In short: Rubber gym tiles go down without glue by starting in a corner, working outwards and cutting edge pieces with a sharp utility knife and straight edge. Excel Deco on Moi Avenue, Nairobi sells 20mm rubber gym tiles at KSh 4,800 per sqm and 14mm 91 x 91cm tiles at KSh 3,499 each.

How to lay rubber gym tiles

1. Prepare the floor. Sweep the concrete clean and make sure it is dry and level.
2. Plan the layout. Start from the most visible corner so cut tiles end up at the back.
3. Clip the tiles. Press each tile into the next, row by row.
4. Cut edge pieces. Mark the line, score with a sharp knife against a straight edge and bend to snap.
5. Air and clean. Open windows for a few days, then mop with mild soap.

Before you start: the floor and the room

Rubber tiles hide a lot, but not everything. A few minutes of prep makes the floor sit flat and last longer.

• Clean the base. Sweep and mop away dust, grit and old paint flakes.
• Dry it. Rubber laid on damp screed traps moisture and smells.
• Check it is flat. Small bumps are fine. Deep dips should be filled so tiles do not rock.
• Clear the room. Take out racks and machines so you can lay in one go.
• Open the tiles early. New rubber has a smell. Unpack and air the tiles for a few days in a ventilated space before you lay them.

Rubber tiles can go over screed, tiles or terrazzo. For a full look at home set ups, see our home gym flooring page.

Working out how many tiles you need

Take a 3 by 3 metre spare room in a house in Runda. The 14mm tile is 91 x 91cm.

1. Three tiles in a row cover 2.73 metres. So the main area is 3 rows of 3 = 9 full tiles.
2. That leaves a strip 27cm wide along two walls. One tile cut lengthways gives three 27cm strips, so 2 tiles cover both strips.
3. Add 1 tile for the corner piece and a spare.
4. Total: 12 tiles x KSh 3,499 = KSh 41,988.

If you prefer the thicker 20mm tiles sold per sqm, the same room is 9 x KSh 4,800 = KSh 43,200. Compare all options in our gym flooring price guide.

Always buy one or two more tiles than the sum says. A miscut edge piece is easy to make on your first try. A spare also lets you swap out a damaged tile later without hunting for a match.

Cutting clean edge pieces

Edge pieces make or break the look. Take your time.

1. Measure the gap at both ends, as walls are rarely straight.
2. Mark the cut on the face of the tile with chalk or a marker.
3. Lay a metal straight edge along the line and kneel on it to hold it still.
4. Score the line with a sharp utility knife. Do not try to cut through in one go.
5. Run the blade along the same line several times. Bend the tile slightly to open the cut.
6. Change blades often. A blunt blade tears rubber and leaves a ragged edge.

Place the cut edge against the wall and the factory edge against the next tile. That way the joints you see stay neat.

Caring for the floor after installation

• Keep windows open for the first week while the smell fades.
• Sweep or vacuum weekly. Grit grinds into the surface under shoes.
• Mop with water and mild soap. Avoid oil based cleaners, which make rubber slippery.
• Wipe sweat and spilled drinks quickly.
• Under a squat rack, check the tiles every few months and push any that crept back into place.

Not sure rubber is right? Read rubber vs EVA gym flooring. For a gym open to members, see commercial gym flooring.

Want to see it fitted before you buy?

Real jobs filmed on site by our team. Tap play and watch how the work is done.

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Shop the products on this page

Rubber Gym Tiles 20mm InterlockingKSh 4,800Speckled Rubber Gym Roll 5mm 1m x 10mKSh 32,000Blue Speckled Rubber Gym MatKSh 3,199Peel and Stick Vinyl Planks and TilesKSh 1,250

Questions buyers ask

Do rubber gym tiles need glue?

Interlocking tiles do not. Glue is only for permanent commercial floors.

Can I lay them on tiles?

Yes on a flat, firm floor.

How do I cut rubber tiles?

Use a sharp utility knife and a straight edge. Score several times.

How many tiles do I need?

Measure the area in sqm and ask us for the tile count for your size.

How do I get rid of the rubber smell?

Air the tiles out for a few days in an open, ventilated space before and after laying. The smell fades with time and fresh air.

Should I choose 14mm or 20mm tiles?

Pick 20mm where heavy weights are dropped, such as under a lifting platform. 14mm suits general training, machines and light dumbbells.

Will the tiles move during workouts?

Interlocking tiles hold each other in place without glue. Loose square tiles can creep under heavy use, so check and push them back now and then.

Shop and read next

• 20mm rubber gym tiles
• Home gym flooring
• Rubber vs EVA
• Gym flooring prices