There are lots of plusses around using a good gym, or sports, flooring. Sports flooring advantages include:
   * safe surface for users
   * easy maintenance
   * easy replacement

Why sports flooring isn't for anyone
   * initial cost

Sports room rubber flooring gives you and your family a safe place to land. Literally. While this doesn't advocate falling onto the sports flooring if you don't have to, you can be assured of its safety factor due to its use in training rooms and martial arts facilities across the country.

The foam materials of sports flooring create a softer option versus concrete or other surfaces. This is especially good for those fitness centers that cater to younger, less-experienced members. While the instructors will make every effort to maintain a level of safety, accidents happen. And they injuries will be less serious with sports flooring catching the fall.

Maintenance is a snap with sports flooring because of the smooth surface. In many cases, a carpet steamer is quite effective and easy to use. A thorough hand washing with a sponge is best, but in a large area, this can take too long. If the workout area or gym is in a public space, sanitizing the floors periodically is a good idea since people are sweating as they workout. At home, sanitizing may not be as important.

If you opt for sports flooring that comes in squares or tiles, like rubber mats, you have chosen a cost-effective option. These are easily replaced without a need to close down the entire room. The old tile or square can be removed and replaced with a new one in a short amount of time.

Sports foam is more fragile than other options and can be gouged and damaged by sharp objects. These damaged areas can't be repaired spot at a time. In the case of sports flooring squares, you can replace the square, but in the larger installations, you have to replace or repair the entire floor.

Sometimes, using a sports mat on a conventional maple gym floor is the solution. A maple floor gives you more options of how to use the room, and areas that will experience falls -- as in martial arts and gymnastics -- mats are a great option.

Sports flooring is an essential teammate for any athlete and coach. And just because you work out at home doesn't mean that you shouldn't have the same player on your home team. Install sports flooring and ensure the safety of yourself and your family.