The health and fitness market needs to continuously reinvent itself to attract new members and retain those they have. Miami is no exception. Here, fitness is taken very seriously, with gyms offering everything from learning the basics with “Workout 101” to the latest trending exercise steps.  No matter if your gym is located in a strip mall, warehouse, or upscale property, Miami owners have to contend with hot and humid temperatures. Therefore, commercial gym flooring in Miami is one of the most important areas to consider in a gym operation.

Aside from the exercise equipment, the one thing that a gym needs is good flooring. Installation of the right flooring not only impacts the people who exercise in helping to prevent injuries, but it can also protect the subfloor. 

THINGS TO CONSIDER

When selecting gym flooring, one has to consider many features, including its durability, aesthetics, functionality, ease of maintenance, and cleaning. Before installing gym flooring in Miami, you should consider a few things.

  1. Types of exercises: The gym flooring will depend a great deal on the types of exercise planned. For just yoga and aerobics, you may select carpet, vinyl, or laminate, but for heavy equipment and weights, rubber is the best option. Rubber is exceptionally strong and durable. Rubber can withstand significant traffic, and it is easy to maintain.
  2. Traction and being non-slip: In general, safety should be a priority when selecting flooring for a gym. When working with weights, running, jogging, or doing aerobics, there is always a risk of falling, which is enhanced if the flooring is slippery. You want, of course, to select flooring that has an anti-slip surface and provides good traction for those practicing intense workouts.
  3. Consider a mix: If the gym space is large with several different workout areas, consider a mix of flooring to reduce monotony and increase a feeling of liveliness.
  4. Know the space you want to be covered: You will need to know exactly how much space flooring needs. For smaller spaces, you may want to go with mats and rolls.
  5. Thickness: No matter which gym flooring you select, you need to consider the thickness. In general, thicker floorings can protect the undersurface and also help cushion any falls.
  6. Moisture resistance: During workouts, people will sweat, most of which falls on the floor. Thus, you must have flooring that is moisture resistant. Accumulating moisture on the flooring can lead to the growth of mildew and mold, as well as a potential slip and fall accident. Therefore, your flooring should be installed well so that there are no gaps for moisture to seep through or linger on the surface. In addition, the flooring should be cleaned regularly to keep bacteria and mold from growing. Rubber is one of the best flooring types to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
  7. Easy to clean: A busy gym will always get dirty. People who exercise also tend to eat and drink at the gym and walk in with all types of shoes. Hence, the flooring you select should be relatively easy to clean and will ideally not require any special cleaning solutions. Just a mop and detergent should be adequate. 
  8. Aesthetics: Finally, if you are in the business of running a gym, aesthetics is important. You want flooring that provides a good visual appearance. Today’s consumers can be extremely picky and will not join a gym that looks unclean or has old-looking flooring. Everything about the facility should be top-notch, and that includes flooring.
  9. Durability: Because gyms are busy and have heavy traffic, you want flooring that is durable, strong, and sturdy. In addition, with all the heavy equipment that is often used, you do not want the flooring to be damaged easily. Since gym flooring is a major investment, you want flooring that will last many years.

Before deciding on the flooring, you need to answer some questions: What types of activities are likely to be practiced on the floor? Is the space under supervision while in use? Will the space be occasionally used for other activities? Will equipment be used or placed on the floor?

Yoga and Pilates are very popular group classes in Miami. Here, the flooring must withstand heavy traffic, moisture, and pressure from activities.  As well, it needs to make movements easier and ease joint pain when possible. This type of performance flooring must be top quality and have a well-thought-out design. 

Other factors that need to be considered include: Does the flooring system have a means of reducing vibration after impact? Can the system be modified easily for special conditions (multipurpose/heavy equipment)? Is the surface consistent? How can damaged areas be repaired without replacing the whole floor? What type of maintenance is required? Can I take the floor or flooring system with me if I move?

RUBBER

Hands down, the best flooring for a gym is recycled rubber. Over the past few years, rubber has become the most popular flooring in gyms, spas, sports complexes, and exercise rooms. Gym flooring in Miami sees a lot of rubber – tiles, and rolls – in both the cardio and weight room areas. Rubber flooring provides more flexibility under machines and is considerably more resilient than other types of materials.

Rubber is water resistant, which means you are less likely to get moldy growth. In addition, rubber affords great cushioning in case of a fall. It is also soundproof and comfortable to walk on. Rubber is extremely hard and durable and will easily last many decades. Rubber flooring is made from recycled tires and is environmentally friendly, which helps keep waste away from landfills. The key is to install rubber flooring that is relatively thick so that it can withstand enormous foot and weight traffic. Rubber flooring is relatively easy to install, easy to clean, is more hygienic, won’t stain, and hides dirt well – all at an extremely low cost. The one negative about rubber is that it is a little more expensive than most other floorings. In addition, rubber flooring does not always have the best aesthetics, but if you want functionality, you have to sacrifice a little cosmesis.

HARDWOOD

Many Miami Yoga studios and Pilates rooms feature hardwood flooring. Hardwood is extremely strong and is widely used in indoor courts for basketball, bowling alleys, squash, indoor soccer, badminton, and many other sports. It is sturdy, durable, and extremely resilient. It is ideal for places in the gym where weights are not being used. Hardwood can handle all types of traffic and can withstand significant abuse. The key is to select the best grade hardwood, such as maple, oak, Brazilian cherry, elm, or oak. Hardwood also has very pleasant aesthetics and is easy to clean. For commercial gyms, the hardwood is finished with a surface coating that is both moisture and scratch-resistant.

The flooring is easier to clean than carpeting and does a better job of providing the precise traction needed for the workout. 

Hardwood for gyms is built for endurance, and the flooring is visually attractive. The downside of hardwood flooring is that it needs sanding and refinishing every 8-10 years. In addition, the flooring should be screened and recoated every year. To maintain durability, dry mopping and cleaning are highly recommended.

BAMBOO

Bamboo is also being installed in these rooms for its comfort and durability. Bamboo carries a unique Asian aesthetic, with the “knuckles” that are characteristic of bamboo easily visible on the surface.

Green fitness flooring is not new in the fitness industry. For years, recycled rubber has been used exclusively in weight rooms. With bamboo and newer commercial-grade carpets made from recycled material being installed, sustainable design can be incorporated into fitness facilities from the ground up.

As consumers continue to get “green smart,” they expect more green initiatives, particularly in places like health clubs, where people are trying to improve their health. As the popularity of sustainable design grows, club owners who weren’t initially attracted to eco-friendly flooring might find themselves forced to consider it.

CONCLUSION

Because there are several good options for gym flooring, it can be difficult to know which is best for you. Consulting with a flooring professional like East Coast Flooring & Interiors is a way you can learn about flooring for gyms and, therefore, be better able to make the best decision for your gym flooring in Miami. You preferably want to select versatile flooring. One that can handle aerobics as well as weight training.  Call East Coast Flooring & Interiors today at 1-954-321-9575 to schedule a free consultation.