How can flooring help gyms bounce back after lockdown?
After spending so long in isolation, people are going to yearn for that community spirit we have in the fitness industry.

Creating effective group exercise or fitness programme flooring is going to be a massive trend, as people will want to engage, train together, challenge each other and enjoy the community feeling of classes rather than exercising alone in traditional CV or free weight areas.

What are your tips for a cost-effective flooring upgrade?
The best idea is to utilise what you already have. Use line marking on existing rubber or vinyl to refresh or add colour, or use a different colour 4mm rubber laminate over existing floors to save having to replace the whole floor.

How can flooring help gyms bounce back after lockdown?
Showing members that you’ve got their health and safety in mind is really going to help them decide to invest in you. Social isolation has become a buzzword recently, and creating isolated spaces and independent workout spaces is going to make users more comfortable when returning to the gym. Doing this through markings on impermeable, easy-to-clean, antibacterial flooring is a simple and cost-effective way to do it.

What are your tips for a cost-effective flooring upgrade?
The best way to think about flooring is as an investment, and investing in the safety of members is always a safe bet. Look at impermeable and anti-bacterial flooring in order to offer a cleaner and safer environment than your competitors.

For functional zones, the best markings are those that are built into the flooring. They don’t rub off or stick out, and won’t absorb any dirt or liquids. We’re expecting that group training will undergo a huge change after this pandemic, so think about either leaving bigger spaces between each work station, or maybe adding extra floor markings so that users aren’t sharing floor space during workouts.

Functional training can involve dynamic movements utilising multifunctional rigs, kettle-bells, slam balls, battle ropes, sleds and even tractor tyres. It’s important that floor finishes in these training zones provide adequate protection to the structural slab as well as sufficient grip and cushioning underfoot.

Use products that are made from high quality recycled rubber mixed with EPDM colour granules, and bound together with a polyurethane elastomer. These products are comfortable for customers to walk on and absorb impact and room noise.

Functional training markings allow members to experiment with a variety of speed, reaction, coordination, agility, balance, rhythm and strength exercises.

Use functional training circuits made with insertions of the same rubber in different colours, so the markings will never disappear.