Category Archives: Treadmill Mat Advice

Top 4 Benefits of Treadmill Mats

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There are many reasons why a treadmill mat is well worth the money spent. Not only does the mat serve to protect the treadmill it also protects the floor underneath the treadmill especially during use. The treadmill mat both absorbs the vibration from the treadmill to reduce noise as well as the stress of physical force. Since it sits directly beneath the treadmill it keeps any mechanical lubrication from staining and potentially damaging the floor as well as minimizes dust from entering through the underside of the treadmill. Many people like having the treadmill as the focal point of the room and a mat serves to ground the treadmill with the rest of the decor.

Shock Absorption

But practicality is the main reason why every treadmill owner should have a mat. A treadmill in use generates a lot of vibration and the shock can not only cause damage to the floor, it can reverberate back to the body of the treadmill which will significantly wear down the structural strength. A treadmill with a steel frame will definitely outlast any other material but that doesn’t mean that a mat to absorb physical abuse won’t provide any protection. In fact, it just means you as the owner can expect even more life out of your machine.

Noise Reduction

The vibration is generated by both the running of the motor inside the treadmill as well as the pounding of the runner’s feet on the deck. This combination will produce a lot of noise and if it doesn’t bother the runner it will annoy the life out of anyone in the vicinity of the treadmill while it is being used. If you have a gym membership, pay attention to the noise level on your next visit. Gym’s usually provide the best mats for their treadmills since they know it is a good investment for both noise reduction as well as prolonging the life of their fitness machines.

Protection Against Dust Particles

Another way treadmill mats protect both the floor and the treadmill is by serving as a barrier between the two. Some people think that their carpet will be the shock absorber so they can avoid having to buy a mat for their treadmill. The truth is carpet is actually very bad for the treadmill. While bare floors still contain dust particles, carpet provides a source of excess fibers and dust particles that will be kicked up by all the action of a treadmill in use. These dust particles and carpet fiber will get into the underside of the treadmill, slowly clog the mechanical parts and thicken the lubrication.

Keeps the Floor or Carpet Clean

The lubrication in turn will inevitably drip from the motor and other moving parts inside the treadmill. These chemicals can damage floors and stain carpet if there is no mat. It will cause ugly spots on the ground. Many people enjoy the mat simply because it makes the treadmill seem more grounded and the focal point of their room. This is purely aesthetics but whatever reason gets people to do the right thing is all that matters.

What Are You Waiting For?

Popular and top selling treadmill mats recommended on this site can be purchased through Amazon and there are many various other fitness equipment sites that also sell mats online. You can also visit your local equipment store for a treadmill mat that will not cost much, especially when compared to the cost of a new treadmill or the cost of repairing a treadmill that prematurely wears down because of poor maintenance. At the very least, invest $50 in a cheap treadmill mat and get the most useful life out of your fitness machine.

Treadmill Floor Mat Cost

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There are three things that determine the cost of a treadmill floor mat. The size, thickness, and material affect the quality of support your treadmill will thank you for and for the slow people, a mat that is larger, thicker, and composed of better material will cost you more.

The size of the mat is important for obvious reasons; it needs to be wide and tall enough to accommodate your machine with a little give on the edges. While the most standard size of a treadmill mat is 6.5 ft x 3 ft, if you paid $2000 or more for your treadmill, chances are you will need a larger than standard sized mat to fit under the treadmill adequately.

The standard thickness is a quarter inch and is enough to absorb the vibration and shock of your pound pounding on most treadmills at 5:30am while your wife is trying to sleep. A standard sized 6.5 ft x 3 ft treadmill mat of 1/4in thickness will average $35 to $50. Add approximately $10 for a 3/8inch thick mat.

I know of some people who have tried those interlocking rubber tiles and it seems to work as well but not on a consistent basis. A tile sized 28.5″x28.5″x3/8″ I’ve seen go for $17.99 per tile meaning to get the same coverage as a standard sized treadmill mat would end up costing you almost twice the price. Just invest $50 dollars in something you spent hundreds even thousands on. You get more life out of your treadmill with a treadmill floor mat and that will let you put more mileage on your own knees.

Rebook Treadmill Mat

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The Reebok Treadmill brand actually produces a wide range of products beyond the cheap treadmills. There is a  rubber treadmill mat by Reebok, with the notable Reebok logo.

Reebok treadmills have the Reebok brand slapped on them but there is hardly a correlation to the shoe and apparel maker most of us are familiar with. ICON fitness purchased the right to brand a line of cheap treadmills with the Reebok label in a particularly genius marketing effort. It provides buyers the comfort of thinking that they are buying from a well established brand. It’s not that ICON fitness isn’t established with their line of Precor, Smooth, and Landice Treadmills; those products just don’t ring a bell with people outside the treadmill industry.

The design of a Reebok treadmill appeals to those looking to buy something that looks good, which more or less is every buyer. Reebok models are also readily available at most retail sports outlets and department stores.

Some consumers do fall in love with Reebok treadmills because of its list of features. Most models can fold away for easy storage. The frame is typically very stable and durable. However, it’s important to note that motor burn-out seems common with models that have over-sized belts that tend to push the limits of the cheap motor in the cheap treadmill.

In speaking of cheap treadmills and the specific, the Reebok 8400C is one of the best models recently. The Reebok 9500 ES is a foldable model with built-in flat screen TV. And the Reebok VISTA is sold to impulse buyers. If you decide on a Reebok treadmill, you’re a dime away from being sold a Reebok Treadmill Mat. It’s the same as any other mat of its class except for the notable Reebok logo. I’m a minimalist so a logo on something is normally is a solid color would actually discourage me from considering the Reebok Treadmill Mat. But rubber treadmill mats are among the best values because they are the cheapest and provide all the benefits of any mat.

Treadmill Equipment Mat

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A treadmill equipment mat is actually useful for any other exercise equipment. The beauty of floor mats for exercise machines is that they are good for almost anything of the like. That probably explains why they are so inexpensive. Mats designed specifically for a treadmill would probably cost a lot more but since you can buy a general equipment mat and use if under your treadmill there is no choice but for treadmill mats the be comparable in price.

Anyone looking for a high quality treadmill equipment mat should consider the MonsterMat. It is made of a cellular vinyl which allows the mat to be lightweight yet very durable. This floor mat is a versatile equipment mat not just for treadmills but any other fitness equipment such as benches, exercise bikes, or steppers. The MonsterMat is offered in two sizes as well as two thicknesses to match just about any standard sized exercise equipment.

The lightweight cellular vinyl is a common material for treadmill mats because it is sturdy, offers great cushioning, and is relatively inexpensive. For something like a treadmill that generates so much vibration you would want the thicker of equipment mats. Something between 1/4″ to 3/8″ in thickness and around 3′ by 6-1/2′ in size are good, standard measurements a mat should be for use under a treadmill. Remember, most treadmill equipment is optional and not necessary. But a treadmill mat is something that we could go as far as say it is a requirement. Other useful treadmill equipment we would recommend is a home self repair kit which allows the treadmill owner to perform simple repairs and maintenance procedures.

Another important item is lubrication to keep the motor running smooth. The most common failure in treadmills are motor burns which can easily be avoided by keeping the motor properly lubricated. Of course if you choose to be cheap and buy a manual treadmill, one that does not have a motor, then this is not necessary. But in many cases it just makes sense to spend a little extra and buy a motorized treadmill. For that reason it will require more precautionary equipment such as a treadmill mat and lubrication.

Proform Treadmill

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One of the most overlooked benefits of getting a treadmill mat, and one that should single-handily be reason enough to get a mat of quality thickness. There are so many moving parts and in such intensities that a lot of noise is produced. Just the sound of your feet pounding the treadmill will usually create enough noise to drive another person mad if your treadmill wasn’t sitting on a minimal cushioning. Imagine using plywood as a mat for your treadmill. What if for some reason you want to use your treadmill in an upstairs apartment?

The shock of the treadmill in use will wear down its lifespan as the impact sends vibrations with each step threatening to tear your $1400 Proform Treadmill to pieces. Although a $1400 Proform Treadmill is available Proform Treadmills are usually built for low intensity workouts like walking or light jogging and a majority of the Proform line of treadmills are on the cheaper side of things.

Maybe you could get away without a treadmill mat if you had a proform treadmill since one of their biggest fallbacks is the short 90 day warranty. Don’t get a mat, let the vibration and pounding take its toll in 90 days and turn it in for a new one. (This is the point where I warn that I’m not responsible for people who decide to abuse warranty policies.) Proform treadmills are cheap entry level machines and if you’re a seasoned runner and want a quality treadmill, prepare to spend at least $1,500. Add another $50 and get yourself a treadmill mat.