u/T00thlessNinja

I am setting up a home gym with a power rack on top of vinyl flooring, and I want to make sure I protect the floor properly without creating a surface that is too soft or unstable for lifting.

My main concerns are:

• Preventing damage to the vinyl from the rack, barbell, plates, squats, deadlifts, and other powerlifting movements
• Avoiding mats that are too squishy and could affect stability, balance, or lifting form
• Ideally, using something modular or customizable for the space

I found two options from Home Depot that I like and wanted to get feedback from people who have done something similar:

1. Rubber-Cal Shark Tooth heavy-duty rubber mat, 3/4"
2. Extra thick 3/4" interlocking puzzle exercise mats

I am leaning toward option 2 because I like the interlocking design and the ability to customize the layout more easily. However, I am not sure whether puzzle-style mats are a bad idea under a power rack or for squats/deadlifts.

For those of you with home gyms on vinyl or other finished flooring:

• Which type of mat would you recommend?
• Are interlocking mats stable enough for a rack and heavier lifts, or should I stick with a solid rubber mat/stall mat style setup?
• Is 3/4" enough protection for vinyl, or should I consider adding plywood underneath in some areas?
• Any better alternatives I should look at?

Would really appreciate any advice, especially from anyone who has set up a rack on vinyl flooring long-term.

Thanks!