What type of flooring should I put in over my cement floor?

R

RWattier

Cathlete
We have an unfinished basement. When we go to finish it, I want to put in a workout room with the correct flooring - what is it called and any suggestions on where to get it would be helpful?

Temporarily, what would you suggest I use?
 
You might want to do a search as this is a common question ... one discussion link actually has photos of people's workout space. Temporarily, I'd put down puzzle mats (that's what I have done). My dream, if I were to build a house, would be to put one of the floors from GreatMats.com down. Go to their website, they have some newer materials now than when I purchased my puzzle mats. Good Luck! Deb
 
An aerobics floor would be ideal. I think they are suspended wooden floors, which absorb impact rather than 'pushing back' and putting that impact in your knees. Temporarily, you might try TWO LAYERS of puzzle mats, or extra thick puzzle mats. Concrete is probably the worst surface to workout on (the only thing I can think of that would be worse is to workout barefoot on concrete!)
 
Thanks - I have been working out on cement for over a year now! I know its insane - i don't know what I am doing - I have never had knee problems, but lately my ankles really bother me......

Will definitely invest in puzzle mats for temporarily.......
 
I workout on concrete too. Recently, after reading posts on this topic, I decided to get the puzzle mats from lowes. I think they are helping. I called a local fitness equipment store and the man said be careful not to get too thick pads because it can be just as bad as concrete. I thought this was interesting because I was going to get the thickest pads I could find. Melissa
 
>I workout on concrete too. Recently, after reading posts on
>this topic, I decided to get the puzzle mats from lowes. I
>think they are helping. I called a local fitness equipment
>store and the man said be careful not to get too thick pads
>because it can be just as bad as concrete. I thought this was
>interesting because I was going to get the thickest pads I
>could find. Melissa

I workout on a carpet over a concrete basement floor... been worrying about that, too. I wonder why the guy said too thick pads are as bad as concrete?
 
Maybe the guy feels thick pads might not be firm enough which could lead to problems like torqueing (sp?) the knee. I don't know. What I do know is that I only have a single layer of mats on my concrete floor and I've been having lots of problems with painful feet. I thought it was my sneakers but I just bought new ones and even with inserts my feet hurt. I'm heading off to Home Depot to get more mats so I can put down another layer. Hope I find them there, if not I'll have to order online.
 
I wish I could remember exactly what he said. It was somehtin along the lines of you don't want it too be too cushy beacuse there wouldn't be enough support. Melissa
 
I just got some puzzle mats from Cosco, so I'll see how they are. The only negative (or positive for some!) is they have a Disney princess motif all over them!:7
 
Hmmmm not sure what I am going to do now - I tt my husband about it and he said that concrete is probably not the culprit because I run on concrete outdoors constantly - I probably need crosstrainer shoes instead of running shoes for step aerobic so I don't twist my ankles. . . . I have a rug down for my weights, but I felt like I was getting stuck on the rug when I did step on it.......

Maybe I will try the shoes first and then try the puzzle mats - - will post in open discussion if I notice a difference.....

My hubby said only if I were working out bare foot, would the concrete really bother my joints - - otherwise think about volleyball, tennis, and basketball where the surface is hard - but I think even those surfaces have some give??
 
RE: What type of flooring should I put in over my cemen...

Melissa~
What thickness did you go with? We are looking into doing our workout room and I was wondering what is considered too cushy?

TIA!
:)
 
Reba,

Yes, courts are built different than concrete. Even though they are hard, there is a little "give" to that flooring. Runner's World rated concrete the WORST surface to run on. In fact, they recommend running on grass before running on asphalt and asphalt before running on concrete.

I'd still go with the aerobic flooring . . .

Chrissy
 
RE: What type of flooring should I put in over my cemen...

Sorry it took me so long to reply. I actual didn't think about the forums for a few days! Anyhow, I am terrible at measuring, but they are just under 1/2 inch. I got them in the carpet section at Lowe's. It is the only thickness they had. Melissa
 
There are really good mats that are like the puzzle type mats people are referring to but I think they are a bit more durable. You can find them at Greatmats.com. I have a 10X10 area and really wouldn't want a smaller area than that. They are more pricey than the puzzle mats but I have had mine for about 5 years and they are still in great shape. They are a bit slippery at first so just wash them a few times and they will be great for you.

Angie
 
RE: What type of flooring should I put in over my cemen...

Thanks Melissa! My life has been on FF lately anyway. ;-) I think I'll head out to Lowes this weekend and see what they have.
 
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