How Thick Should Rubber Gym Flooring Be? A Complete Guide

In the hustle and bustle of gym design, one element often overlooked but crucial to your fitness sanctuary is the floor beneath your feet. While it may not boast the glamour of neon lights or the resonance of clinking barbells, the gym floor serves as the foundation of your fitness space, impacting everything from aesthetics to functionality.

Rubber gym flooring stands out as a top choice for its myriad benefits: it shields the subfloor from heavy impacts, ensures safety with its anti-slip properties, reduces noise and vibrations, and offers ease of installation and maintenance. But amidst all the different options, how do you determine the ideal thickness for your rubber gym floor?  The following are the main factors that will determine the thickness of your workout surface.

Considerations for Sub-Floors

The first crucial consideration in selecting the appropriate thickness for your rubber gym floor is the type of subfloor upon which it will be installed. Whether it's a wooden or concrete subfloor, each presents unique characteristics in terms of sound insulation and resilience.

It's imperative to tailor your choice based on the activities conducted within the space. For instance, activities involving heavy weights may necessitate a sturdier subfloor, while lighter exercises may fare well on a more delicate surface.

Additionally, the location of your studio is a key determinant. If situated on an upper floor with neighbours below, investing in an extra layer of acoustic insulation might seem like an added expense, however, it can significantly mitigate potential disputes and ensure a peaceful coexistence.

By carefully considering these factors, you can ensure the durability and functionality of your gym flooring and a harmonious environment for all stakeholders involved.

Thin, is for Sensitivity and Grip

For optimal performance in your gym, selecting the right thickness for your rubber flooring is crucial, tailored to the specific activities within each area.

Cardio areas benefit from thinner flooring, typically between 5 to 7 mm thick. This thickness ensures that treadmills and elliptical bikes remain stable without tilting, as they're closer to the subfloor. The proximity to the subfloor also helps absorb machine vibrations, reducing pressure on users' joints. Plus, the absence of heavy-weights means extra impact protection isn't necessary, making the space more versatile for stretching exercises.

In functional or technical areas, where users engage with medium to light free weights, a slightly thicker flooring of 7 to 10 mm is recommended. Quality is paramount here, with slightly softer, odourless rubber flooring that doesn't rub off hands overtime. This type of flooring usually offers customization options, allowing you to incorporate your studio's brand and logo for a personalized touch.

For stretching areas, where users have frequent floor contact, a thickness ranging from 5 to 10 mm is ideal. This ensures grip, especially when using mats, and enhances user comfort.

By tailoring rubber flooring thickness to the specific needs of each area, you create an environment that maximizes performance, comfort, and safety for gym-goers.

Stronger Contact

For high-intensity activities like CrossFit and martial arts, thicker rubber flooring is essential to ensure safety and performance.

CrossFit, with its diverse range of exercises including plyometrics and Olympic lifts, demands even thicker flooring. Recommended thickness ranges from 20 to 40 mm to effectively absorb the impact of heavy weights and minimize sound and vibration during intense workouts.

By understanding the specific requirements of each activity, you can ensure that your rubber flooring provides the necessary support and protection for gym enthusiasts engaged in CrossFit and martial arts.

Heavy drops and heavy use

In bustling commercial gyms, accommodating heavy use and heavy weights requires careful consideration of rubber flooring thickness and acoustic insulation.

An additional acoustic underlay maybe required if noise is a consideration. However consider that while some underlays may meet acoustic requirements the result maybe a softer flooring that may impact user experience. 

Free-weight areas, in particular, demand robust floors due to the repeated impact of heavy weights, dumbbells and kettlebells. Without adequate protection, the subfloor can sustain damage, potentially leading to structural issues. We always recommend that any repairs required to the subfloor  are carried out prior to the new flooring being installed. Ignoring this work can be costly and disruptive. 

Depending on the situation, thicknesses of up to 100 mm may be required to effectively dampen sound and vibrations.

By prioritizing acoustic insulation and opting for a thicker rubber floor in free-weight areas, commercial gyms can mitigate noise disturbances and maintain a harmonious relationship with their surroundings.

Rubber flooring and 360º support

At Stronger Wellness, we've been at the forefront of gym design, and commercial gym flooring for many years, helping numerous clients create high-level sports facilities that exceed customer expectations. Our partnerships with like-minded collaborators reflect our commitment to revolutionizing gym design.

Contact us today to benefit from our comprehensive 360º support. Our team of experts will collaborate closely with you to bring your vision to life, drawing on our extensive experience from projects in all industries. Together, we share the goal of delivering dream facilities to your customers while striving to do this under a carbon-neutral business operation.

Our contribution extends beyond rubber flooring solutions. We offer a diverse range of equipment, including barbells, dumbbells, treadmills, and all the latest award-winning fitness equipment, ensuring that your training space is fully equipped to meet your clients' needs. From initial consultation to ongoing support, we're dedicated to being your partner through every stage of your gym's journey.

Choose Stronger Wellness for unparalleled expertise and unwavering support, because we're here for you through thick and thin, rubber floors included.