Why only a specialist should install commercial gym flooring

If you’re looking for advice on how to install gym flooring, particularly for a commercial gym, we highly advise hiring a specialist.
Imagine investing in top of the line gym equipment, only to have your members’ workout experiences undermined by sub-par flooring.
Unfortunately this scenario is more common than you might think: we’ve visited far too many gyms where we can see they’ve invested in high-quality commercial gym flooring, but where it’s equally clear the installations haven’t been carried out by a specialist.
How so? Because we can immediately spot issues such as extensive bubbling and/or corners that can be peeled up just by pulling with your fingers. We can see rubber gym flooring tiles that no longer meet. Wrinkled turf tracks. Sheets of flooring that have risen and overlapped.
And yes, this can happen even if you buy top-quality flooring; the issues arise from poor installation.
In fact, it’s no overstatement to say that specialist installation is the difference between flooring that supports members’ fitness journeys and flooring that hinders them.
Commercial gym flooring: Don’t cut corners!
It isn’t just an aesthetic or experiential issue. It’s a health and safety issue too, as badly installed flooring can create trip hazards that must be quickly addressed.
The expenses can add up quickly, including the costs of fixing or replacing the flooring and the time the gym will be out of commission; it may be necessary to shut down large sections of the gym in order to remove equipment and reveal the damaged flooring. Cue lots of unhappy members – and most likely a higher overall bill than if you’d done it properly in the first place.
The short version: cutting corners on gym flooring installation won’t actually save you money in the long – or even medium – term. Without proper preparation and installation techniques, even the highest-quality commercial gym flooring degrades quickly, leading to premature replacement and additional costs.
Trust (only) in the experts
That’s why Physical uses a specialist for all its commercial gym flooring installations – someone who has specialised in gym flooring installation for over 10 years, who knows the minute detail of all the different types of flooring we sell, and who understands the importance of things like:
- Subfloor preparation: Experienced installers ensure the subfloor is level, dry and free of contaminants to enable proper adhesion and long-term stability. This isn't a quick sweep-and-lay situation; it’s meticulous preparation that sets the stage for success. Miss just one tiny stone and the floor won’t fully adhere at that point; over time, this will cause the whole floor to lift.
- Adhesive selection: Installing gym flooring is different from fitting carpet or other standard floor surfaces. Not all adhesives will work. Experts know exactly which adhesive to choose for different flooring materials and subfloor types, when to lay latex screed for a strong bond and when it’s possible to bond directly to concrete, ensuring optimal bonding and preventing future issues.
- Tools and technique: Even seemingly minor details like trowel size and application technique can significantly impact the adhesive’s effectiveness.
- Acclimatisation of materials: Allowing the flooring to adjust to the room temperature and humidity before installation can also help prevent future issues. It’s also important to note that rubber tiles expand and shrink with changes in temperature; expert installers factor this in, using techniques such as compression fitting to prevent warping, gaps and other problems down the line.
- Anticipating issues: Experienced installers will also identify and resolve challenges such dampness before they become major problems, saving you time and money in the long run. Put another way, they won’t simply lay your new gym flooring on top of problems and look to blame the quality of the flooring when issues inevitably arise further down the line!
Commercial gym flooring: Always invest in the best
In summary, skimping on flooring installation might seem like a harmless shortcut, but the consequences can be far-reaching.
Physical always does everything properly and professionally; we won’t cut corners just to cut costs and win jobs. We do it right, because we know that good installation is as important as the product itself.
Put simply, our commercial gym flooring installations will provide years of great service. That is our commitment to you.
Need a testimonial? Just talk to our customers who have flown in Physical’s specialist installer to do overseas jobs for them… They know our team is the best in the business.
Explore our extensive range of commercial gym flooring now. Whichever of our exceptional products you choose, we can promise you this: your gym floor will be installed by the best in the business – sales@physicalcompany.co.uk