Choosing the right gym flooring is a critical, if often overlooked, aspect of making sure that your gym or fitness center stands apart in what is a crowded market. Thanks to the variety of available options, it can often be difficult (and confusing!) to figure out what would be the ideal solution for your gym space.
In this blog, let’s look at some of the main flooring options available: rubber, foam, vinyl and hardwood, and see how they benchmark against each other when it comes to gym-specific requirements.
1. Durability
a. TerraFit Rubber Flooring is extremely durable and resilient, making it ideal for areas with high footfall. It is also resistant to dents, scratches and impact from falling weights – all very common in gyms.
b. Foam has excellent cushioning, but is not as durable as rubber. It can easily tear or compress over time, especially when subjected to heavy weights. Foam is ideal for low-impact exercises like yoga or stretching.
c. Vinyl is very durable and easy to clean. However, it may not be ideal for gyms due to its propensity to get scratched and dented, which is inevitable with heavy weights or machines.
d. Hardwood is, in general, a durable option. However, it is not suitable for gym spaces due to its susceptibility to be damaged by weights and high-impact exercises, not to mention its inability to handle moisture.
Winner: TerraFit Rubber Flooring
2. Impact Absorption
a. One of the biggest reasons for choosing TerraFit in a gym is its ability to absorb impact. Not only does it absorb shock, protecting both gym users and the equipment, it also provides a slip-resistant surface to exercise on, thus improving safety.
b. Foam also provides excellent shock absorption and cushioning. But, as discussed earlier, it doesn’t offer the same level of durability as rubber, making it unsuitable for high-impact areas.
c. Vinyl offers some level of cushioning, but not enough for intense gym activities. It also becomes slippery when wet, increasing risk.
d. Hardwood is hard and rigid with very little impact absorption.
Winner: TerraFit Rubber Flooring, when durability is factored in.
3. Noise Reduction
a. Rubber is inherently noise-dampening, which means that does a great job of creating a quieter environment by absorbing the sound of foot traffic, weights, machines, etc.
b. Foam offers excellent noise absorption for light workouts, but struggles when weights are involved.
c. Vinyl doesn’t offer any noise reduction, and might even end up amplifying sound.
d. Hardwood doesn’t offer any noise reduction either, and might even end up making things worse by adding its own creaks and squeaks.
Winner: TerraFit Rubber Flooring
4. Maintenance
a. TerraFit Rubber Flooring is easy to maintain and maintain. It is naturally resistant to mold and mildew, a key factor in high-moisture areas like gyms where there is a lot of water and sweat. Regular cleaning with mild soap is all you need for maintenance.
b. Foam is harder to clean than rubber since it tends to absorb moisture and get stained over time. It is also prone to tearing, which affects long-term maintenance.
c. Vinyl is easy to clean, but scratches easily which may trap dust and bacteria. Moisture can also seep into these gaps leading to fungal growth.
d. Hardwood requires regular maintenance, including sweeping and polishing. It is also sensitive to moisture, and can warp and stain in a gym environment.
Winner: TerraFit Rubber Flooring
5. Cost (and Cost Effectiveness)
a. Rubber has higher up-front costs than foam and vinyl. But the fact that its durable and easy to maintain makes it more cost-effective in the long run.
b. Foam is generally inexpensive, but may need to be replaced more frequently, driving up costs.
c. Vinyl is also affordable, but may incur additional maintenance costs, especially in a high-impact gym environment.
d. Hardwood is expensive to install and maintain.
Winner: TerraFit Rubber Flooring
It’s unanimous: TerraFit rubber flooring is the standout choice for gyms considering its excellent durability, impact absorption, noise reduction and ease of maintenance. While other options might be great for specific requirements (like foam in low-impact areas or vinyl which is more economical), TerraFit provides the perfect balance between performance and practicality, while providing long-term savings.
Get in touch with us to know more about the TerraFit range and how it can elevate your gym or fitness center.
