Treadmill mats protect your flooring while providing a little extra cushioning during your workouts. They make your workouts quieter, too – something your housemates will appreciate.

Finding the right mat can be a challenge, but we’re here to help. Use our guide and reviews to find the best cushioned treadmill mat for your home gym this year (2017).

Stamina Fold-to-Fit Folding Equipment Mat	Best overall treadmill mat
Gympak PVC Treadmill Equipment Mat	Best treadmill mat for carpet
Sivan MAT-LOCK-BLK Interlocking Foam Puzzle Exercise Mat	Best treadmill mat for hardwood flooring

Why You Need a Treadmill Mat and How to Buy One

You’ve already invested in a treadmill to improve your health. Do you really need to buy a mat, too? Yes – unless you don’t mind damaging your floors.

There are many reasons to invest in a good treadmill mat.

Protects Your Floors

The most obvious reason to buy a treadmill mat is to protect your flooring. And if you thought hardwood flooring was the only surface a treadmill could damage, think again. Even on carpeting, parts of the treadmill can dig into the fibers and cause damage, according to LiveStrong.

The impact when using a treadmill is what causes the damage. The heavy weight of the equipment can also cause dents in hard flooring, and some parts may cause scuffing or scratches.

A treadmill mat will help extend the life of your flooring and prevent costly damage.

Provides Cushioning

A high-quality mat will also offer shock and impact absorption, which provides extra cushioning.

According to Chron, the extra cushioning may also help reduce the impact on your joints, which can cause pain or injury in the long-term.

That extra cushioning can also save your carpeting from extreme indentations from the treadmill. Yes, you’ll still have some indentation, but the mat will help keep it from becoming extreme or damaging.

Reduces Noise

The right material or thickness of a treadmill mat can help reduce noise and vibration. If your treadmill is on the second floor or you live in an apartment, others will appreciate your quieter workouts.

If you’re distracted by the constant pitter-patter sound of your feet on the treadmill belt, a mat may make your workouts more enjoyable.

Prevents Sliding

Mats with a textured or gripped surface will stay in place during use, which means your treadmill won’t slide around while you run. Some smooth-surface mats provide no traction and can be a safety hazard.

Treadmills can also slide when they’re placed directly on hard flooring, especially during rigorous workout sessions.

How to Buy a Treadmill Mat

You know you need a treadmill mat, but how do you find the right one? There are dozens of mats on the market, and many models look the same.

When choosing a mat, there are several things you need to consider:

Size and Thickness

The size and thickness of the mat is, arguably, the most important thing to consider. The mat needs to be large enough to fit underneath your treadmill and thick enough to provide the right amount of cushioning.

Always check the dimension of the mat before purchasing and measure your treadmill to make sure the model you’re considering will fit properly. It’s always better to have a larger mat than to have a mat that isn’t wide or long enough for your machine.

Thickness is more of a personal preference, but if you have hard flooring, you may want a thicker mat. Thicker mats typically offer more shock and impact absorption, which may be important if your workouts are intense or you’re a heavier weight.

Material

Treadmill mats can be made from a variety of materials, but the three most popular options are:

• EVA foam
• PVC
• Rubber

Each of these materials have their own strengths and weaknesses, but they’re all durable and relatively lightweight.

Some mats are made with recycled material, which is an eco-friendlier option. Typically, these mats are made from rubber, which is a highly durable material.

Construction

Mats can also come in a variety of styles. Some are foldable, which makes them more compact. Others roll out into one large mat, and yet others come in puzzle-piece form for a customized size.

The style or construction of the mat is a personal preference. Puzzle-piece mats are preferred by many home gym users because you can connect as many tiles as you need to cover a uniquely-sized space.

But flat, one-piece mats are also beneficial in that they tend to be more durable because there are no weak or vulnerable spots (i.e. multiple edges or divider edges).

Surface

Is the surface of the mat smooth or textured? A textured mat offers a non-slip surface that can prevent sliding and injury. A smooth mat may cause your treadmill to slide all over the place during an intense workout session.

Some smooth-surface mats also have a gripped surface, but it’s important to check the product description to make sure it has that property before buying.

Rubber mats offer natural friction, but foam and PVC mats should be textured to prevent sliding during use.

The Best Treadmill Mat Reviews for 2020

The Best All Around Treadmill Mat – Stamina Fold-to-Fit Mat

The Stamina Fold-to-Fit mat is our pick for the best all-around treadmill mat because of its versatility. Not only can it be used on both carpeting and hardwood flooring, but it’s also divided into folds so that you can find just the right size for your equipment.

Features

• Pebbled, non-slip surface
• 3′ wide x 7′ long
• 1/4″ closed cell foam
• 7-lb weight
• Divided into 7, 12″ folds

At 3′ wide by 7′ long, this mat is just the right size for most treadmills. And its folding design means that you can use it with other equipment as well or to simply provide more stability while you lift weights.

The mat’s pebbled texture creates a non-slip surface that prevents gym equipment – and people – from sliding around during use. The slip-resistance material adds to the safety of the treadmill while also protecting your floors from damage.

Weighing just seven pounds, this mat is light enough to relocate or even transport.

Pros

• Divided sections allow you to customize the size to match the size of your treadmill
• Lightweight for easy transport
• Non-slip surface prevents equipment from sliding during use
• Mat material does not stain carpeting

Cons

• May not be wide enough for some treadmills

The Stamina folding mat is just three feet wide, which make it too narrow for some treadmills. Check the dimensions of your treadmill before buying to make sure this mat is compatible.

Although slightly narrow, the Stamina Fold-to-Fit mat is made from durable material, offers a non-slip surface and is lightweight enough for easy transport.

The Best Treadmill Mat for Carpet – Gympak PVC Mat

The Gympak PVC mat provides protection for carpeting without leaving stains behind. Thin, lightweight and easily portable, this mat is flexible yet durable.

Features

• Made with high-density PVC
• Non-staining material
• 1/4″ thick

Made from high-density PVC, the Gympak mat is thin but still durable and protective. The PVC material also reduces vibrations to keep noise to a minimum while you’re working out.

The non-staining material also prevents dust and carpet fibers from entering the treadmill, which can cause damage over time.

At just 1/4″ thick, this mat is very thin and light, which makes it the better option for carpeting. While you can use this mat on hard flooring, it may not provide the high level of protection you’re looking for.

The design of this mat’s surface also prevents the treadmill from sliding around, which can happen with some smooth mats during vigorous exercise.

Pros

• Lightweight and thin
• PVC material is durable and minimizes noise
• Does not stain carpeting
• Non-slip surface prevents the treadmill from sliding around

Cons

• Narrow

Like with the Stamina Fold-to-Fit mat, the biggest issue with the Gympak mat is that it’s narrower than expected. Wider treadmills may not fit properly on the mat.

Otherwise, the Gympak mat is durable, and its PVC surface makes it a good fit for use on carpeting.

The Best Treadmill Mat for Hardwood Floors – Sivan Health and Fitness Puzzle Mat

Hardwood flooring needs extra protection from workout equipment, which can otherwise dent, scratch and damage the surface. The Sivan Health and Fitness puzzle mat is thick enough to support heavy workout equipment, but offers a gripped surface that prevents slipping.

Features

• Puzzle piece exercise mat for customized size and shape
• 6 tiles and 12 border edges
• Made from EVA foam
• Gripped surface on both sides
• Resistant to water, mold and mildew
• Dimensions of each tile: 24″ x 24″ x 1/2″; all tiles cover 24 square feet
• Available in three colors: Gray, black and blue

The Sivan Health and Fitness mat offers a customizable size and a thickness that protects hardwood flooring from irreversible damage.

Each tile is 24″ x 24,” and there are six tiles in total (12 smaller border tiles are also included). Altogether, the mat can cover 24 square feet of space when all pieces are connected. That’s more than enough space for any sized treadmill.

This mat features a gripped surface on both sides to keep the treadmill in place and the mat from sliding around on smooth hardwood flooring.

Made from EVA foam, this mat offers cushioning that helps minimize vibration and noise. The EVA foam material is also resistant to water, mildew and mold.

Pros

• Tiled pieces allow for a customized size
• Covers a large amount of space
• EVA foam reduces vibration and is moisture-resistant
• Gripped surface prevents sliding
• Comes in multiple colors

Cons

• Not exactly 1/2″ thick

Sivan Health and Fitness says this mat is 1/2″ thick, but most are not quite that thick. This may be an issue for those who wanted an extra-thick mat.

The mat’s thickness may be an issue for some, but th mat’s other qualities may make up for this inconvenience: A customizable size, durable material and gripped surface.

The Best Thick Treadmill Mat – Wonder Mat Extra Thick Mat

The Wonder Mat extra-thick mat offers extra cushioning for heavy-duty equipment, and the gripped texture on both sides of the mat keeps it firmly in place during use. This set comes with multiple pieces to allow for a customizable size.

Features

• 12 sides and 8 edges (puzzle pieces)
• Covers 21 square feet of space
• Dimensions of each mat: 12″ x 12″ x 9/16″
• Fits standard treadmills
• Made with high-density EVA foam

Constructed with EVA foam, this thick mat provides an ample amount of cushioning on both carpeting and hard flooring. Each set comes with 12 sides and 8 edges, which fit together like puzzle pieces. When all of the pieces are combined, this mat covers 21 square feet of space, which fits standard treadmills.

The EVA foam used in these mats is made from non-recycled material, but is durable, non-toxic and lightweight. EVA foam does not easily tear and also helps dampen noise.

Pros

• Puzzle-piece design allows for a customized size and shape
• Large enough to fit most standard treadmills with ease
• EVA foam is lightweight and durable

Cons

• Lasts up to five years

Wonder Mat says their extra-thick puzzle piece mats will only last up to five years with proper care. Many competing mats last longer with proper care, so this is something to consider before buying.

Otherwise, the Wonder Mat offers the thickness needed for heavy-duty use and is customizable in size.

The Best Eco-Friendly Treadmill Mat – Rubber Cal Recycled Floor Mat

You need a treadmill mat, but you don’t want to hurt the environment to get one. Made with recycled rubber, the Rubber Cal Recycled floor mat may be a good fit for you.

Made in the U.S., this mat can be placed under treadmills, or it can be used in garages, basements and other areas of the home.

Features

• Made with recycled rubber
• Made in the U.S.
• Outdoor and indoor use
• Anti-slip and anti-abrasion
• Shock and impact absorption
• Multiple sizes and thicknesses offered

The Rubber Cal mat is made with 100% recycled rubber, and the high levels of EPDM found in the mat allows for both indoor and outdoor use.

This mat can easily be used underneath a treadmill for more cushioning and to protect hard flooring. Multiple sizes (4′ x 3′ – 4′ x 10′) and thicknesses (1/4″ and 3/8″) are available to match the size of your treadmill, or to outfit your entire home gym.

The Rubber Cal mat is naturally anti-slip and anti-abrasion, so equipment won’t slide or damage the mat. The shock and impact absorption properties also minimize noise while increasing the life of your flooring.

Pros

• Made with recycled material
• Can be used indoors or outdoors
• Minimizes noise
• Available in multiple sizes
• Anti-slip surface prevents sliding

Cons

• Measurements aren’t exact

If you plan to combine multiple mats to cover a larger area, you should know that the measurements given for the mats aren’t exact. You may need to do some trimming to get the mats to fit properly.

While the measurement issue is inconvenient, the Rubber Cal mat is an eco-friendly option that fits under most standard treadmills with minimal issues.

Conclusion

The Stamina Fold-to-Fit mat is our top pick for the best all-around treadmill mat because its size is customizable, the construction is durable and the non-slip surface prevents sliding.

We like the Gympak PVC mat for carpeting because it’s thin and lightweight without sacrificing floor protection. It won’t stain your carpet either – something other mats are known to do.

The Sivan Health and Fitness interlocking mat is our top pick for hardwood flooring because it’s thick enough to provide ample protection and the puzzle-piece design allows for a customized fit.

The Wonder Mat is a good choice if you want a thick mat that doesn’t compromise on quality and durability.

The Rubber Cal mat may be a good fit if you’re looking for an eco-friendly mat. This mat is made with 100% recycled rubber.