100% Rubber Gym Mats

The most popular gym mats are solid rubber gym mats. These are very durable making them ideal for multi-use exercises that gymnasiums offer. There are no limits to what these mats can be used for and they work equally as well in hard wearing areas such as studios, as they do in weight rooms.

Solid rubber matting is for heavy duty use with high impact absorption rates, comfort and durability.

The underside of these mats usually has channels for stability and if required the mats can be reversed and used with the topside down These rubber mats will sit well on any level surface such as a concrete floor.

So, how thick should gym mats be?

They are usually available in two thicknesses, 12mm and 18mm. The thicker 18mm rubber mats are the more popular as they have more uses and can cope with the rigours of gym equipment use better than the 12mm equivalents. You may also be offered a range of surface options such as, Bubble Top, Low Bubble and Amoebic for instance. A few options outlined on the Gym Mats Plus website.

The design of the top of the mat is generally for aesthetic purposes, but they also have a practical use as they are easier to brush and to keep clean.

Size-wise mats generally come in a 6ft x 4ft straight edge sheet. The 12mm mats weigh 40kg making them very sturdy with very little risk of movement once laid. They are ideal for all forms of exercises either at home or in the gym.

Rubber Top EVA Gym Mats

Rubber Top EVA Gym mats offer all the advantages of comfort from the EVA material, but with a more harder wearing top surface. These mats are great for floor based exercises, such as Yoga, Pilates, stretching and free-weights.

Theses mats come in 6ft x 4ft and you’ll find them available in both an interlocking finish or straight edge and two thickness options, 35mm and 25mm.

It is recommended that rubber top eva mats are not to be placed under heavy equipment such as exercise machines and weight machines.

EVA Foam Leisure Mats

These come in a manageable square 2ft x 2ft x 20mm thick size and interlock on all four sides.

These style of interlocking gym floor mats are made from the highest grade EVA.Ethylene vinyl acetate is a foam material and will provide much more comfort for a variety of exercises. These gym mats are ideal for floor-based exercises.

Again I do advise that these mats are not to be used under heavy equipment such as weight machines and treadmills.

So, how to lay gym mats?

How to Install Gym Mats

If you are wanting a more permanent option for your rubber gym flooring then solid rubber mats can also be “sealed and bonded”, which is the process of essentially gluing your mats to your gym floor. This will keep your gym mats from sliding around as well.

The process involves the mats being fitted and then sealed with a resin fixes the mats in place permanently. An adhesive may also be applied to ensure a complete seal. The mats are finally sealed around their edges, making a watertight flooring solution that will require very little in the way of future maintenance.

The alterative to this is to just lay your gym mats and butt them tightly up against each other.

When fitting your mats, it is important that you leave a 10mm — 15mm gap around the outside edge of them so they can expand in high temperatures. If you do not leave a gap, you may find that your mats may lift up slightly in the future, which can be remedied by trimming them.

It would be preferable to have two people fitting the mats at your gym, as they are quite heavy to lift and to hold in position.

The thicker the mats, the more hard wearing they will be.

How to cut gym mats:

If the mats required cutting, it is recommended that the cut mats are placed at the furthest point from the door. To cut the mats, use a sharp Stanley type knife, or similar. Use a straight edge to ensure a nice finish.

How to Clean Gym Flooring

Once your mats have been laid in your gym, after a while you may want to clean your gym flooring.

Start by hoovering the mats to remove any dust, debris and the odd bit of belly-button fluff! Then using warm water, a neutral pH cleaner and a nylon, microfiber or sponge mop, mop the floor, paying special attention to the most stubborn and dirty areas.

For stains, follow the same procedure but add some baking soda to your warm water to help shift any stubborn grime.

Where to Buy Gym Mats

There are a range of online suppliers that offer gym mats, such as Amazon, Sports Direct, Gym Mats Plus and the like. Shop around, compare the prices and products on offer and you’ll soon be the proud owner of some nice new gym matting for your gymnasium or sports centre.

Having read this guide, you’ll also know everything you need to know about rubber gym matting…