Installing Rubber Flooring in my Garage Gym
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- When it came time to decide on what kind of flooring to install in my home gym, the choice seemed obvious at first. So many people recommended horse stall mats.
But when I looked closely, they didn’t really seem to be the right option. In fact, I started to wonder how so many people could recommend this flooring at all. While it might be right for some, it was definitely not right for me.
So I took my search to the experts. Flooring companies and larger, more upscale gyms. I didn’t find a single horse stall mat among them. Instead, the recommendations were much more functional and appropriate for my garage gym.
Follow along here as I go over why I decided against stall mats, what I chose instead, and how I installed it.
Website - gymcrafter.com
Products used in this project:
8mm Rubber Floor Tiles - amzn.to/3qFfKuu
Full Article - gymcrafter.com...
Links are affiliate, they give me a small commission and cost you nothing extra!
Lots of comments here from people happy with their stall mats and that's awesome! Being happy with your gym will make you use it more and if stall mats are right for you, I'm not here to try to talk you out of them. For me, the flooring I use in the video works better and I like it a lot more. I've used both and to me, there is a clear winner.
For those that point out the problems created by heavy deadlifts or Olympic lifts, I want to make sure people know that NO flooring will protect your floor well in these situations and you really need a lifting platform if you will be doing this.
These are long topics, so I've recently added two in-depth articles to my site that might help those that have questions:
A detailed comparison between stall mats and rubber flooring tiles can be seen here - gymcrafter.com/horse-stall-mats-for-gym-flooring/
A complete guide to lifting platforms can be see here - gymcrafter.com/do-you-really-need-an-olympic-lifting-platform/
Thanks to all that have left comments, I really appreciate it!
I know it's pretty off topic but does anyone know of a good site to watch new movies online?
@Reece Pedro Try FlixZone. Just google for it :)
@Maxim Curtis Yea, I've been watching on Instaflixxer for since march myself :D
It is good to have different opinions, especially when there is a way to get the actual gym floor in cheaper price
Ya think im just gonna go with horse mats
after watching this video, im still getting horse stall mats lol
Ha! Enjoy your gym! Love hearing people out there are putting thought into their gym and then building it!
Gym Crafter yes! Some put a little too much thought than others!!😂
Same, smell goes away and if you install correctly they will last forever.
Thanks for putting yourself out there. I'm looking at building a garage gym, maybe a bit too late since literally everything in the world is sold out at this point.
If you have a local gym equipment warehouse/outlet check with them. Mine is pretty much sold out but they let me order some stuff that will come in their next shipment, which is in about a week. I managed to get most of my stuff before the price gouging started on fb and craigslist but still also had to build a few things. Built my own power rack that is actually VERY solid (search "buff dudes power rack" if you ever want to give it a try), also built a dip station, flat bench and pullup bar. Really all you need to get by if you are somewhat handy are plates, bars and dumbells. I know those are the hardest things to get right now but if you really keep on the classifieds you may still find a decent deal. Good luck man
Thanks! Yeah, crazy times for sure. Rep Fitness isn't even taking any new orders for stuff right now.
An embarrassing amount of salty people trying to justify their stall mat purchases. I bought stall mats too but let's not pretend they are god's gift to the world.
Appreciate that feedback! Love the honesty. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment!
Glad you made the video on this product. I have a basement gym and use 3/4 inch puzzle mat. Horse stall mats have an awful smell and I didn’t want that in my basement.
Glad it helped! And yes, regardless of what the stall mat fanboys say, the odor is terrible and doesn't go away. YOu just get used to your gym smelling like rubber.
Thanks for the video Tim! Used this when deciding if I should go for horse stall mats or a foam option - even found some that were interlocking horse stall mats! Do what works for you
Thanks! Hope you are enjoying your gym!
I went with stall mats years ago. The smell was unbearable. Left them outside for a long time. Scrubbed them several times. Moved them four times which was obnoxious. I ended up leaving two in the bed of the truck for winter as they fit perfectly and 100 lbs each. New house now and I'll be spending the money for something more professional and convenient. Probably 3/8" rubber rolls.
I had a similar experience. You'll like the better flooring a lot! Have fun putting together the new gym!
So really there’s two reasons. Smell, uneven seams. Not sure how that’s stretched into four. To each his own but I like my stall mats.
We were going to use stall mats in our home gym also, but changed our mind and went with 8mm 2x2 tiles instead. It seems the formula for every garage gym on UA-cam is a Rouge rack, a GHD and stall mats from Tractor Supply. I noticed from these videos that the seams did not look tight to me. The tiles cost double from the mats, but they look terrific and I am so glad we went with the better floor. Good information in your video.
That's great to hear! It was hard for me to up my budget, but it was definitely worth it. Glad to hear your gym is coming along nicely!
Use gorilla tape on the horse stall mats and they won't budge
Tractor Supply horse mat quality varies, sometimes they have crumble mats that smell and sometimes they get really nice recycled rubber mats that dont crumble and dont smell. If you find they have the good ones in stock I can vouch for their quality, i bought 5 of them to cover my garage floor, no smell, they line up very good with no gaps. The only downside of the good mats are the weight, they are 4x6 feet and 3/4 inch thick and they are heavy but you can drag them into place, it just takes some effort. The price is right however at 38 bucks a piece at my Tractor Supply. If you plan to dead lift, go with a thick mat or perhaps three of them.
Agreed. Mine lined up great, look nice, the smell went away in a few days and they don't move around at all. Great option
Ummm you did a good job describing guitar start mats but didn't talk about what you sent with.. Is it rubber??
Watch my podcast (it's on this channel) on flooring. It's way newer and I go over exactly what I use (I have an all new floor since this video). Short answer, 8mm rubber.
Dude, just came across your website - love the break downs and realness to your approaches plus the positivity during COVID. With 25 years of lifting experience myself, I can tell you know what you are doing and plan to only buy the equipment you have recommended. Thank you!
Thanks, Shaun! I really appreciate that!
Dude, horse stall mats are AMAZING for gym flooring. I got mine 2 weeks ago and the smell was horrible for about 2 days but gone after 3. They are incredibly durable and fairly inexpensive. Mine also lined up just fine. You can also use a few tricks to attach them together if you really don't want them to move, but I deadlift, clean and do all my other big lifts and they are so heavy that they don't move at all.. Also, if they were all slightly different heights then you're store has something wrong with their inventory. My mats are new but a friend of mine has had his home gym for 8 years and still has the original mats. They look and feel exactly like mine that are practically brand new. Hell, another friends dad owns an equestrian center and they use the same mats in their horse trailers, they still look fine after being stomped on by the horses, pissed on, shit on and having water spilled all over them for years. If what you are saying about the ones you saw locally is true, then there was something wrong with the batch they had. I mean if you dig the commercial gym flooring great but there are legit reasons almost everyone uses the horse mats. I urge anyone looking to go see them for yourself to check for quality. They will smell at first, but I'm telling you it goes away fast. If you're still concerned buy one and leave it in the garage for a few days. If it still reeks take it back and find another option, but like I said mine stopped smelling after a few days of being off the store pallet and in my gym and the other people I know who have them had the same experience.
Glad you've had a good experience with them! I've used both and prefer the better option I show in the video. I don't think it's good vs. bad, it's more good vs much better. If I was to start again from scratch, I'd still skip the stall mats and go for the more professional option.
Similar logic to people buying a new mattress for better sleep.. as we know the benefits of a great night sleep! And, choosing a mattress that is loaded with chemicals and off gassing of unhealthy particles. I mean, I understand the concept of wanting to save money. Yet it's amazing why people who want to do something that is good for their health ( working out ) would overlook the fact that this shit can't be healthy to be breathing for long periods of time.
@@SuperDesignguy Love this explanation. If price were taken out of the equation, no one would pick stall mats. It's just a price thing. For me, it's not worth the savings.
Gym Crafter yours are not the better option , yours a thiner and just dont smell for a week lol i would like to see heavy lifters on your mats , and yours are not a gift from god lol by the way you CAN see all the seems , drop a few hundred dumbells on them and see what lasts longer , no disrespect but you dont look like you lift heavy , Academy floor mats would have served your purpose
Lumber Mending plates on underside will do wonders to keep them from separating. Just place them where any corners meet to keep them from rolling up or sliding. Also a good idea stagger them like brick work so 4 corners are meeting together. This will drop it to either 2 or 3 corners.
Fitness Tubers: "I'm going to spend tens of thousands on my gym equipment, but go cheap on my flooring by using the same stuff that Horses use".
Well said!!!
Thanks man. Great video.
Glad it helped
i'e had stall mats in my garage gym for 3 years. I have experienced none of the drawbacks you mentioned. To each their own, I guess.
Great looking mats. But wouldn't be practical for my gym. My private personal gym required 100 stall mats. Yeah, I bought a warehouse for my ultimate personal gym, so with no members or business I needed a cheaper option. I'm happy with my tractor supply mats.
That's a high-quality problem you have there! Enjoy your gym!
I dont think those issues are actual issues. I always bought mine used so they never smelled. There definitely not a lot of bounce at all with them. Seams are easily fixed with gorilla tape. I am not about to clang and bang with 8mm between me and my concrete. Definitely don't think that's think enough for dropping a barbell from overhead. Horse stall mats for life! 😂😏
Buy yeah, whatever works for you.
Really not looking to tape my flooring together. It can look nice, but not long term. I've had both types of flooring and prefer this. Dropping from overhead isn't recomended on either type. That's the whole reason they make lifting platforms.
Brb going to tractor supply to get horse stall mats. Lol
Horse mats work great. They smell the same as new rubber dumbbells and it goes away quickly.
Looks like you got downvoted by horse stall mat enthusiasts.
Been researching proper home gym flooring and your content has made the process easier.
Thanks. Yeah, it's crazy how much people got all worked up because I think something works better than stall mats. Appreciate the comment and thanks for letting me know this helped!
I have stall mats and do like them, but his point about the smell is valid. I purchased 4 4x6 mats from TSC and installed them immediately - the smell was unbearable. I then left them outside for 3 weeks, including flipping them twice and washing each side twice with dish soap. After reinstalling they still smell but not nearly as badly. Keeping a window open in the room also makes a huge difference. It isn't so much that the smell is unpleasant, but it does feel toxic and unhealthy.
If you are going to purchase them I would definitely recommend giving yourself at least a month to let them sit outside, and also wash them thoroughly and repeatedly during that time. And would not recommend installing them in a room without adequate ventilation.
Thanks, Jeff, that's great feedback!
I wouldn’t recommend deadlifting on the result in this video. Especially with metal plates. A weightlifting platform is typically made for most home gyms and absorbs most of the impact of deadlifts, also providing something to screw your rack onto vs using the concrete.
It only took my mats about 2 weeks hanging out in my garage before I brought them inside and didn’t smell. And if you go the platform route you’ll need 3/4” mat as that will be even with the oak plywood. Rubber flooring inc has “better” mats per some reviews, cost about twice as much as horse stall mats.
I wouldn't recommend that either. If you are deadlifting with metal plates, you shouldn't do it on the floor I recommend or on stall mats. A platform is a must. Rubber flooring will NOT protect the floor beneath regardless of thickness. The wood in a platform is the only way to disperse the load and protect the floor beneath. I just wrote an article on my site about that and plan to shoot a couple more videos clarifying this. Thanks for checking out the channel and commenting, I appreciate it!
Solid marble is the way to go
😆I suppose that is one option!
Hello great video . I also have been struggling to decide what to install in my garage gym. I live in montreal where it gets really cold. I heard the problem with Mats is that they can create mold and moisture? Any idea if that is true?
I live near Chicago and it can get brutally cold here as well. The mats aren't the problem, moisture is. If no vapor barrier is in place underneath your cement, moisture may come up through the concrete. If you see that your floor is wet at times, this indicates there might be an issue. I sealed my floor with epoxy before laying the rubber as a precaution, but I've read mixed reviews on how effective that can be. A dehumidifier in the warmer months could help as well.
If you do have a moisture problem, there isn't much that I know of that will combat that. I haven't had any issues, but that doesn't mean you won't either. It will all come down to the quality of your cement and how it was installed.
Another place to check is the Great Mats website. Their shipping is outrageous so I'd never order flooring from them, but their live chat is very helpful and they might be able to help you.
@@timsteward8581 thanks for the reply . I tough the cold can create mold. I guess more the heat. My concrete seems good. So I don't think I would have this problem. Unfortunately the mats you used don't chipped to Canada anyway on amazon they don't.
@@stefanomancini6569 there are house stall places that sell in Laval
I got these same floor tiles from same company based on this recommendation, and how one could say they don't smell is beyond me. They smell like the crushed old tires that they are. One week in the Cali Sun has helped some, but they still smell like what they are. The 3/8" is vulcanized rubber and I wonder if I paid the small extra for that if I would be more satisfied. I'm sure the 8mm are still better than horse stall mats because they are much thinner and possibly higher quality. If you are going to take a chance on this recommendation, you should order samples from the company or perhaps go with the 3/8."
My gym space is 16' x 12' so I used 8 stall mats from Tractor Supply to cover the floor. I must have lucked out because my mats only had a very slight rubber odor, but disappeared by the next day. I heard horror stories about the smell but mine had almost no smell at all.
Glad they worked out for you!
Thanks for the video!
Glad you liked it! Thanks!
You know that there are different types of stall mats right? Not all smell badiy. Your puzzle piece thing looks very thin.
I do... And they all smell bad, just some a lot worse than others. The most common pushback on 3/8" flooring is that it's "too thin". But not a single person who says that has actually tested that or can cite a test that shows that. It's just something they assume. If you are dropping a bar regularly, NO flooring is thick enough. That's why commercial gyms mostly use the 3/8" stuff throughout their gym and then provide lifting platforms for folks who want to drop a bar. We should do the same in our home gyms. The honest point here is that if both types cost the same, NO ONE WOULD USE STALL MATS. Let's not pretend they are better and just be honest that they are the cheaper option.
I'm so tired of every garage gym video talking about how they just went down to their local Tractor Supply and bought horse stall mats and then taped them together with Gorilla tape. Every youtuber acts as if they were the first ones to think of that.
Agreed!!! Like, I get it, they're cheap. They are also a terrible flooring option with all kinds of issues you need to deal with. Leaving them out in the sun so they don't smell, duct taping them together, etc. Plus how much longer it takes to install stall mats so they look decent has to be worth $, right? How much is these folk's time worth?
many Amazon review say these have an very strong rubber gas odor. Looks like either way you go you will have challengs.
Stall Mats All Day:
Step 1) Hose off front back.
Step 2) Pour dawn dish soap on front (and back), scrub in and rinse off with hose.
Step 3) Spray water + vinegar 50/50 mixture on front/back and scrub in, rinse off with hose.
Step 4) Let them dry outside for 2 days straight and they are now off gassed and there is virtually no smell and they crush all other gym floors.
surely they off-gas forever? or do they only do that for a short amount of time?
Same tiles that we chose, colors and all. Hubby’s fave color. It works for our garage gym.
Informative video, you swayed me from buying stall mats. Do you have any suggestions for outdoor use gym mats that are waterproof?
Thanks! Having used both types, I definitely prefer dedicated flooring over the mats. As for outdoor use, I would imagine all rubber is waterproof. The issue would be drainage (water collecting under the mats may invite mold) and grip if the mats are wet when using them. I've had really great experiences with the customer service folks over at greatmats.com . I'm not affiliated with them in any way, but they've always treated me right. I would bet they can give you some good direction for an outdoor solution.
He really likes the color gray
My mans really picked the worst gym flooring lol. Puzzle piece fitment 😂 we’ll see how well they last after a couple power cleans.
3 years of daily use and they are still like new. Much better than taping stall mats together. Those things separate just by walking on them regularly. Had both, the stuff I use now is way better. Neither is well suited for dropping really heavy stuff on them. That's why they make lifting platforms.
Aren't stall mats made of the same rubber anyway? He's basically paying a massive premium just for the jigsaw edges.
That's not the case at all. Horse stall mats are made from the lowest possible quality crumb rubber and binders. THey are not certified or tested to be in your home. Rubber floor tiles, made for placement inside your home, are made with higher quality materials, especially the binder that holds the crumb rubber together. This higher quality binder has much less odor, and, more importantly, off-gasses a significantly lower amount of dangerous VOC's. If you are concerned with your health (which is why you are building a gym in the first place, right?), then it makes absolutely no sense at all to use stall mats instead of flooring made to be inside of a home.
Do you even lift bro
Wait... You're supposed to lift in a gym? Lift what? I'm confused. I just like to sit on bench and read a bit. You've blown my mind! Thanks for watching the video, appreciate it!
@@GymCrafter just got some horse stall Matt's! I spent 200$ and I couldnt be happier !
Thank you for posting this! I think these are really important points. I decided to go with the puzzle piece mats. I have the budget, and I like that I wouldn't need help moving/modifying those big ass horse stall mats whenever I want to change up my layout. I also like that I can add pieces to the flooring should I need additional coverage (or less coverage).
Awesome, let me know how it turns out!
The smell eventually went away on my stall mats. Stall mats are fine for home gyms.
Thanks for the comment. They ARE fine! I appreciate you making that point. While I like the flooring I use better (I've used both), I don't think I ever said the stall mats were not "fine". Great way to put it. I appreciate you watching the video and commenting, thanks!
@@GymCrafter You're welcome. I think your flooring is too thin for the type of lifting we do. To each his own, right?
I'm glad someone is addressing the dangers of VOC's and PAH's from horse stall matts. It seems counterproductive to expose yourself to known carcinogens while working to improve your health.
Thanks, AJ! I'm with you 100%. Glad to see I'm not the only one who cares about that kind of stuff!
Who the hell gets defensive about horse stall mats? People are such sheep.
Edit: Tim, thank you for your content, the site and channel. I love hearing different opinions in this space, or in general, that challenge the hive mind. Thank you for all the work you put in!
Thanks! I appreciate that.
Can you put horse stall mats straight on carpet?
Go to Lowes, they have some really thick rubber floor mats. Option B is go to a store that sells gym equipment for larger gyms.
they sell the interlocking tiles, basically the same price as a big roll, imma go get something tonight
I want to put home gym machine (one where you can do all sort of excercises). But I on 15th floor and type of construction is precast. Builder has refused me assembling my home gym machine saying its shear force might damage construction. How much this rubber flooring help reduce iimpac for 60 kg weights?
If you are dropping those weights, like when deadlifting, then I'd go with a set of silencer/drop pads. That will work much better than any flooring. If you aren't dropping your weights, then 8mm or .5" would work great, either one.
@@GymCrafter no I just want to use machine. If you could search for "stayfit 2000" as I cant give URL or image here. Thanks
@@neelroy2918 If your building is constructed to code, there will be absolutely no issue using a matching like this regardless of the type of flooring. While I would certainly install rubber flooring like I use in this video, there isn't a certain kind of flooring that would change the "shear weight" of the machine.
@@GymCrafter thanks.
Is there anything you have to do to your garage gym floor before putting mats down? Painting etc...? I’m new to all this haha
Pretty much just clean it really well. Get all the dust, etc. up. I used an epoxy seal on mine well before I built a gym in there, but that's totally not needed in order to put flooring down.
@@GymCrafter thank you for replying I’ve been binge reading all your articles and it’s been so helpful
What??? Puzzle tiles don't have as many seams?? This guy for real..🤣🤣 Yeah they stink but once they air out they're perfect. 3/8 is definitely not enough cushion for weights well at least not anything "heavy". Those cheap puzzle tiles are cheap foam or rubber and will compress and flatten out if any kind at weights sits on them for long. Then you will have dips and dents all over them in no time. Puzzle tiles are cheap but will not hold up and will have to be replaced. Buy once, cry once by spending a little more and get something that is better quality so it will last forever. Not necessarily stall mats but definitely not cheap puzzle tiles.
Hey Dimx, thanks for the feedback and I agree with you 100%. Those EVA foam tiles are worthless!!! If you watch the video, that's NOT what I used. I'm using hard rubber (same as you'll find in commercial gyms and what Coop on the GGR channel uses in his new gym). As for the seams, the puzzle pieces fit snuggly together and never separate as opposed to the straight lines of the stall mats, which come apart all the time (there are a ton of videos on YT showing this and how to fix it, though!). Your last comment is perfect and the whole reason I made this video! For sure spend a little more on something that will last. My floor is in the same condition as when I installed it, this stuff lasts forever! Those foam puzzle pieces last maybe a day or two before they are destroyed! They shouldn't even be allowed to be called gym flooring! Thanks again for the feedback!
even horse stall mats will move around a little bit unless you fasten them together or in place somehow. that said...mine(3 4'x8' total = 8'x12' space) have barely moved and will move less once I have my rack in place. Really great and affordable($180 total) expense. IMHO.
Thanks for checking out the video and the feedback!
Glad you are having good luck with them. Stall mats are for sure the cheaper option. I'm pretty glad I spent more on the floor I show in the video. I've used both and probably wouldn't do mats again.
the interlocking tiles and a big roll are basically the same price , iono what to do -_-
I prefer the tiles since the rolls have to be laid out in strips that butt up against each other. That seam, unless you secure it somehow, will separate. I have a seam like that in my gym where the flooring I laid under my treadmill meets the main section of flooring. There is always a gap there and it drives me nuts. Hope that helps!
i decided to go with the tiles, they are currently airing out in the backyard
3/8" thick Regupol activlok rubber mats (2x2 puzzle interlocking tiles) and deadlift platform from rogue on top. Thoughts??
I'm not familiar with that brand, but a base of 3/8" rubber is a great place to start. If you are doing heavy deadlifts or Oly lifts and don't have bumpers, a platform will be a great addition. Good luck with your build out!
Why are you hating on horse stall Matt's. I'm gonna go buy some tommorow!
Just got 4 horse stall Matt's and they smell like rubber but who cares, the smell will fade! I couldnt be happier with my 200$ purchase!
Hi Tim, I ordered a REP PR-4000 (80"x30") and I'm setting up a home gym in a carpeted room on the ground floor of my house. Do you recommend putting down plywood over the carpet/below the rubber flooring or will the equipment be heavy enough?
The matts you linked to are out of stock on Amazon; any alternatives?
I just checked and the mats look to be in stock, you just have to select the # of tiles you want and then click the "purchasing options" button at the right of the page. As for laying things over carpet, I'm not a flooring expert but if it were me, I'd pull the carpet up and lay the new flooring over your subfloor. I would think carpet would make for an unstable surface. But again, I'm not a flooring installer, so there may be other options for sure.
@@GymCrafter Finally decided the dimensions I needed and ordered; Amazon says 3-4 weeks. Will definitely need plywood; removing carpet is not an option!
@@alimaleki217 Don’t use Amazon. You will get them for much cheaper on the company’s website.
@@nafin9063 Wow! You’re right; would save $61. Already ordered arriving on Monday. Funny thing is that they’re 25 minutes from my house!
I should have known there was something strange about the tracking number they game me (2x 96 LBS boxes?) It turns out that they gave me someone else's tracking number as the package was delivered to CA (not VA). This is what sketchy sellers do and they have plenty of reviews to this effect. After waiting a month for this I hope it's an honest mistake but I'm not holding my breath!
Moms expert
I really liked your article about these mats vs stall ones. Count me a subscriber. One question - Are you able to pivot on these mats or are they very grippy? I ask because I want to use these mat in my gym with boxing heavy bag so I will be doing lots of pivoting on ball of foot.
Thanks! I don't have any issue with things moving around unless I've allowed a lot of dust and dirt under the tiles. Every once in a while, I pull them all up and clean underneath (another thing you can't really do with stall mats) and that helps. THat said, I don't do any explosive movements or athletic type movements so I can't say for sure.
Got an 8x8 of this flooring thanks to this video this week. They work great no smell. I’ve been dropping stuff on it randomly and there’s no damage to the mats or garage floor. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the feedback! Happy that the flooring worked out well for you!
Man some people will physically fight you if you talk trash about their stallmats
They’ll spend 500 dollars covering their garage just to do some squats here and there lol
Right?! It's like they're planning on dropping loaded bars on every square inch of their floor. I mean they aren't a terrible option if you are on a budget, but that certainly doesn't mean they are the best option!
Those aren't thick enough.
Thick enough for what? This is what every commercial gym uses. Way more traffic than a home gym would ever get and it holds up great. If you are talking about dropping a loaded bar, then you need a lifting platform. Also something you see in any commercial gym that allows people to drop a loaded bar. "it's not thick enough" is a common comment on this type of flooring and not once has it ever been based on anything but people's assumptions. And usually by people who have never used or tried multiple types of flooring.
I have the stall mats in my gym. I've moved about 3 times in the last 5 years. Moving those mats was an absolute pain. Your flooring is a much more logical option to me.
Oh man! I can't imagine having to move those things from one place to another. Moving already stinks as it is!
This video was just in time. I have been trying to figure out the flooring as well. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
Nice! I'm glad it helped. As you're building your gym, check out gymcrafter.com, I've got almost 100 articles there that will help you through the entire process! Have fun!
How much rubber flooring is needed around the power rack? I know to add the width of the bar and 24 inches on either side to allow for clearance to maneuver weights on and off the bar. BUT do I need the rubber flooring to extend that far?
I like to have an even floor across my entire gym. Basically anywhere I'm regularly walking while training. I tried to get away with less for a while, but kept tripping over the edge of the flooring. Hope that helps!
I watched the whole vid. Couple of comments regarding training on the matts you chose. Do you deadlift? And what type of weight if you are deadlifting are you moving on those matts. My mate has them in his garage on concrete and it sounds terrible when you drop 400lb onto them. I guess it all depends what your type of lifting is but if you go that route you will likely need a separate deadlift platform. Secondly if you are moving heavy dumbbells 100lb up and are used to dropping them if failing it's not nice.
They look nice and fit well but are limiting dependent on your type of lifting.
After reading my comment it sounds like "I'm so big and strong these Matts aren't good enough" lol but honestly I'm not very strong for my years in the gym so I more so wanted to give anyone with +400 lb deadlift (lots of kids these days are pulling 500!) A heads up to either be prepared to buy bumper plates or beware these matts dont have alot of give.
Good video though and no knock on your content.
Thanks for checking out the channel, Danny, I appreciate your comments. Those are really good observations. I think the misunderstanding with a lot of people is that this flooring is just that, flooring. It gives a really great working surface for your entire gym. For the very small areas, you may deadlift on or drop dumbbells, you will for sure need additional protection.
That's why if you go into any commercial gym out there, they have the flooring I recommend. They also have platforms in place for deadlifting and Oly lifts. It's also why they frown on people dropping dumbbells. Even the thickest stall mats won't help if you are pulling 400+. You need a platform that disperses the force across a large area for lifts like that.
As for dumbbells, mine top out at 90 lbs, but I've never had the need to drop them. I just lower them and set them down. I had a 90 lb dumbbell hit the ground on its edge and kick into my leg/ankle once. Damn that hurt and I haven't dropped one since.
I think I'm going to shoot a video about the need for a platform. I just wrote an article about it on my site and I think it might help people who are worried about floor damage from heavy lifts (a very valid concern). For the 90% of home gym owners out there that aren't pulling 400lbs of metal plates it won't matter, but there are those out there like yourself who do. Thanks again for the comments, much appreciated!
@@GymCrafter So if you cant deadlift on it, drop weights, or work dynamically what good are they. Seems like they only serve a purpose to look nice. Also they looked pretty maliable under just your hand and that rubber mallet. If I throw real weight on my back and try to squat it seems they may have a problem with providing a firm even surface. So what kind of work can they actually take?
@@rickrodriguez2005 Things I've done on my floor repeatedly... Deadlift, squat, work dynamically. I've never felt the need to drop a heavily loaded bar, but I would up to about 400 lbs without concern (bumpers, not iron plates). This is the same floor that's in every single commercial gym out there with the exception of some CrossFit boxes that were put together on a shoestring budget. It's the same floor the Coop on the Garage Gym Reviews channel just put down in his new commercial space. It doesn't give and is very stable. It's not foam, it's hard rubber.
If you are going to deadlift 400+ lbs and drop your bar (or are using sharp-edged metal plates), you shouldn't be doing that on ANY flooring, including stall mats. That's where platforms come in. Outside of that, there isn't a better option out there for gym flooring than this. If there were, it would be used in commercial gyms.
sounds like your buddy is lifting heavier than he can handle, if you cant control the weight, its too heavy for you
How did the floor hold up?
Still like new! Looks great, works well, love it!
Thank you for making this video
Glad you liked it!
I was all set to buy horse stall mats. I knew how many I needed. I was only waiting for a convenient time to go to the Tractor Supply Store. Then your video popped up. I slept on your feedback, and you swayed me. I just installed the flooring you recommended, and it looks great! No rubber smell and it feels solid. Thank you!
Thanks for letting me know that! THat's exactly why I made this video. I really hope you enjoy your new gym!
Bro you over exaggerating about the smell
Stall mats are for olympic lifts.
While a lot people (mostly those on a really tight budget) are using them for this, they are definitely not the best flooring for Olympic lifts. Uneven footing, uneven wear, and too much bounce can all contribute to injury if using stall mats for Olympic lifts.
I've been to several professional training centers for Olympic lifters and not one was using stall mats.
Stall mats are for horse stalls, thus the name. Yes, they are in a lot of CrossFit boxes where they do Olympic lifts, but that does not make them the best mat for the use. That just means the box didn't want to spend the money on the appropriate kind of flooring so made due with mats.
Thanks for checking out the video and the channel. I appreciate it.
Stuff is too thin honestly.
Thanks for checking out the video, I appreciate it!
Good video, thank you!
Do you know of a UK equivalent? I don't want to end up with a cheap alternative
Thanks. Unfortunately I live in the states and am not sure what's available over there.
and you're exaggerating about the gaps and the unevenness. There is a good reason that they are so popular and you sir, are going against the grain in order to get views. More power to you tho
Thanks for checking out the video and giving your feedback, I appreciate it. I have to disagree, though. I share what I use based on personal experience, it's got nothing to do with going against the grain. I used stall mats and hated them. For all the reasons I list in the video. The point you bring up is a great example. Everyone who recommends them also recommends a way to keep them together at the same time. THat's because it's a real problem. Coop talks about it, Alan Thrall talks about, Brandon actually duct-taped his together to address the problem. It a real issue and a big part of why I don't use them. But I'm not saying they are bad, just that there are better options. Yes, those options are more expensive. But for MY gym, it was more than worth the extra cost to go a different route. For a lot of people, they don't feel t he same way and that's awesome. EVeryone should build the gym that's best for them and their budget. And stall mats are a cheap way to get rubber on the floor. Let's just not pretend that there isn't anything better.
@@GymCrafterYou're right, I duct taped mine together as well. I apologize about assuming your intentions.
@@DBoone123 No worries. You can definitely hit me with that comment down the road when I post my video about the Rogue Ohio Power Bar being one of the most overrated barbells out there. While I do feel that way, I also know posting that video will get views simply because so many people will disagree. UA-cam is this weird tightrope of trying to stay authentic and real and also playing the algorithm's game so you actually get views and subs. It's been an adventure to start doing this and figure it out for sure! THanks again for watching, I really do appreciate everyone that does!
No-one in Europe uses stallmats for a homegym
I didn't know that, but I'm not surprised at all! Europe seems to be a lot more in tune with VOC's and the dangers of using a product like that in an application it wasn't meant for. Thanks for posting this, I'll for sure reference it again!
@@GymCrafter In Europe we have strict sanitary guidelines. Stallmats are only suitable for horses only and for example in supplements we have extremely lower doses of vitamins and minerals than in the USA.
@@GymCrafter Your channel is very good. I will see all your videos!
@@simoneorecchioni7352 Thanks! Maybe someday I'll get around to making more, too! In the meantime, make sure to check out the site at gymcrafter.com. I put up new articles there a couple of times a week.
Bought these and I love them. Thanks!
That's great to hear! I'm expanding my gym and just ordered more myself!
I have the same flooring and I think they work amazingly. No problems w em. I did leave space between the wall and mats and the only draw back is dirt and leaves falling back there. I do use the leaf blower but that lifts the mats up and dirt flows in there. Still I do agree with leaving that gap open since it is not used. Great video dude
Nice! Thanks for the feedback.
There must be a lot of variability on the off-gassing odors that people experience from stall mats and also form the tiles advocated by this vid. I suspect it depends upon on how recently the rubber was formed and how/where the product was stored. YMMV. My stall mats were on a pallet outside in the Tractor Supply yard. They had very little odor from day 1 and were also perfectly uniform in thickness with smooth edge cuts that make for very clean junctions. If your mats come from different batches, I’d imagine some variability could be introduced. I’ve also seen vide where people are barely able to breathe in their car with the mats in the back. I had ordered and received 2 rolls of the 8mm flooring, but sent it back, as the seam was wavy. The jigsaw tiles seem to install much more nicely. I do, however, prefer the 3/4” thickness of the stall mats. Nicer on my joints for plyo and more forgiving for my weights.
Hey Steve! Glad you had good luck with your mats! Not everyone does. And I agree, there are applications where a thicker rubber might be better suited. At 50 years old, protecting my joints is a big concern. The floor I use now comes in a .5" version and I'm currently testing it next to a stall mat to see any differences. So far, they are pretty much equal as far as floor protection, bounce, and feel. Thanks for your feedback!
@@GymCrafter The way that the locking tiles really do invariably exceed the stall mats is the near seamless finish (not to mention the unwieldy heft of each stall mat when installing). I must admit I envy that. Better look. No gorilla tape needed. As it is, I've done the heavy lifting area of my basement in stall mats and the cardio area in carpet tiles (erg, treadmill, echo bike, open floor for yoga, etc). We'll see how the carpet holds up. I may end up finishing the gym out in the interlocking rubber if the carpet proves too fragile. Experiment in progress...
Got horse stall mats.... Better than the recommended pads.
I’m dying for my husband to get rid of hem so I can workout
You aren't the only one I've heard that from. People are weirdly very attached to the stall mats, though. Looking at a lot of the feedback I get when I don't recommend them it's like I insulted their mom or something! I don't get it. Good luck with the hubby!
Very good video. I was planning to buy horse stall mats, but you convinced me not to do it. Where can I find the mat you chose for your gym? Is it still being sold somewhere ?
Thanks, Peter! You can get them on Amazon. I updated the link in the video description and that should take you right to the correct place. In case you don't see it there, it's here on Amazon: amzn.to/3qFfKuu
@@GymCrafter Thanks but for some reason the link takes me to some generic page with many different mat products. I am not sure which one exactly you chose. It’s probably sold out. By the way, I found a rubber mat which costs 26 CAD per square meter. Is that a good price? It’s only 6 mm thick though. They also have 3/4 inch one but it’s 56 dollars per sq meter. Which one should I choose? Is it worth buying the more expensive one? It seems you understand a lot about mats and I really value your advice!
@@PeterSchneemann The differewnt options on that link are for how many tiles you need for your space. They are all in stock, you just need to select which amount of tiles you want (how many border pieces, center pieces, etc.). I would not go below 8mm.
@@GymCrafter ok, the link works now but it says “currently unavailable “
I guess when you throw around baby rattles anything will do...
Jk but I think 1/4” is too thin with some Olympic and CrossFit movements. A horse stall mat equivalent to that would easily be 3x the price. I do like the look of those, but I’d prefer the roll out version. If cost weren’t an option I’d go with 1/2”.. nice review
Hey now, I've worked my way up to toddler toys now. No baby rattles here!!! ;)
Thanks for the video. My question can you park your car on your preferred flooring ?
Hey Chase, thanks for checking out the video. That's a great question that I wonder myself a lot. Since I only did half the garage, the half with the gym in it, I can't say for sure. That said, this stuff is really durable and pretty easy to clean. My bigger concern would be getting oil or other fluids on it. Water and dirt clean off pretty easy, but I'd hate to have to clean the floor every time I used the gym.
Sorry I'm not giving you a direct answer here, but I'd rather be honest. There is a company called Great Mats that has excellent customer service. I'd bet they can for sure answer that question correctly for you. Their shipping is way to high to buy the flooring from them, but they'll answer questions really well.
Good luck putting your gym together!
@@GymCrafter Thanks for information. I'll check out Great Mats.
Only if he deadlifts it first
Your link to amazon goes to a product that has been reviewed to STINK! And at 8mm, its way too thin.
The flooring I linked is the flooring I own and what I installed in this video. ALL flooring is made from recycled rubber and will have some smell. I can tell you for sure that this flooring, while it does have some odor, does not stink in all caps :) . As for the thickness, 8mm is what professional flooring companies recommend for home gyms and it's what I've used in mine. It's been absolutely perfect for me. If your needs are different than mine, that may totally mean you want to use a different thickness. Everyone's needs can be different for sure! Thanks for watching the video.
@@GymCrafter I agree 8mm is fine except for dropping heavy weights which requires a platform. The 8mm is said by the company to be indistinguishable to users from the 3/8" which is slightly thicker. However the 3/8" is made by a different process, vulcanization. Looking at reviews the vulcanized is less porous, easier to clean. It has less complaints about smell. I have the 8mm and I regret it-- they STink, in partial all-caps, since I'm sure I would use reserve all caps for stall mats, if I ever checked them out, which I didn't. I don't know if the 3/8 will stink less but I suspect they do stink less and I would have paid the extra if I had known. Now I have $1000 of stinky floor tiles. I hope another week in the sun will help more than it has so far.
@@hubrisguy9 Sorry to hear your floor smells like that. I linked to exactly what I use and mine didn't smell as you are describing. There was some odor at first, way less than the stall mats I used before, but it went away fairly quickly. Sunlight is your best best to reduce the odor. Thanks for pointing out the two different versions. I'll have to check that out and change the link if that proves out to be true.
Great video content. I was two horse stall mats into my home gym and my wife was not having the smell and refuses to go into the garage. My kids hate the smell too… This was very important to me due to the hole point of my garage gym was to spend more time with the family. I will reading the article and looking into other options.
Yep, once you get those things in an enclosed room, they smell really bad! Hope the change in flooring works for you!
I did my whole garage in stall mats. The smell goes away in a week or two or you can use cleaners like simple green to eliminate it faster.
Thanks for posting this video and article! I’m in the process of setting up a home gym and was equally concerned with the smell from horse stall mats.
Tim, you mention in your article that you found them at home depot - is that still the case? I see similar looking tiles there but the brand is iFlex rather than IncStores. Do you think these are the same tiles?
I am about to expand the flooring in my gym and I'm just going to order the Inc Store stuff from Amazon again. It will be the third time I've ordered that way and the first two went great. I'm honestly not sure what the local hardware stores might stock, but if it's rubber and the right thickness, it should work just fine! Thanks for checking out the channel!
@@GymCrafter thanks for the quick response. I did the same, calculated costs of the other brand and it ended up being cheaper on Amazon (used your affiliate link of course).
I’ll have about an 8” gap to my wall with my purchase of the 8’x10’ set of pieces - do you have any suggestions? should I buy single pieces and cut them up to fill the gaps? center the pieces so there’s minimal gaps on each side?
@@froyogumball I have about a 6" gap all around and it's never been a problem. I keep some kettlebells and other odds and ends stored around the perimeter of the room and they don't really need the flooring underneath.. Good luck with your project!
Aesthetics are important to me. Want my gym to look nice so I want to spend more time there. I just bought the same type of mats, but rolled rubber. I can understand using horse stall mats though. A lot of younger guys probably don't have the extra $ to spend on nice flooring.
For sure! I've always said that if stall mats were as expensive as the flooring I use, no one would use stall mats. It's for sure a price thing only.
Great feedback and I really appreciate you checking out the video. Good luck with your gym!
Tim, what type/model power rack do you have?
I'm using the Titan Fitness X3 flat foot (I don't want to bolt it to the floor) tall rack. I really like it. I'll be doing a review as well as a couple of other videos about it. For the price, it's perfect for me.
Question, are these strong enough to pull your car on top of them?
Strong enough? Yes, for sure. That said, I'm not sure I'd install rubber flooring where I park my car. Doing that would allow moisture to get in under the flooring as it's tracked in with the car. Trapped moisture under the rubber flooring doesn't really have any good outcomes for a variety of reasons. If you do decide to go this route, I might go with the big rolls and seal the seams between them with something like Gorilla Tape (see the Base Barbell Channel for his newest floor video for how to do this). Hope that helps!
Did you ever find mats other than horse stall mats to drive car over? I'm in the same situation
You will be disappointed in the floor after 3 months I threw mine in the trash
Interesting. I've had this floor for 9 months and train on it 6 days a week. It's still in brand new condition. Love it. Sounds like you may have bought foam/EVA tiles, not rubber. Foam is worthless for sure.
Stall mats for Olympic weightlifting.The ones you showed only looks good but doesn't save the floor when it comes to lifting big weights and slamming on the floor.
Great point, Shane! Since most home gym owners aren't doing this type of lifting, the 3/8" flooring is perfect. If they are slamming very heavy weight from overhead, it turns out that even stall mats won't help. In those cases, you really want a lifting platform. This is typically made from 1-2 layers of 3/4" plywood along with 1-2 layers of stall mat.
Since people doing this heavier lifting aren't doing it across their entire floor, the ideal solution here is to use the 3/8" flooring across the entire floor and then build a lifting platform for the one spot that the Oly lifting is taking place. This mimics what is done is every commercial gym. They use the thinner flooring for the entire gym and then build one or multiple platforms for the Oly lifting and heavy deadlifting area. Even crossfit boxes that use stall mats for their main flooring (not something I recommend, but cost is a thing for them for sure!) also build lifting platforms for exactly this reason.
Thanks for pointing this out, it's important for the very small percentage of people doing this kind of lifting to consider their specific needs for better floor protection!
@@GymCrafter Agree.Lifting platform comprising of plywoods and stall mats on sides is best. I am using 2 pieces of 6ft X 4ft 40mm thick stall mat aligned to one another.Haven't used plywoods yet.This turns out to be cheaper than having to buy 5 pieces of plywood and a 4ft X 6ft 3/4inch stall mat for the sides.Floor is fine as of now.
The hype that is created about exercise tile without specifying the impact load it can tolerate is leading many to opt for these.
Checking the floor is quite necessary.
At least show us your gym set-up?
Coming soon. Using my time at home to learn how to shoot and edit better video. Most of my videos so far were just me and my phone. Lighting, sound, editing, and a ton of other things to improve. Should be seeing more in the next 30 days or so!
Sorry but I highly disagree horse mats are superior especially if your going to do some real lifting like heavy compound lifts and heavy dumbbell work.
I wish I could see an update on this because the top of flooring his God is not very good
Two years + in and this floor looks like the day I put it in. As I've referenced before, this is the same flooring that commercial gyms use. If it holds up well to that kind of use, it will last forever in your garage!
Horse stall mats are the best!
Sorry, but not with you on this one. I installed horse mats on my gym floor 12 years ago...fantastic...they are still new. Looks like they will outlast my gym equipment. Beside No problem with bouncing weights. The horse mats saved my flooring underneath, Again, I highly disagree, speaking from experience. P.S. You are pretty thin. Are you sure you lift weights?
Glad you had a good experience with your flooring! That's not how it went for me... speaking from experience. And thank you very much for noticing my trim figure, I appreciate the compliment!
If you want to help with the smell. Cut your forearm and splash some blood around. Then, go for a run and get real sweats in your sweatshirt. Ring it out into a bottle and spray it around the room.
1. So does your new car.
2. Couple days.
3. I’ve never heard this.