Best Rowing Machine Mats For Carpet & Hardwood Floors
At-home exercise equipment such as rowing machines can be one of the best investments to make for your personal health. It means you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home to actually get and stay fit. Yet, this exercise equipment can sometimes do some damage to certain types of flooring in the home or cause painful blisters if used without proper rowing exercise gloves. Rowers might damage more fragile surfaces like stone, tile, concrete, wood, vinyl, laminate, or any other hard floors.
The solution to this problem is known as an exercise equipment mat for rowing machine. These rowing machine mats protect the flooring of your home while also allowing you to have more intense and longer workouts.
However, there are a ton of different gym floor mats for rowing machine out there. It can be confusing to know which one would be best for your own home. That is where we come in. We have looked through a host of different exercise mats for rowing machine in order to find which ones are the best.
Specifically, we looked at which ones would suit rowing machines the best. We based our rankings on a variety of factors, of which we will point out and explain in a guide near the end of the rowing machine mat reviews. Now, with all of that out of the way, let’s jump into our list of the best floor mats for rowing machines!
Best Rowing Machine Mats Comparison Chart:
| NAME | IMAGE | MATERIALS | SIZE | WEIGHT | THICKNESS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuperMats 29GS Indoor Rowing Machine Mat |  | PVC | 36" x 102" | 25 Lbs | 7 mm |
| Resilia Heavy-Duty Protective Floor Mat |  | PVC | Multiple Options | Multiple Options | 2 mm |
| Sunny Health & Fitness Equipment Mat |  | Eva Foam | Multiple Options | Multiple Options | 4-6 mm |
| Stamina Fold-to-Fit Folding Equipment Mat |  | Closed Cell Foam | 36" x 84" | 7 Lbs | 7 mm |
| MotionTex Rowing Exercise Equipment Mat |  | PVC | 36" x 84" | 16 Lbs | 3.7 mm |
| BalanceFrom GoFit High Density Rower Mat |  | PVC | 36" x 78" | 9 Lbs | 4.5 mm |
| Velotas Pro Floor Fitness Equipment Mat |  | Eva Foam | Multiple Options | Multiple Options | 4 mm |
| RevTime Home Rowing Machine Floor Mat |  | SBR and EPDM | 36" x 78" | 13.5 Lbs | 5 mm |
| Resilia High Density Fitness Equipment Mat |  | Eva Foam | Multiple Options | Multiple Options | 4 mm |
| AmazonBasics PVC Mat for Rowing Machine |  | PVC | Multiple Options | Multiple Options | 5 mm |
Quick Overview of Home Rower Mats:
- SuperMats 29GS Indoor Rowing Machine Mat
- Resilia Heavy-Duty Protective Floor Mat
- Sunny Health & Fitness Equipment Mat
- Stamina Fold-to-Fit Folding Equipment Mat
- MotionTex Rowing Exercise Equipment Mat
- BalanceFrom GoFit High-Density Rower Mat
- Velotas Pro Floor Fitness Equipment Mat
- RevTime Home Rowing Machine Floor Mat
- Velotas High-Density Fitness Equipment Mat
- AmazonBasic PVC Mat for Rowing Machine
1. SuperMats 29GS Indoor Rowing Machine Mat
First up on our list of the best rowing machine mats is the SuperMats 29GS Mat. This equipment mat for rowing machines is there to protect your flooring from the damaging effects of heavy exercise equipment and debris from mechanical parts.
Let’s be honest; there are some heavy rowing machines out there. These can really leave a mark on the wrong type of flooring. Not to mention, if the installation goes wrong then you could soon find yourself with damaged flooring all over the place.
Nobody wants that. The 29GS mat is made of solid vinyl composite material and features extremely heavy duty durable construction.It dampens any vibrations that the rowing machine might give off, making it excellent for apartments with picky neighbors.
It is made with no harmful chemicals or heavy metals, making it safe for children and pets. It comes at a decent size as well, measuring at about 36 inches wide and 102 inches long (or 91.4 cm wide and 259.1 cm long).
If you are serious about protecting your floors, neighbors, kids, pets, and equipment from each other, this is certainly a quality floor mat for rowing machine workout to do it with. It also cleans easily with a damp cloth. The price is a tad hefty at $68, though it is not without reason.
Additional Information:
The 29GS is made with commercial quality solid vinyl. Its dimensions are 36 inches wide and 102 inches long (or 91.4 cm wide and 259.1 cm long). There are a couple of reports of the thickness, some saying around ⅛ of an inch (.31 cm) and others saying less. Generally, it is agreed that the thickness is enough to protect against damage. It is meant for all types of flooring. Made in the US, with no doubt, SueperMat is one of the best mats for under rowing machines on the market in 2023.
The Pros:
- A sizable mat that can protect from even heavy rowers.
- It is large enough to carry most rowing machines as well and keeps the noise down thanks to its dampening effect.
- It also cleans easily.
The Cons:
- It is a bit expensive.
- Quality, but expensive.
2. Resilia Heavy-Duty Protective Floor Mat
Up next we have the Resilia Heavy-Duty Protective Floor Mat. This indoor rower floor mat has the nice little feature of coming in different designs based on what type of floor you intend on putting it over.
For those intending to put it over carpet, there is the dual pad version of the mat. For those looking to put it on hard floors like wood and stone, there is the ribbed version of the mat. Both mats provide the same general features, but they are just specialised for different flooring.
They both protect floors and carpets from water spills and sweat stains. The mat itself can be easily cleaned with a spray cleaner or soap and water. The material that the mat is made from is long lasting, heavy-duty, flexible vinyl.
The mat will not mark or discolor the floor underneath wherever it is placed, which some inferior rowing exercise machine mats have a tendency to do. At a price of about $40, this is a solid purchase for any rower.
Additional Information:
As mentioned, the Resilia floor mat is made from a durable vinyl material that can be formatted differently depending on which style is ordered. Its dimensions are 36 inches (91.5 cm) wide and 78 inches (198 cm) long. The base material is 0.050 inches (0.13 cm) thick and 0.075 inches (0.2 cm) thick to the top of the embossed pattern. The dual pad version fits carpet, while the ribbed version suits hard floors.
The Pros:
- The two-version nature of this mat helps define its specialty.
- It also does the job very well.
The Cons:
- There are some complaints about how thin the mat is.
3. Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Equipment Mat
Coming in third is the Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Equipment Mat. This mat is made with high density EVA foam material in order to provide more durability (and comfort if you choose to use this mat for other purposes).
It comes in 3 different sizes, so depending on the size of the rowing machine that you have or intend on getting, you can adapt the size of the mat as well. The materials that make up the mat make sure that it is extremely resistant to slipping while also being very tough to protect the floor.
You can easily clean this mat with a damp cloth. For those with limited space, this mat can be rolled up for easy storage. Depending on what size mat you get, the price can range from $47 to $25.
Additional Information:
This mat is made from high density EVA foam material. Its dimensions vary depending on the size of the mat. Large is 90.5 inches (230 cm) long, 39.5 inches (100 cm) wide and 6 mm thick. Medium is 79 inches (200 cm) long, 36 inches (91 cm) wide and 4.2 mm thick. The smallest size is 48 inches (122 cm) long, 24 inches (61 cm) wide and 4 mm thick. It suits all types of floors.
The Pros:
- It is a very solid mat for the price.
- The foam is comfortable and stable for most rowers and floors.
The Cons:
- Because it is made of foam, it isn’t quite as durable as some of the other rowers on this list.
4. Stamina Fold-to-Fit Folding Equipment Mat
The Stamina Fold-to-Fit Folding Equipment Mat is another quality floor protector for your rowing machine. It is made from closed cell foam material that is tough, yet soft enough to absorb impact.
It also eliminates vibration by keeping carpet fibers from getting into the moving parts of your exercise equipment. It is the textured surface that really grips both the rower and the floor in order to prevent the mat from slipping around on the floor.
Quite important for those who get vigorous in their workouts. It is divided into seven 12 inch folds, allowing for easy storage when not in use. You can easily clean the textured, non-slip pebble surface of this workout mat by wiping it with a damp cloth. The price of this exercise machine mat for rowers is around $40. Not too pricey, but also not the cheapest out there.
Additional Information:
The mat is made from an unnamed thick closed cell foam material. Its dimensions are 84 inches (213 cm) long and 36 inches (91 cm) wide, with a thickness of ¼ of an inch (64 cm). The Stamina fitness equipment protective mat also comes with a 90-day limited warranty. It is made for all types of flooring.
The Pros:
- This is a solid mat that will protect the floor from damage without moving with the rower.
- It should also be big enough for just about all rowers.
The Cons:
- It doesn’t do or isn’t made of anything particularly special.
5. MotionTex Rowing Exercise Equipment Mat
The MotionTex Exercise Equipment Mat would be a good fit for anyone seeking to protect their floors from rowers. The texture on the top of the mat is slip-resistant while the rounded corners keep the mat from curling.
This mat is also made of recycled PVC in order to protect from water, sweat, grease, and other liquids during your workout. It can be easily washed and rolled for storage, which is good for those with smaller living arrangements.
Overall this is a very solid mat for any piece of exercise equipment, rowing machines included. However, the price of this rower might be the biggest contention point. It costs $60 regularly, which seems to be a bit expensive for a mat that ranks in the “good” category rather than the “exceptional” one. It also does not work very well with carpet.
Additional Information:
As mentioned, it measures at 36 inches (91 cm) wide by 84 inches (213 cm) long. It is ⅛ inches thick. It works best on hard flooring. It comes with a 1-year limited warranty for defective mats. All in all, it is one of the top mats for indoor rowing machine.
The Pros:
- This mat works very well on hard floors with any sort of rowing equipment.
- It is big enough to hold just about any rowing machine.
- The PVC does a good job of protecting against liquids as well.
The Cons:
- It is a bit pricey compared to some other mats of similar size and design.
- It also does not work well on carpeted floors.
6. BalanceFrom GoFit High-Density Rower Mat
The BalanceFrom GoFit High Density Mat is, as the name suggests, quite a dense mat in order to provide maximum protection to the floor. That same dense material is designed in order to be easily cleaned with soap and water.
A cool feature of this mat that sets it apart from its competitors is that it is dual sided. Because of this feature, it can be used both as a mat to protect the floor from rowing machines and as a yoga mat. The pattern on the bottom of the rowing machine mat will not bleed.
It comes in 2 different versions as well. One is a foldable version for easier storage, while the regular version isn’t quite as easy to roll up. A brilliant part about this mat is the price. It can be bought for the price of $25. For those looking to try out a mat underneath their rower, this is a very good one to test.
Additional Information:
It is made of some high density PVC materials. This gym equipment mat for indoor rowers measures at 36 inches (91 cm) wide and 78 inches (198 cm) long. It is roughly 3/16 of an inch (0.46 cm) thick. The folded version is divided into six 13 inch (33 cm) folds. It comes with a 2-year warranty. It is suitable for both hard and carpet floors.
The Pros:
- A very solid and thick mat that suites all sorts of floors.
- The fact that it can also be used as a yoga mat is also certainly a plus.
- Add in a cheap price and you’ve got a deal.
The Cons:
- It isn’t the biggest mat for rowing workouts out there.
- If put on carpet and the rower extends past the edge of the mat, there might be some damage.
7. Velotas Pro Floor Fitness Equipment Mat
Up next is the Velotas Pro Series High Density Personal Fitness Equipment Mat. The first of the two Velotas mats appearing on this list, it raises its position by being “Pro”. It is designed from PVC vinyl in order to keep the floor and the machine over it separate and undamaged.
This mat can also be huge. There are 3 different size options available with this mat, the largest of which can be 36 inches (91 cm) wide and 102 inches (259 cm) long. There are not many others that can reach that size.
It fits neatly into all forms of flooring and is easy to assemble and maneuver. Pets are no issue for this mat either, as it might get surface scratches in the worst case scenario. Depending on what size mat you order, the price can range anywhere from $29 to $44. These are decent prices and neither an exceptional steal nor a blatant overpricing.
Additional Information:
The mat is made from EVA foam tiles and equipment. The Pro series comes in 3 sizes. The small measures at 36 inches (91 cm) wide and 48 inches (122 cm) long. The medium size is 36 inches (91 cm) wide and 84 inches (213 cm) long. Finally, the largest size is 36 inches (91 cm) wide and 102 inches (259 cm) long. All sizes claim a 4 mm thickness, but it is closer to 3 mm in reality. We were unable to find any sort of warranty. It is meant for both carpet and hard floors.
The Pros:
- This is a mat that does a good job of protecting the floor that it is put on.
- The largest size can also hold just about any piece of exercise equipment possible.
The Cons:
- There have been reports of it being somewhat less than durable.
- If bent too much, it tends to crack.
8. RevTime Home Rowing Machine Floor Mat
Going on from large mats to the small, the RevTime Concept 2 rower mat falls right into that latter category. With a neat little design of blue spots all across the mat that gives it an almost star-like feel, this floor mat for Concept rower does a good job of protecting the floor as well.
It is made of heavy duty SBR and EPDM rubber, giving it a more durable feel than regular foam material. This high-density and thick design means that this mat will not move around on even the most intense workouts.
It absorbs vibration to protect fitness equipment and home floors from damage and scratches. Not to mention all that noise that some rowers can make. This mat reduces that noise and provides shock absorption to make for some stealthy workouts.
There are two variations of this heavy-duty mat. A 3 mm thick version and a 5 mm thick version. Both do the job well, but for those looking to really make sure there is some distance in between the floor and the rower, the 5 mm is for you. The price of this mat is just as hefty as the mat itself. Costing around $75, you had best be sure about the dimensions about your rowing machine and planned setup area.
Additional Information:
The RevTime home rower mat is made of Heavy duty SBR and EPDM. Its dimensions are 36 inches (91 cm) wide and 78 inches (198 cm) long. As mentioned, it can come with 3 mm of thickness or 5 mm. It is meant for both carpet and hard floors.
The Pros:
- This is a really well-built mat for those who want a heavy duty version.
- It is thick and made of some heavy materials for maximum protection.
The Cons:
- It is a bit expensive, so keep that in mind when purchasing.
- Those who want a more maneuverable or easier to store mat might also want to look elsewhere, as it is heavy.
- It is also not the largest mat out there.
9. Resilia High-Density Fitness Equipment Mat
And so appears the second rowing machine mat made in the US. The Resilia High Density Personal Fitness Equipment Mat. There isn’t too much to say about this version of theResilia mat that we didn’t cover in the previous version.
Again designed from PVC vinyl to protect the floor protected from the rowing machine and vice versa. As opposed to the Pro mat’s 3 sizes, this mat comes in a much more customizable 8 sizes.
They are all smaller than the Pro sizes, but this means that those with smaller rowers or exercise equipment in general might prefer this version. The pet-resistant design makes another appearance here, with the only “damage” being surface scratches. These mats, curiously enough, have the same price range as the Pro series. It ranges from $29 to $44.
Additional Information:
The mat is made from EVA foam tiles and equipment. It comes in multiple sizes. The smallest of these is 24 inches wide and 48 inches long. The largest of these is 48 inches wide and 60 inches long. Again, all sizes claim to be 4 mm thick, but they are closer to 3 mm in reality. Once again, we were unable to find any warranty. It is meant for both carpet and hard floors.
The Pros:
- This Resilia mat is a lot more customizable than the Pro version, yet still built with the same material.
- It offers protection from both liquids and pets.
The Cons:
- Price
10. AmazonBasics PVC Mat for Rowing Machine
Rounding out our list is the AmazonBasics Fitness home rowing machine floor mat. This is a solid mat that will protect both the rower and the flooring. The biggest issue is that we don’t really know much about this mat.
The various descriptions of the mat don’t actually say what the material is. Simply that it will offer protection against vibration, noise and damage to the floor. It is some sort of foam material, that much is certain.
The reason that it is on the list is because it is backed up by those who have purchased it. It isn’t too thick, muffles the sounds of rowing machines well and offers the protection that it advertises. At a price of $40, it is a solid mat that will do the job.
Additional Information:
As said, the material is PVC. Its dimensions are 102 inches long and 36 inches wide. The thickness of the mat is about 0.2 inches (0.51 cm). This rower floor mat comes with one-year limited warranty.
The Pros:
- The mat is a solid one for the price.
- It does what it claims and is large enough for most rowers.
The Cons:
- I couldn’t find any
Buyer’s Guide to Find a Good Mat to Put Under Your Rower
That is the end of our list of the best rowing machine mats. Now we’re going to look at some of the factors that helped us order the mats and some of the ones you should keep in mind when looking for your own mats.
The material. It can make all the difference on whether or not it fits the home. Foam versus rubber versus other types of material can make the mat curl more, have more resistance to moving and most importantly protect more types of flooring. The types of material also can determine how durable the mat itself is. After all, it is hard to protect a floor when the air, magnetic, or water rowing machine mat is full of holes.
The size. If the mat isn’t big enough to fit the entire rower on then there isn’t a whole lot of reason to have one. Conversely, if the mat is too big for one of the smaller apartments or living spaces, then it can become a nuisance to own.
The price. Obviously, price is important. Usually the more expensive the mat, the better. However, this isn’t always the case. For the first mat, one might want to test out a cheaper version.
FAQ
Q: Do I need an exercise mat?
A: It is recommended to have one of these mats. Rowing machines, treadmills, ellipticals and other types of exercise equipment can really damage both carpet and hard floors over time. Therefore, it is generally recommended to use a mat for regular exercise.
Q: What is the purpose of an exercise mat?
A: The purpose of these mats contains 2 primary elements. The first is to protect the floor against the repeated motion and pressure that usually emanates from these machines. Regular exercise on these often heavy machines can really do some lasting damage to all sorts of floors. The second job is to do the opposite. Dust and other materials from the floor can get into the mechanical bits of the machine, damaging it. Nobody wants to buy either a new floor or a new rower, so these mats keep both safe.
Q: Can I clean these mats? How do I do that?
A: Yes, you most certainly can clean these mats. Sweaty mats can really start to smell after a while, so many designers have had to incorporate an easy way to get rid of this smell and dirt. Just about all mats are able to be cleaned with a simple combination of soap.
Sayed Hamed Hosseiny
Hi, my name is Sayed Hamed Hosseiny. I am a professional health and fitness trainer with nearly 20 years of experience using ellipticals, rowing machines, and spin bikes. I also have my own EU-based Rock Fitness Pro fitness brand where I design, import and sell exercise equipment such as rowing machines and spin bikes. I and writers on my team also often receive fitness equipment to review and evaluate their functionalities and performance from tens of different exercise machines manufacturers. Fitness equipment tips, guides, reviews, and comparisons on this website are my opinion (and opinions of my fitness expert colleagues) based on tens of criteria. I never accept payment to write reviews of products or say positive things about fitness equipment products. If brands are interested to have me review their rowers, ellipticals, or spin bikes, they can get in touch with me via email provided on the contact page and send a sample of their product.
