Installing Luxury Vinyl Flooring for the Home Gym CityGirl Meets FarmBoy
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Did you ever notice how gyms seem to have a pervasive sweat odor? Often this is because they use cheap materials that can’t be cleaned fully. You don’t want this to happen at home so it’s important to choose the right home gym flooring. Most plank forms of luxury vinyl seek to mimic hardwood flooring, and they do this quite effectively. At a casual glance, vinyl planks can look quite similar to natural wood—it can be a better illusion than what is offered by laminate flooring.
One of the main downsides of vinyl compared to rubber is that it doesn’t offer the same amount of shock absorption. This might not be a problem if you’re more into activities like yoga, but for the kind of exercise that pounds your joints, this might not be the right choice. On the downside, rubber is heavy, and especially if you’re installing rubber rolls, you’ll probably need help carrying and fitting it. It also doesn’t provide much insulation, so if you install it on a cold concrete floor, the rubber will be cold to the touch. Vinyl plank flooring has a life expectancy of around 20 years if it is of a good quality, was correctly installed, and has proper care and maintenance during the years. Ease of installation is a key advantage of vinyl plank flooring.
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As you can see, all three surfaces have their advantages and disadvantages, and all three would be the most suitable choice in different situations. Wood is a good choice for well ventilated rooms where mold and mildew aren’t an issue. Rubber can be a bit smelly too, especially when it’s new – but this is a problem that disappears with time. In terms of cost, rubber is not the cheapest, so not everybody will be willing to spend the money required.
You should also properly pad the floor with the right materials. Foam or rubber will work well if you're looking to equip your home gym with weight machines or cardio equipment. It provides much-needed cushion for your joints and overall floor protection underneath. Considered one of the most durable choices in home flooring, it’s no surprise that vinyl is also a top pick for gym flooring.
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It’s specially crafted to offer scuff-proof, waterproof protection and withstand the pounding treatment unique to gym environments. Foam home gym flooring is like having exercise mats laid out all over the floor. Foam floor tiles interlock for easy installation and are portable. Foam is a lot cheaper than rubber, at $1 to $4 per square foot, but its also a lot less durable. It generally isn’t suitable for heavy equipment, super-intense workouts or to be placed over hard surfaces like concrete.
This lightweight and portable flooring is also great for floor stretches, such as pilates and yoga. Vinyl is a popular choice for many different types of flooring needs. Since there isn’t any experience required to install it, homeowners are naturally drawn to the ease and flexibility of this material. Plus, you can choose almost any kind of color, texture, or pattern for your vinyl tiles, transforming your home gym into a space that is truly unique.
How often should I clean my home gym flooring?
The natural, welcoming design of engineered wood flooring can add calm and sophistication to your next health and wellness project. Whether you’re looking to bring a natural sense of zen or you’re searching for a more traditional fitness flooring look, we have plenty of design options to suit any space. In such a fast-paced world, commercial flooring needs to be able to keep up with the most active of lifestyles while still being aesthetically pleasing. If you’re looking for a gym flooring option that can withstand continuous high-performance training, we recommend the Forge rubber flooring by PLAE.
However, there are some things to consider before making your decision. Another downside of vinyl flooring is that it can be difficult to install. If you are not familiar with the installation, you may want to hire a professional. Otherwise, you may end up with a floor that is not level or has wrinkles. Vinyl flooring, while a fantastic option for any room in your home, seems like an easy fit for your home gym. Don’t compromise quality for price when you can truly have them both.
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Just make sure you select low, commercial-grade pile for good traction and stability. If you have a perfectly square or rectangle space, then your options are wide open. However, most garage gyms have uneven walls, water heaters, and other items to work around. If that’s your space, find a material that you can easily cut and move around, like rubber flooring.
CrossFit exercises and Olympic lifting, on the other hand, require at least 3/8”. If you intend to drop very heavy dumbbells and/or kettlebells on a regular basis, we recommend going with the 12” just to be cautious. However, most people will be deterred from the installation cost ($1.47 a square foot, plus the cost of the glue).
Are you going to be dropping weights like adjustable dumbbells or kettlebells? If you said yes to either of these, then finding a durable material, like rubber flooring, is a must. Rubber and turf are among the most shock absorbent, whereas vinyl and carpet won’t do much. I would reserve a vinyl floor for someone who is really into aesthetics because it has the look of hardwood floors. However, this is not ideal for using free weights and doing weightlifting.
The biggest difference between the two materials is that vinyl is made of PVC, while rubber flooring is, well, made of rubber. Place mats under all equipment, including free weights and weight machines. Look for mats that have a textured or nubby surface to help grip the floor and prevent the equipment from slipping. While you can put gym equipment on vinyl plank flooring, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Do not install vinyl flooring in your home if you are pregnant or have young children. Before you’re ready to break that resolution yet again, we’re here to tell you why vinyl flooring is the best option for your gym and why you’d get bang for your buck.
Another positive to choosing rubber is that it is highly shock-absorbent – and it also comes in varying thickness, depending on your needs. Besides the type of workout you plan to do in your gym and the physical constraints of where you install it, there are also several other factors to bear in mind. Installation begins by laying the first row of planks along the most visible side of the room. At end walls, the planks can be cut by a sharp utility knife, and tin snips can be used to cut notches and openings for obstructions. Tile Vinyl Flooring is comfortable to walk on and has some cushioning, which is important for cardiovascular workouts. When it comes to Vinyl flooring, the best thing you can do is educate yourself about the risks and make an informed decision about what is best for your family.
These materials are more suitable for yoga or serve as a foundation for exercise bikes or treadmills. If your space is in an area where you need it to look a little less dungeon-y and a little more presentable, Rubber Flooring Inc Modular Grid-Loc Tile could work. It has a vinyl top and gives you the look of hardwood or even tile without the porous and breakable nature of either material. It’s often water-resistant and staves off issues like mold and mildew. Keep in mind that in socks, you might slip easier on a foam mat. Sometimes, foam mats even slip on the concrete itself and would definitely slide around on the hardwood.
Cork flooring offers high shock absorbency and support through intense workouts. It’s also an eco-friendly option that’s resistant to fire, mold, mites and mildew, making cork flooring a good choice for basements. That, plus the fact that cork is prone to fading in direct sunlight, makes a floating cork floor a fine choice for home gyms in the basement or garage, especially. For intensive activities like jumping rope or weight training, use rubber or foam flooring—it will absorb impact better than carpet, vinyl, or grass.
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