Treadmill Mats to Protect Your Floor, Your Equipment, and Yourself
Since so many jobs nowadays are in front of computer screens, it’s become more and more essential to get some exercise as well. Some people suffice with gym subscriptions, while others bring the gym into their home or office. Popular exercise machines include a treadmill, a stationary bike, an elliptical machine, or a rowing machine. But, these pieces of equipment can take a toll on your floor or carpet. They can scratch and damage hardwood floors or linoleum. Also, dust and carpet fibers can get into your equipment. For these reasons, if you get exercise equipment, it’s a good idea to get a treadmill mat to put underneath. It’ll protect your floor, and the equipment at the same time!
Treadmill mats are more versatile than that, however. They can also be used as a regular exercise mat. They provide cushioning and protection for your knees and joints if you do yoga or Pilates. If you lift weights, then can also cushion the floor if you drop the weights on the floor. And these mats are typically made from easy-to-clean waterproof materials. We’ll go through some of the options and their features, to help you decide!
FAQ
What are the benefits of a treadmill mat?
A treadmill mat protects your floor, your exercise equipment, and even yourself. And there are other advantages as well:
-
Protects the floor or carpet: The movements of a treadmill may scratch a hardwood or linoleum floor. If you exercise on a carpeted surface, the weight can also damage the fibers of your carpet if you don’t also have a mat. Also, if you use the mat for weightlifting, a mat will protect the floor if you drop one of the weights.
-
Protects your exercise equipment: Also, a treadmill mat will prevent carpet fibers and dust from entering your expensive exercise equipment. A $40-$75 mat is a worthwhile investment, considering your exercise equipment can cost $800-$1000.
-
Protects yourself: People who perform yoga or Pilates say that a mat can spare them abrasions, as well as pressure on their joints or knees when exercising.
-
Absorb noise and vibration: Many of these treadmill mats are 4-6 mm thick. This is sufficient to provide sound insulation so that your exercising won’t disturb neighbors or your family members.
Types of Treadmill Mats
Among the Best Reviews Guide Top 10, we can distinguish between three main types of treadmill mats, in terms of how they cover floor space:
-
Interlocking tiles: These are pieces of EVA foam that fit together, much like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. This way, you can employ as many tiles as you like, to cover exactly the amount of space that you need. An example is the Epic Fitness Home Gym Flooring Tiles. Each tile is 24” x 24”, and you get 6 tiles in a pack, so it can cover an area of 4 feet x 6 feet.
Epic Fitness Home Gym Flooring Tiles
-
Foldable mats: There are mats that consist of slats that can be folded when you want to put them away, and unfolded to the exact length that you need. An example is the Stamina Fold-to-Fit Folding Equipment Mat. It measures 84” x 36” when fully open, and each slat is 12” long. It’s also made from EVA foam.
Stamina Fold-to-Fit Folding Equipment Mat
-
Mats that can be rolled up: The majority of treadmill mats can be rolled up into a cylinder. That makes them significantly more portable than the other options if you want to take the mat with you. They’re usually made from either rubber (SBR or EPDM rubbers) or PVC (=polyvinyl chloride). The MotionTex Exercise Equipment Mat is made from PVC, while the RevTime Treadmill Mat is made of rubber.
MotionTex Exercise Equipment Mat
RevTime Treadmill Mat
What reviewers say
Here’s what customers say about their choice of treadmill mat:
-
Protection for a wooden floor: Customers with a wooden floor were pleased with their choice. A good mat saved their floor from scratches and dents. And it’s not easy to repair damage to wooden floors!
-
Rubber is more cushioning than PVC: One customer who purchased the SuperMats Solid PVC Mat said that rubber tends to be more expensive and heavier than PVC. Also, rubber tends to provide more cushioning. But, at least the PVC has the advantage of excellent traction. There was no concern of slipping with rubber-soled shoes, and the exercise machine remained put.
Important Features
Here are some features of the best treadmill mats, which may help you decide on one model over another:
-
Purchase according to the size of your equipment: An elliptical machine will typically take up less space than a rowing machine. You can purchase mats in accordance with your equipment. There are mats that come in different sizes, such as the Sunny Health & Fitness Treadmill Mat. You can purchase XS (20” x 30”), S, M, and L (39.5” x 90.5”). All of the mattresses are 4 mm thick.
-
Non-slip surface: The best treadmill mats have a textured non-slip underside. This will ensure that all of the motion on the exercise equipment won’t move the position of the mat. The upper side will usually be a smooth material, which is more comfortable if you choose to use it as a yoga mat.
-
Easy to clean: Most of the mats that we reviewed were water resistant, and can be cleaned with nothing more than just soap and water. Some customers just hose down their mat with a garden hose and soap!
Final Verdict
We went through some of the best treadmill mats available nowadays in the Best Reviews Guide list. There are excellent mats made from EVA foam, rubber, or PVC. Whether you’re looking for a mat of interlocking tiles, or a foldable or rollable mat, you’re sure to be able to find something that fits your equipment, and protects you and your floor!
