Do you need a mat under a rowing machine or spin bike?

What a mat does

A mat does three jobs. It protects the floor from the machine's feet, which can dent soft wood or vinyl and leave rubber marks. It catches sweat and drips, which can stain carpets and swell the edges of laminate. And it adds a layer between the machine and the floor, which softens vibration and helps stop the machine creeping during use.

It also gives you a clear, defined spot for the machine, which helps in a shared room. Dust collects less under a mat than in carpet, so the flywheel area stays cleaner too.

• Floor protection: spreads the load of the feet and stops scuffs.
• Sweat: catches drips before they reach carpet or wooden boards.
• Grip: helps stop the machine sliding on hard floors.
• Vibration: softens the thud and hum passed into the floor.

Upstairs flats: vibration and noise

In a flat, the main issue is often what your neighbours hear below. Air rowers and spin bikes with heavy flywheels send a low hum and rhythmic thud into the floor. A dense rubber mat helps, but a thin vinyl mat does little for vibration.

For more isolation, some people stack a thicker rubber mat under a smaller equipment mat, or use rubber gym tiles. Keep the machine level on the mat so it does not rock. Choosing a quieter machine helps as well. Magnetic rowers are usually the quietest rower type; see our guide to the best rowing machine for small spaces.

Rowing at sensible hours goes a long way. A mat reduces vibration but will not remove it completely on a suspended timber floor.

What size mat you need

Measure the machine's footprint from the outer edge of the front feet to the outer edge of the rear feet, and across the widest point. Then choose a mat that covers that area with a little to spare on each side. Long rowers are the tricky ones: many are around 2 m long and the Concept2 RowErg is about 2.4 m, so a standard bike mat will not cover both ends.

Concept2 sells its own floor mat sized for the RowErg. Check its listed size on the maker's website. For other long rowers, look for mats around 2 m or more, or use two mats butted together under the front and rear feet. Spin bikes and upright bikes have a much smaller footprint, so a mat of around 1.2 to 1.5 m long usually covers the base with room for drips.

Types of mat and which floor they suit

Solid rubber mats are the heaviest and best for vibration. They suit hard floors and concrete. Some rubber mats can leave a mark on certain vinyl or lacquered wood finishes over time, so check the mat maker's advice for your floor.

PVC or foam equipment mats are lighter and cheaper to post. They protect against scuffs and sweat but do less for vibration. On thick carpet, a firm mat stops the machine sinking and rocking. Interlocking rubber tiles let you build any size and are easy to move.

Whatever you choose, it should be flat, firm and non-slip. A very soft or thick foam mat can make the machine wobble, which is not what you want under a rower seat or a bike in a standing climb.

Note:Keep the power lead of any electric rower or smart bike on top of or beside the mat, not under it, where it could be crushed or overheat. If a lead is damaged, stop using the machine and contact the maker's support or a qualified technician.

Setting up on the mat

Lay the mat first, then place the machine in the middle so the feet sit well in from the edges. Check the machine is level, adjusting the feet if it has levellers. On a rower, make sure the rear foot is on the mat, as that end often moves the most.

Wipe the mat after use and lift it now and then to let the floor beneath breathe, especially on wood. For setting up the machine itself, see how to use a rowing machine or how to set up a spin bike. For machine choices, our best spin bike UK guide lists footprints.

1. 1

   Measure the machine's footprint end to end and side to side.

2. 2

   Choose a mat that covers it with a few centimetres spare.

3. 3

   Lay the mat on a clean, dry floor.

4. 4

   Centre the machine and check it is level and does not rock.

5. 5

   Route any power lead beside the mat, not under it.

See spin bike picks →

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a mat under a rowing machine on carpet? It helps. A firm mat stops the rower sinking into the pile and rocking, and it keeps sweat and dust off the carpet.

What size mat do I need for a Concept2? The RowErg is about 2.4 m long, so you need a long mat or two mats under each end. Concept2 sells a mat sized for its rowers; check the size on its website.

Will a mat stop my neighbours hearing my spin bike? It will reduce vibration, especially a dense rubber mat, but it will not remove all sound. A quieter machine and sensible hours also help.

Can a rubber mat damage my floor? Some rubber can mark certain vinyl or lacquered finishes over time. Check the mat maker's advice for your floor type, and lift the mat now and then to check underneath.