Guide
UK Home Gym Flooring Guide
Protect your floorboards and your joints.
1/7/2025•Editorial Team
Don't lift directly on carpet or laminate. It destroys the floor and destabilises your lift. Good flooring is the unsung hero of a home gym.
Horse Stall Mats vs Foam Tiles
**Foam Puzzle Tiles:** Cheap (£20/pack). Good for yoga or light weights. They dent easily and separate under heavy machines.
**Rubber Stable Mats:** The gold standard (17mm thick). Indestructible, heavy, and absorb shock. They stink of rubber for a week but last a lifetime.
Thickness Matters
For heavy dumbbells, you need at least 15mm-20mm rubber to stop a drop cracking concrete or wood. For cardio machines, a 6mm PVC mat is sufficient to stop sweat and scratches.
Mistakes to Avoid
Don't rely on yoga mats for heavy equipment. They compress and make the machine wobble.