Author: Ihor Shymechko (26 years of Oly Lifting & Training experience)
Reviewed by: Oleksiy Torokhtiy (Olympian with 21 years of Oly Lifting experience)
The best home gym flooring over carpet comes down to several unique factors based on the shape and size of your home gym, as well as the quality of the flooring. Additionally, make sure to pay attention to the quality for the price, especially if you are on a budget. The best over carpet gym flooring should be easy to assemble, durable over time and made of quality materials. Additionally, you should be able to maintain them without requiring significant upkeep and effort.
In a hurry?
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the ProsourceFit Puzzle Exercise Mat.
ProsourceFit states that the foam does not contain any toxic phthalates. They are my top-pick gym flooring over concrete choice.
Top 6 Home Gym Floorings Over Carpet Reviewed
- ProsourceFit Puzzle Exercise Mat — Top Pick
- BalanceFrom Exercise Mat — Runner Up
- REPFitness Rubber Floor Tiles — Runner Up
- JIGMATS Foam Mats Interlocking Tiles — Budget Pick
- Walsai Foam Puzzle Mats
- Rubber-Cal Diamond-Plate
1. ProsourceFit Puzzle Exercise Mat — Top Pick
- Shape: Square
- Material: EVA foam
- Color Palette: Black, Beige, Brown, Blue, and Grey
- Item weight: 4.44 pounds per 6 tiles
- Product Dimensions: 24” X 0.5” X 24”
- Special features: Water-resistant, free of toxic phthalates, easy to assemble, cushioned
Ease of Assembly
The puzzle shapes on the tiles should fit together well and make the assembly of the gym flooring relatively easy. Additionally, the gym flooring also comes with 12 edge pieces to smooth out the sides of your tiles once they are placed together.
Protection
The ProSource Fit Exercise Mat is designed to protect your flooring from any kind of damage or long-term wear and tear. The foam is 0.5 inches thick, which should be more than enough to make sure your carpet remains safe and unharmed.
Material Quality
The workout flooring is made of high density EVA foam designed specifically to absorb impact and reduce noise when dropping heavy weights. Additionally, the tiles are water-resistant so even if you set up the gym mat on carpet, you should feel comfortable sweating or even spilling your drink without damaging the carpet underneath.
Maintenance
The upkeep and maintenance of the gym tiles should also be fairly easy, with soap and light water being more than enough for maintaining cleanliness. Additionally, you can simply wipe down the tiles with a dry towel or let them air dry without potential warping or damage.
Durability
The ProSource Fit gym mat is also incredibly durable and is designed to stand up well to regular use over the course of a long period of time. The EVA Foam’s sturdy construction should ensure no major scuffs or tears, even when dropping weights on it.
Price/Quality
Without question, one of the biggest benefits of these gym mats is the affordable price. For the cost, it is hard to find any gym flooring that is comparable in quality to the ProSource Fit mats.
Positives:
Water-resistant
Color variety
Diamond plate texture pattern
Could be better:
Light surface residue before first cleaning
2. BalanceFrom — Runner Up
- Shape: Square
- Material: EVA Foam
- Color Palette: Blue, Gray, Black
- Item weight: 6 pounds per 6 tiles
- Product Dimensions: 24” X 0.5” X 24”
- Special features: Moisture-resistant, non-toxic, 2-year warranty
Ease of Assembly
With each of the tiles having interconnecting puzzle grooves, the gym flooring is easy to assemble. The flooring also comes with edge borders that you can attach to after the rest of the tiles are in place, so you never have to worry about something snagging on the sides of the puzzle grooves.
Protection
The gym flooring should offer solid protection for your carpet. The tiles come in multiple options for thickness, so you can choose from 0.5 inches, 0.75 inches or 1 inch thick depending on your needs. This should also be ample thickness to prevent any impact damage to your floor as well.
Material Quality
The BalanceFrom mats are made of high-density EVA foam, similar to the material used by the Prosource Fit mats. The foam is sturdy and capable of easily holding weight and workout equipment. The foam is also free of toxic phthalates, so you should feel safe even if you have kids or pets.
Maintenance
Maintaining the gym tiles is also extremely easy, with the foam being water-resistant. In order to clean the tiles, all you need to do is wipe it down with soap and water.
Durability
The gym flooring is also quite durable. The high-density foam should stand up well over time and BalanceFrom even offers a 2-year warranty, so you should be able to replace it during that time if any damage does occur.
Price/Quality
While still incredibly affordable for the quality of the mat, the BalanceFrom tiles are slightly more expensive than the ProSourceFit mats.
Positives:
Foam resilience for better stability
Texture grip surface
2-year warranty
Could be better:
Slight scent to the foam
Possible slipping between the mat and the floor if not weighed down
3. REP Fitness — Premium Pick
- Shape: Square
- Material: Rubber
- Color Palette: Black
- Item weight: 8 pounds per tile
- Product Dimensions: 28.5” X 0.3” X 28.5”
- Special features: 100% waterproof, designed to reduce sound when dropping weights, easy to assemble
Ease of Assembly
The puzzle-style tiles from REP Fitness are laser cut on the edges to ensure a smooth, seamless fit as you assemble your flooring.
Protection
The rubber material will stand up great to nearly any kind of exercise or weights you use while on the tiles. The rubber is also designed to reduce noise and shock as you lift for easier impact on your floors, as well as being easier on the ears.
Material Quality
The rubber used in the REP Fitness tiles is extremely high quality and is built to last for years. Additionally, the rubber is nearly odorless, which can be beneficial considering many foam options often have a slight scent to them.
Maintenance
The gym flooring is moisture-resistance and can be easily cleaned with soap and water or a light cleaning solution without causing any damage to the materials.
Durability
The rubber tiles should withstand years of use without any major damage to them, making them one of the most durable options on the market.
Price/Quality
While the REP Fitness rubber tiles are some of the highest quality that you can buy, the price tag certainly reflects this as well. The cost of just four of these tiles is significantly more than many other quality options and may dissuade you from choosing them.
Positives:
Incredibly sturdy
Designed to be easily expanded with more tiles
Built specifically for heavy equipment
Could be better:
More expensive than other options
No exterior edge pieces
4. JIGMATS Foam Mats Interlocking Tiles — Budget Pick
If you are looking for quality gym flooring while sticking to a budget, a great choice for you might be JIGMATS Foam Mats Interlocking Tiles. You should be able to easily set up your own home gym without spending a fortune nor skimping out on protection for your carpet.
- Shape: Square
- Material: EVA Foam
- Color Palette: Black, Blue and Grey
- Item weight: 2.35 pounds per 6 tiles
- Product Dimensions: 12.2” X 0.4” X 12.2”
- Special features: Designed to reduce vibration for cardio equipment, water and slip resistant
Ease of Assembly
The pieces are a classic puzzle-style, which should be relatively easy to assemble. The tiles also come with additional foam borders to smooth out the sides once assembled.
Protection
The tiles should offer quality protection for your carpet, with the thickness of the foam being enough to handle heavy weights and extended use.
Material Quality
The tiles are made of high-density EVA foam, which should be great for most users when building a home gym. Some users have reported that the tiles can be a bit slippery at first, which may be an early issue to deal with.
Maintenance
The gym flooring is waterproof and only requires cleaning with soap and water when dirty or scuffed.
photo by fitnessfreak1979
Durability
The gym flooring should last you for quite a while without any major damage or destruction to it. The tiles may not last quite as long as some other counterparts.
Price/Quality
At such an affordable price, the workout flooring should be great for anyone looking to build a home gym while on a budget. The overall size of the tiles is however slightly smaller, and the complaints about initial slipperiness are things to watch out for.
Positives:
Affordable price
Secure puzzle connections
Slip resistant on surfaces
Could be better:
Smaller surface area
Foam residue on the exterior
Regardless of what you are looking for, the Walsai Exercise Puzzle Foam Mats should be more than capable of getting the job done at a reasonable price. The mats are sturdy and durable foam tiles built specifically for exercise and home gyms.
- Shape: Square
- Material: EVA Foam
- Color Palette: Black
- Item weight: 2.81 pounds per 20 tiles
- Product Dimensions: 12” X 0.44” X 12”
- Special features: Waterproof, durable and non-slip, easy to assemble
Ease of Assembly
Similar to the other tile mats, the flooring should be very easy to assemble and comes with edge pieces to smooth out the puzzle-style sides once completed.
Protection
The mats should offer quality protection for your carpet against drops, liquid or any other potential damage you might cause while exercising.
Material Quality
The high density EVA foam is high quality and non-toxic, so you should feel comfortable having young kids or pets around the mats without potential concern.
Maintenance
The waterproof exterior means that you will be able to easily clean the tiles with just soap and water.
Durability
While meant to last for a long time, some users reported that the mats are susceptible to slight tears from sharp edges over time.
Price/Quality
The mats are relatively affordable and should be a solid option for anyone building a home gym on carpet, however with some complaints about how well the tiles fit together and potential tearing, the flooring scores slightly lower here than other options.
Positives:
Foam cushion built to help ease pressure in elbows and knees
Shock absorption technology to reduce bounce and sound from dropped weights
Safe for kids or pets
Could be better:
Susceptible to tears or rips
Pieces may not fit together perfectly
If you are looking for rubber gym flooring at a more affordable price, the Rubber-Cal Diamond-Plate mat might be exactly what you need. With an easy rollout and texture top for sturdier grip, this gym flooring should be a great addition to any home gym.
- Shape: Rectangle
- Material: Rubber
- Color Palette: Black
- Item weight: 8.1 pounds per roll
- Product Dimensions: 36” X 48” X 0.12”
- Special features: Diamond plate texture for added grip, waterproof
Ease of Assembly
Perhaps the easiest of the mats to assemble, all you need to do is unroll the flooring, and you are ready to go.
Protection
The rubber mat is built to handle all sorts of heavy equipment and drops without damaging the carpet underneath. The thinness of the mat may be an issue if you are worried about heavy impacts to your flooring underneath.
Material Quality
The gym flooring is made of rubber designed to withstand scuffing and impact from several types of equipment and weights. The thinness of the rubber may again be a small issue for direct weight drops.
Maintenance
The flooring is completely waterproof and can be easily cleaned with soap and water or a light cleaning solution.
Durability
The rubber gym floor over carpet should last you for years without any need to replace it.
Price/Quality
While slightly on the more expensive side for the size, the home gym flooring is a high-quality option built to last for a very long time.
Positives:
Designed to just be rolled out
Highly versatile; can be used for all exercise goals
Can be lined with double-sided tape for added security to your floor
Could be better:
No color options
Higher price than foam options
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Should You Put Flooring Over Carpet? (and What Types You Can Use)
If you want to protect your carpet from weights and heavy equipment, exercise flooring is one of the best and easiest ways to do so. The mats are built to handle all types of equipment and spills without damaging the carpet underneath. There are a few different types of gym flooring you can purchase. The first major distinction is what materials. Some are made from high density foam PVC, or vinyl, while others are made of rubber. You can also choose between puzzle-style tiles or flooring designed to simply be rolled out directly on your carpet.
What are the Benefits of Having Home Gym Flooring Over Carpet?
Reduce Noise Levels
Protect Carpet from Damage
Of course, the most obvious benefit from home gym flooring is its ability to protect your carpet from sustaining damage. The mats are designed to stand up well against heavy items and scuffs that might otherwise damage or tear your carpet up.
Added Stability
Another potential benefit to using gym flooring could be added stability. Due to the flat, texture surfaces of the mats, you should be able to more firmly plant your feet during your lifts. Additionally, most foam and rubber surfaces on the workout flooring are designed to provide a bit more grip on your shoes than if you were working out on regular carpet. For powerlifters who want extra stability on their squat racks or bench press, add sandbags to the sides or, if possible, drill through the flooring.
What to Look for in Home Gym Flooring Over Carpet?
When choosing the best workout flooring for basement areas, consider the following factors:
Ease of Assembly
A major factor to pay attention to when buying gym flooring for carpet is how easy it is to assemble. Many gym tiles over carpet are designed with puzzle-like edges to connect with one another. Others can be rolled out as one continuous piece. While neither should be difficult to set up, make sure to look out for reviews or comments discussing how well the pieces fit together or how quick the setup time was.
Tips From the Champ
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
Material Quality
While you can choose from a number of different workout flooring over carpet options, the two most popular materials used for these are rubber and EVA foam. Both should be able to hold up well to long-term use, so you should pay attention to the density of the EVA foam as well as the product was made without toxic phthalates.
Maintenance
The maintenance of most gym mats over carpet should be relatively simple. As long as the flooring is water-resistant, you should be able to clean the mats with just soap and water. Some mats may require a more delicate cleaning and maintenance routine, so pay attention to this if you want to keep your own routine simple.
Durability
One of the most important factors for over carpet gym flooring is how durable it is over time. Any good gym flooring should be able to stand up comfortably to heavy equipment and weight over a long period of time. Some mats come with warranties that guarantee longevity. Additionally, the quality of materials and your own maintenance of the gym flooring will also play a factor in the long-term durability.
Price/Quality
If you are searching for how to cover carpet for a home gym while on a budget, it is important that you are getting the best bang for your buck possible. While there may be premium options at a higher quality, there will be tons of great choices that will still hold up well over time at a more affordable price.
FAQs
Can you put gym flooring on top of carpet?
In short, yes. There is no specific carpet for gym floor that you need to own or special preparations you need to make. As long as you properly install your gym flooring, there should not be any issues or damage to your carpet.
How do I protect my carpet when exercising?
The obvious answer is to cover up your carpet with protective gym flooring to prevent damage. Additionally, making sure that when you exercise, you keep your weights and equipment on the workout floor over carpet should also be kept in mind.
Conclusion
For anyone looking to build a home gym but are worried about damaging their carpet, gym flooring can be the exact solution that is needed. When looking for the best home gym flooring over carpet, the best option for the price and quality may be the ProSource Fit tiles. Make sure to comment below your own home gym experience with gym flooring or any questions you have!
References:
- Small Home Gym Layout: 8 Floor Plans From 100-500 Square Feet // Powerliftingtechnique: https://powerliftingtechnique.com/small-home-gym-setup/
- Home gym flooring: How thick should flooring be // Gymandgaragefloor:
https://www.gymandgaragefloor.co.za/home-gym-flooring-how-thick-should-flooring-be/ - Installing Gym Flooring Over Carpet? Necessary or Not? // Homegymmag:
https://homegymmag.com/gym-flooring-over-carpet/ - How to Have a Safe Home Gym on Carpet Floors // Homegymlife:
https://homegymlife.com/how-to-have-a-safe-home-gym-on-carpet-floors/
Why Trust Us?
- Author
- Reviewer
Experience: 26 years
Best Results: Snatch - 208 kg,
C&J - 240 kg
My name is Ihor and I have been a professional weightlifter since 1996. With over 20 years of competition experience, my resume includes European Champion in 2009 and the silver medalist at 2011's Senior World Championships – 105kg division.
I competed at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.
After hanging up my own competitive lifting shoes, I decided to share my huge background as a coach. I am currently coaching multiple athletes who are competing at national and international competitions.
If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiry, you can reach out to us via email - reviews@torokhtiy.com
Experience: 21 years
Best Results: Snatch – 200 kg,
C&J - 240 kg
My name is Oleksiy Torokhtiy. I am a professional athlete with 20 years of experience in Olympic weightlifting. I have won multiple European, and World titles and have taken part in two Olympic Games (Beijing 2008, London 2012).
After finishing my career, I have committed myself to coach, and as of 2022, I’ve hosted 200+ weightlifting seminars all over the globe. I’m the founder of an international sportswear and accessories brand, Warm Body Cold Mind (my motto), author, and creator of a series of training programs and eBooks.
If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiry, you can reach out to us via email - reviews@torokhtiy.com
This article was written by our qualified author and proofread by an expert with proven experience. When writing the article we've used our expertise and data from authoritative, scientific, and evidence-based sources. The list of references is provided at the end of the article.
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