This question, “What is the safest gym floor?” is frequently asked by trainers, coaches, and rehab experts who are concerned about the safety of their athletes. The ability of a gym floor to provide increased safety has improved in recent decades. This is primarily due to multi-directional shock absorption, easing strain as players move about the floor. But, not all floors provide this benefit. However, one brand stands above all others in pioneering this unique benefit.
Gym Floor Shock Absorption
Our grandparents played on concrete or suspended hardwood. 50 years ago, if someone asked, “What is the safest gym floor?”, the answer would have been “Suspended Hardwood” on a pier and beam support structure. At that time, hardwood was considered the best, as it could provide some shock absorption and good ball bounce. But, this was limited to vertical or downward movement only. These floors were not engineered to absorb the lateral energy forces exerted by the players. And, today’s hardwood floors still don’t provide this crucial feature. Indeed, today’s high cost multi-layered cushioned vinyl and fluid applied floors are also failing to deliver on area elasticity.
Lateral Shock Absorption
Think about the last basketball game your saw or played in. Players on the court go from a standing still position to full speed movement. Then they hit the brakes or abruptly change directions. Every time they plant their foot to move, change directions, or to stop, the G forces are magnified. This is where injuries are likely to occur on most gym floors. However, floors that absorb these lateral forces can reduce the incidence of injuries.
Surface Traction
As gym floor technology improved, it became clear that a high gloss urethane coating provided the very best surface traction under foot. Hard vinyl floors proved to be dangerously slick. And, their rubbery cushioned vinyl cousins had too much grip. “Stop and pop” became the mantra of these floors. In either case, a vinyl floor of any kind, was “A worst case scenario”. These floors led to countless injuries and physical stresses, which could have been avoided had they provided proper surface traction and proper area elasticity. But, they don’t. High gloss urethane or a surface providing similar grip, is the best for all indoor sports including basketball and volleyball.
So What is the Safest Gym Floor?
Only one brand provides both lateral shock absorption with a high gloss urethane coating for great traction under foot. That brand is Sport Court®. And, the product is Response High Gloss. Only Sport Court® Response HG system provides both vertical and lateral shock absorption when placed directly over a concrete subfloor.
The NCAA, Adidas, USA Volleyball, Nike-Tournament of Champions, and other athletic organizations have long recognized the benefits of Sport Court® gym flooring. Steve Kozaki, President of Nike-Tournament of Champions said, “…our trainers logged fewer total injuries to the lower body (ankles and knees) playing on 46 sport courts in 2015 (1,150 total games) than on 28 hardwood floors (700 total games) in 2012 (the last time we played in the suburbs). This in itself is a remarkable statistic.”
Click Image to Enlarge
Check Out these Projects with the “Safest Gym Floor in the World™“
Check Out these Projects with the “Safest Gym Floor in the World™“
To learn more about Sport Court® gym flooring or to get our expert assistance laying out your gym, please contact South Texas Sport Court.
To reach a court builder in your area, check out Sport Court Texas or Sport Court Corporate.
