Frequently Asked Questions: Gym Flooring in Edmonton
What is the best gym flooring for an Edmonton basement?
Rubber tiles or rolls are the best choice for Edmonton basement gyms. Rubber is moisture-resistant, handles concrete subfloors without a vapour barrier (for loose-lay tiles), provides excellent impact absorption, and performs well in cooler basement temperatures. For a full basement-specific guide, see our post on home gym flooring for Edmonton basements.
How thick should gym flooring be for a home gym in Edmonton?
Thickness depends on your workout type: 8mm for yoga and light cardio only; 12mm for general home gym use including treadmills, bikes, and light free weights; 20mm for heavy free weight areas with squat racks and deadlifts; 30–40mm for Olympic weightlifting platforms. Most Edmonton home gyms benefit from 12mm in the cardio zone and 20mm in the free weight area.
Do I need to glue down rubber gym flooring?
Not for interlocking rubber tiles — they can be laid loose directly over concrete. The interlocking edges hold them in place without adhesive. Rubber rolls installed over large areas typically use adhesive around the perimeter for stability. For home gym installations, loose-lay tiles are the most practical approach — easy to install, reconfigure, or remove.
Can I use regular flooring in a home gym?
Not recommended. LVP cracks under heavy point loads from equipment feet. Hardwood dents and gouges from dropped weights. Carpet provides inadequate stability for lifting and wears quickly under cardio equipment. Gym flooring is purpose-built to absorb impact, handle heavy loads, provide traction, and dampen noise — regular flooring does none of these things adequately.
What’s the difference between rubber gym tiles and foam tiles?
Rubber handles heavy equipment and dropped weights — it’s the right choice for any free weight area. Foam is softer, lighter, and more affordable but compresses under heavy equipment and isn’t suitable for lifting areas. Foam tiles are appropriate for yoga, stretching, and light bodyweight training areas only. For a full breakdown, see our guide to how to choose gym flooring in Edmonton.