10 Best Treadmill Mat for Hardwood Floors

Simply having a treadmill mat won’t save your hardwood floors when you work out. You can still get scratches, and the blame is on the mat. If you have a thin mat, it won’t do you any good. Besides, material matters too. You can’t expect the same functionality from a rubber mat that you can get from PVC, can you?

Things get worse if the mat doesn’t come with an anti-slip feature. Wait! You didn’t know treadmill mats come with such great features, eh? Well, the best treadmill mat for hardwood floors does come up with more mind-boggling features. Read the reviews to know more.

Do You Need a Treadmill Mat?

It’s quite surprising how many people don’t use a mat under their treadmills or know why they should use one. This is especially true for home gyms. You won’t see many treadmills without a mat under them in a gym, though.

If you do, they’re doing it wrong. The primary reason to get a mat is to protect both your floors and the treadmill.

Working out on a treadmill can create noise and vibrations. On hardwood floors, the constant impact can also damage your floors. A durable treadmill mat is a perfect solution to tackle both of these issues.   

Place it under the machine, and you can protect the floor all while reducing unnecessary sounds and vibrations. That way, you won’t disturb others too.

With carpets, mats are even more important. Carpet fibers can significantly damage the machine if it gets lodged under the belt.

A lot of people also ask, do I need a treadmill mat on concrete. The answer to that question is yes. Concrete is susceptible to damage too. Given how long a good treadmill mat will last, they’re a worthy investment no matter what kind of floor you have.

Top 10 Treadmill Mats for Hardwood Floors

We, along with our team, picked the top 10 treadmill mats for hardwood floors. Read the reviews, keep notes, and take your pick.

Marcy Fitness Equipment Mat

We start our review with this Marcy fitness mat. This is one of the better mats you can buy to protect hardwood floors from exercise equipment.

It’s a thick mat coming in at ¼ inches and is made from EVA foam. That gives your floor protection from impacts. This helps keep your hardwood floors safe from dumbbells, barbells, and kettlebells.

Foam is one of the better materials for a mat. They’re durable and also very cushiony. There are options with PVC as well. Keep on reading for those alternatives.

You can use this to give yourself a comfortable surface to work out and pump weights.

Despite being made from high-quality and durable materials, it isn’t that heavy either. So, you can easily place it anywhere without having to lug it around.

The surface features a mat finish with non-slip properties. During workouts, you’ll sweat a lot. That’s when the firm surface will come in handy. It’ll keep the treadmill in place and give you a stable surface.

Noise and vibrations are kept to a minimum, so you don’t disturb others. Quite thoughtful, isn’t it?

This isn’t a one-trick pony either. It can be used in different settings. Use it at your home gym, garage, or kids’ playroom. This level of versatility is always appreciated.

You don’t have to put this under a treadmill only, either. Ellipticals and other machines can be placed over it too.

MotionTex Exercise Equipment Mat

Large and durably made are the two things that come to mind for this one. MotionTex’s exercise mats give you a balanced set of features that don’t disappoint.

Let’s start with the size of this one. It’s one of the bigger mats you can purchase that gives you enough real state to perform all kinds of exercises. Don’t be put off by the size, though. You can fit this under any standard treadmill.

Have beautiful floors that need protection? This gets the job done and then some more. Whether you have hardwood floors or pile carpets, rest easy knowing this mat will keep it safe.

For those sweaty workout sessions, the non-absorbent design will come in handy. Equipped with a surface that’s resistant to all sorts of moisture ranging from sweat, water, and even grease, it’ll give you a solid grip no matter what.

The grip is great for working out and doing some mean curls and heavy lifting. Your feet will be planted on the ground and be as firm as ever.

Speaking of the surface, it’s made from recycled PVC. We quite like the fact that it uses recycled materials for its construction. That’s certainly good for the environment.

Plus, it has the added benefit of being very durable and tough as nails. The only thing, unlike a nail, is it won’t hurt you when you step on it, thanks to the comfortable cushioning this gives you.

ProsourceFit Puzzle Exercise Mat

One look at this mat, and you’ll immediately understand it isn’t your typical one. This one is a bit of a puzzle, literally. We don’t know about you, but we love this innovative new take on mats. You can only do so much when creating a thick treadmill mat. When manufacturers think outside the box, that’s praiseworthy.

ProsourceFit Puzzle Mat comes in tiles that need to be connected together. There are separate tiles that fit together to form a complete mat. Each tile is 24” x 24”.

Just because it comes in a puzzle style doesn’t mean it looks unfinished either. In the box, you’ll get 6 tile pieces. To smoothen the edges, there are end border pieces as well that help you get a polished and professional look.

The assembly is easy and can be done within a few minutes. The pieces actually fit in like puzzles – no hassle and no mess.

Its thickness is great too. With ½ inch of thickness, the mat won’t only protect your floors but also will give you a comfortable surface. The quality of the surface is durable, adding to its already long list of positive attributes.

That makes it suitable for those intense workout sessions. Drop some dumbbells or heavyweights on this, and it still won’t budge. Like most of the mats in this review, the surface is non-slip as well.

The grip and stability you get from it are quite impressive, to say the least. Made from EVA foam, it’s durable and will last you a long time too.

Body-Solid Long Vinyl Mat

If you’re shopping for a thick treadmill mat, this one from Body-Solid is worth a look. It’ll feel like you’re on clouds. Let’s check it out then, shall we?

With a thickness of 1/8 inches, this mat will give your floors high-grade protection. Protect your floor from scratches, dents, and gym weights as well. The material used is one of the reasons why this one takes a spot in our review.

It’s built from tough PVC material. The material’s strength and durability show quite clearly on this one. Whether you have carpeted floors or hardwood, install this mat, and you’ll be worry-free for a good while.

We say for a while for a reason. This certainly is one of the most durable mats you can spend your hard-earned money on. With proper installation, this thing will last you for a long time to come.

That’s not all, though. What if you have concrete floors? You can rejoice; this mat works just as well on concrete as it does on other floor surfaces.

The thickness of mats is thought to just protect the floor. That isn’t always the case. A good thick mat is great for a comfortable workout session too.

This mat’s cushioning helps with comfort when working out, and the surface gives you a firm grip to keep the treadmill in place.

Goplus Thicken Treadmill Mat

When reviewing treadmill mats, we can’t ignore a Goplus treadmill mat for hardwood floors.Take this one, for example; it’s comfortable and provides ample protection.

Lay this on top of your floor, and it’ll keep your precious floor safe from scratches. Not only that, but the shock absorption also protects your equipment which extends its lifespan.

Given how expensive high-quality gym equipment is, that’s something we are sure you’ll appreciate. If you have mechanical equipment with a lot of moving parts, this mat can protect those as well.

Since it’s easy to clean, you won’t see too much dust build-up, thus keeping the mechanical parts safe and running for years to come. The material is water-resistant PVC which is a plus.

A good workout comes with a lot of grunts. When you exert your body to its maximum limit, that’s normal.

While this mat from Goplus won’t help much with grunting noises, it can, however, minimize vibrations from your equipment. You can be considerate about the people around you by reducing the noise and distracting vibrations.

Did we mention this is non-slip and water-resistant too? Well, it is. One side of it is smooth, and the other is textured. This not only makes it easy to clean, as we mentioned before but also makes it a safe mat to work out on. You don’t have to worry about slipping and injuring yourself.

Gympak PVC Mat

Value shoppers can rejoice. This mat, for the price, might be the best treadmill mat to reduce noise and protect your floor.

It’s made from PVC (if that wasn’t obvious from the name), which is a durable and resilient material. Thanks to the material it uses, the build quality of this one is fantastic.

That makes this mat able to easily withstand abuse and is perfect for use on hardwood floors to keep your floors safe. You can even lift weights standing on this thing, and it won’t break a sweat; you might, though. You’re lifting heavy weights, after all.

Designed to be used on concrete, carpet, and of course, hardwood, no matter what floor surface you need to deal with, this mat is up to the task. 

If you have ever run on a treadmill with all your might, you would know how noisy it can get. Not to mention the vibrations it creates. Place this mat under a treadmill to reduce noise and vibrations. Use this in a professional gym or at your home gym – both are fair game.

We have one small gripe with this one, though. the width is shorter than we would have liked. Coming in at just 3 feet wide, you can find other mats that are wider. That being said, it doesn’t weigh much. So, that’s a plus.

Amazon Basics High-Density Mat

Ah yes, the all-familiar Amazon Basics line. It seems like the Amazon Basics brand has almost all product categories you can think of. As long as they’re good, we don’t complain. So, how does this hold up to the big brand names on this list?

Surprisingly, pretty well, actually. The first thing you’ll immediately notice is the size of this mat. It’s a very long mat that can be easily placed under a treadmill or other workout equipment.

Large sizes like this make it easy to work with since you don’t have to figure out how exactly to place the mat on the floor.

There are different sizes available too – three different sizes actually. So, you can choose the size that works for you. Made from durable PVC, this mat gives you good cushioning and keeps your floors safe from scratches and spills.

When cleaning time comes around, you won’t break your back either. The surface is easy to clean and grippy as well.

The design is very subtle. It’s super minimalistic. Some might not like the simple look of the mat, but given what it is, it’s a pretty good buy no matter what.

Customers who have bought this mat have only good things to say about this except one small issue. It has a bit of a rubbery smell to it.

SuperMats Commercial Grade Mat

Whenever there are phrases like “heavy-duty” or “commercial grade” in the name of a product, we instantly expect it to be one of the toughest units out there. This one from SuperMats claims to be a commercial-grade mat. And you know what? It holds up to its name.

With a thickness of ¼ inches, it can withstand a lot of abuse. Place it under a treadmill, recumbent bikes, ellipticals, or any gym equipment, and it will keep your floors safe from dents, scratches, and general wear and tear.

If you own a gym and want to protect your investment made on the flooring, this is the one to get.

What makes this commercial-grade then? It’s all thanks to the material it uses. The durable vinyl composite gives the mat its legendary strength. The mat weighs 25 lbs, though, which is a tad bit on the heavier side.

That tells you how heavy-duty this one is. The thickness won’t only help the floors. During an intense workout, the mat will reduce noise levels and vibration you would typically experience from gym equipment.

It’s made in the USA and doesn’t use any harmful raw materials or chemicals, which makes it perfectly safe to use and harmless to children and pets. Combine this with all the other host of benefits it has, and you have one tough cookie right here.

Stamina Folding Equipment Mat

One thing is for sure, you’ll run out of stamina before this one kicks the bucket. This folding mat from the guys over at Stamina is a solid choice if you are looking to protect hardwood floors from exercise equipment.

The coolest thing about this one is in the name itself. It folds so you can make it smaller or bigger. If you happen to have smaller equipment, you can just fold this thing up and place it under the equipment, and voila! Complete protection in a jiffy.

Folds are divided into 12 sections which give them versatility. That being said, the mat isn’t the largest one you can buy.

To make sure you don’t end up buying the wrong size, we recommend you measure the equipment you want to place over it.

As for the thickness, the respectable ¼ inch of depth is on par with most of the mats on this list.

Durability-wise, this is as tough as it gets. You won’t find any PVC here. It uses a closed-cell foam material and is non-slip. That means it’s safe to exercise on.

Nothing is perfect, though, and this one has some downsides as well. We have seen better noise reductions from other mats. And if you have thick carpets, you should go with something else.

Now, if you can ignore these two gripes, this is a great buy. Besides, we don’t think most people would put this on thick carpets anyway.

 ProForm Vinyl Mat

Last but not least, we have the ProForm Vinyl Mat. On the surface, this may look pretty simple, but it has all the qualities you would expect from a durable treadmill mat.

The design is nothing special, really. We would even go as far as to say that it’s pretty boring. A minimal design helps it blend in any gym setting, even a home gym too.

But what it may lack in the looks department, it more than makes up for it with quality.

Besides, you don’t need a well-designed mat that’s just going to sit under heavy gym equipment anyway.

This mat will prolong your equipment’s life and also keep your floor safe, thanks to its durable vinyl construction. Unlike our other mats, the ProForm doesn’t give you as much grip. While a treadmill certainly won’t slip (that’s quite ridiculous) but we would have liked a more grippy surface.

A grippy surface is good for dealing with moisture and generally is easier to clean. That’s the only negative for this mat. All other aspects are pretty solid, and it’s a good buy.

If you have a large floor area to cover, you can buy a couple of these to keep dust from damaging the expensive equipment as well. The size is pretty large. So, it’ll fit under most treadmills without any issue.

What Makes a Perfect Treadmill Mat?

Before you spend your hard-earned money, if you know what to look for when buying a mat, you’re setting yourself up for success. A good mat should have a couple of features. What makes a perfect treadmill mat, then? Here are the things to look out for.

Size

Okay, this is obvious. If your mat will go under the treadmill, it needs to fit. Get a mat too small, and you’ll end up with an improper fit. With a mat too big, well, you’re just wasting space at that point.

However, it’s always best to have a little bit of extra space rather than be short. Before you buy a mat, measure your treadmill and be sure which size you should be getting.

Density/Cushioning

When we say density or cushioning, we’re basically referring to the thickness of the mat. The thicker the mat is, the better. Thick mats give you better protection since there is more space between the treadmill and the floor.

These mats are also good for reducing noise and vibrations, which is another benefit. You can use these mats for general exercise too. A thick surface will be much more comfortable to work out on compared to a thin one. And for heavy-duty treadmills, a thick mat is practically a necessity.

Materials

The material a mat is made of will essentially dictate how durable it is. Trust us when we say this, you don’t want to buy one with shoddy quality. They get damaged within a couple of months and are a bad investment.

If you have to keep replacing the mat, it’s not only a big hassle, but the costs can pile up over time. Your best option here is to get one that’s made of rubber, foam, or PVC.

Rubber mats are very thick and cushiony, and highly water-resistant. They’re durable as well. PVC ones are just as good, but they aren’t as flexible as rubber. The odor is an issue with most PVC mats.

Odor

Mats that have a strong odor are generally best avoided. Although some will have good cushioning, the odor is something not everyone will like.

Non-Slip

The best mats will have a non-slip surface that keeps equipment in place. This reduces the risk of the machine moving around and is generally safer. We highly recommend checking if the mat you want to buy has a non-slip surface.

And the last thing you want is to slip during a workout session. That can be extremely dangerous, as you can already tell.

Water Resistance

Water-resistance is another valuable feature. It makes the mat easy to clean and also keeps liquid from rolling all over the place. Plus, if your mat is water-resistant, sweating won’t be a problem either.

Price

When it comes to price, the best bet here is to choose the one that fits your needs within your budget and not pay for anything extra you don’t need. All the ones we mentioned in this review are of great value, given their features and price points.

The brands are reputed as well, so you don’t have to worry about paying for a bad product.

Frequently Asked Questions

How important are treadmill mats?

If you want your floor and equipment to be safe, a mat is an absolute must. You can also workout on these mats. So, there really is no downside.

What thickness should I look for?

The thicker, the better. As a general rule of thumb, ¼ inches of thickness is pretty good.   It depends on your floor and the treadmill too. For heavy-duty treadmills, you might want a thicker mat to protect your floors. The same goes if you put the treadmill on a delicate floor surface.

Can I use a mat on the carpet?

Yes, you can. Some of the mats we mentioned work great on all kinds of floors. The versatility is something we are sure you’ll appreciate.

Will the mats protect my equipment?

Mats not only help keep your floors safe but also prolongs the life of your equipment. More so, if you have the treadmill on the carpet. Fibers can get underneath the belt and cause major damage. That’s where these mats come in.

They ensure your treadmill sits on a smooth surface away from harm. It also helps with tackling dust build-up and makes cleaning easier all around.

Can I use a treadmill mat for my home gym?

Nothing is stopping you from doing so. These mats are made to be used in gyms and also at home gyms. Basically, if you have a treadmill that you want to put on the floor, you can place these mats underneath.

Final Words

Getting the best treadmill mat for hardwood floors isn’t tough if you know about the features that protect the floor. We suggest you look for the material and make sure it’s thick enough. Also, the non-slip attribute is pretty important. Some thick mats do come with the toxic feature, so we’d suggest you avoid those.

Happy Cardio!

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