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Where Would You Use a Roll of Foam Matting?

By Kyle Schurman Created: February, 2021 - Modified: June, 2024

A roll of foam can be an invaluable tool to use when installing flooring at a home or an athletic studio, providing a number of cushioning benefits. Installation of foam is common in a variety of locations, including:

When the polyethylene (PE) foam does not have a layer of another material attached to it, it’s necessary to place the roll underneath flooring to prevent damage to the foam and allowing the foam to work as an underlayment layer. The foam’s benefits as an underlayment include:
  • Cushioning
  • Shock absorption
  • Noise suppression
  • Insulation against cold cement floors

If the roll of foam has a vinyl or carpet top surface bonded to it, it will work directly as flooring for cheerleading, gymnastics, or martial arts workouts. It will not have to be an underlayment only.

Are Foam Rolls Available That Athletes Can Run and Jump on Directly?

Roll Out Wrestling MMA MatWhen gyms want to make use of cushioned foam that they can roll out for use as a primary flooring, they will need to select a roll that has a protective layer bonded to it. This layer will keep the foam from tearing or suffering damage when used regularly.

One option that’s popular among martial arts studios is the Roll Out Wrestling MMA Mat. This mat contains a 1.25-inch thick layer of foam with a protective vinyl layer attached to the top.



When the martial arts students need cushioning for a workout, instructors can roll out this mat. Upon completion of the workout, roll the mat up and place it into storage.

The vinyl layer is durable enough to stand up to athletes working out in bare feet, shoes, or athletic boots. The attached foam layer consists of PE foam, which offers excellent cushioning and rebound properties.

This roll out mat measures 5 by 10 feet, providing 50 square feet of coverage. For more coverage, installers can lay two or more mats side by side and use vinyl tape to connect them.

Flexible Cheerleading Roll Out MatFor a carpet top option, the Flexible Cheerleading Roll Out Mat delivers excellent performance for cheerleaders and gymnasts. The carpet provides the solid footing these athletes need for a tumbling approach.

This is a highly durable product, as the carpet layer attaches to the foam securely with a needle punch technique. The foam layer is a cross-linked PE foam, which has outstanding cushioning, bouncing back quickly to its original shape after compressing.

Each roll measures 6 by 42 feet with 1-3/8 inches in thickness. Both the vinyl and carpet bonded foam models are Made in America products.



The types of foam roll flooring have produced happy customers in everything from cheer and gymnastics gyms to indoor playgrounds and Kyuki-Do martial arts studios. One customer even raved about using the extra material as a pole pad after installing them on the floor.