Best Low VOC Gym Flooring Options

At Greatmats, you'll find some of the best commercial quality low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) gym flooring anywhere in the United States. If rubber is your thing, a commercial grade rolled rubber will likely be your best option for low odor. However, if you aren't planning to drop heavy weights, you'll likely have a lot more options to you including high density EVA foam gym tiles and modular plastic tiles - many of which can even be installed over carpeting.

Rubber Gym Flooring Smell

If you are considering rubber flooring, you should first determine if you need a low-smell option. For home gyms, we generally recommend a low-odor option such as rubber tiles or rubber rolls. This is because, if you have forced air and decent insulation, that smell can disperse throughout your home and be a nuisance for some time.

The determining factor as to whether or not your floor will have that strong ''new tire'' smell is NOT whether or not it is made from recycled rubber content. The binding agent (usually sulfuric or urethane based) will determine the power of the odor. Urethane binding agents will have much lower odor than the varieties using a sulfuric binding agent. Most horse stall mats commonly used to substitute for rubber flooring designed specifically for gym will have a stronger oder due to their sulfuric binders.

Rubber Gym Flooring for Low Odor

Greatmats has a wide selection of rubber tiles and rubber rolls that are ideal for home and commercial gyms and have less odor than horse stall mats. For an even better option, consider the PaviGym rubber flooring that is partially made with virgin rubber.

Foam Flooring: Alternative to Rubber

If you are highly sensitive to odor, consider using foam flooring. Since these aren't made with rubber, they don't feature that tell-tale rubber odor. Although not as durable as rubber, some foam tiles are ideal for home gyms and exercise rooms. Other types of foam flooring are ideal for kickboxing gyms or aerobic areas.

However, it's important to note that foam flooring is not the best option for weightlifting areas and weight rooms.

PVC Tiles: Alternative to Rubber

PVC plastic floor tiles are another option for a low-odor solution that is more durable than foam material. PVC is a plastic material and won't feature a rubber smell. PVC tiles are interlocking tiles with various textures such as coin top, diamond plate, leather, slate, and more.

Carpet Tiles: Alternative to Rubber

Carpet tiles can be used in home gyms and commercial gyms. Carpet tiles have little to no odor making them ideal for people sensitive to smell. Choose a durable carpet tile such as one made from polypropylene fibers.

Carpet tiles have the additional benefit of providing warmth and a more unique look than black rubber gym flooring. Choose from various colors to fit your style.