What the floor must handle
A CrossFit box or HIIT studio uses one floor for mobility work, plyometrics and Olympic lifts. Our CrossFit guide names rubber as the best material for gyms, because it is durable and low-maintenance. It also says foam and carpet are not made to handle the impact.
Rubber for the lifting area
Our CrossFit guide gives 8mm as the minimum thickness, which suits home gyms. For commercial use, it recommends 3/8″ to 1/2″. Our Rubber Rolls Buying Guide calls 3/8″ the industry standard for weightlifting and CrossFit.
- Rolls: a floor that is almost seamless. Good for large spaces such as commercial gyms.
- Tiles: the edges lock together like puzzle pieces. You can mix colors or patterns for a custom look.
- Mats: good for a small space. Put a mat over thinner flooring where athletes drop heavy weights.
High-impact options for jumps
A high-impact move is any move with both feet in the air, such as jump rope, burpees and box jumps. High-impact flooring lessens the stress on knees, back and hips. Our High Impact Flooring guide describes three designs:
- Low-density rubber: the most affordable option. It gives more cushion and shock absorption.
- Attached underlayment: a rubber top layer over a foam layer. It is more durable than low-density rubber.
- Waffle backing: small air pockets under the floor. This is the best choice when athletes jump and also drop heavy dumbbells and barbells.
Tell us your lifting, jump and sled areas. We can quote the rubber and the turf together.
Turf for sleds and drills
Gym turf gives traction for lateral moves, sled pulls, HIIT and drills. It is not ideal for weightlifting. Many turf products need an underlayment if athletes drop heavy weights on them. For commercial gyms, our guide recommends gluing turf rolls down.
| Turf material | What our guide says |
|---|---|
| Polypropylene | One of the softest; less likely to irritate hands and elbows during floor exercises |
| Polyethylene | Ultra-durable and UV-resistant; good indoors and outdoors |
| Nylon | The most durable; good for constant sled work; not UV-stable, so do not use it outdoors |
Care for a mixed floor
- Rubber: vacuum loose dirt. Damp mop sometimes with mild soap and water.
- Rubber cleaners to avoid: do not use solvent or oil cleaners such as Pine-Sol, Lysol, Murphy's Oil Soap or WD40. They break down the floor over time.
- Turf: sweep it sometimes. Never use bleach on turf. Rake matted turf with a synthetic brush.