Has anyone used cork for group fitness flooring?
I am considering my options for a group fitness floor in a new studio. I am confused about what exactly I need in order to have a safe working environment for my participants. Is any “floating” floor okay? Do I need to buy a fitness specific wood floor? Could I use cork instead as it is much less expensive? I will be doing TRX and boot camp and would like to be able to sublet my space for dance classes and or yoga.
I would be wary of cork for flooring. Are we talking about cork padding under another floor? If you’re going to get a floor for your facility, I think getting a floor based more on price than safety or longevity might send the wrong message to your clients.
Don’t get me wrong here, I understand completely getting the best bargain, and I’m not saying that you don’t care about safety, because as a professional, I know you do! It just seems logical to me that when you start a facility, you should be in it for the long run. What’s cheaper might not be the best investment.
Have you considered maybe using a foam floor, one that connects together? There are a lot of foam floors out there that are extremely durable and they look great! You might could even get one custom designed to look like a logo or something.
Any group fitness floor that I’ve ever seen, I’ve seen a few, has been something that looks like hardwood. I’m not a group fitness flooring expert, though. You might consider searching the articles here on IDEA.
http://www.impactfitnessflooring.com/groupxflooring.htm
This link might be a good resource? This is the type of floor I’m used to seeing. Of course, what’s popular isn’t always the right choice either. =)