We all know that many gyms nowadays accommodate a combination of exercise programs. Though some are predominantly weight training and bodybuilding gyms, they also accommodate aerobics programs and very low impact fitness programs.

It is an issue as to what gym mat should be installed in many multiCfunctional gyms. Some mats are hard and designed in such a way that they make bodybuilding very safe. Other mats are soft and fabricated to cater to low impact workouts.

Using the wrong mat for the wrong fitness activities would ruin the gyms reputation, its members health and physique, the gyms equipment, not to mention the gyms flooring.

So how can you determine the right gym mat for your gym floor?

Primarily, determine the dominant exercise activities that your gym offers. Is it weight training? Is it for yoga or aerobics?

Next, know what type of floor mat you will install.

If your gym is a predominantly bodybuilding gym, then you should using gym mats that are thick, very durable, heavy duty, and offer a lot of protection for the gym floor. This mat type is either a rolled rubber product, or a set of rubber tiles. The advantage of rolled rubber mats is that they are easy to install.

The mat stays in place due to its heavy weight, and with the added weight of the training equipment, the gym mat will not budge even a bit. Only the edges and seams will require adhesion to prevent your clients and staff from tripping. Simple double-sided carpet tape will be enough to address this issue.

Rolled rubber products can also be permanently fixed onto any hard surface using a polyutherane adhesive. Commercial gyms or facilities that require rubber flooring should consider permanently installing rubber matting due to the high volume of foot traffic that will be passing over the mat.

Take note that rolled rubber mats are economical in nature, so color is not a good trait of this mat type. Rolled mats are usually black with some color speckles that break the monotony of blackness.

If you are not into rolled rubber mats, try using rubber tiles. Generally, each tile would be about 2X2 ft, meaning more individual tiles are needed to cover a given area compared to the rolled mat.

However, rubber tiles are thicker than rolled mats by about ? inch, since making rolled mats very thick would make them very difficult to roll up for storage and easier transportation. Tiles can be as thick as 3 ? inches, and they are also easily installed, just like ceramic tiles. Rubber tiles also have more colors.

However, rubber tiles are more expensive due to their thickness and differences in production. Since tiles are lighter, these should be permanently fixed onto the gym floor.

For gyms that are, predominantly low impact fitness exercises like aerobics, dance, yoga etc., and light, thinner mats are needed. Mats for low impact exercises prioritize resilience over floor protection, since the weight of only one person is the most the floor will usually support.

Resilient PVC tiles are the preferred matting for this type of gym due to its affordability, lightness, dovetail interlocking mechanism, and multiCcolored variety. The dovetail interlocking mechanism and light product weight make this very portable. An arched support system makes this matting resilient and light to its users.

When air pressure is applied to the mat, the tiles flex, compressing the underClayer of air. Then, the underClayer air expands to its original volume, creating the bounce back resiliency. This kind of mat often covers a specific area of the gym floor only.

A third type of rubber mat is the mat for sports courts and track flooring. This type of mat is used if your gym accommodates huge running tracks or basketball courts. To install this type of mat, the area of installation, plus its thickness, will be first specified.

After it is set, a rubber compound will be poured into the area and left to harden. Once set, the rubber flooring acts as a complete sheet. Using standard sized mats cannot be used for this gym type.

Only professionals can install this gym mat, thus making it very expensive, both in terms of material and installation costs.

After knowing what type of mat you will install, select your mat based on your needs and gym specifications.

Consider the samples, installation guides, other options, price ranges, then, you can select the mat you will install for your gym.