Treadmill mats can be a lifesaver if you want to get a treadmill in your apartment.
Treadmills make a lot of noise due to the vibrations they make when you run this won’t make you popular with your neighbors…particularly if you’re one of those people that enjoy exercising early in the morning!
Owning a treadmill mat is essential if you want to avoid making a lot of noise and if you want to protect your floor from getting damaged.
Here are the best treadmill mats we have reviewed:
Have a read of our reviews below or skip ahead to read our guide on what to look for when buying a treadmill mat.
The 6 Best Treadmill Mats:
1. Rubber-Cal Shark Tooth Heavy Duty Mat
Strictly speaking, this mat isn’t a purpose-built treadmill or exercise machine mat, it is more the type of mat you would use to drop weights on (if you are lifting weights we recommend you use bumper plates which are quieter than cast-iron plates).
This means that it is very dense and thick at 0.8 inches (2cm) you can be certain that it will absorb a whole lot more vibrations than most other mats.
It comes in three different sizes 2ft x 3ft, 3ft x 4ft and 4ft x 6ft. The 4ft by 6ft mat should be big enough for many treadmills however it may be easier (and cheaper) to instead buy two of the 3ft by 2ft mats and put one under the treadmill’s front feet and one under the back feet.
Made from recycled tires these mats are super durable not to mention weather-resistant so you can store them outside or use them for other outdoor activities if you want to.
The thick rubber has a rough underside which is made to stay put and be completely non-slip as well as very durable. In fact, the Rubber-Cal Shark Tooth mat is one of the most popular heavy-duty hardcore rubber protection mats available!
All this density does weigh a lot with each of the 2ft by 3ft mats weighing 21lbs (9.5kg).
2. RevTime Treadmill Mat
Weighing in at 12lbs (5.5kg) the RevTime Treadmill Mat is a great mid-priced option for home gyms.
Measuring 6.5 foot x 3 foot (198cm x 91cm) this is a good-sized mat which is suitable for all but the very biggest commercial treadmills.
It is made from high-density styrene-butadiene (SBR) and ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) rubber. These are highly durable synthetic rubbers which age well – so you can be confident that this mat will last no matter how much you throw at it.
The RevTime is also anti-slip so suitable for use on slippery hardwood floors or tiled surfaces.
It is not the thickest though at only 3mm, however they do have 5mm versions available.
If noise vibrations aren’t a big concern then this mat is a good option as it will more than adequately protect any flooring.
3. Ergocell Recycled Rubber Floor Mat
The Ergocell is available in 3 different thicknesses – ¾ inch (1.9cm), ⅜ inch (1cm) and ¼ inch (0.6cm).
Is soundproofing is important to you then we recommend that you go for the thickest mat available.
Ergocell is made from 100% recycled rubber granulate – this is scrap rubber made from old tires, the same stuff that the black bits on synthetic turf or sports pitches are made from.
It is super shock absorbent and is non-slip with a soft surface that sits securely on even the slippiest of surfaces.
It is also highly durable with excellent tensile and compressive strength (making it perfect for a treadmill mat) and can last for more than 30 years!
It comes in every size imaginable from 2’ x 1’ (60cm x 30cm) all the way to 4’ x 34’ (121cm x 1036cm)!
It comes in such a huge range of sizes because it is often used for horse stalls – if it can handle heavy horse hooves it can definitely handle a treadmill.
4. RevTime Interlocking Rubber Floor Mats
Many cheap interlocking floor mats are made from foam but not these ones, they are made from heavy duty premium SBR & EPDM rubber which is non-toxic, very hard wearing and durable.
These are the sort of tiles that are used in large commercial gyms to cover large free weight areas.
Each tile measures 20” x 20” (500mm x 500mm) and weighs 3lbs (1.4kg). Each tile is 3/16” (5mm) thick.
Installation is very simple – it’s just like doing a very big (and very easy) jigsaw puzzle.
They are sold in packs of 6 tiles, for the average treadmill you will need up to 4 packs to cover the floor beneath your treadmill sufficiently, alternatively, you could just buy one pack and place the tiles underneath the treadmill feet.
These are relatively thin but would be a good choice for using on a carpeted floor.
If you are using a fairly quiet treadmill you may get away with using these on a hardwood floor too…if you buy them and your treadmill is still too noisy you could buy some more and double them up for extra sound dampening.
5. BestXD Treadmill Mat
The BestXD Treadmill Mat is not a mat, instead it is made up of small square tiles designed specifically for your treadmill feet – a bit like treadmill coasters!
Sure it is minimalist but it will save you a lot of money on a full-sized mat, if you only plan on using this exclusively for your treadmill then it is a great solution.
If you want to be able to use it for other low noise exercise machines such as a quiet rowing machine, quiet exercise bike or elliptical then a full-sized mat would be a better choice (these may still work for some other exercise machines depending on how they are set up).
If you just want to use it to put something like a bike turbo trainer on then you can get away with a smaller mat.
The non-slip mat is made up of squares which measure 3.9” X 3.9” X 0.5” (10cm x 10cm x 1.3cm).
Each tile weighs a diminutive 0.33lbs (0.15kg) yet has a massive weight capacity of 1100lbs (500kg), this is due to its high density which means it will do a great job of deadening vibrations as well as protecting your floor.
This is a great space-saving option which will do a good job of minimising sound transfer.
6. XCEL Heavy Duty Equipment Pads
Another treadmill coaster style product, these save space and do a great job of protecting your floor and, most importantly, they are significantly cheaper than a full-size treadmill mat.
The American made tiles are made from a closed-cell EPDM rubber which makes them resistant to water, oil and chemicals and they can handle temperatures from -90°F (-68°C) to 275°F (135°C)…so if you want to put your treadmill in a laboratory, garage, freezer or oven then these are a good choice!
They measure 4” x 4” x 0.75” (10cm x 10cm x 2cm) thick, making them 50% thicker than the BestXD Treadmill Mat (the review above).
They are less dense than the BestXD with a maximum weight capacity of 300lb per pad, though this is more than enough weight-bearing capacity for even the very heaviest of treadmills with a large user on it.
However the lack of density isn’t necessarily a bad thing, their increased thickness combined with being less dense means will contribute towards a better overall sound deadening effect.
We hope you found this guide useful for working out which treadmill mat to buy, thanks for reading and keep on running!
Also Read: Soundproof Gym Flooring 101
What To Look For When Buying A Treadmill Mat
Treadmill mats are a fairly boring-looking product, they’re usually black and all look more or less the same.
But don’t be fooled into buying a cheap product because of their uninspiring appearances – there is a big difference between a good quality treadmill mat and a cheap ineffective one.
A good quality treadmill mat can be a great asset when it comes to soundproofing your apartment to prevent treadmill noise from traveling through the structure of your home.
Thickness & Density Of The Mat
The denser the mat the more effective it will be at absorbing sound vibrations and dissipating sound energy.
A thick mat which isn’t very dense (like a camping mat or yoga mat) will not be very good for treadmill use as the treadmill will quickly sink through it minimizing its impact.
Treadmill mats are usually at least ¼ inches (0.6cm) thick however a treadmill mat of this thickness is not a great option. Thicker is better.
We recommend that you get a treadmill mat which is at the very least 4/10 inch (1cm) thick, preferably more.
Material It’s Made From
Treadmill mats are usually made from one of the following materials:
- Rubber
- Foam
- PVC
The best material for a treadmill mat is rubber. It is dense, durable and flexible meaning it does a great job of deadening sound vibrations.
The problem with foam mats is that they are not very dense to easily get compressed making them far less effective, they are also not particularly durable and can quickly end up tearing.
PVC mats are a better option than foam mats as they are far more durable, however they are usually not very thick meaning their ability to deaden sound waves is not as good as a rubber mat. They can also smell quite a bit too when you first unpack them!
We recommend that you look for a rubber treadmill mat.
Also Read: Quiet Cardio Workouts
Area Covered
Before buying a treadmill mat ensure that you measure out exactly how big your treadmill is (or if you haven’t bought it yet find out from the manufacturer).
The average sized mat is around 3 foot (90cm) by 6.5 foot (200cm), these are big enough for some of the smaller treadmill models however if you are investing in a big treadmill (the type you typically see in commercial gyms) you will need a bigger mat so make sure you know the measurements before you make your purchase.
Pricing
Treadmill mats range from as low as $20 to as much as $100 – price of course will vary depending on how big a mat you need.
While price is not always a good indicator of quality as a general rule low priced treadmill mats are only suitable for treadmills which will only be used for low-intensity walking or slow jogs.
If you plan on using your treadmill on a daily basis for intense runs then it is important that you spend extra money on a good quality mat that will properly protect your floor and dampen sound.
Be aware that treadmill mats are heavy so there are often hefty postage fees to pay when buying one online.
Postage Fees
Be aware that treadmill mats are heavy so there are often hefty postage fees to pay when buying one online.
The Benefits Of Using A Treadmill Mat
Treadmill mats are a valuable addition to any home or commercial gym, here’s why:
They Save Your Floor
Treadmills sit four to six feet, over time these will compress your carpet irreparably. They can also cause tiles to eventually crack and can eventually scratch or mark a hardwood floor.
Using a mat will prevent damage to your floor whatever type of flooring you use. Because most mats are waterproof they will also prevent any water spills from your water bottle or sweat drops from gettin onto your floor and damaging it.
They Reduce Noise
One of the main reasons we wrote this article is because treadmill mats are an invaluable soundproofing product.
If reducing noise in your gym or home gym is important to you then treadmill mats are a must-have, they are great at dampening noise from all kinds of machinery including things like punching bags with sand-filled bases and any cardio machinery.
Running indoors on a treadmill creates a lot of vibrations which can be very noisy.
While there are plenty of ways you can adjust your running technique to help you run more quietly, using a dense mat will absorb and deaden a lot of these vibrations making your morning run a quieter experience for both you and your neighbors!
They Make Running Indoors More Convenient
Running outside is nice…when the weather is nice, unfortunately, it can often be too hot, too cold or too wet.
A treadmill mat helps make running indoors a more pleasurable experience which you can enjoy at any time of the day or night without having to worry about the weather or your safety in the dark.
Mat Types To Use On Different Floor Surfaces
Floor surfaces can react differently to having a mat on them, if you have a slippy hardwood or tiled floor then you need to ensure you use a non-slip mat. On a carpeted floor lense density is required as a the carpet and underlay assist in cushioning some of the impact.
Hardwood Floors
Most rubber mats are fine for use on hardwood floors however you should be wary of mats which use plasticizer as over time this can leak out of the mat and mark your floor.
Some hardwood floors are also very smooth and can be too slippery for some rubber mats, this may mean that as you run on your treadmill the mat and treadmill slowly move which obviously is far from ideal!
If you have a very well polished hardwood floor then look out for a non-slip treadmill mat.
Carpets
If you have a fairly thick carpet it is not a great idea to use the thickest densest rubber mat you can find as this will compress your carpet to a point where it may not be able to decompress.
If your treadmill is on carpet then it is not necessary to get the thickest mat you can as the carpet and underlay provide extra dampening.
Instead look for a relatively lightweight mat or you could try some anti vibration pads (common used to to help soundproof washing machines) which the treadmill feet would sit on.
Tiled Floors
Tiled floors are prone to cracking under the stress of high-impact vibrations. It is therefore important that you use the thickest densest rubber matting you can find to protect your floor.
It is also a good idea (though not always necessary depending on the type of floor tiles you have) to use a non-slip mat too.
Also Read:
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Or save a fortune and buy horse stall mats but you’ll never recommend those because you can’t get an affiliate commission on them! They wear much better and cost much less than fitness mats. Also you may be able to get them used very cheap. Beware – some of them have a strong rubber smell so check carefully before buying, hopefully not outside on a windy day! They are very heavy, often close to 100 pounds for something just 1/2″ and 4′ x 6′. But they really work well and are built to last for many years. A horse is very hard on its floor!
Good points, I’d happily recommend horse stall matts if I knew where to send people, any pointers?