty place, thus the floors need to be kept clean and hygienic.

For new gym floor installations, consider these three important requirements. Your gym flooring will have to cope with heavy equipment, sweat and spills, intensive use, vibration and noise, humidity changes and other unhygienic stuff like spit, dirt, odor, and bacteria.

What is the Best Type of Gym Flooring to Install?

After thorough consideration on the importance of gym flooring, you probably are pushing on installing new gym flooring that will comply with the various requirements. You can choose to have one type of flooring throughout or you can mix it up using different flooring types for different zones.

How to Choose Several Types of Gym Flooring Materials?

For new gym flooring installation, do consider the various areas or zones you have in your gym. Each zone may have a complimentary gym flooring material, thus you need to have a clear plan of your gym’s layout and design. Additionally, consider the what, where and the equipment that will be housed in each of these zones.

Would You Choose to Have A Single Type of Flooring Material?

Installing one type of gym flooring material all throughout the gym is much easier than having segments and plans for a specific zone. However, gym owners and facilities manager need to research and understand the properties of each potential material.

Wood Material

Wood definitely looks great, but there are several issues when using this type of flooring material. If your gym needs to withstand constant jump, vibration and traction, a softer kind of wood can have visible damage and scuffing. Your wood of choice should also not be too hard as it may impact on training athletes. Wood may not be a good choice for free weight areas as it may be damaged from dropped weights.

There are several choices if you will pursue the use of wood for your new gym flooring installation. However, it is best to opt for a layered product which is built up over an under-layer of composite rubber to allow maximum absorption, strength, and durability.

Sprung Flooring

If your gym offers plenty of yoga, pilates and dance classes, sprung flooring material is the best choice for shock absorption of high impact dance. This type of gym flooring material is best for Zumba and fitness class, Judo and gymnastics.

Rubber Flooring

Most gyms today employs fitter rubber flooring because of the many benefits that come with it. It is easy to install, durable, easily cleaned and maintained and it has a very long life cycle.

Choosing rubber for your new gym flooring installation gives you a wide range of choice in terms of a color motif.

Among gym flooring materials, rubber tiles are easiest to purchase, replace and transport. However, installing them requires adhesives because they do not interlock. You can easily change them once the color wears out.

Rolls are easy to lay and cheapest material to install. There are fewer joints so there is also less tripping incidences. Interlocking rubber tiles are great for heavy use areas. There is no need for adhesives in installing these type of flooring and they can be moved about to other areas of the gym.

Gym floors go through a lot of battering, thus you have to make sure that you have considered all factors in choosing the right kind of flooring material. Remember that your gym floors, as well as your members, know that every step counts in their fitness journey.