A home gym is a convenient and affordable way to work out, letting you trade a costly gym membership for your own dumbbells, pull-up bar, and rowing machine. But before you transform your garage or spare room into a dream workout room, remember that your gym floor is just as critical as your equipment.

The space you choose for a home gym needs the right base. The concrete in your basement may be strong, but doesn't absorb impact. Wood or tile in a family room can be easily damaged. And the plush carpet in a bedroom? It may be soft on your feet, but doesn't offer traction.

Optimize your home gym by installing flooring that:

Makes exercise more enjoyable. As the foundation for your gym, a good floor makes your space usable, whether you're stretching, doing push-ups, jumping rope, or lifting.

Protects the existing floor. A well-used workout studio has to withstand wear and tear from constant movement and heavy equipment. Gym flooring keeps the original surface safe from scratches and dents.

Improves your performance. You don't want to slip when you're doing a set of mountain climbers or working with an exercise ball. The right traction under your feet keeps your focus on technique and performance.

Keeps your gear in place. Your squat rack, workout bench, and elliptical machine need to be stable and held in place for your safety. Pick a floor with enough grip to prevent equipment from sliding.

Absorbs impact. The floor needs some give to absorb shock. It should be thick enough to cushion joints from the jolt of high-impact cardio, helping prevent injury to your knees, ankles, and back. It should also withstand the impact of a dropped kettlebell or dumbbell.

Looks aesthetically pleasing. When your gym is part of your home, it's worth investing in its visual appearance. There are plenty of functional flooring options in various colors and styles to complement the rest of your living space.

When you're ready to pick a gym floor, look for material that's:

• Durable
• Shock-resistant
• Easy to clean and maintain

A good rule of thumb for a home gym floor is material that's 3/8" or 8mm thick, but you may want to go up to 1/2" depending on your workout routine. A floor for Zumba, yoga, and mat workouts doesn't require as much durability and shock absorption as one that's used for heavy lifting, for example.Rubber is a popular choice for home gyms because of strength and grip, but you can also consider foam, low pile carpet, vinyl, and cork.