Fitness is no longer an option; it is a lifestyle that people must choose for their health. That is why nearly every new year, ‘lose weight’ or ‘get fit’ is part of many people’s resolutions. There are many ways of getting fit, but many people opt for gyms. For this reason, it is imperative that gyms have the right type of floors. They should be able to withstand that human traffic that goes through, able to bear with the occasional dropping of weights and be safe to walk on despite the sweating bodies all around.

There are a few things to consider when picking gym flooring.

1. What types of exercises will be predominantly carried out in the gym? The floor should meet the durability, slip-resistance, stability, traction and shock absorption standards for these activities.
2. What type of surface is the floor going over?
3. How will you maintain the floor in tip-top conditions?
4. How long should the flooring last?
5. What is your budget?
6. What aesthetic qualities are you looking for?

Here are a few pros and cons of choosing hardwood for gym flooring;

Advantages

1. Wooden floors have good shock-absorbing qualities. This is important as there may be many people who will do exercises that require them to jump up and down on the floor. You don’t want to fear for your floors with every aerobics class.
2. Wooden floors will give your gym a warm look and feel and look very beautiful.
3. Every couple of years, you are supposed to resurface or refinish your floors. This can allow you to give your gym a new look by repainting the floors. This is a less expensive option compared to setting up new floors altogether.
4. Correctly installed wooden floors of high quality could serve you for decades. You may have to pay a high price during the purchasing and installation process, but it pays in dividends later.
5. The world is going green. By choosing hardwood floors, you are choosing to use a renewable and biodegradable source which supports current trends towards sustainability.
6. Cleaning wooden floors is very easy. Sometimes, all you will need is a mob and a bucket or a brush.

Disadvantages

1. Wooden floors are vulnerable to damage by moisture or humidity. This means you will have to make sure that your floors are well finished and be on the lookout for signs of moisture damage.
2. Generally, just like many surfaces, wooden floors will face wear and tear and will therefore need to be refinished every couple of years. This is especially true in a gym where there is high human traffic and people dragging or dropping heavy exercise equipment.
3. Sound typically bounces of wooden floors meaning that hardwood floors may amplify noise in your facility.
4. Installing high-quality wooden floors may be a costly endeavour.

There are many flooring options to choose from. You have to be sure that the one you chose for your gym can meet the factors stated above as well as other personal preferences you may have.