Foam mats are one of the most versatile flooring products available — used in home gyms, children's play areas, martial arts dojos, yoga studios and nurseries across the UK. But with so many types available, choosing the right foam mat for your specific application can be confusing. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Types of Foam Mats
EVA Foam Interlocking Mats
EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) foam mats are the most common type of interlocking foam tile. Lightweight, easy to cut, and available in a range of thicknesses from 10mm to 40mm, they're the go-to choice for children's play areas, home gym cardio zones and martial arts training. EVA foam mats are soft enough to be comfortable for floor-based exercises but firm enough to provide stable footing.
Rubber Foam Mats
For applications requiring more durability and impact absorption than pure foam, rubber gym mats are the professional choice. Unlike EVA foam, rubber mats resist tearing, handle dropped weights without compressing permanently, and outlast foam alternatives by years in commercial environments. If you're setting up a serious home gym or commercial fitness space, rubber gym mats outperform foam on every durability metric.
PE Foam Mats
Polyethylene foam mats are closed-cell and waterproof — making them ideal for wet environments, outdoor use, and applications where moisture resistance matters. Often used as underlay beneath other flooring products.
Foam Mats for Gyms
For gym use, the choice between foam mats and rubber gym mats comes down to your training style:
- Yoga, pilates, stretching: Thin foam mats (10-20mm EVA) provide cushioning without instability
- General cardio, bodyweight training: 20-30mm foam tiles or 6-8mm rubber mats
- Weights, barbells, kettlebells: Rubber gym mats (10-20mm) — foam will compress and degrade under heavy loads
- Olympic lifting, powerlifting: 20mm+ rubber only — foam cannot handle barbell drops
Foam Mats for Children's Play Areas
Children's foam play mats should be at least 20mm thick to provide meaningful fall protection. Look for mats made from non-toxic materials (EN 71 toy safety compliance) that are free from BPA, phthalates and formaldehyde. Interlocking foam tiles are practical for play areas as they're easy to clean and can be rearranged to suit different spaces.
Foam Mats for Martial Arts
Martial arts require foam mats thick enough to absorb impact from throws, takedowns and ground work — typically 40mm tatami-style foam mats for judo, wrestling and BJJ, or 20-25mm for karate and taekwondo where less ground contact occurs. The tatami surface pattern (the woven texture) provides grip and is the standard for most combat sports facilities.
How to Choose Foam Mats
- Thickness: More thickness = more cushioning. Match to the impact level of your activity.
- Density: Higher density foam is firmer, more durable and more stable underfoot.
- Surface texture: Smooth for yoga/stretching, textured for gym and sports use.
- Interlocking vs sheet: Interlocking tiles are more flexible; sheet foam is better for under-equipment protection.
- Material: EVA for play/cardio, rubber for weights and high-impact training.
Where to Buy Foam Mats in the UK
Slip-Not stocks a full range of rubber gym mats, interlocking tiles and specialist flooring for every application. Our rubber gym mats outperform foam for serious training use — if you're building a home gym or commercial fitness facility, browse our rubber gym flooring range or view interlocking gym tiles. Free UK delivery on all orders.
Foam Mats FAQ
Are foam mats good for weightlifting?
Standard EVA foam mats are not suitable for weightlifting. They compress permanently under heavy loads and will degrade quickly. For weightlifting, always choose rubber gym mats — 15mm for general use, 20mm+ for Olympic lifting and powerlifting.
How thick should foam mats be for a home gym?
For home gym use with weights, don't use foam — use 10-20mm rubber gym mats. For cardio-only home gyms, 20-30mm EVA foam tiles are adequate.
Are foam mats waterproof?
EVA foam has some water resistance but is not fully waterproof. PE foam is closed-cell and waterproof. Rubber gym mats are the most moisture-resistant option for gym environments.
