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I’ve always believed that creating a dedicated workout space in my garage was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made for my fitness journey. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned along the way, it’s the importance of the right equipment and accessories to make my garage gym truly functional and safe. At the top of my list of essentials are rubber mats, and let me tell you, they’re an absolute game-changer.
For those of us who’ve transformed our garages into personal fitness sanctuaries, you know just how vital these rubber mats are. They’re more than just flooring; they’re the foundation of a safe and effective workout space.
Whether you’re into heavy lifting, cardio, or any other type of exercise, having the best rubber mats for your garage gym is non-negotiable.
7 Best Rubber Mats for Garage Gym
It’s not just about aesthetics or keeping my garage floor clean; it’s about safety, durability, and creating a conducive environment for intense workouts.
When it comes to the best rubber mats for a garage gym, there’s a lot to consider, and I’m excited to share my best pick with you.
1. 2′ x 3′ Garage Gym Garage Mats (5-pc)
The 2′ x 3′ Garage Gym Garage Mats (5-pc) are made of 100% EVA rubber, which is a synthetic material that’s durable and stable. The heavy-duty mats can withstand heavy weights and equipment without tearing or breaking.
They have a non-slip surface, so you don’t have to worry about your equipment sliding around while using it in the garage gym area. These mats work great for weightlifting exercises like squats and deadlifts.
The mats are also easy to clean and maintain, so you won’t have to worry about them getting dirty. They’re made with a closed-cell structure resistant to moisture and can be wiped down with a damp cloth for quick cleaning.
Highlighted Features:
- Durable 2′ x 3′ rubber mats
- Slip-resistant surface for safety
- Shock-absorbing properties
- Noise-reduction for quieter workouts
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Interlocking design for a secure fit
2. 3′ x 5′ Tiles Black Heavy Duty Workout Exercise Flooring
These tiles are easy to install and can be placed on most surfaces. They’re durable enough for commercial use but also work well in your home gym.
The heavy-duty rubber material makes them non-slip, so you don’t have to worry about sliding around during your workout. These water-resistant tiles are perfect for wet areas like the garage or basement.
Highlighted Features:
- 3′ x 5′ size
- Heavy-duty
- Black color
- Easy to install
- Durable construction
- Slip-resistant surface
3. 1/2 inch 4 x 12 ft Commercial Grade Extra
This high-quality rubber mat comes in a 4 x 12 ft size. It has a non-slip surface and is resistant to oil, water, and chemicals. This makes it suitable for commercial use.
This product has been made from 100% natural rubber, making it durable enough to last many years without any issues. It also has a thick design that provides good traction while working out on your garage gym flooring.
You can also use this mat to protect your car seats if you have children who like playing around with cars in your garage or even adults who enjoy working on their vehicles at home.
Highlighted Features:
- 1/2-inch Thickness
- 4 x 12 ft Size
- Commercial Grade
- Durable Rubber Construction
- Non-Slip Surface
- Shock Absorption
5. Tpe Rubber Flooring 12″ x 24x 0.25 Premium Mat
If you’re looking for a long-lasting and durable rubber mat that will provide traction in your garage gym, TPE rubber flooring is a good option. It’s flexible, waterproof, and easy to clean. This product can be used in garages, workshops, basements, or gyms.
The product has an anti-slip feature on each piece’s backside, preventing them from moving around when used.
Highlighted Features:
- High-Quality TPE Rubber Material
- 12″ x 24″ Dimensions
- 0.25″ Thickness
- Premium Durability
- Slip-Resistant Surface
- Easy to Clean and Maintain
6. Extra Heavy Duty Gel Infused Plyo Box Mat
The Extra Heavy Duty Gel Infused Plyo Box Mat (1,000 lb Capacity), 84″L X 36″W X 1 1/2″ Thick, Green by SportMatters LLC (1 Pack), offers a good balance between grip and traction. It’s made of high-density foam that provides extra grip and is easy to clean. This gym mat is suitable for home or commercial use, making it perfect for any garage gym setup.
It also has a raised texture for extra grip and comes in multiple colours to choose the one that best suits your taste. You’ll also love how easy this rubber mat is to clean up after workouts.
The only drawback here is that there are no handles on either side which means you’ll need two people if you want someone else along with yourself lifting weights off the floor onto the bench press rack before starting another set with those same weights lifted back down again onto their original position after completing all repetitions needed per set (usually 10-15 reps).
Otherwise, one person could easily lift these same weights. Still, they’d have no way of knowing where exactly those same weights should go back down once finished with their sets so as not to disturb other nearby exercises such as squats, deadlifts, etc.
Highlighted Features:
- Gel-infused for enhanced cushioning.
- Extra heavy-duty construction for durability.
- Non-slip surface for safety.
- Impact-resistant for intense plyometric exercises.
- Easy to clean and maintain.
- Available in various size options to suit your gym needs.
7. Rubber Mats For Cars Under(Best Buys)
These are the best buys if you want a rubber mat that provides traction but don’t want to spend too much money. They have good traction and are easy to clean and durable.
These mats are made of rubber, a good material for absorbing shock and preventing slips and falls. They can be used in all weather conditions without any problems at all.
Highlighted Features:
- Anti-slip surface
- Durable rubber construction
- Easy to clean
- Resistant to oil and chemicals
- Customizable sizing
- Protects car flooring from damage
How to Choose the Right Rubber Mats for Your Garage Gym
When choosing the right rubber mats for your garage gym, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.
1. The First is Mat Thickness
Suppose you’re going for something that will be used for workouts and weightlifting exercises. In that case, thicker mats are better because they’ll provide more cushioning from hard floors and prevent injuries like muscle strains or tendonitis.
2. Material Used
The second thing you should consider when buying rubber flooring is material: are you looking for recycled rubber matting or virgin? Recycled options are less expensive than virgin ones and have fewer environmental concerns.
However, they may also have an odour that some people find unpleasant (though this can usually be resolved by airing out the room). Virgin rubber flooring costs more but has no odour issues and might last longer than recycled versions.
3. Deciding on Colour
You’ll want something bright enough so people can see where they’re stepping but not so bright that it distracts from what’s happening around them during exercise routines like CrossFit classes held at home gyms across America every day (which makes sense because those things get pretty intense).
And don’t forget about size either: smaller spaces require smaller sizes, so make sure whatever size fits best within your budget constraints doesn’t take up too much space otherwise, everyone will trip over themselves trying not only to get up again but also avoid hurting someone else while doing so.
4. Texture
Fourth, you’ll want to consider the texture of your flooring. Some people prefer smooth rubber floors, while others may prefer textured ones; both are recycled and virgin. If possible, opt for a small sample from the supplier to try it out before purchasing a full roll or several rolls of it.
5. Durability
You want your flooring to last as long as possible, so make sure it’s made from quality materials and not just something that looks nice but will fall apart after a few months of use.
6. Consider the Price
Everyone needs to be able to afford products like this, so you’ll want to shop around for the best prices on recycled rubber tiles, mats, and roll-out floors.
Don’t forget about shipping costs since those can add up fast when buying in bulk.
How Thick Should Garage Mats Be?
The thickness of your rubber mat should be at least 3/8 inches. Thicker mats are more durable, and they’re also more comfortable to stand on. For example, if you have a heavy power rack or bench press in your garage gym, it’s important that the flooring be able to handle the weight of these pieces of equipment without being damaged by them.
A thicker mat will do just that. In addition to protecting against wear and tear from heavy objects like this, thicker mats provide better shock absorption when doing plyometric exercises like box jumps or sprints across them (or even just walking around). This can help prevent injuries like shin splints or knee pain caused by impact on hard surfaces like concrete floors.
So while they may cost more money upfront than thinner mats per square foot (because they require more material), they’ll save money by preventing costly medical bills due to injuries sustained during workouts.
Are Rubber Mats Good for Garage Floors?
Rubber mats are a great choice if you’re looking for a good garage flooring option. Rubber matting is easy to clean, durable, long-lasting, water-resistant, and more comfortable than concrete or asphalt floors.
If you want the most out of your home gym equipment but don’t want to put up with ugly concrete or asphalt floors in your garage, then rubber matting might be just what you need. Rubber matting will give you the comfort of an athletic field while still protecting against slips and falls from heavy weights being dropped on top of them by accident during workouts (or even intentional drops).
Do I Need to Put Anything Under Rubber Flooring?
Yes, you need to put something under your rubber flooring. The reason for this is simple: if you don’t have anything underneath the mats, they will slide around on top of your concrete garage floor and get dirty quickly.
If you’re using carpet or a rug as an alternative to plywood, ensure it’s thick enough to provide adequate padding between the rubber mat and concrete. Otherwise, the mat will wear down over time at its edges, where it contacts the solid ground and possibly cracks.
How Can I Take Care of My Garage Gym Rubber Mat?
1. Daily Sweeping and Cleaning
Your rubber mats will inevitably accumulate dust, dirt, and sweat. To prevent any buildup, make it a habit to sweep the mats daily with a broom or a vacuum cleaner. After that, wipe them down with a damp cloth or mop. I recommend using a mild cleaning solution.
A mix of water and a few drops of gentle dish soap should do the trick. One of my favourite options for cleaning is the Rubber Flooring Cleaner designed specifically for rubber surfaces.
2. Periodic Deep Cleaning
Depending on your usage, your rubber mats may require a more thorough cleaning from time to time. For a deep clean, you can use a commercial rubber floor cleaner. Zep Commercial Rubber Floor Cleaner is a great choice.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution and application. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove any residues.
3. Avoid Harsh Chemicals
While rubber mats are highly resilient, harsh chemicals can damage them. Avoid using bleach, ammonia, or any abrasive cleaners as they can weaken the material.
Opt for mild and rubber-friendly cleaning solutions to maintain the integrity of your mats.
4. UV Protection
If your garage gym has windows or direct sunlight exposure, consider investing in UV protection for your rubber mats.
UV rays can cause the rubber to deteriorate over time. UV Protectant Spray can be a valuable addition to safeguard your mats from sun damage.
5. Preventing Moisture
If your gym is located in a humid environment or you have concerns about moisture seeping through the floor, it’s a good idea to use moisture barriers or underlayment beneath your rubber mats.
These can be found at most home improvement stores, or you can consider Roberts MoistureBarricade Underlayment.
6. Rotate and Inspect
To ensure even wear and tear on your rubber mats, it’s advisable to rotate them periodically. This will prevent any one area from becoming excessively worn. Additionally, inspect your mats regularly for any signs of damage or wear.
If you notice any tears or cuts, it’s best to replace the damaged piece to maintain a safe workout environment.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best rubber mats for garage gyms. You can’t go wrong with these options, but our top pick is the 2′ x 3′ Garage Gym Garage Mats (5-pc).
These mats are thick enough to provide plenty of cushioning underfoot while still being lightweight enough to move around easily when needed. And at just $50 per pack, they also offer great value for money.
