Perfecting your workout routine can be tricky. After all, finding the right balance between cardio, strength training and fun activities like basketball can be confusing. Throw in calisthenics and yoga and creating a routine that helps you meet your fitness goals is even more troublesome.

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The good news is that creating the gym of your dreams doesn’t have to be painful. In fact, you’re halfway home once you’ve found the right flooring material for your space. After all, most gyms are all about freedom of movement and healthy activity, so you don’t have tons of décor to pick out!

Use this guide to learn more about gym flooring for your space. We’ve got gym hardwood flooring , rubber styles and more so you can finally have that gym you’ve always wanted.

Choose the Right Flooring for Fitness and Group Exercises

Designing a gym for a high school, college or group exercise space means taking unique needs into consideration. Here are some of the things you need to consider when choosing flooring for your gym:

• What activities will take place in your gym? Are you designing a gym for basketball or you creating an all-purpose gym for your community? Knowing your needs before you begin is essential.

• How will the flooring material impact your intended exercises? A gym designed for high-impact circuit training may require different flooring than one set up for a senior’s exercise group, for example.

• Utilize colors, patterns and textures in your flooring to create an inviting workout space. Mixing and matching different wood tones and types is one easy way to do this while creating solid, consistent flooring underfoot.

Home Gym Flooring Options

Having access to a home gym means that you can exercise on your schedule without commuting to a shared gym space. You’ll also have the ability to easily exercise and do fun physical activities with your family.

Below, you’ll find some of the best home gym materials on the market including natural and engineered hardwood. They’ll all make excellent home gym floors when installed correctly.

Best Versatility: Rubber

Rubber is a popular home gym flooring material around the world. Here are some of the benefits of installing a rubber floor in your home gym:

• Rubber is comfortable. A natural shock absorber, rubber can reduce the impact on your joints and bones while you’re exercising.

• Rubber is relatively cost-effective.

• You can do a wide range of workouts on rubber. Soft yet resilient, rubber is a great choice if you’re building a home gym with lots of different activities in mind.

Best Portability: Foam

Another popular gym flooring material, foam is a great choice for spaces where portability is important. Here are some of the benefits of foam flooring:

• Foam flooring is ultra-portable and can be re-arranged. You may also be able to take it with you if you’re moving down the road, making foam a smart pick for those spare bedroom home gym setups.

• Foam can be installed in combination with other flooring materials like natural wood or engineered wood. This gives your home gym a unique look and a few different workout spaces.

• It is waterproof and shock absorbent, making it a great material for high-intensity exercise.

Engineered Hardwood

The cost of natural hardwood can be high in a gym space. While it may be essential for a collegiate-level basketball court, natural wood isn’t always required for a community gym or home environment. In fact, you can still get the look with a reduced cost by choosing engineered wood or laminate .

These materials are strong and supportive while also offering a few other benefits. Most designs are waterproof and won’t warp if the humidity changes, which may be important for spaces where you don’t utilize air conditioning.

Best Overall Design: Wood

Looking for the best gym design money can buy? In many cases, this is natural hardwood. For many gyms, maple is king due to long-term durability and a certain style standard. For basketball flooring, maple has long been the go-to material.

Wood is also an ideal material if you’re looking to create a gym that’s visually appealing. Mixing and matching different wood tones is easy, giving you lots of visual depth.

Gym Flooring FAQs

Got more questions about choosing durable gym flooring? Here are some FAQs we get all the time at BuildDirect:

Q: What kind of wood is used for gym floors?

A: Maple is the most common hardwood flooring material used in gyms. In home environments and community gyms, engineered wood is a very popular choice because of its reduced cost.

Q: How much does a wood gym floor cost?

A: This varies greatly depending on the size of the gym space and the end user’s goals. On average, wood flooring can cost between $10 and $20 per square foot.

Q: How do you protect hardwood floors from gym equipment?

A: Rich hardwood floors are designed to be durable, but heavy exercise equipment can take its toll. Protect your hardwood floors with heavy-duty mats to prevent denting. This is particularly important if you’re placing large, heavy exercise machines in your space.

Q: What is the best wood effect flooring?

A: While this varies greatly on your needs, engineered wood is strong, durable and designed to last. It also looks like natural wood. Laminate designed to look like wood is an excellent choice for multi-purpose gyms as well.

Q: Does a hardwood floor provide safety and resiliency?

A: While it’s true that hardwood floors are indeed hard, they do have some give and they are much softer than common outdoor materials like cement. Think of a basketball court with players regularly falling down without being injured. Hardwood provides a safe, resilient surface for many activities.

Shop BuildDirect today to see all of our fitness flooring materials online. Our beautiful, easy to maintain styles will ensure that you have a space to exercise at home for years to come.

Not sure which flooring material is right for you? Reach out to one of our trained representatives today to learn more about wood, wood look laminate flooring and special materials like rubber and foam. They can help you learn more about the different flooring materials suitable for gym floors. We can even provide you with free samples so you can see your options in person at home.

Varying up your workout routine is key to staying motivated, but how do you keep it fun when you’re limited by your environment? Try gym and sports turf!

If you like to work out indoors, our gym turf is perfect for you. However, if you’re more of an outdoorsy person, sports and field turf is a great solution.

So what’s the difference between gym turf and sports turf? Many times, the main difference is that sports turf is UV stable, meaning it won’t fade in sunlight, and it is mostly used outdoors. Lots of artificial grass made for sports and exercise is compatible with both indoor and outdoor use and can handle heavy traffic. Still, there can be differences. For example, sports turf should always be designed to handle cleats. Meanwhile, gym turf can sometimes have a shorter pile to allow for sled pulls and other exercises.

Regardless of how you use it, artificial turf makes workouts and sports practice fresh, challenging, and, most of all, fun! Otherwise, Netflix and potato chips will always sound better.

To help you avoid being a couch potato, this guide will help you incorporate synthetic turf into your fitness and sports workouts.

What is Artificial Turf?

Artificial grass, also known as artificial turf, is a man-made synthetic grass made from durable, synthetic fiber materials like nylon, Polyethylene, or Polypropylene. Most fake grass is designed to withstand the outdoor elements, so it’s UV stable, heat-resistant, and frost-resistant.

Synthetic turf floors allow you to transform your workout area or practice field into a space where you can challenge yourself in fun and varied ways. From strength training and conditioning to scrimmages and drills, you can reach your full potential with a safe and resilient surface beneath you.

What is sports and field turf?

Sports turf is a specific kind of artificial grass made to withstand the challenges of sports traffic. It can be used indoors or outdoors, and it provides the optimal surface for safety and traction.  Sports turf is non-abrasive and provides the traction athletes need to make quick movements without injuring themselves. 

Keep sports going all year round in your community with indoor soccer, lacrosse, or field hockey. Sports turf can withstand plenty of wear and tear, even from spikes! Sports turf floors can also be taken outside. Many of our turf products have been used as flooring in batting cages, baseball dugouts, Bocce courts, putting greens, and mini-golf areas.

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What is gym turf?

Gym turf is a durable and long-lasting artificial grass that is perfect for pulling or pushing sleds, completing your CrossFit WOD or performing HIIT workouts. While its sound-absorbing qualities make it perfect for weight lifting and high-intensity work, the softness of the artificial grass provides an inviting space for your yoga mat. Take advantage of the flat, cushioned surface for body-weight work and stretching.

Training for a 5k or warrior dash? Many runners practice speedwork on grass because of the lower impact. If bad weather hits, take your workout inside while still getting the safety benefits of grass. Gym turf products make a great surface for speed and agility training because they’re made to absorb impact, helping to prevent athletic injuries.

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About Gym and Sports Turf

Okay, so you’re ready to up your fitness game with gym turf, but how do you know what to look for in a product? The most important factors to consider are the turf’s face weight, pile height, and thickness.

Face Weight

Artificial grass products have a face weight - the amount of material used in your turf per square yard. This is one of the most important factors when choosing the right gym or sports turf. Essentially the higher the face weight, the more durable the product.

If your gym or sports field sees a lot of traffic throughout the day, make sure to get a product with a higher face weight. We offer face weights from 5-90 oz. Be leary of any artificial turf products you see with a face weight over 90, as companies have been known to include the backing to show a higher number. We offer full documentation and free samples, so you can see and feel the difference for yourself.

Pile Height and Thickness

Pile height and thickness are important factors to consider for your floor’s functionality. Choose the wrong product and you might see people in the gym tripping and falling, losing any confidence they just gained from all that practice.

For gyms, fill your space with a turf that has a low pile so your athletes can push a sled across without destroying your floor. The low pile height also keeps a nice appearance for the turf. When considering a product’s thickness, consider the other flooring being used in your gym as well. Uneven surfaces can lead to missteps and falls. Gym turf rolls can also come with attached padding, which adds some height to your floor while providing comfort underfoot.

For sports fields, choose a pile high enough to offer optimal traction for athletes who will be running, tackling, and making fast cuts across the surface. Sports fields contain lots of rubber infill to protect athletes with more spring and cushioning, so the pile height has to be high to contain the optimal amount of infill.

Gym and Sports Turf Installation

Gym and sports turf offers a DIY-friendly installation. All you need are a few accessories and you're ready to install. Don't worry, indoor installation isn't especially daunting. You'll be ready to get your sweat on soon after installation.

Glue Down Installation

1. Make sure your surface is level, clean, and dry.
2. Dry lay your turf to implement roll sequencing to minimize normal variations.
3. Apply adhesive or double-sided tape, then lay the turf.
4. Apply a bead of seam sealer to all seams.
5. Roll the product with a 75 lb. weighted roller across the width and length of the product surface.
6. The installation must remain in dry conditions for 72 hours so the adhesive can cure properly.
7. Sweat on it!

Turf Tile Installation

1. First, clean your subfloor so it is free of all dirt, grease, or debris.
2. Plan your installation with chalk lines.
3. Create chalk lines in the center of the room, and begin laying the interlocking tiles along the lines, snapping the locks together as you go.
4. Leave the perimeter of the room open until the turf is installed.
5. After the turf is laid, go back and cut in tiles along the walls in the room. It is recommended to leave a gap along the wall roughly the thickness of the tiles being used to account for expansion and contraction of the floor in varied temperature ranges.
6. If needed, use double-sided mat tape to keep the tile secure.

Installation Accessories

• Turf adhesive: Our turf seam tape is an alternative to using staples at the seams. You apply glue to the tape and then stick the turf over it. 
• Seam tape: We also carry turf seam tape, which already comes with adhesive on one side. You just have to peel off the backing and apply the tape. Easy peasy!
• Turf staples and nails: Nails hold the edges of the turf down, whereas staples hold the turf seams together.
• Infill: Adding infill is the last step in the installation process. Infill is used to weigh down the turf and create a more natural look by making the blades stand up straight. It also helps with mitigating heat, absorbing impact, and improves the drainage of your turf in outdoor applications.

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Gym and Sports Turf Maintenance

Artificial grass is a low-maintenance alternative to conventional grass. Easy to clean and maintain, sports turf is an attractive element in your gym that you don’t have to work hard to upkeep.

To take care of indoor gym turf, you can treat it like regular carpet for the most part. Vacuum it to remove dust and dirt, and disinfect and deodorize after workouts by using a carpet cleaning solution.

For any stains to the artificial grass, use a warm-water solution of household detergent and water, or a mixture of white distilled vinegar in an equal amount of water.

Maintaining outdoor sports and field turf is even easier! You can hose it down if it gets dirty or muddy. If the blades start to look flattened, you can “bloom” the turf by raking it and adding infill if any is lost or washed away.

Gym Turf Options

Discover the variety of turf products you can use to upgrade your gym.

Performance Turf Rolls

Performance Turf Rolls are perfect for pushing and pulling sleds. The tough surface boosts your performance during CrossFit and high impact workouts. They come in cushioned and non-cushioned versions to protect your joints. Since these gym turf rolls are made with polyethylene, they are softer than standard nylon turf rolls allowing you to do floor exercises without being injured. 

Pros

• UV protected for fade resistance.
• Great for pushing sleds, and high impact workouts.
• Indoor and outdoor use.

Cons

• The cushion version doesn’t have perforations for drainage.

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Shock Turf X

Shock Turf X gym turf is a premium workout surface for home or commercial use. The 5mm foam backing adds extra bounce and cushion to any high impact workout. This turf was made with heavy use in mind and is perfect for pushing and pulling sleds and for dropping heavy weights.

Pros

• Perfect for both home and commercial use.
• High traction and sled resiliency.
• For indoor and outdoor use.
• Up to 10% cooler when installed outdoors compared to turf with rubber infill.

Cons

• Not perforated, so may not drain properly if used outside
• Longer fibers show the lane lines where a sled has been used

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Launch Turf Rolls

Our Launch performance turf requires no infill and provides an ideal surface for indoor applications from putting greens to batting cages. The foam cushion backing provides shock absorption and thermal insulation, so it can perform in high traffic areas. The turf itself is made from a polypropylene fiber, which is softer than nylon and highly UV stable.

Pros

• Can be used indoors and out
• Pet friendly
• Foam cushion backing

Cons

• Can be abrasive when doing floor exercises

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Sports and Field Turf Options

Bring your A-game to the field with premium sports and field turf products.

All Play Pet Turf Rolls

This turf is super dense and features unique 3D Wide Wave Shape blades and a durable yarn shape that creates a stronger fiber strength. While initially designed for rambunctious pets, this turf can more than handle traffic from sports. 

It’s designed with an innovative yarn shape that features CoolFlo Technology to increase airflow and lower the surface temperature. All Play Pet Turf Rolls can handle the roughest play and were designed to provide a safe surface. This turf will withstand cleats but it’s not officially classified as "cleat safe" by the manufacturer.

Pros

• Durable 3D yarn shape
• Cooling design
• UV stable (won’t fade in sunlight)

Cons

• Can get hot when used outdoors
• Aren't officially classified as "cleat safe"

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Sports Play Turf Rolls

Our Sports Play Turf Rolls enhance the safety of athletes playing sports by offering the optimal traction for a wide range of sports. Made from polyethylene fiber, these turf rolls are designed to endure heavy traffic from soft cleats, so you know it will still look great even after lots of use. Maintenance is also very simple, requiring no mowing or watering to maintain a fresh, green appearance.

Pros

• Great for football, soccer, field hockey, and more
• Cleat Friendly
• Contains no lead or heavy materials

Cons

• Can get hot when used outdoors

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Elevate Turf Rolls

Use this turf roll as indoor field turf for soccer, agility training, and much more. No matter if the sport requires cleats or shoes, this cleat-safe artificial grass can handle it. This turf is very easy to install and maintain and comes with a 10-year warranty. It’s also free of lead and heavy metals, so you don’t have to worry about adverse health effects.

You have a choice of buying this turf with a foam backing, which provides added comfort underfoot and also provides further stability and shock absorption. The padded version is recommended for indoor use only because the padding is not designed for drainage. However, you can use the non-padded version both indoors and outdoors. 

Pros

• Cleat safe
• Great for indoor and outdoor use
• Contains no lead or heavy metals

Cons

• The cushion is perforated for drainage so you can’t use it outdoors

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Pros and Cons of Gym and Sports Turf

Still wondering if sports turf is for you? Read up on these pros and cons.

Pros of Turf

• Versatile: Gym and sports turf work great for at-home gyms, indoor sports arenas, CrossFit studios, workout facilities, and football fields.
• Low-maintenance: Save the money and time you would spend on maintaining real grass.
• Appearance: Artificial grass gives your gym or sports field a modern look, and it will never have patchy spots. Plus, you can customize the colors!
• Traction and cushion: Artificial turf provides a safe surface that is easier on the joints, allowing athletes to push it to the max with less risk of injury.

Plus, check out the video to see how this gym owner uses (and loves!) indoor turf.

Cons of Turf

• Installation: It’s not impossible to install gym and sports turf yourself, but most of the time it’s easier to hire a professional.
• Temperature: Outdoor artificial turf will get warmer than natural grass in direct sunlight. If you’re installing sports turf outdoors, use Hydrochill, our non-toxic infill that helps keep your turf cool under the sun.

Gym and Sports Turf FAQ

Is sports turf toxic?

Artificial turf is made from non-toxic plastics and nylon, and it has no adverse health effects. In the past, people have been concerned about the chemicals in rubber infill used for sports turf. However, there have been dozens of studies relating to whether or not synthetic turf with rubber infill can cause cancer. After decades of research, no links have been found. 

What is the best infill for sports turf?

Crumb rubber infill is the most popular option for sports turf. This is because it absorbs impacts and adds more bounce to the field, preventing injuries. Crumb rubber is made from recycled tires, so it’s inexpensive and will last for years with little to no maintenance required. It is often referred to as SBR Rubber (styrene-butadiene rubber) and it’s usually black.

Why do gyms have turf?

Gym turf is used for a lot of popular workouts including CrossFit because it provides optimal traction and impact absorption. You can use gym turf for HIIT workouts, sled pulls, and plyometrics. It reduces the strain on your joints and creates a safer space for high-impact workouts. All in all, turf is the perfect flooring for gyms. 

How do you clean gym turf?

To clean artificial turf in your gym, start by vacuuming it like you would any ordinary carpet. To remove stains from gym turf, scrub the stain areas with a sponge and soapy water until it fades. If you need to sanitize and disinfect artificial turf, you can use a carpet cleaner and deodorizer, which will get rid of germs, mold, and mildew.

Is it bad to wear cleats on turf?

You can wear cleats on artificial sports turf without damaging it. It can handle soccer shoes and football cleats without the cleats tearing it up. Cleat-safe turf is densely packed with shorter fibers for better traction and more durability.

Please Note: Some turf can handle all cleats, and some can only handle soft cleats. Check with the manufacturer to determine what cleats are best to use with the turf.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect artificial grass for your gym or sports field all starts with having the right information. Hopefully, this guide has pointed you in the right direction by answering your questions and recommending some of our best gym and sports turf. Are you ready to get started and transform your game with brand new turf?

If you want to learn more, please visit our website wood grain sports flooring.