Flooring is the first thing you should buy and the last thing people think about. Bad flooring leads to:

1. Cracked concrete.
2. Broken tiles.
3. Noise complaints.
4. Slipping (Safety risk).

Here is the hierarchy of budget flooring.

1. The King: Horse Stall Mats ($50 / 24 sq ft)

Go to a farm supply store (Tractor Supply, Murdoch's). Buy a "4x6 Stall Mat."

• Thickness: 3/4 inch solid rubber.
• Weight: 100lbs each.
• Durability: Indestructible. You can drop a tank on them.
• Cost: ~$2.00 per square foot.
• Cons: They smell like a tire factory for a week. Or two. (Scrub with simple green and leave in sun). This is the gold standard for garage gyms.

2. Puzzle Mats (EVA Foam)

Sold at Walmart/Amazon. "Interlocking Tiles."

• Cost: ~$1.00 per sq ft.
• Pros: Cheap. Cushion-y for stretching/yoga.
• Cons: TERRIBLE for heavy lifting.
  • If you squat heavy, your feet sink in, creating instability.
  • If you drop weights, they slice right through.
  • They slide apart during cardio.
• Verdict: Only use for a yoga corner or underneath very light equipment. Not for squats/deadlifts.

3. Conveyor Belt Scrap (Industrial Reuse)

Check Craigslist/Industrial surplus.

• Mining and factory conveyor belts are heavy reinforced rubber.
• Often free or very cheap.
• Cons: filthy. Hard to cut. Come in weird long strips.

4. Plywood + Carpet Remnant (The Platform)

For deadlifting, wood is better than rubber. It's harder.

• Buy: One sheet 4x8 OSB or Plywood ($20).
• Buy: A scrap piece of carpet (free from a carpet store dumpster or "end of roll" bin).
• Build: Staple carpet to wood.
• Result: A dedicated 4x8 lifting zone that protects the floor and offers a firm surface.

What NOT To Use

Yoga Mats

Do not lay 6 yoga mats side by side. They slip. They are trip hazards. They are too soft.

Bare Concrete

Dusty. Slippery when wet. If you drop a weight, it chips, creating permanent silica dust. Always cover concrete.

Bedroom Carpet

Sucks up sweat. Smell will be permanent. Friction burns on elbows during planks. Unless you use the plywood sandwich method.

The Verdict

Save up $100. Buy two Horse Stall Mats. You now have an 8x6 foot professional-grade lifting platform that will last longer than your house. It is the best investment in the entire gym, especially if you are on a budget.