A gym flooring specification checklist

The gym floor is often specified late, with a single line in the finishes schedule: "rubber flooring, 10 mm". That's how variations happen. Floor levels don't work, the slab isn't ready, an acoustic system is added after the screed is poured, or the equipment arrives before the adhesive has cured.

This checklist covers what to resolve at design stage, so the floor is right first time.

1. Zones and loads

• Equipment list and floor plan agreed, so every zone is known
• Lifting platforms and heavy drop zones located
• Turf track length, width and run-off confirmed
• Point loads from heavy machines and racks noted
• Flooring type and thickness specified per zone. See Zoning a training floor

2. Acoustics

• What's below and beside the gym (apartments, hotel rooms, offices)
• Acoustic targets agreed with the acoustic engineer
• Acoustic flooring system selected for the drop zones. Acoustic system build-ups typically range from about 45 mm to 95 mm
• Finished floor levels, thresholds and door undercuts set to suit the build-up. See Stopping gym noise and vibration in apartments and hotels

3. Slab preparation

Rubber flooring manufacturers set out subfloor requirements in their installation guides. Typical requirements for rolled rubber:

• Flatness: no more than 4 mm deviation under a 2 m straight edge
• Relative humidity of the slab no higher than 85%
• Slab pH above 9 neutralised before installation
• Slab clean, sound and free of curing compounds

Ask for the current installation guide for the product you specify.

4. Performance and compliance

• Slip resistance to AS 4586 specified for each area, especially wet areas and change rooms. See Change rooms, wet areas and recovery spaces
• Indoor turf with fire testing certification to suit the building code
• Force reduction figures requested for sports and impact areas

5. Sustainability

• Certifications required for the project's rating tool (Green Star, WELL)
• Product documents collected. The rubber flooring we specify carries GECA certification, an Environmental Product Declaration and Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze, and GECA-certified flooring contributes towards Green Star materials points

6. Branding

• Logos, colours and line markings designed, positioned and approved
• Lead times for custom colours allowed in the programme. See Your logo in the floor

7. Sequencing

• Flooring installed before equipment
• Rolls conditioned on site (ideally 24 hours at 18°C or more) and installed between 10°C and 28°C
• No foot traffic for 48 hours, no heavy loads for 72 hours, no wet cleaning for 7 days after installation
• Equipment delivery and install booked after the cure period
• Cleaning and maintenance instructions handed over. See Caring for rubber gym flooring

Bring us in early

LUXGYM works with architects, interior designers and builders from early design. We provide floor plans, 3D renders, equipment schedules and specification wording, plus product documents for the rubber flooring, sports turf and wet-area flooring we install. Then we supply and install the lot.

Specifying a gym? See For architects and builders or get in touch.