Guide
Do you need a treadmill mat?
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In short
A mat is not essential, but it is useful on most floors. On carpet it gives a stable base and keeps fibres away from the motor. On laminate, wood and tiles it protects against scratches and dents and stops the machine creeping. On upstairs floors and in flats a dense mat can reduce footfall noise. Choose a mat a little larger than the machine's footprint.
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Compare all 7 productsKALWOL 4-in-1: 10% incline, 40 dB or less, 160 kg
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Treadmill mats are one of those accessories that seem optional until you move the machine and find dents in the laminate or a grey ring of dust in the carpet. They do several jobs: protecting the floor, keeping the machine stable, keeping dust and fibres out of the motor area and, to a degree, reducing noise. This guide explains what a mat does on each common UK floor type, whether you can use a walking pad straight on carpet and how to size a mat to your machine.
What a treadmill mat does
A mat sits between the machine and the floor. It spreads the weight of the machine and your footfall, gives the feet of the frame a firm, grippy surface and creates a barrier against dust and fibres. Most are made of dense rubber or PVC, often around 4 to 6 mm thick for general use and thicker for noise reduction.
- Protects floors from scratches, dents and marks.
- Stops the machine creeping on smooth floors.
- Keeps carpet fibres, pet hair and dust away from the motor and rollers.
- Gives a level, firm base on carpet.
- Can reduce some footfall noise and vibration.
Mats on different floors
The case for a mat depends on what is underneath, and on whether the room is upstairs or on the ground floor.
| Floor | Main reason for a mat | How useful |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet | Stable base, fibres away from the motor, airflow | Very useful |
| Laminate or engineered wood | Scratches, dents, creeping | Very useful |
| Solid floorboards | Protection, some noise reduction | Useful |
| Tiles or vinyl | Grip, scratches, vibration | Useful |
| Concrete garage floor | Dust, damp and grip | Useful |
Can you use a walking pad on carpet?
Many makers allow use on carpet, but check your manual. Thick or deep-pile carpet can let the machine sit unevenly and pushes fibres towards the motor and rollers. Some walking pads have air vents near the base, and soft carpet can restrict airflow around the motor. A firm mat over the carpet solves most of these problems.
If the manual says to use the machine on a hard, level surface only, a mat on carpet may not be enough; follow the maker's instructions.
On a carpet without a mat, you may also notice the carpet pile flattening or wearing in the shape of the frame, and a build-up of fluff under the belt. Vacuum around and under the machine regularly whether you use a mat or not, as dust drawn into the motor area is one of the avoidable causes of wear.
Mats and noise in flats
A standard thin mat helps a little with noise. For upstairs rooms and flats, thicker, denser mats do more to absorb vibration and footfall. No mat removes the thump of footsteps on a suspended timber floor entirely, and walking with a lighter step makes a noticeable difference too.
For more, see how to reduce treadmill noise in a flat and our quiet walking pads guide. If a noise is coming from the machine rather than the floor, read walking pad making noise.
How to choose the right size mat
Measure the machine's footprint in use, not the belt. A mat should be a little larger on every side so the frame feet sit well inside the edges. For walking pads, many mats are sized around 130 to 150 cm long; full treadmills need longer mats, often 180 to 200 cm or more.
If the machine sits at a standing desk, check the mat fits under the desk without the chair castors or desk feet resting on its edge. A mat that is too large can curl at the corners, which is a trip hazard, so choose a size that suits the space as well as the machine.
- 1
Measure the overall length and width of the machine.
- 2
Add a margin on each side so the feet sit inside the mat.
- 3
Check thickness: thicker for noise, standard for protection.
- 4
Check the deck height still suits your desk if you use one.
- 5
Clean under the mat occasionally to stop grit building up.
Frequently asked questions
Do you really need a mat for a walking pad? It is not required, but it protects the floor, keeps dust out of the motor area and helps on carpet. Most people find it worthwhile.
Will a mat stop my walking pad being heard downstairs? It helps, especially a thick, dense mat, but it will not remove footfall noise completely.
Can I use a yoga mat under a walking pad? Yoga mats are usually too soft and thin and can compress unevenly. A dense equipment mat is a better choice.
Does a mat raise the deck height? Slightly, by its thickness. Allow for it when setting your standing desk height.
What you need
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KALWOL 4-in-1: 10% incline, 40 dB or less, 160 kg