I have to admit there’s not a lot I miss about working out at the club now that I’ve switched to at-home and outdoor workouts. But there is one thing we probably all overlooked when we set up our home gyms over the past few years: the flooring!

Carpet, tile and wood are not only slippery, but they simply don’t have the necessary cushioning or stability to protect our joints and reduce the impact of a hardcore workout. Not to mention they can be easily scuffed or damaged by dropped weights or heavy equipment. 

Ever tried lunging on slippery concrete or damaged your delicate wood floor with a kettlebell? If so, you already understand that good flooring is the literal foundation for any at-home exercise routine. And luckily, there are a wide variety of options to choose from in materials like Rubber, foam, vinyl and turf.

Of course, picking the right type of flooring for your fitness regime depends on a number of factors. Yes, you’ll have to take into consideration the size of the space you’re outfitting and your budget. (Note: Be sure to measure your space properly! Eyeballing it could be a costly mistake.)

But the most important factor of all is the type of exercise you do most often. Lower impact workouts like yoga and pilates won’t require a material with as much shock absorption as aerobics, HIIT or CrossFit routine. And if you’re a serious weight lifter, you’ll need even more durability and protection for your floor. 

So before we get into our favorite picks, let’s go over the different materials that gym floors are made of, what exercises they’re suited for, and review the pros and cons of each one.

The Best Home Gym Flooring