Interlocking foam tiles are not only for kids’ play areas. They make perfect home gym floor mats as well. In fact, they offer numerous benefits, which make them well worth the inexpensive price.
My Review of ProSource Exercise “Puzzle Mats”
I recently purchased and installed interlocking foam tiles to use in my home gym. Below, I explain the pros and cons, the features I like and tips for using them,
1. Foam Mats Protect Your Floors
First of all, I just installed new flooring in my home. I found the surface too hard to jump around on, plus I wanted to protect it. A floor mat for my home gym provided the perfect solution for both problems. And, foam tiles wouldn’t scratch my underlying floor either.
2. Customize the Size & Shape of Your Exercise Mat
Secondly, interlocking tiles let me determine the size and shape of my exercise mat. I could make it as wide or as long as I wanted, and I could even cut the foam to fit around walls or furniture.
Note: This feature actually came in handy, because I decided to install my foam tiles wall-to-wall. In other words, I covered the entire room with the tiles – except for the spot where I have the floor vent. I simply left that tile out!
By the way, these floor tiles make installation super easy. The total project took me less than 30 minutes (for the entire room!)
3. EVA Foam Mats Make Exercising “Comfortable”
Third, these home gym floor mats are super comfortable to exercise on.
Not to mention, they absorb impact when you do jump squats or other plyometric exercises.
Plus, they are perfect for stretching and core exercises where you lay on the floor. I knew they would have some amount of cushion to them, but they exceeded my expectations. In fact, I’m considering using some at my standing desk.
All that said, I found the surface too slippery to perform yoga poses like downward dog without slipping a little. However, using a sticky yoga mat or microfiber towel solves that issue.
Note: Also, I later realized that foam matting also helps to reduce noise (ie. when you jump). This comes in handy when you want to watch a movie or listen music while working out.
4. Foam Workout Mats Can Save You Money
Fourth, you can get these interlocking foam exercise mats in small packs that cover 24 square feet. Therefore, you can buy multiple units to cover the amount of floor space you have. You don’t have to end up with a lot of excess flooring. =)
EVA foam provides a cheap option for a home gym floor, while at the same time it is quite durable and the tiles are well-made. I think ProSource offers the best price on these interlocking floor mats, (which is why I bought them). However, don’t be afraid to shop around.
Overview of ProSource Home Gym Floor Mats:
Note: By the way, some people who reviewed this product on Amazon mentioned that the colors varied when they purchased multiple packs of tiles. That did not happen to me. All tiles looked identical in color.
Foam VS Rubber Floor Mats for a Home Gym?
I like these foam floor mats because they are soft. Therefore, they absorb shock better than rubber mats, and they are more comfortable for doing floor exercises and stretching. Plus, EVA foam tiles are cheap and easy to install.
On the other hand, their softness means that large gym equipment and heavy weights will leave indentations in the foam. Foam also may wear out faster, due to the fact that rubber is denser and more durable.
For these reasons, weightlifters may prefer rubber floor mats. If your home gym gets frequent traffic by multiple people throughout the day, you may also want to use rubber mats.
Conversely, foam mats typically work better for people doing plyometric or cardio routines, pilates or floor-based workouts.
Note: I also like foam for my TRX workouts and light strength training. Because they have an element of “squishiness” to them, 1/2″ foam adds a level of balance to single-leg exercises. (Similar you would get from a Bosu ball, but definitely not as intense.)
How to Clean Interlocking Floor Mats:
One of the advantages of EVA Foam mats is that you can clean them easily. And, because they are water-resistant, they don’t dirty quite as easily. ProSource recommends combining warm water with dish soap and wiping them down with a towel. For tougher stains, you can apply a mild laundry detergent. Then, simply let them air dry.
Specs for ProSource Home Gym Floor Mats:
- Dimensions: 24″ x 24″ per tile
- Package Covers: 24 Square Feet
- Thickness: 1/2″
- Material: High Density EVA Foam (contains no phthalates)
- 3 Color Options: Black, Blue, Grey
- Manufacturer: ProSource
- Buy ProSource Exercise Mats Here