Treadmills produce vibrations when you run on them. These vibrations make a lot of noise. Hardwood floors are a good conductor of sound, which means a treadmill can cause you a great deal of trouble when placed on such surfaces. It might give a hard time for your neighbors downstairs. Moreover, there are a lot of chances that you end up having scratches or cracks on your Floor when the machine creeps or is being dragged.
How do Gyms Deal with All These Problems
You must have noticed that the commercial gym floors are not hard. This is because they entirely cover the floor with additional flooring to prevent their floors from all kinds of damage, reduce vibrations and noise caused by the machinery. These sheets may vary in design and material.
Rubber Rolls
Rubber rolls are perfect for seamless, shock-absorbent gym floors in large spaces. However, they are heavy, which makes installation a bit challenging.
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf provides unique benefits not found in other gym floors. It gives your gym a smooth surface and an eye-catching look. But it has its cons too. It is more expensive and does not protect your subfloor from heavier weights.
Anti-Vibration Pads
The anti-vibration pads come in different sizes and shapes. They are attached to the bottom of the machine using bolts. They have proved to be very helpful in absorbing shocks and vibrations produced by the machine.
Things that you can put under Your Home Treadmill
You don’t want to hide your beautiful hardwood floor under rubber sheets that cover your entire floor, right? There must be some solution to this. Don’t worry, we have got you covered. Here are some things you can put under your trainers to absorb the noise and also prevent your floor from getting ruined.
Treadmill Mat
Treadmill mats are often made of black rubber, or PVC or foam. They come in different sizes. Select a size that allows the feet of your machine to sit securely on the mat with a little extra around the edges. A thick mat reduces noise and protects your floor more efficiently as compared to a thinner mat.
A Small Piece of Carpet
Carpet can also serve the desired purpose. All you need to do is to cut a piece from any of your carpets according to the size of your machine and place it under it. Thin carpets are always preferable over the thick ones. However, the carpet fibers may find their way into the mechanical parts of the machine, producing friction and thus overheat the machine.
A Yoga/Pilate Mat
Another option is to put a yoga/pilates mat under the treadmill. But, we do not recommend buying a new mat solely to serve this purpose. This is because it is too soft and compressible. It won’t absorb any shock such as that of a treadmill. You should rather spend your money on a purchase that at least does the required job completely.
A Beach Towel
Yes, a beach towel!
Your pocket just doesn’t allow you to spend on a new purchase. Here comes your beach towel to the rescue. One towel over handrails and one under the bike does the work quite nicely. No purchase necessary!
Rubber Gym Floor Tiles
Rubber gym floor tiles come in different sizes and are very affordable. Their durability, good shock-absorbing ability, and easy installation make them the most popular home gym flooring option.
TIP: 8mm is the recommended thickness for home gym flooring.
Soundproofing and protecting your floor is a must. Choose the appropriate flooring according to your needs and budget. If you just have one treadmill and no other gym equipment at your place, there is no need to cover your entire floor. And make sure to take care of the cleanliness of the flooring.
