Treadmill mat: how to pick the right size and material
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- Heavy duty rubber treadmill mat. Best for: Concrete floors, garages and basements. See options on Amazon
- Vinyl or PVC treadmill mat, 36 by 78 inches. Best for: Standard home treadmills on wood or vinyl floors. See options on Amazon
- Extra-long treadmill mat. Best for: Long-deck or commercial-style treadmills. See options on Amazon
- Mat for a walking pad. Best for: Under-desk walking pads and compact treadmills. See options on Amazon
What a treadmill mat does
- Protects the floor from the frame, feet and sweat. Rogue's guide for the TrueForm Supermats mat lists floor protection first.
- Keeps dust and debris away from the motor and belt, which Rogue also describes.
- Dampens noise and vibration from footfalls, useful in flats and upstairs rooms.
- Reduces static on carpet. Matrix notes that friction between the belt and deck can build static charge, and advises a rubber mat under the treadmill to reduce static carried from the carpet.
A mat does not make a treadmill safe for children or pets. The safety steps below still apply.
Sizing: measure the treadmill, then the room
Measure the treadmill's length and width at its widest points, including the feet and rails, and choose a mat that is larger on every side. A common size is 36 by 78 inches, which is the size of the TrueForm Supermats mat. Large or long-deck treadmills may need an extra-long mat, and small walking pads need far less.
Also leave the clear space the maker asks for. Matrix advises:
- A clear zone behind the treadmill at least 79 inches (2 meters) long
- About 2 feet (0.6 meters) of space on each side
- About 1 foot in front for the power cord
The mat can extend into these zones, but nothing else should. If you are still choosing a treadmill, see the treadmill for home and folding treadmill guides.
Material by floor type
| Floor | Mat to consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete, garage or basement | Heavy duty rubber | Dense and hard wearing; floor staining is not a concern |
| Vinyl or luxury vinyl plank | Vinyl or PVC with no rubber or latex backing | Shaw advises mats without latex or rubber backings to reduce possible discoloration |
| Hardwood | Vinyl or PVC; check under it now and then | Rogue suggests lifting edges to check for trapped moisture over wood |
| Carpet | Firm rubber or vinyl mat | Gives a flat, stable base and reduces static |
Before buying for a finished floor, read your flooring maker's care guide. Rules differ between products.
Setup and care
- Clean the floor before laying the mat, as Rogue directs.
- Place the treadmill on the mat and adjust the leveling feet so it sits flat and stable.
- Route the power cord so it does not run under the machine or anywhere it could be damaged.
- Keep vents and air openings clear.
- Each week, wipe or vacuum dust from under and around the treadmill, as Matrix advises.
- Clean the mat with a damp cloth and mild detergent, let it dry fully, and avoid bleach and harsh acid cleaners.
Treadmill safety at home
Treadmills can pull people, pets and objects under the rear roller. In its 2021 recall of the Peloton Tread+, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 72 incidents of adults, children, pets or objects being pulled under the rear of the treadmill, including 29 injuries to children and one child's death. In that notice, CPSC told Tread+ owners to:
- Unplug the treadmill when it is not in use.
- Keep the safety key away from the machine and out of children's reach.
- Keep objects, including exercise balls, away from the treadmill.
- Stop using it if small children or pets are at home, or use it only in a locked room that children and pets cannot enter.
These are sensible habits for any treadmill in a home with children or pets.
What to look for when you buy
Heavy duty rubber treadmill mat
Best for: Concrete floors, garages and basements
Dense rubber protects hard floors from the frame and dampens vibration, and on carpet a rubber mat helps reduce static, as Matrix notes.
Watch out: Avoid rubber-backed mats on vinyl floors, where Shaw warns of possible discoloration. Heavy rubber mats are also harder to move.
See options on AmazonVinyl or PVC treadmill mat, 36 by 78 inches
Best for: Standard home treadmills on wood or vinyl floors
36 by 78 inches is a common size, and a vinyl mat avoids the rubber and latex backings Shaw advises against on vinyl floors.
Watch out: Measure your treadmill first; larger machines need an extra-long mat. Lift the edges now and then to check for moisture on wood.
See options on AmazonExtra-long treadmill mat
Best for: Long-deck or commercial-style treadmills
A mat that is larger than the frame on every side keeps the feet and rear roller fully on the mat.
Watch out: Check that the room still allows the clear zone behind and beside the machine.
See options on AmazonMat for a walking pad
Best for: Under-desk walking pads and compact treadmills
Walking pads have a small footprint, so a shorter mat protects the floor and dampens noise without covering the whole room.
Watch out: Soft foam can let a machine shift. Choose a firm mat and keep the safety key out of reach when you step away.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Do I need a mat under my treadmill?
- It is not required, but makers point out that a mat protects the floor, keeps dust from the motor, and dampens noise. On carpet it also gives a firmer base and reduces static.
- What size treadmill mat do I need?
- Choose one larger than your treadmill's length and width on every side. 36 by 78 inches is a common size, but long-deck machines need more.
- Is a rubber treadmill mat safe on a wood or vinyl floor?
- Shaw advises using mats without rubber or latex backing on its vinyl floors to reduce possible discoloration. On any finished floor, check your flooring maker's care guide.
- Should a treadmill mat go on carpet?
- Yes, a firm mat helps. Matrix advises a rubber mat under the treadmill to reduce static carried from the carpet.
- How do I clean a treadmill mat?
- Wipe it with a damp cloth and mild detergent, let it dry fully, and avoid bleach. Vacuum dust from under the treadmill weekly.
Sources
- Treadmill support and maintenance (matrixhomefitness.com), Matrix Home Fitness (maker)
- Product Guide: TrueForm Supermats Treadmill Mat (support.roguefitness.com), Rogue Fitness (seller support guide)
- Peloton Recalls Tread+ Treadmills After One Child Died and More than 70 Incidents Reported (cpsc.gov), U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Caring for Your New Luxury Vinyl Floor (shawfloors.com), Shaw Floors (maker)