High Impact Flooring Buying Guide

For your most challenging moves, you need the ultimate in shock absorption. That's where high impact flooring comes in. Find the perfect option for you with this High Impact Flooring Buying Guide.

Extreme flooring for extreme workouts and extreme(ly hardcore) people!

If you are running, jumping, burpee-ing and jumping rope along with other plyometric movements, you and your floor need some extra protection.

Related content >> Commercial Gym Flooring Buying Guide

What is High Impact Flooring?

At first glance, it’s hard to tell what makes a particular product suitable for high impact activities.

The term “high impact” typically refers to your joints and describes movements like jump rope, burpees, jumping jacks, running and plyometrics in general. Any move where you have both feet in the air at the same time is considered high impact.

High impact flooring is specially engineered to protect your joints during these exercises. I’m sure you’ve heard people say “I can’t run. I have bad knees.” While your body will still go through stress doing these high-intensity movements, high impact flooring can lessen the stress and wear on your knees, back and hips.

There are a few ways these high impact options work.

Low density: The most affordable high-impact options are made from a recycled, lower-density rubber. This provides more cushion and shock absorption on your joints.
Attached underlayment: Many options include an attached foam underlayment which adds extra support and shock absorption. These typically include a rubber top layer and are more durable than low-density options.
Shock-absorbent waffle backing: In some products, this is also referred to as a “multi-nib backing”. All it means is that the bottom of the floor is not flat, but instead designed with small air pockets to aid shock absorption. These high impact options are typically ultra-durable and the best choice for the combination of plyometric exercises and high-impact weightlifting where you will be dropping heavy dumbbells and barbells.

Related content >> High Impact Workouts vs. Low Impact Workouts

Types of High Impact Flooring

High impact flooring is made from the same types of materials as traditional gym flooring. You can choose between rubber gym flooring and foam gym flooring with options in tiles and rolls.

However, you don’t want to just pick any rubber or foam gym flooring. It’s important to choose a gym flooring option specifically rated for high impact use.

Related content >> Home Gym Flooring Buying Guide

High Impact Rubber Tiles

High impact rubber tiles are the most popular high impact flooring option for home gyms. They are durable, affordable and known for their easy, DIY interlocking installation.

Homeowners love that installing high impact rubber tiles is just like putting together a giant, life-size rubber puzzle. Each tile contains interlocking edges that come together way more easily than one of those Thomas Kinkade puzzles.

Choose from multiple thickness options between 6mm and 3/4”.

In terms of price, rubber floor tiles range from under $3/sqft all the way to over $7/sqft.

There are many variables that factor in to determine cost. However, our most popular home gym high impact flooring tiles typically run anywhere from $3/sqft-$4/sqft.

Pros of High Impact Rubber Tiles

Supreme shock absorbency: High impact flooring offers the best of the best when it comes to shock absorption. No other floor compares.
Ultra-durable: Whether you choose tiles, rolls or mats, rubber gym flooring is top notch when it comes to durability.
Easy DIY installation: The biggest appeal for tiles over rolls is that they come together just like puzzle pieces. It’s a super easy install that literally anyone can do.
Lighter than high impact rubber rolls: You don’t need to enlist your barbell club to move these guys around.
Easy to clean: Just vacuum or use a damp mop when necessary.
Anti-microbial: That’s a fancy way to say you won’t see weird things growing in your floor.
Water resistant: Sweat your heart out and create your home gym on any level, including your basement. Rubber isn’t particular.

Cons of High Impact Rubber Tiles

Tedious installation for big spaces: Although high impact rubber gym tiles are easy to install, they do get time-consuming in large spaces. They are best for smaller areas.
More seams than high impact rubber rolls: While most tiles are virtually seamless, they will never be quite as seamless as rolled rubber flooring.
Price: High impact rubber gym tiles are more expensive than rolls per square foot.

High Impact Rubber Tiles Installation

One of the primary benefits of rubber floor tiles is they are ridiculously easy to install – so easy, even a novice can install them in an afternoon.

Interlocking rubber tiles come together just like a puzzle. Simply lock each tile into place, then sit back and praise yourself for your exceptional installation. Yes, it’s really that simple.

You can install your high impact rubber gym floor tiles by either loose-laying them or using double-sided tape for a more permanent installation. We do not recommend gluing your rubber tiles to the subfloor because the glue can seep up through the seams and nobody wants that.

When you install rubber rolls you have 3 options:

Loose lay: If you are loose-laying your gym tiles, after you lock them together, you really are done! Most of the time, the tiles are heavy enough to naturally stay in place with no extra adhesive necessary. If you loose lay your tiles, you can easily pick them up and move them at any time.
Double-sided tape: For more extreme conditions, consider using double-sided carpet tape around the perimeter of your floor. This is quite easy and you will still be able to transport your high impact rubber gym tiles in the event that you change locations.

High Impact Rubber Tile Options

5/8” Evolution Rubber Tiles: These thick, durable, high impact rubber tiles are super versatile, perfect for everything from P90X to powerlifting. Their multi-nib backing absorbs the shock and impact from heavy weights and jumping movements to protect you and your subfloor.
3/4” Soft Rubber Tiles: These rubber-topped tiles are backed by a cushioned, comfortable, EVA foam backing. They are excellent at providing shock absorption for plyometrics but less suitable for heavy weights.
3/4” Shock Tiles: These babies are the weightlifter’s high impact rubber floor tile. With a shock-absorbing waffle backing and an ultra-thick rubber construction, they can handle it all.
15mm Impact Tiles - Designer Series: Our designer series impact tiles come with a gorgeous rubber top layer, backed by a shock-absorbing attached underlayment for the perfect combination of style and functionality. They are perfect for everything from jump ropes to cleans and jerks.
6mm Impact Tiles - Performance Series: These tiles offer a 100% virgin rubber top layer with an attached underlayment to provide extra shock absorption. Even at just 6mm thick, the virgin rubber is dense and durable enough to handle your toughest workouts.

Shop All High Impact Tiles

High Impact Rubber Rolls

High impact rubber rolls are known for their seamless appearance. When installed correctly, it is nearly impossible to see where one roll ends and another begins.

Rubber gym flooring rolls come in a variety of different thickness options to suit your needs. High-impact rubber rolls specially designed to keep your joints safe during high-impact, plyometric movements.

In terms of price, high impact rubber gym flooring rolls range in price from under $1/sqft to about $6/sqft.

There are many variables that factor in to determine cost. However, our most popular high impact flooring rolls typically run anywhere from $1/sqft-$3/sqft.

Related content >> Rubber Flooring Rolls Buying Guide

Pros of High Impact Rubber Rolls

Supreme shock absorbency: High impact flooring offers the best of the best when it comes to shock absorption. No other floor compares.
Ultra-durable: Whether you choose tiles, rolls or mats, rubber gym flooring is top notch when it comes to durability.
DIY, glue-free installation: You can 100% install high impact rubber flooring rolls without the help of an installation professional. Just make sure you have some swole friends to help because these bad boys get pretty heavy.
Easy to clean: Simply vacuum or use a damp mop when necessary.
Anti-microbial: That’s a fancy way to say you won’t see weird things growing in your floor.
Water-resistant: Sweat your heart out and create your home gym on any level, including your basement. Rubber isn’t particular.
Price: With rolls as low as $0.99/sqft, you can’t do much better than that!
Seamless look: With high impact rolls, your floor will truly appear seamless.

Cons of High Impact Rubber Rolls

Weight: With superhuman durability comes a pretty bulky floor that weighs quite a bit. If you choose rolled rubber high impact flooring, you’ll definitely want to enlist the help of a few fit friends when it comes time for installation.

Impact Rubber Rolls Installation

Rubber flooring rolls are extremely easy to install. They are, however, cumbersome. Listen - thick, durable rubber is going to be heavy. This is not the kind of job you want to do solo.

While learning how to install rubber flooring rolls is extremely easy to do without the help of an installation professional, I wouldn’t say you want to do it yourself. We think of it as more of a DIWF (Do It With Friends) flooring option.

When you install rubber rolls, you have 3 options:

Loose lay: If you are loose-laying your gym flooring rolls, after you roll them out and in place, you really are done! Most of the time, the rolls are heavy enough to naturally stay in place with no extra adhesive necessary. If you loose lay your rubber rolls, you can pick them up and move them or take them with you to a new location at any time.
Double-sided tape: For more tougher conditions, consider using double-sided carpet tape around the perimeter of your floor. This is extremely easy and you will still be able to transport your rolled rubber flooring in the event that you change locations.
Full glue down. In extreme conditions, some CrossFit and commercial gym owners prefer to fully glue down their rubber gym flooring rolls. This will ensure no movement and no curling up at the edges. However, once the rolls are glued, they cannot go with you if you move locations.

High Impact Rubber Roll Options

Think high impact rubber tiles might be for you? Here’s a look at what we recommend.

Pre-Cut Eco-Flec Rolls: These rolls are super popular for their affordable price. Low-density rubber provides a great value as it is less expensive than traditional rubber rolls but equally durable. Choose 1/4” and 8mm rolls for plyometric movements. Or, go with 3/8” or 1/2” rolls if you plan to use weights as well.
8mm Impact Rolls - Designer Series: Our designer series impact rolls come with a gorgeous rubber top layer, backed by a shock-absorbing attached underlayment for the perfect combination of style and functionality. They are perfect for everything from jump ropes to cleans and jerks.
15mm Impact Rolls - Designer Series: These babies do everything our 8mm designer series rolls do but with extra sound absorption, making them a customer favorite for second- and third-story gyms.
Impact Rolls: Similar to the Eco-Flec Rolls, Impact Rolls provide a lower-density rubber gym flooring roll at an incredible value. These are used most often for plyometric movements; however, they are durable enough for weightlifting as well.
Impact Rolls - Wood Series: For the best of the best, our Impact Rolls - Wood Series is where it’s at. With a durable, shock-absorbent rubber underlay and a premium, wood-look vinyl surface, you can use these high impact rolls anywhere from indoor basketball courts to commercial gyms to even dance studios. They are the do-it-all high impact roll.

Shop All High Impact Rolls

High Impact Rubber Mats

For small spaces or weightlifting areas, sometimes high impact floor mats are the way to go. For example, you may not need high impact specific flooring over your entire gym. Instead, you can dedicate a smaller area and cover it with high impact rubber matting.

High impact gym flooring mats are typically sold by the full mat price, rather than by square foot. They range from about $65 to $150, depending on type and thickness.

Related content >> Rubber Mats Buying Guide

Pros of High Impact Rubber Mats

Great for small spaces: When you don’t need to do an entire area, high impact mats will be your best option, saving you time and money.
Supreme shock absorbency: High impact flooring offers the best of the best when it comes to shock absorption. No other floor compares.
Ultra-durable: Whether you choose tiles, rolls or mats, rubber gym flooring is top notch when it comes to durability.
No installation necessary: Simply lay it and leave it. Seriously, so easy.
Easy to clean: Just vacuum or use a damp mop when necessary.
Anti-microbial: That’s a fancy way to say you won’t see weird things growing in your floor mat.
Water resistant: Sweat your heart out and create your home gym on any level, including your basement. Rubber isn’t particular.
Portable: Easily change your setup by simply picking the mats up and moving them where you want them.

Cons of High Impact Rubber Mats

Not appropriate for large spaces: If you have a big space to cover, you’re better off going with high impact rolls, both financially and time-wise.
Price: High impact rubber gym floor mats are affordable on their own, but they do end up being more expensive per square foot.

High Impact Rubber Mats Installation

Installation is almost a strange word to use here. All you need to do is lay the mat down where you want to use it and you’re done.

In extreme conditions, you may consider using double-sided carpet tape around the perimeter to ensure your mat stays perfectly in place.

High Impact Rubber Mat Options

Think high impact rubber tiles might be for you? Here’s a look at what we recommend.

3/4” Shock Mats: These babies are made to absorb the shock of heavy weights, keeping your subfloor safe and sound. They will also protect your joints from plyometric movements, but they are most commonly used as a weightlifting mat.
Impact Mats: Just like our Impact Rolls, our Impact Mats are made from lower-density recycled rubber, giving your joints plenty of cushion upon landing.

Shop All High Impact Mats

High Impact Flooring FAQ

That’s quite a bit of information! Still need answers? Here are a few of our most frequently asked questions about high impact gym flooring.

Q) Can I use high impact flooring for Olympic lifting and powerlifting?

A) Yes. Most of our high impact gym flooring options are designed to absorb shock from not just bodyweight, but heavy Olympic and power lifts as well.

Some options are better suited for the heavy weights so just make sure to check the manufacturer instructions on the floor you’re interested in.

Q) Can I place heavy equipment over high impact flooring?

A) yes. Again, it depends on the product. Check the manufacturer instructions to be 100% sure.

Q) Can I install high impact flooring over carpet?

A) Yes, you can! You can easily install rubber gym flooring over a short, low-pile carpet.

If you cannot rip up your plush carpet, you can lay plywood over the plush carpet and install your home gym flooring over your plywood.

Q) How do you clean high impact flooring?

A) It depends which option you go with. Most high impact gym flooring options require a simple cleaning solution of mild soap and water.

Each product offers specific instructions on cleaning and maintenance.

Ready to get started?

Order Free Samples Shop All High Impact Flooring