Are you a gym rat or simply looking to exercise at home? If you have a room with laminated or hard floors, then you are good to go for exercising, but if you have a carpet that you don’t want to throw away, then you might have to rack your brain to buy the best home gym flooring over the carpet.
There is no doubt that you can do some workouts on carpets directly, like yoga, stretching, and some cardio, but the fact that the carpet is soft is noteworthy.
Carpets lack support and stability, especially for machines, and the nastiest of all, carpets absorb everything and anything, which means they have bacteria, too.
In this guide, we’ll discuss how you can install home gym flooring and what are the best home gym flooring options over the carpet.
Why You Shouldn’t Workout On Carpet?
Although you can do some workouts on the carpet, there’s a reason why you don’t see carpets installed in professional gyms. Some of the reasons why you shouldn’t workout on the carpet are listed below:
1. Lifting And Cardio On The Carpet
The basic rule of exercising is that your feet must be ingrained on the floor. They should be stable. However, when you workout on a carpet, say squatting, lunging, or doing deadlifts, your feet can wobble.
This is simply because the carpet is soft and plushy. And this can impact your balance or how you apply force to the ground, ultimately leading to knee injuries.
The same goes for cardio exercises like skipping. Though the carpet will provide a cushioned surface for your feet but, at the same time, you’ll need to apply more force to the ground in order to jump, which will increase the fatigue in your body.
2. Damaging Subfloors
Carpets have subflooring beneath them, which is typically made from plywood or identical material. And you can imagine now that simply lifting heavy weights and dropping them on the carpeted floor poses so much damage to the subfloor.
Even dropping a pair of dumbbells after a bench press can easily break or crack the subfloor, leading to a costly repair.
3. Cleaning Carpets
Carpets are capable of absorbing everything, and when we work out, we sweat. This sweat drips and falls onto the carpet. Accumulated sweat can lead to more slippery surfaces and bacteria build-up.
Now, you must be thinking-“I can just clean the carpet with a carpet cleaner.” But believe us, nothing is easier than cleaning the floor using a wet mop.
It will be a nightmare if you use chalk as it will get deeply ingrained into the carpet, and you just have to vacuum it every time you use it.
What Are Some Best Options For Home Gym Flooring Over The Carpet?
Since the pandemic, most people have been switching from commercial gyms to home gyms. But the main concern is the carpeted floor. A carpet floor is not suitable for exercising as it doesn’t provide any stability and may lead to injuries.
However, there are many flooring options available in the market that can help you set up your home gym. The best and most popular option is a rubber gym floor.
They are affordable, easy to install, and easy to maintain. Rubber gym floors are the ideal option because of their unique set of characteristics.
Here are the best solutions you can install over the carpet:
1. Rolled Rubber Solution
Rolled Rubber flooring is the best option if you have a large gym area to cover. They come at a price per square foot and allow you to cover a large area quickly.
It is also an excellent option if you are planning on doing plyometric exercises or cardio in your home gym.
2. Rubber Floor Interlocking Tiles
These tiles fit together tightly and can be installed alone. They are smaller in size and weigh less per price.
You can also customize rubber floor interlocking tiles to create fun patterns in your home gym. They come with unique advantages such as:
- Solid interlocking without the use of any adhesive
- Durable and tear-resistant
- Easy to install
- Cushioning surface but stable
- Eco-friendly and sustainable
3. Rubber Floor Mats
Rubber floor mats are an excellent option if you have to cover only some specific areas in your home.
They come in both small and large sizes, but the large ones can be a bit heavier, and moving them around can be tricky. This is why it is the most suitable option if you don’t have to move the mats often.
It is noteworthy that although rubber mats are the best option, they are also the most expensive option among others.
Does The Type Of Carpet Also Influence The Home Gym Flooring Types?
The types of carpet in your home gym play a vital role in deciding which home gym flooring you should buy. All the above suggestions are for flat and low pile carpets. But if you have a soft, plushy carpet, then placing the rubber mats directly on the carpet is not your best option.
The best solution in this scenario is to place a plywood layer between the carpet and rubber floor mats. It will act as a subfloor and will protect both your body and the carpet.
How To Install PVC Tiles For Home Gym Floors Over Carpet?
PVC Tiles are excellent for home gyms, basements, or ergonomic installation. They are made from soft material and are easy to install over carpets.
If you are not customizing the floor to adjust the wall-to-wall installations, then no tool is required. On the other hand, if customization is required, then all you need is a tape measure, straight edge, pen, and sharp utility knife.
1. Start with the corner of the tile with the loop side facing out.
2. Keep each tile facing the same direction.
3. Press the tile down onto the loops of previously placed tile until you feel it pop into the place.
4. Once you are done installing one row, measure the distance from the remaining walls to the already installed tiles and mark that distance on the tiles you want to cut.
5. The next step is to place the cut tiles on the walls, and voila! Your installation is complete.
Best Home Gym Flooring Over Carpet
It is very important to buy the perfect flooring for your home gym to prevent injuries. Here are our top picks of home gym flooring options that you should buy.
The table below represents our top 5 picks with the most important factors:
| Product | Total | Protection | Material Quality | Maintenance | Durability | Price/ Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProSource Fit Puzzle Mat | 59.5 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9.5 | 10 |
| BalanceFrom Exercise Mat | 59 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| REPFitness Rubber Floor Tiles | 58.5 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8.5 |
| JIGMATS Foam Mats Interlocking Tiles | 58 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9.5 | 9.5 |
| Walsai Foam Puzzle Mats | 58 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
1. ProSource Fit Puzzle Mat
- Shape: Square
- Material: EVA foam
- Color Palette: Black, Beige, Brown, Blue, and Grey
- Item weight: 4.44 pounds per 6 tiles
- Product Dimensions: 24” X 0.5” X 24”
- Special features: Water-resistant, free of toxic phthalates, easy to assemble, cushioned
If you are looking for the best, then the ProSource Fit Puzzle exercise mat is your best buy. It is easy to install and comes with a high-density EVA foam to protect your carpet from heavy equipment.
It is incredibly durable and designed to stand regular use. This floor option is water-resistant, available in different colors, and easy to maintain. To clean it, you only require soap and water.
2. BalanceFrom Exercise Mat
- Shape: Square
- Material: EVA Foam
- Color Palette: Blue, Gray, Black
- Item weight: 6 pounds per 6 tiles
- Product Dimensions: 24” X 0.5” X 24”
- Special features: Moisture-resistant, non-toxic, 2-year warranty
Just like the ProSource Fit Puzzle Mat, these tiles are also easy to install and are designed for long-term use. The tiles come in multiple thicknesses, such as 0.5 inches, 0.75 inches, or 1 inch thick, depending on what you need.
It is also made from high-density EVA foam, which is sturdy and capable of easily holding weights and workout equipment.
3. REPFitness Rubber Floor Tiles
- Shape: Square
- Material: Rubber
- Color Palette: Black
- Item weight: 8 pounds per tile
- Product Dimensions: 28.5” X 0.3” X 28.5”
- Special features: 100% waterproof, designed to reduce sound when dropping weights, easy to assemble
These are puzzle-style tiles that are later cut on the edges to ensure a smooth and seamless fit. It is also designed to withstand heavy equipment and reduce noise and shock as you lift. They are moisture-resistant, too.
The only disadvantage of REPFitness Rubber Floor Tiles is that they are a bit pricey, but they are also among the ones with the highest quality mat you can buy.
4. JIGMATS Foam Mats Interlocking Tiles
- Shape: Square
- Material: EVA Foam
- Color Palette: Black, Blue and Grey
- Item weight: 2.35 pounds per 6 tiles
- Product Dimensions: 12.2” X 0.4” X 12.2”
- Special features: Designed to reduce vibration for cardio equipment, water and slip-resistant
The tiles are made from high-density EVA foam and are easy to maintain and easy to assemble. The overall size of the tiles is smaller than the other types available, but the complaints about initial slipperiness is the main thing you should watch out for.
JIGMATS Foam Mats Interlocking Tiles are slip-resistant on surfaces and are designed to last long.
5. Walsai Foam Puzzle Mats
- Shape: Square
- Material: EVA Foam
- Color Palette: Black
- Item weight: 2.81 pounds per 20 tiles
- Product Dimensions: 12” X 0.44” X 12”
- Special features: Waterproof, durable and non-slip, easy to assemble
Similar to the other types of home gym material, Walsai Foam Puzzle Mats are also easy to assemble. They offer quality protection against drops or liquids. This means that it is also easier to clean them with water and soap.
Walsai Foam Puzzle Mats are designed with shock absorption technology to reduce bounce and sound from dropping heavy weights.
How To Install Rubber Mats?
Conclusion
There are reasons stating clearly why carpets are not suitable for exercising, and you should go for more appropriate options like rubber mats or PVC mats. Another common question that many gym rats often ask is, can you put wooden flooring over the carpet?
But there are so many types of home gym floors available in the market, and which one to buy depends on the types of exercise you’ll be doing, the kind of space you need to cover, and most importantly, your budget.
We hope this article has provided you with the best home gym flooring over the carpet options.
FAQs
Can you put floor over the carpet?
Yes. The most common types of floor floated over the carpet are vinyl and lamination. They are both budget-friendly and feature a simple interlocking system of installation.
What floor should I put in my home gym?
The best and most common flooring type is rubber floors, but you can also put foam tiles, cork flooring, vinyl, and artificial turf.
Can I put fake wood floor over carpet?
The answer is no. It is not the best idea to put a fake wood floor on the carpet as carpets tend to become uneven as a result of pressure from walking.
Daleyza knows a lot about carpets! She has worked with carpets for over 7 years and can help with things like putting them in, keeping them clean, and replacing them. She really likes carpets and spends most of her time learning about new ways to work with them. When she’s not learning about carpets, she enjoys reading books. She’s really good at helping people choose the right carpet for their homes and making sure they’re happy with it. If you want to know more about carpets, Daleyza is the person to talk to!