Flooring probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think about a gym fitout. 

But it should be.

Choosing the right type of commercial gym flooring is a key concern for a number of reasons:

  • Safety: It reduces the risk of slips, falls and injuries. It protects joints and minimises strain during high-impact activities.
  • Durability: It can withstand intense foot traffic, equipment and activities. It protects your building from damage caused by dropped weights and general wear and tear.
  • Performance: It provides the right level of grip and support for a range of different activities.
  • Noise: It helps dampen sound for a more comfortable workout environment.
  • Maintenance: It can last longer and be easier to clean and replace than the surface it covers.

At GymQuip we’ve spent decades helping gyms select and install the perfect flooring for their situation.

In this guide we’ll share our expertise, walking you through your flooring options, the different factors you should consider, and how to choose the best flooring for a gym fitout.


Key factors to consider when choosing gym flooring

You should begin the process of choosing effective, durable fitness flooring by asking yourself a few key questions:

  • What will the flooring need to withstand? Consider the level of durability and impact absorption you need from your flooring. Will weights be dropped on it? Sleds slid on it? How much foot traffic will it need to cope with?
  • What exercises will the flooring be used for? Make sure the flooring is fit for purpose and provides comfort and safety to members. Use impact-resistant gym flooring for strength training, and consider artificial turf for more open, functional training areas.
  • Are there any noise concerns? Gyms in built up or densely populated areas will benefit from noise reduction gym flooring. This is a key consideration in hotel and apartment gym design, for example. The same is true for gyms in large, echoey spaces like warehouses.
  • Is the flooring easy to clean and maintain? Gyms have a responsibility to maintain a clean and safe workout space for their members, so easy-to-clean, antibacterial, low-maintenance surfaces should be a priority. They also won’t need to be replaced as often.
  • Can you match the look and feel of your gym? While slightly less important than the functional considerations above, aesthetics still form a key concern. Basic, black rubber flooring for gyms may not look great in an airy and organic yoga studio, for example.


Types of gym flooring & best use cases

What are your gym flooring options? Here’s a breakdown of the four most common types and the situations they’re best suited to.

1. Rubber flooring

Resilient and durable, rubber flooring is best for general gym use and heavy lifting areas.

  • A shock-absorbing, durable, slip-resistant surface.
  • Ideal for strength training zones, free weights and functional fitness areas.

 

2. Foam Flooring

This particularly forgiving flooring is ideal for yoga, pilates and light exercise areas.

  • A soft, cushioned surface perfect for stretching, yoga and other floor exercise.
  • Not suitable for heavy equipment due to lower durability and the tendency to compress over time.

 

3. Turf Flooring

Artificial turf brings the outdoors indoors, and is best for functional and high-intensity training.

  • Super durable, ideal for sled pushing, agility drills and sports training.
  • Provides traction and shock absorption for high-impact movements.

 

4. Vinyl Flooring

A designer option for studios and group training spaces.

  • Offers aesthetic appeal and good durability, ideal for dance, yoga and fitness studios.
  • Members will need to bring their own gym mats for floor exercise.


Gym flooring budget considerations

When budgeting for your gym flooring fitout, it’s critical that you view this not as a cost, but as an investment.

Quality gym flooring will protect your building from damage and your members from injury. It will enhance the experience you offer those members, which will help you to attract and retain even more.

Quality flooring will also last longer, so you won’t have to repair or replace it as often. By paying a little more for a premium option, you could ultimately save yourself serious money.

The flipside is that a large investment may be difficult to justify if you’re leasing your space, because your gym might outgrow the premises or your landlord might bring your lease to an end.

But even then, tile-based flooring systems can be easily removed, transported and reinstalled at your new site.


Making the right flooring choice for your gym

When choosing your ideal gym flooring, the main consideration will be the type of exercise you offer to your members.

  • Traditional commercial gyms: Focus on durability, sound control and versatility. Rubber flooring can be a great option, particularly in strength training areas.
  • Boutique dance/yoga/fitness studios: Aesthetics and durability will be key concerns, so vinyl flooring can be an ideal choice (provided your members are happy to bring their own gym mats).
  • Hotel/apartment complex gyms: Noise reduction should be a key concern, so durable, impact absorbing materials like rubber are your best option.
  • School and sports facilities: You’ll need to protect people from impacts and grazes, while offering durable, high-performance surfaces. Artificial turf can be a great choice.

But often there won’t be a single, simple flooring choice for your gym. Different areas will host different forms of exercise, and may therefore demand different types of flooring.

The job of planning all these areas can be confusing for those who haven’t done it before. So our expert GymQuip team is ready to do it for you.


GymQuip: gym flooring specialists

Home to one of Australia’s largest fitness showrooms, and with a history stretching back over 30 years, at GymQuip we’ve completed every type of commercial gym fitout you can think of – and a few you can’t.

If you’re looking for expert advice on the ideal floorplan for your new gym, and the best flooring option for each section, our gym fitout experts are here to help.

Beginning with a consulting session, we’ll design your floor plan; identify, deliver and install the flooring (as well as any equipment you might need); then provide ongoing service and support to ensure your gym continues to run smoothly long into the future.

Ready to floor your new gym, and maybe floor your members too? Get in touch with our friendly team today.