Best Treadmill Mats

Treadmills continue to dominate the home fitness industry like few other categories of machines, yet few shoppers consider what kind of mats to buy for the floor. If you have hardwood or linoleum, you’ll definitely want to consider a mat when determining where to place and assemble your machine. The same holds true with treadmill covers. The best treadmill mats are durable enough to last, but flexible enough they don’t interfere with the machine’s balance. Depending on where in the home one is seeking to place the treadmill, the style of mat may vary from tile squares to a simple foam roll-out.

Far from a stylish luxury, a good mat will help protect the machine’s underbelly from dust, pet dander, and perhaps even moisture. Keep in mind that lubricating your treadmill is a key part of maintaining the deck, belt, and motor. Regular dust magnets, treadmills draw dirt which can cause friction between the belt and deck and burn up your machine faster than you think. A few dollars spent on a good mat will go a long way in extending the life of the machine.

Noise reduction is also a big benefit depending on the style of flooring. I can tell a big difference in the noise on my hardwood floors with and without a mat. The good news is the best treadmill mats don’t have to cost much and can be ordered online with ease. Most treadmill manufacturers carry a line of their own supplies, but you can check out our picks below for other options. While you’re at it, if this is your first time shopping for a treadmill, be sure to check out our complete buyer’s guide full of helpful hints.

The ProForm large equipment mat made by iFit will serve the needs of most home treadmill users.

Best Treadmill Mats

Best Treadmill Mats for Most People: ProForm Large Equipment Mat
Best Budget Treadmill Mats: BalanceFrom GoFit High Density Treadmill Mats
Best for Treadmill Mats for Heavy Machines: Epic Fitness EVA Foam Interlocking Gym Mats
Best Treadmill Mats for Light Machines: XTERRA Fitness Equipment Mats
Best Treadmill Mats for Garage Gyms: MTAOU Interlocking Tile Puzzle Mat

Best Treadmill Mats for Most People: ProForm Large Equipment Mats

Home fitness fans are definitely familiar with ProForm. A great budget-friendly brand with lots of equipment and iFit-compatability, it’s also a provider of high quality accessories such as floor mats.

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Offered in two sizes, this mat can be either 40″ x 80″, 36″ x 72″. Offered in black coloring, the mat is a heavy vinyl foam measuring 4mm, or 0.16 inches thick. Water-proof, the mat is just as easy to wipe clean as it is to roll up when done for easy drying.

Designed to also absorb the impact and reduce vibration from a treadmill, the ProForm Large Equipment Mat is designed for use on any type of surface, be it carpet or harder flooring. If to be used with a foldable treadmill designed for roll-away storage, this mat also rolls up easily and can be placed in a closet with, literally no sweat.

What I like about this mat for the broader public is the two sizes and affordable pricing. It also works well with yoga or other floor work. I have this in my own home and it’s very easy to lay down and roll up. Reviewers have noted its effectiveness of preventing dust from piling up beneath treadmills placed in permanent locations.

Best Budget Treadmill Mats: Balance From GoFit High Density Treadmill Mats

Considering the value of a treadmill investment, one wants to make sure it’s protected from damage on all fronts. The same holds true of the floors supporting the machine. That said, the BalancedFrom GoFit mats represent a sweet spot in terms of size options, price, and durability.

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Offered in sizes 2.5 feet x 5 feet and 3 feet x 6.5 feet, these mats’ manufacturer offers a two-year warranty. Colored black, the high-density foam has an anti-slip design woven into it so as to prevent sliding if used on hard floors.

Water-proof, the mats can easily be rolled up to dry, or wiped clean from time to time. Designed to absorb vibration and noise associated with treadmills, the mats prevent dust gathering beneath the machine and can also absorb sweat, or moisture from the floor depending on the type.

What we like about these mats is the warranty as well as the pricing per size. A durable buy for sure, it can also double as any other kind of exercise mat if the need presents itself. With a number of treadmills these days built to fold up and store when not in use, this mat presents itself as a great yoga or floorwork accessory.

Best Treadmill Mats for Heavy Machines: Epic Fitness EVA Foam Interlocking Gym Mats

For large framed treadmills and heavier units, the Epic Fitness EVA Foam Interlocking Gym Mats are our choice. Much thicker than the other mats on the market, these interlocking squares provide a strength and durability that can stand up to the heaviest of gear while allowing for size adjustment.

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Priced at $24.99 for a six-pack of tiles, the high-density EVA foam comes with interlocking puzzle edges and a textured, non-skid surface. Measuring 24 inches x 24 inches, the tiles are a full 0.5 inches thick and colored black, blue, or gray.

Water-proof and easy to clean, these tiles come apart and go together with ease, meaning one can easily customize the size of the area covered. Whereas other, thinner mats would have to be combined to expand an area, these mats from Epic Fitness are literally designed to customize.

At a full 0.5 inches thick, these mats won’t slip and slide. They also provide an ever so slight elevation off the floor, meaning irrespective of the surface used, they’ll protect from both dust and moisture. There’s no chance that a treadmill will simply dent into the mat and wear through to the floor with these.

Best Treadmill Mats for Light Machines: XTERRA Fitness Equipment Mats

With a growing number of smaller framed and under-the-desk treadmills, the need for a simple mat is ever present. Great for smaller walking units, these mats offer a textured surface thick enough for protection but light enough to protect the from permanent marks on the floor.

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Measuring 7 feet x 3 feet, these mats are 0.25-inch thick (6mm) which is sufficient to help dampen noise and unit vibration. Smaller walking treadmills are a little more prone to slip and slide on a hardwood or concrete floor, and these mats have a textured surface to prevent this.

These mats are made from a PVC material as opposed to EVA foam, and the more rubberized feel will be familiar to those needing something to prevent slipping. Easy to wipe down and clean, the mats roll up easily and store when not in use. This is particularly important with the smaller, portable treadmills.

At 0.25 inches thick, these mats hit that sweet spot between the lighter EVA foam styles and the heavier 0.5 inch interlocking tiles. Whether to protect the machine from carpet debris, dust, or prevent slipping and noise, they’re great for smaller units.

Best Treadmill Mats for Garage Gyms: MTAOU Interlocking Tile Puzzle Mats

Garage flooring is typically concrete or some other hard surface, and depending on the set up, moisture from the ground could be as much an issue as dust. That said, these multi-color interlocking puzzle tiles offer a bright way to protect the floor and customize the garage’s look to suit the individual.

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Made from an ethylene vinyl acetate, the MTAOU Interlocking Tile Puzzle Mats measure 24 inches x 24 inches at a full 0.5-inch thick. Designed to lock together in geometric form, the tight nature of these tiles afford stability as well as protection from moisture, dust, and debris.

Offered in colors black, blue, gray, wood-grain brown, and navy, the tiles can certainly brighten up a home gym and be coordinated to suit the rest of the room. A durable, non-slip surface that’s easy to wipe clean, the purchase of 32 mats would yield 32 square feet of protective coverage, which is plenty of room for treadmills and other equipment.

What we like about these is not only the durable interlocking design, but the color options and the ability to personalize a garage gym. The fact that these are a full 0.5 inch thick means the treadmill be completely stabilized with noise reduction achieved as well.

Yes, Mats Do Matter

Don’t make the mistake of thinking treadmill mats are just for show. Whether on carpet or concrete, you’ll want some protection from dust bunnies and moisture. There’s also a good chance you’ll want to get down on the floor and do a little dumbbell work as well. Treadmills are incredibly diverse in terms of size and weight. The Landice L8 for instance has a machine weight of about 340 pounds and can hold up to 500. Meanwhile, the Horizon T101 weighs in at just 165 pounds. This will come into play when deciding what kind of mat you need. Folding treadmills which are rolled away after use would also benefit from a mat beneath them unless you’re ready for some marks on the flooring.

In checking through consumer reviews of these models it’s apparent to me that most folks ignore maintenance requirements. Dust and dirt are a treadmill’s enemies as they can build up into a gunky grime when combined with sweat. Good floor mats are an ally in this fight and significantly lengthen the life of both the belt and potentially the motor. Replacing a belt on a treadmill can cost over $100, whereas a good mat might run you $40. It’s a no-brainer when you think about it. And if you have roommates who want their quiet time while you’re running, the mat makes a big difference in noise control as well.