7 PRO Tips for Stall Mat Gym Flooring

[@GarageGymLab]

What are your best stall mat tips?!

[@NGUJZ]

Tractor Supply

[@DrDeusExMachina]

Use horse stall mats and then cover the seams with black gorilla tape

[@GarageGymLab]

@@DrDeusExMachina heard that! Made my list too

[@smorse13]

Soak the mats in a trash barrel with dish soap and vinegar

[@DasWaldCafe]

I haven't used stall mat grippers but a pair of vice grip pliers work pretty well and don't require a single use item purchase if you already have some.

[@smashweights]

PRO TIP for buying: be REALLY nice to the TSC folks and when they're loading them up ask if they have any broken mats they can't sell. Mine had about 8 that broke pretty smoothly across the long axis and were easy to cut to a common length, added 3'x12' to my pad for free.

[@OfficialMarkZuckerberg]

PRO TIP for cutting mats. If you've ever had to cut through one you know how hard it is. Start out by lightly scoring a line with it laying flat on the ground so you get it nice and straight. Next lay a round piece of PVC under the mat along the edge and cut the rest. The round shape will allow the cut to open up and make the cutting much easier because you're not dragging the sides across the rubber.

[@michaelp9238]

Great tip, thank you

[@BasementBrandon]

Have spent way too much in stall mats over the years but still watched. Great job dude!

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks, bud! You’re a king in the stall mat world.

[@ivanandruth3855]

Used 18 4x6’ mats for my son’s garage. I just grabbed one end and drug them around to move. Used a box cutter type razor - one blade was fine. Make sure not only is the floor clean, but clean off the bottom of the mat you are setting in place. Helps insure mat lays flat. Most important - sketch your plan on paper first.

[@AnchorFTW]

6:10 This segment was funny. The pause and camera zoom at the end was teh icing on the cake. lol

[@semiisounds]

😂

[@SOEtacticalgear]

Stall Matt grippers. I have over 100 stall mats in place and Never even knew they existed. Thanks man.

[@jackiegammon2065]

Lots of folks have had this info on KZbin, glad to see more folks becoming serious about their fitness.

[@basementwalls8418]

Thanks for being clear and concise without a long intro. I'm finally getting my garage in shape to get myself in shape, and your presentation is appreciated. Subscribing!

[@ThallFather]

I've got a Rep PR-5000 coming in Friday! Can't wait to throw some mats in and try some of these tips.

[@ashleykbarks]

I got six 3'x4'x1/2" stall mats, washed them with soap, stuck them in the garage, and just open the garage with a fan on to vent the smell every once in a while. It isn't so bad now. I bought them recently in February and they're great.

[@LindseyHazel]

Thanks for the tip about the grippers! That made things SO much easier for moving 14 mats with my husband!!

[@china1013]

That cold weather advice is the most helpful advice I've ever heard about these things. I'm so glad this came across my feed and pressed play. I'm actually about to make a home gym in my new place.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks so much for watching! Glad it was helpful!

[@lovethescale2286]

Hi Adam!! I created an excel spreadsheet grid with exact gym dimensions and mapped out all mats including all cut pieces and extra platform pieces. I then was able to get the exact amount we needed (well, Eric got the mats - 17 of them). I used a giant T square for cutting...and also a rubber mallet for hammering in the side pieces super tightly. I staggered the pattern to not create the weird "flared 4 square" corners. I'm super happy with how it turned out. It's not perfect but it's pretty sweet and I really love the mending plate idea too! Great vid!!

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks, Shani! You had me at Excel! Haha, love that idea. Can’t wait to come see the Strongerthanu HQ!

[@dvanwyck21]

@@GarageGymLab where did you buy the mending plate? having an issue finding one flush

[@ELIRAXPRT]

@@dvanwyck21 Simpson Strongtie makes them. You should be able to find at lumber yards or home centers like Home Depot. They are used to assemble trusses

[@AustinStreets]

That was a greatly produced video, thank you for the tips and the sections as well

[@carps_gym]

This is the standard answer to any question in the garage gym group. What’s the best barbell? Stall mats

[@GarageGymLab]

Lmao

[@davidaoregan]

TIP. 1. To move a mat (upstairs or down) roll the mat and secure it with a ratchet strap. Much easier to transport 2. When you score the mat spray WD40 into the cut and itll be much easier to cut the second pass.

[@Marc0Bece]

I rolled mine for transportation when I moved but I'd cut them down to 6ft due to space constraints and I didn't use ratchet straps but I will on the next move!

[@StraightGuyStraightTalk]

I used duck tape. The best thing I could do.

[@FidelGarza2224]

Great tip. I did this this past summer! Looks like a commercial gym.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks for watching!

[@HickLif3]

2 things I will add- 1. offset the seams when you lay them down so you don't have 4 corners meeting up in one spot. It helps keep them straight, looks better especially since all the mats might not line up right, and it just looks better. It's the same way you would sheath a floor or roof with plywood. 2. instead of duct tape you can also use tape that is made for the seams of mma mats. might be more expensive but it's actually designed for high traffic use like a gym

[@GarageGymLab]

Great thoughts! Thanks so much for sharing.

[@Osprey1994]

Gorilla tape has one that is essentially permanent. It tries to adhere to itself, crazy stick.

[@alphaownsyou]

I'm about to start my very first home gym at 38 years old. Looking at horse stall mats for flooring in the garage. Got some great tips from this, thanks!

[@markhalstead2386]

I installed my stall mats prior to the trim, so the trim covered wall to floor interfaces for a very clean look.

[@chillagorilla]

Just bought 6 diamond plates stall mats from tractor supply….. should have watched this first. I’m up in Greenville, SC so definitely know about the humidity.

[@charlesanderson7830]

Sigh I did this today. I hope it works out

[@cyberdemon6669]

Super helpful video, you had me cracking up with your fake passing out from the off-gassing and blade cutting lmao.

[@RogaBigCalves]

Carpet tape also works for seams. I helped a friend do his floor in the summer and even after hammering the mats in tight with flooring tools I had left over from a home flooring project I did there were still seams in the winter so buying in cold weather is definitely going to be my plan when I do my own garage floor this year.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks for sharing, bud!!

[@paulr2479]

Same here. Fitted everything in the summer but had to wait months for equipment delivery. Lots of gaps. I took soooo much time making sure it all fit tight grrrrrrrr. You live, you learn 😎

[@JoseMartinez-bs8oi]

The leaf blower! Yes! My neighbor has a tree that sheds and the leaves find their way to my garage on a windy day. Blow it all out, dust and all. Then clean with odorban.

[@GarageGymLab]

It’s such a great garage gym tool!

[@FitLabb]

I went with a pro-grade thick rubber floor solution from Keifer USA for our home gym, but had contractors install it as part of our renovations when we built out that space. Came out amazing, but there are definitely cheaper options that might also be easier from a DIY standpoint like some that you highlighted. Great video that’s SO useful and isn’t covered enough! Also loved the cleaning tips at the end. 💪

[@GarageGymLab]

Appreciate you, bud! That’s some nice flooring you have!

[@FitLabb]

@@GarageGymLab Thanks! It wasn’t cheap, but I really love how it came out & finished the room. Installed it back in 2014 & it’s still looks almost as good as the day we put it down. Keep up the great work man, you’ve got a solid channel & really loving your videos as they really add so much value.

[@gerzhoy]

How is the smell on this stuff? Building a home gym and my wife is super sensitive to VOCs, so looking for an option that is low-odor but still highly durable.

[@FitLabb]

@@gerzhoy It’s been a few years since we installed it so my memory is a bit fuzzy on the smell of it when installed, but I don’t recall anything noticeable to be honest. I was very happy on many levels with Kruger’s gym flooring products, and while they are a bit expensive, it’s one of those areas where you get what you pay for when it comes to overall quality. They probably have some info on that specifically on their website as they have many different lines of flooring they sell with lots of specific info on each one.

[@takenusername]

South Carolina represent!!!

[@GarageGymLab]

Let’s goooo! Where in SC are you?

[@sherriannbennett3208]

Thank you so much for the thorough video, Adam! Just purchased horse stall mats at our local Tractor Supply store and saved a bunch of money! Because of your video and detailed explanation, we now know exactly what to do! Thanks :)

[@gamecocklifter1740]

Awesome, Sherri! Glad it was helpful!

[@GraveyFit]

Never thought about the swelling and shrinkage..... with the mats that is. Planning to go with the horsestall mats in my garage this year, but can definitely wait until fall.

[@KADGlobalTrade]

I am a factory, the blogger's explanation is very professional

[@GymCrafter]

Solid tips! Not a fan of them myself, but prob the best budget option out there and you just saved a lot of people a lot of time and headaches!

[@vickyvonstein2331]

The best video on gym flooring I've seen! I didn't buy all of them at once and because of that some were from different batches and slight variations in size and fleck colour but it's done now and that's it.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting, Vicky!

[@ScienceBasedFitness]

Got to give u props for that joke, lol u went full send! Great video.

[@frayedendz1]

All super good tips! I have had my stall mats for about 4 years now and I am at the point where I am saving for Rolled rubber flooring....the stall mats have served their purpose but I'm ready for an upgrade. I have also spent waaayyy to much money and waaaay too much time dragging around and cutting those things...100lbs of akward movements

[@hitleractually8180]

'talmbout awlkward angles, B?

[@rodolfomedini9931]

About time! Thank you.

[@GarageGymLab]

Cheers, bud

[@madmax9603]

I use vise grips to move them. Grippers look great just saying that vise grips work too if you have them. Great video thanks.

[@gamecocklifter1740]

Thanks for watching, Max!

[@LukesGarageGym]

Great tips!! Smell has been an issue, especially when it gets hot!! I’ve been using a swiffer to clean the mats 😂😂 not sure how effective that is but I like the way you do it!

[@mamotivated]

This was a legit video. Bought several sets of stall mats and it went well. Didn't get the smooths ones though 😢

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheAllAroundG]

i've been using stall mats for mine, my movers broke one of them (1/4 diagonal tear ffs) so now I can try to use that one for piecing in edges...what I really want is rolled soft turf; like a custom measure job...i just feel that's sooooper spensive

[@Dubdub1900]

Thanks dude, some really good tips in there.

[@rockettt7]

supper helpful video - thanks... new subscriber!

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks, Paul! Glad it was helpful. Appreciate the sub!

[@Just_Me]

I couldn't resist the price on stall mats but the smell was overwhelming and didn't dissipate after months of use. I have a basement gym rather than a garage gym so there was no where for the off gassing smell to go but into the rest of the basement/house. I ended up buying more expensive gym floor mats, and they also have a rubber smell that is detectable when the doors to the gym are closed, but the smell is much, much less than the stall mats. For people thinking of creating a home gym anywhere other than their garage, I'd suggest avoiding the stall mats.

[@GarageGymLab]

I agree completely. These are definitely better for a garage, shed, etc…

[@siriusbusiness2351]

I have a basement gym with 8 stall mats and more to come but I don't have the issue you described. For me, the smell was gone within days. Never opened a window or anything down there.

[@GarageGymLab]

@@siriusbusiness2351 consider yourself lucky! Haha

[@itmarc]

Plan ahead, let the mats sit out in the warm sun to off gas VOC for a week or two.

[@Curiousjoe]

You could buy used ones too

[@scooobyj8714]

Great tips. A few things that helped me were …. 1. When cutting use a snap line or carpenter square to make sure you cuts are straight. 2. Cut on a large pvc pipe or 4x4. It helps get the blade through faster and it seemed to help me keep my cuts straight. 3. Measure twice and cut once. Haha.

[@GarageGymLab]

Great adds, Scoooby! Appreciate you.

[@scooobyj8714]

@@GarageGymLab just found your channel. That’s why I and commenting on a lot of videos. Haha

[@tdragon64]

Wish this video was around when I did my stall mat floor, in the basement. If I ever have to redo or move things around I have some good tips to avoid the issues I delt with during the install. Thanks.

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I bought several from local tractor store as way less expensive than sport supply stores. Funky smell but all good.

[@youknowwithMartyKauffman]

Thanks for making this

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks for watching!

[@KaizenDIYGym]

Great video Adam! My biggest regret in my home gym is the flooring. It was sort of pieced together as my gym grew. It is hideous!

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks for watching, bud! Beauty of the home gym is it’s a constant learning experience, lol.

[@mirrorsbrightly]

Great video. Liked, commented, subscribed.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate it.

[@zaineridling]

These are INVALUABLE tips. Thank you! 💯💯💯

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@mattm314]

Thank you for Simple Green tip-ive had trouble cleaning mine with the stuff we keep on hand.

[@GarageGymLab]

Let me know how it works for you, Matthew! Thanks for watching.

[@cipperob1]

Great job with the video and notes. Well done, sir.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thank you, Robert! Appreciate you watching.

[@garagegymupdates]

Fantastic video with a lot of helpful tips and legitimately funny content. Great job!

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks for watching, bud!

[@MucaroBoricua]

The recommendation should be to "install", not "buy", the mats during the cold months. I would buy them in the summer and leave them out in the sun to out gas, then install them when it gets cold.

[@missaaofph]

Wish i knew this before i started working out at home, my floor not good now lol. Tnx for sharing

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks for watching, Anna!

[@missaaofph]

@@GarageGymLab you’re welcome

[@spoxfitofficial]

Thanks for those great tips. Really work.

[@vicenteramos8498]

Awesome video. I learn a lot. I'm starting a new gym in my garage and looking for good floor mats. Thanks.

[@Handygrrl]

Very informative. Thank you and i subbed!

[@joshfoster6669]

Oh, my man Adam getting in on the Stall Mat controversy! This is FANTASTIC! And, frankly, I just think it's another great day to talk about gym equipment.

[@GarageGymLab]

Always a good day to talk about gym equipment! 😁

[@Renaissancemedia89]

Love the shirt!

[@Oliver1071]

Older video but here's a tip with cutting. If you have a multi-tool it cuts through them like butter. I just did a 8'x9' room with 3/8" thick tiles and it made quick work of it. It makes a nice clean controlled cut.

[@basementwalls8418]

Did you use that half moon blade or a straight blade?

[@Oliver1071]

@@basementwalls8418 I just used a standard straight blade. With a piece of scrap wood under the flooring.

[@zachhorn3191]

Easiest way to carry is to roll it up like a rug and use truck straps to keep it in place. The straps also make a good handle.

[@mikejensen1473]

Used a Milwaukee multi tool to cut my mats! They cut like butter!

[@BrandonSimmons-do6jq]

I'm building my home gym now and have not got any pads. I'm totally on board with the horse mats. I absolutely cannot wait to do this.

[@GarageGymLab]

Have fun with the build, Brandon! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@nybigblue44]

Very helpful thank you

[@jeffhamilton6856]

Horse stall mats are great! I used them to cover the metal floor in my food truck and then put vinyl flooring on top. Works great, looks great, insulates the floor, cuts down on sound, and feels so much better to walk on!

[@TheFarrOutpost]

Nice video, solid production value 🎞📺💪🏼

[@GarageGymLab]

Appreciate you watching, bud!

[@BusinessAndFitness]

Take it from someone that literally broke every rule in this video: LISTEN TO THE MAN!

[@GarageGymLab]

😂 appreciate you, Travis.

[@johnwilson1109]

What is the calculation on the odor removal and how did you apply it

[@therosalezfamily]

I let my stall mats cook in the sun for almost 10days because they smelled so bad! TSC told me the pallet just came in the day I bought mine. I thought I made the biggest mistake ever when I first put them in my garage because of the smell. Letting them cook in that 80+ degree sun for those days definitely helped a lot. It didn’t rain at all either. I also hit them with simple green a few times while they were outside. Took care of the strong odor issue for sure.

[@GarageGymLab]

Glad it worked out! Thanks for sharing!

[@jpizz88]

Really regretting the purchase of stall mats. The smell is unbearable, and they’re still out in my driveway.

[@therosalezfamily]

@@jpizz88 I’m telling you mine was the same way. That first 48hrs I had them home in the garage it felt like a huge mistake. But, over time and in that sun/heat the smell did go away quite a bit. Not all the way. At this point I’m a little over a year in having them and I don’t smell rubber at all.

[@jpizz88]

@@therosalezfamily I hope so. Unfortunately we’re getting into the 50’s where I live and I don’t think it will be getting warm again. I’m hoping the sun can heat them up enough to help with the off-gassing, even at these temps.

[@tutmondigo]

@@jpizz88 Did the mat smell get better for you?

[@NGUJZ]

@2:10 have 4 of those from Tractor Supply.

[@sirbrdfrd]

I left mine outside in the Phoenix summer sun for almost 2 months, washing and flipping them regularly - and they still smelled. About a year later and they're finally only mildly smelly, only really noticeable when doing workouts on the ground/mat.

[@GarageGymLab]

Does seem to be hit or miss with the sun bathing. Thanks for sharing, Brad!

[@sirbrdfrd]

@@GarageGymLabMy suggestion is to buy them used, let someone else deal with the out gassing phase 🤣

[@ted6580]

There’s also a decent chance you just got used to the smell and don’t notice it anymore. Ask anyone with multiple pets and they’ll tell you

[@GraveyFit]

I liked the idea of using the mending plates underneath to hold them in place. My only concern there is that I am a super heavy sweater and my garage is not temp controlled. Thinking longer term about mildew and mold with moisture getting in between/under the mats.

[@claytonvernon8793]

use foam alphabet letters underneath

[@zadzilko]

A carpet scrubber works good to for cleaning if you happen to have one. I use ours 4-5 times a year.

[@muscleguyphilippines]

Great vid hope your channel grows to a million this year 💪 Here for the equipment reviews 😁

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks so much!!

[@muscleguyphilippines]

@@GarageGymLab i hope you upload more vids 😁

[@justinharmon8082]

Tip for carrying mats, fold them over (into squares) right before lifting. This creates handles on the sides (for free) and though heavier in the hand, reduces drag. As a bonus you drag less dirt into the gym.

[@richards6431]

Basement Brandon pointed this out on one of his videos. Cashmans sells them online. Shipping is expensive, but they are cheaper per mat than at Tractor Supply. As an added bonus you don't have to haul them home. They get delivered on a pallet.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks for sharing, Richard!

[@TheJeffro451]

My tractor supply here in town sells them for $42.99 a sheet (4’x6’). That’s the cheapest I’ve found so far.

[@acecool72]

@@TheJeffro451yeah they are 44 at the tractor supply near me

[@twistedbarbell3950]

Great tips man! I too had to drive to a neighboring state for mine, but it was still worth it compared to shipping for just 2 mats.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks as always for watching, bud

[@registeredhokage]

Use a leaf blower to blow air under the mat and it will be much easier to move when it's flat.

[@dilansmead8440]

What was the metal piece used to make the mats stick closer?

[@GarageGymLab]

They’re called mending plates

[@dilansmead8440]

Who’s sells them?

[@jayhache5609]

Google sells them. ; ) @@dilansmead8440

[@coach_paul_t]

what's the thickness of the PLAE flooring you ahve in the gym now? is it thick enough to drop weights safely?

[@jayhache5609]

It says on their website, but I forgot the thickness already. Something like 10-15 mm, which I wouldn’t feel safe with, so will get the stall mats.

[@rubiconmartin854]

I ran across your video and noticed the South Carolina flag in the back ground and got excited lol. I live in SC myself.

[@generalpunisher]

Planning to build a home gym in 2022 (once I own a house, lol). Flooring is a big concern for me, so these tips were awesome!

[@GarageGymLab]

Glad you found them helpful, Evan! Looking forward to seeing your future home gym!

[@texasreddirt1408]

Here's a bonus to his bonus. If you don't have stall mat grippers, use pliers. I used channel locks and they worked great.

[@chaosdriven]

What lat tower is in the background? Great video.

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks for watching! It’s the prime fitness single stack. I have a video of it on the YT channel.

[@student1979oct]

Tip for cutting/trimming. A Multitool like Dremel and many others makes make it super easy to keep straight accurate cuts going. Much easier than a utility knife.

[@a7personaltraining]

Hi where did you get your gray flooring?

[@GarageGymLab]

Hey! It’s from PLAE. It’s called the achieve line in 18mm

[@josurke]

What leaf blower do you use/reccomend?

[@omosaje1454]

Please where can I find your Dunmbell storage?

[@GarageGymLab]

Hey there! It’s the Sorinex Iron Bear

[@bert407]

How about black calking for joints?

[@fonz-ys6xu]

Bought 4 yesterday, going back for 4 more today. They work great, I don't think mine are 100lbs a piece, but they're definitely heavy and awkward as hell to maneuver....probably looked like an uncoordinated goon in the parking lot and to my neighbors!

[@ScottMeyer-g8f]

Can you put over foam mat or have to remove that?

[@gerzhoy]

Awesome video! Does the rolled flooring you have smell also? Can you provide a link to the brand?

[@GarageGymLab]

Thanks, Gene! No smell at all - terrific product. What you see in my home gym is the Achieve line from PLAE. What I put in my studio gym is the Forge line from PLAE, which is also great and less expensive. If you check @garagegymlab on Instagram you can see that flooring (it’s black). Here is a link to their form: plae.us/ggl/

[@ian1eh944]

Thanks for the information!! Did you have any issues placing the rack in the garage, with the slope in your garage floor?

[@claytonvernon8793]

I place foam alphabet letters underneath for ventilation. i use 1" thick stall mats so there is no lumpiness.

[@carlosdelgado6394]

Does anyone know if sunning the mats affect the color? All my backyard furniture has decolores and I wouldn’t want the mats to be affected

[@State.of.Emergency]

Would these work on pea gravel for an outdoor gym?

[@Bubbsby]

If I'm just looking to do a small portion of my garage for gym/bag training, do you still recommend the stall mats? Would I just Gorilla tape them at the edge? Can/Should I use a some sort of rug pad for added cushioning? Is the rubber going to be too much friction for barefoot kickboxing with all the pivoting? 😀

[@dilansmead8440]

Spring starts March 20. Is it too late in winter for me to decide to buy mats?

[@ajbobbidy]

Nice video thank you

[@benbresnan5325]

Great vid! Where I’m SC are you? I’m in Aiken attempting to piece together a garage gym.