When designing a fitness solution, there are many considerations to take into account - equipment mix, atmosphere, culture, technology, and much more. One important choice that can easily be overlooked is flooring, but it is arguably one of the most important. A number of common issues can be solved by selecting the right fitness center flooring.
ACOUSTICS
There are two types of acoustical problems that can be addressed with flooring - sound transmission and interior room acoustics. For problems with sound being transmitted from one space to another (usually from upstairs to downstairs) there are Impact Insulation Class (IIC) and NRC ratings for consideration.
IIC ratings are related to structure-borne sound transmission and can be greatly affected by flooring. Acoustical underlayments and floor coverings will improve the IIC rating according to their physical material properties. More rigid materials will be less effective than soft/fibrous materials that offer some internal damping.
NRC rating is a measure of how absorptive a finish is, or how much sound is reduced when the sound comes in contact with it. For problems regarding the acoustics within a single room, NRC ratings will be most relevant. NRC ratings are given in a decimal format from 0 to 1. The higher the number the more absorptive it is. Smooth surface flooring typically carries a lower NRC rating (usually below 0.20) and is not as absorptive as acoustical wall or ceiling panels. NRC ratings can still be helpful to consider when designing a space.
Sound management in a fitness center is more than just ratings, its a way to avoid disturbances across your facility. The yoga class on the ground floor studio shouldn’t be interrupted by weights being dropped by the class next door. The 10th floor fitness center in a NYC high-rise apartment building shouldn’t lower the property value on the apartment below it. Maintaining smart acoustics across a facility assures everyone can focus on their own goals, and not the disruptions around them.
IMPACT RESISTANCE / SAFETY
Smart flooring surfaces mitigate against injury, protect the body, and promote safe performance in any fitness center. Injury prevention is a leading topic of conversation among athletes and the casual exerciser alike right now. Flooring is the one surface athletes are in constant contact with while exercising. Choosing the right flooring for your fitness center can reduce the risk of injury from a fall’s impact as well as reduce the risk of injury from slipping.
Injuries from hard falls or even casual slips during training persist throughout the sports and fitness landscape. When designing a facility, the floor chosen can often have the single greatest impact on helping reduce the risk of injury for athletes or exercisers.
CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS
There are many options available to add customization to your flooring. Whether you want to boost school spirit with your logo or a message, or add a sophisticated custom design to your apartment’s fitness facility, many option exists to help your flooring stay “on brand” with the rest of your facility. With inlaid custom logos, custom turf, and printed graphics, the possibilities are endless.
Not only is flooring used to help brand a space, but many facilities use customization as a way to guide room flow, especially in a space designed for group training. Tracks or markings built into the floor can make it easy on both trainers and exercisers to follow along with specialized fitness programs. Gone are the days of one-style-fits-all flooring solutions, as more and more people look at flooring as a way to tie their entire space together.
(Above photo courtesy of Brilliant Bokeh Photography)
CHECK OUT ECORE’S NEWEST FUNCTIONAL FLOORING FOR FITNESS
PlyoTurf comes in 4 colors and is designed for fitness environment where bodies are on the floor.
Ultra-Turf Tile is just like UltraTile, but features Speed & Agility Turf on top of a molded tile. Combining this product with UltraTile allows for an all-tile installation, using Quad Block Interlocking Connectors.
dB-Turf Tile provides an acoustic solution for sound and vibration issues in a fitness space. The surface is not designed for extreme weight environments.