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Best Home Gym Flooring Over Carpet: 2024 Review

January 24, 2024

Best home gym flooring over carpet

Starting your home gym journey is always an exciting chapter. Maybe you're just like many of us who crave the convenience of a home workout but lack the luxury of a spare room for a permanent gym.

Or perhaps, you're lucky enough to have that extra space but just can't bear the thought of tearing up that precious carpet you might need intact if you ever revert the room to a guest bedroom. No matter the reason, the concept of a pack-away gym has crept into your considerations.

But let's pay attention to the home gym essentials, such as a robust flooring solution that's gentle on your carpet yet strong enough to handle your weight-lifting routine or high-intensity interval training. Imagine trying to balance a one-legged squat on an unstable surface or spotting a stain on the carpet that just won't come out—yes, we've been there too.

Whether you're wondering about the best home gym fan to keep you cool during workouts or deliberating between compact squat racks for your home gym, we understand the needs and challenges of setting up a home gym over a carpet. That's why we're here, armed with the best advice and suggestions on finding the ideal flooring solution for your carpet.

Ready to take the leap? Then let's jump right in.

Why You Shouldn’t Work Out on Carpet

Of course, there's an undeniable allure of just rolling out your yoga mat onto your plush carpet and getting started with your workout routine. However, you might want to reconsider. Here's why:

Need a Stable Surface

When it comes to effective and safe workouts, the foundation - or rather, the floor beneath you - matters significantly.

Carpeting often lacks the stability needed for proper workout form. Think about the complexity of a squat or a lunge, where every muscle in your body is engaged, and balance is key. Trying to perform these on a squishy, uneven surface like a carpet? Not exactly ideal. Your foot tends to move around and slide, potentially causing poor form or even injuries.

Additionally, the grippiness you need during a workout, especially high-intensity sessions, is often absent in carpeting. Have you ever tried to hold a high-plank position and felt your hands slowly slipping away? That's the carpet's lack of grip in action.

On the other hand, hard gym flooring offers a high-friction surface that can provide much-needed traction to ensure your push-ups and squats are as effective as possible.

Workouts and Carpet Cleaning Don't Mix

One significant disadvantage of carpeted workout spaces is the arduous cleaning process. Let's face it. A good workout session often leaves us dripping with sweat, which, unfortunately, your carpet is too happy to absorb.

While this might not seem like an issue initially, sweat buildup can lead to an unpleasant odour, not to mention the potential for bacteria and other microscopic organisms to thrive over time.

And then there's the scenario of accidental spills. You're in the middle of a high-intensity workout, reach out for a sip of your energy drink, and whoops - it's all over the carpet. Unlike gym flooring, carpet absorbs liquids instantly, creating an ideal environment for mould and mildew to flourish if not thoroughly cleaned. And we all know how tedious (and sometimes costly!) it can be to deep-clean a carpet.

Investing in the right gym flooring can help you sidestep these hurdles and ensure you're focusing on your workout, not worrying about the aftermath.

The Workout Equipment vs Carpet Showdown

Now, consider the stress our workout equipment can exert on the carpet. Even if you own the best home multi-gym, placing it directly onto the carpet can be disastrous. You perform a few sets of squats or bench presses, and when you finally lift the equipment off, you're left with deep, unsightly indentations marking their territory. Not the kind of "leave a mark" any of us want in our living spaces!

The motion involved in a vigorous workout can cause the equipment to move, scrape, or even tear at the carpet fibres. Over time, these actions might lead to visible damage that could turn your cosy carpet into a worn-out eyesore.

And let's not forget the role of workout shoes in this. While wearing shoes for support and safety during workouts is recommended, they're unlikely to be pristine. Outdoor shoes can easily track dirt and debris onto your carpet, which can be tough to clean and cause gradual wear and tear.

That's why, for the love of your carpet (and your security deposit), it's wise to consider a protective layer of gym flooring. It not only safeguards your carpet but also improves your workout experience.

Too Noisy

Exercise is a great stress reliever (1), but the noise it creates? Maybe not so much for your neighbours or anyone trying to enjoy a quiet moment in the next room. When weights hit the floor repeatedly, as they do during deadlifts or similar exercises, the resulting thumping can echo through the house.

That's where a quality gym floor mat comes to the rescue. Installing one over your carpet can dramatically dampen these noises. The mat acts as a buffer between your weights and the floor, absorbing the impact and hence, reducing the thud each time the weight lands.

By investing in gym flooring over your carpet, you're not just preserving the longevity of your carpet and boosting your workout experience; you're also keeping the peace in your household and your relationships with neighbours amicable. Now, who wouldn't want that?

The 5 Best Flooring Over Carpet

We've tried and tested several options to find the ideal flooring solution for a carpeted home gym. Time and again, one champion emerged: rubber matting. It's the perfect blend of affordability, durability, ease of installation, and above all, it provides a safe and stable platform for all types of workouts.

But type 'home gym rubber mats' into a search engine, and you'll likely be inundated with choices. It can quickly turn from a simple search to an overwhelming barrage of options, all promising to be 'the one.' Sounds familiar?

Well, worry not. We've taken the initiative, rolled up our sleeves, and put in the hard work for you. After rigorous testing and reviewing, we've compiled our top 5 picks for the best rubber mats to place over your carpet. These mats won our approval for their performance, durability, and of course, their friendliness to your carpet.

Let's get started with our top choice, shall we?

Prosource Fit: Best Overall

ProSource fit rubber home gym flooring Check Price on Amazon

Key Features

Brand: ProsourceFit
Shape: Square
Colours: Black, brown, grey, beige, and blue
Thickness:0.5 inches (1.27 centimetres)
Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 0.5 inches (60 x 60 x 1.27 centimeters)
Weight: 4.41 pounds (2 kilograms)
Material: High-density EVA foam

Having extensively tested numerous contenders, we found the Prosource Fit mats to be the cream of the crop. These mats tick all the boxes regarding performance, durability, and aesthetics.

Each pack comes with six tiles and 12 end borders, covering a generous 24 square feet when fully assembled, providing plenty of room for your high-energy routines or weight-lifting sessions. The mats are made from high-density EVA foam, offering an anti-fatigue surface that's a delight to work out on. Whether you're pumping iron or perfecting yoga poses, these mats provide a solid, supportive platform.

Installation is a breeze with these puzzle mats. The interlocking pieces fit together like a dream, enabling a quick and easy setup. And when you're done breaking a sweat, cleaning them is equally effortless. A damp cloth or towel, a little warm water, and household soap are all you need to keep these mats looking fresh and new.

But what truly sets these mats apart is their commitment to your health. They contain no toxic phthalates, an assurance we appreciate in a product we'll spend so much time on. And let's remember the non-skid textured squares and tiles that ensure you stay firm on your feet, even during the most intense workout sessions.

The Prosource Fit mats are available in five appealing colours, letting you choose the one that best matches your decor or mood. And with three different quantity options, you can buy exactly what you need for your workout space.

BalanceFrom: Runner Up

BalanceFrom home gym rubber floor for carpet Check Price on Amazon

Key Features

Brand: BalanceFrom
Shape: Square
Colours: Black, blue, grey
Thickness: 0.75 inches (1.91 centimetres)
Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 0.75 inches (60 x 60 x 1.91 centimeters)
Weight: 28 pounds (12.70 kilograms)
Material: High-density EVA foam

Coming in close at the heels of Prosource Fit is the BalanceFrom puzzle mat, another stellar option in our line-up of home gym essentials.

First things first, this mat offers a significant coverage area of 96 square feet, a feature that makes it suitable for larger workout spaces. It includes 24 tiles and 48 end borders, allowing for impressive customisation.

The double-sided high-density EVA foam surfaces are non-slip, ensuring you can work out confidently and in stability. We've given it a try, and let's just say our high-intensity cardio sessions were a whole lot less slippery.

An essential feature we noted was its moisture-resistant technology. Any liquid spilt on it could be cleaned quickly and easily, keeping the mat fresh and ready for the next workout.

When it comes to assembly, the interlocking pieces make it a relatively straightforward process. What we loved most was its lightweight design which made moving it around a breeze, despite its large size.

Another point worth mentioning is the colour variety - it comes in three shades. So, whether you prefer a classic black or want to spruce up your workout area with a pop of colour, BalanceFrom has you covered.

Lastly, the mat comes with a 2-year warranty, reflecting the brand's confidence in its durability. With such a comprehensive package of features, it's no surprise that BalanceFrom earned the runner-up spot in our list of best home gym flooring over carpet.

SuperJare: Best Heavy Duty

SuperJare heavy duty home gym flooring Check Price on Amazon

Key Features

Brand: SUPERJARE
Shape: Square
Colours: Black, white
Thickness: 0.56 inches (1.42 centimetres)
Dimensions: 72 x 48 x 0.56 inches (182 x 121 x 1.42 centimeters)
Weight: 2.5 pounds (1.13 kilograms)
Material: Rubber and EVA foam

Heavy lifter? High-intensity enthusiast? Meet your match: the Super Jare mat. It's a powerhouse that's up to the task of the most demanding workouts.

One of the key concerns when exercising with heavy equipment is potential floor damage. The Super Jare mat addresses this fear head-on with its unique blend of soft EVA foam and robust top EPDM rubber layer. This combination creates a gentle barrier that prevents scratching or damaging your floor while providing a firm, stable surface for your workouts.

This sports pad covers 24 square feet, comprising 6 tiles and 12 end borders. Each tile measures about 24 x 24 inches (60 x 60 centimetres), providing ample space for various activities. What caught our attention was the mat's thickness - at 0.56 inches (1.42 centimetres) and a weight of 2.5 pounds (1.13 kilograms) per tile. It's clear that it is built to withstand heavy blows and still keep going.

The Super Jare mat is the perfect partner whether you're into kettlebells, wrestling, weightlifting, or high-energy cardio on a treadmill. Not only does it effectively reduce noise and vibration, but it also ensures your workouts don't disturb your family or neighbours.

An impressive feature of this mat is its ultra-grip rubber surface. We didn't detect any off-putting rubber odour and found the mat provided superior floor traction, holding steady during intense landmine presses and softening the blow for deadlifts.

Finally, the Super Jare mat shines in terms of versatility. Whether you want to install it in your garage, home gym, family fitness room, or playroom, it's up to the task. The interlocking tiles are easy to put together and just as easy to detach, making it possible to move or extend the mat as required.

With its robust build and thoughtful features, it's clear why Super Jare takes the cake as the best heavy-duty mat for home gyms.

Yes4All: Best Wood Effect

yes4all wood effect rubber flooring for home gym Check Price on Amazon

Key Features

Brand: Yes4All
Shape: Square
Colours: Dark oak wood, dark walnut wood, light oak wood, light walnut wood, marble, granite, grey oak wood
Thickness: 0.44 inches (1.12 centimetres)
Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 0.44 inches (roughly 60.96 x 60.96 x 1.12 centimeters)
Weight: 7.34 pounds (3.33 kilograms)
Material: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)

If you're looking for gym flooring that adds a touch of elegance to your workout space, then Yes4All is your answer. Its unique wood-effect design couples functionality with aesthetics like no other.

This package includes 12 tiles, each measuring 24 x 24 x 0.44 inches (roughly 60 x 60 x 1.12 centimetres). Altogether, they cover a sizeable 48 square feet, giving you ample space to spread out and move.

One of the standout features of Yes4All is its durability. The high-density EVA foam creates a solid, non-slip, shock-absorbing surface, providing a soft yet sturdy base for your exercises. Whether sweating it out with intense cardio or fat burning HIIT sessions, this mat ensures comfort and stability.

Assembly is a breeze with Yes4All. The lightweight puzzle pieces connect and disassemble easily in less than 5 minutes, making it an ideal solution for home gyms, fitness gyms, garages, or even play areas.

The mat doubles as protective workout flooring, offering shock-absorbing comfort. You'll appreciate this feature, especially when engaging in high-impact exercises like weightlifting or Pilates. Moreover, it can serve as a soft, anti-slip floor for camping or play areas.

Cleaning the Yes4All mat is a simple task. Thanks to its water-resistant and noise-reducing design, you can keep it in top shape with just a bit of soap and water.

In a nutshell, Yes4All gives you excellent functionality and a beautiful wood-effect look that can enhance your workout space.

MRO Fitness Mat: Best 1-Piece Mat

MRO mat for home gym Check Price on Amazon

Key Features

Brand: MRO
Shape: Rectangle
Colours: Black, blue
Thickness: 0.28 inches (0.71 centimetres)
Dimensions: 108.27 x 72.05 x 0.28 inches
Weight: 11.02 pounds (5 kilograms)
Material: Combination of 3 layers; on top is high-strength net camping cloth; mid is high-density micro-foam; and the bottom has a special circle dot

When simplicity meets functionality, you get the MRO Fitness Mat. A one-piece wonder, this mat offers a hassle-free solution to your home gym flooring needs.

One of the highlights of this mat is its high-impact resistance. Crafted with upgraded PVC high-density foam technology, it's designed to withstand the most strenuous workouts, whether a falling dumbbell or the high-impact leap of a plyometric exercise.

The double-sided design features a tear-resistant layer on the front, able to hold up under intense jumping movements, and a skid-resistant dotted design on the back to ensure the mat stays put, no matter how vigorous your workout.

This impressive 72 square feet mat offers enough room for various exercise equipment like a weight bench, treadmill, or your favourite glute-building machine. It's large enough to accommodate multiple people simultaneously, turning your concrete, tile, or hardwood floor into a warm, cushioned workout haven.

At 0.28 inches thick (or about 0.71 centimetres), the MRO Fitness Mat not only protects your floor but also provides extra support for your joints during workouts. Its water-resistant nature makes cleaning a breeze - all it takes is a simple wipe.

Being eco-friendly and non-toxic is another feather in the cap for the MRO Fitness Mat. It's certified according to CPSIA, ASTM-F963, and CA Prop 65 standards and is free of latex, phthalate, and silicon. It even has three straps and a tote bag for easy roll-up and storage.

As a bonus, each MRO Fitness Mat has a 100% microfiber towel and a high-quality jump rope. Plus, they offer a lifetime after-sales service, ensuring you have a safe and reliable choice for your home gym flooring.

All these features combined make the MRO Fitness Mat our top choice for the best one-piece mat for home gyms.

Does the Carpet Affect the Recommended Flooring?

All carpets are not created equal, and this truth extends to selecting your home gym flooring. The type of carpet your home gym resides on can influence the choice of gym flooring.

Our top picks, such as the Prosource Fit or the SuperJare, are ideally suited for low-pile carpets. These are the carpets you typically find in living rooms or family rooms. They have shorter and denser fibres that, when paired with our recommended rubber tiles, provide a sturdy, stable surface perfect for your workouts.

However, if your home gym is set up in a room with a thicker, high-pile carpet (like those plush carpets often found in bedrooms), you may sink into softness rather than squatting on stability. High-pile carpets can make the rubber tile surface excessively soft, leading to an unstable workout environment.

In such a case, don't let your carpet dictate your workout. Instead, consider placing a sheet of plywood on top of the carpet before laying down the rubber tiles. This extra layer provides a solid base for the tiles, ensuring a much more stable surface for your workouts.

Remember, the ideal gym setup offers the right balance of support and cushion. Finding the perfect flooring solution may require trial and error, but the effort will pay off in the form of a safer, more effective workout space.

Final Thoughts: Selecting the Perfect Home Gym Flooring Over Carpet

Choosing the perfect flooring for your home gym over a carpet can be as crucial as selecting your workout routine or equipment. It plays a pivotal role in ensuring your safety, enhancing your workout experience, and maintaining the longevity of your carpet and gym equipment. Whether you prefer the versatility of the Prosource Fit, the durability of Super Jare, or the all-in-one convenience of the MRO Fitness Mat, you now have an array of options to explore.

Remember to consider the type of carpet in your home gym room before making a choice. What works perfectly on a low-pile carpet might offer different stability on a high-pile one. But with a bit of thought and perhaps a plywood sheet, you can create an optimal workout space on any carpet.

Your home gym is more than just a space—it's your personal fitness universe. Take the time to choose the flooring that fits your needs and ensures every workout session is as safe and effective as possible. Here's to fitness right in the comfort of your own home!

Let's transform that carpeted room into your dream gym, one rubber tile at a time!