Best pemanent mats for a new gym

[WarChild]

Sorry if this seems like the wrong forum, but I'd like the thoughts of pure grapplers.

If you were starting a brand new gym for mostly BJJ with the possibility of some Judo, what permanent mat system would you use?

I'm thinking spring loaded, perhaps self built spring loaded with a good quality non puzzle mat on top.

What have you really liked rolling on?

 

[Darph]

What have you really liked rolling on?

Your mom.

 

[ElKarlo]

Make you own. You can order the material, and put it down yourself. I know a Judo guy that did that, he made it sturdier in the middle where tie ups occur and softer on the edges where falls usually take place. That way you can adjust it how you want, and have no creases.

 

[White Scott]

I think the best mats I've seen are judo mats. I wish i knew the name of them but when positioned correctly and kept in place with barriers drilled into the floor, they seem to have done real well.

I've seen so many problems with mats just because the measurements of the mats and the wooden frame around them aren't perfect. I think its all about how you frame the mats, as opposed to what mats you get as long as you get good mats.

I wouldn't get anything too soft or cushy, that shit rips. Go with something somewhat hard, similar to puzzle mats, but not puzzle mats.

Post this in the gear & equipment forum. Someone there can help.

 

[davejitsu]

Judo tatame mats are probably the best hands down, but you can use wrestling mats with at least 1" depth. Here is agood site:
www.resilite.com

 

[yoder]

i like the wrestling mats better than the tatame mats. our feet get chewed up more with mat burn since we switched from wrestling mats to tatame styled mats.

 

[ruecifur]

wrestling mats make problems with broken toes if your gonna be bare foot. try swain mats, they are very nice

 

[davejitsu]

That is true. I have had three broken toes this year alone on wrestling mats, but they are sufficient for judo throws and grappling. Swain has those flexi-roll mats, but they are exp.

 

[Balto]

I have trained on a ton of different mats.

By far the best are the tatame kind that come in rectangles. I prefer Zebra brand, but I know some other companies make these too. They are the most expensive, but if your gym is serious about matting, they will buy these.

Next best would be wrestling mats. They are okay, but really aren't suitable for barefoot training because they are too soft. You will break toes on these. They are probably the best to fall on, but for everything else they get in the way because you will sink into them.

Then you have the homemade mats. Basically it's just cheap carpet foam padding they found laying around somewhere with a vinyl or canvas cover stretched over it. These mats aren't so good because the padding turns out to be junk usually. It gets lumpy and loses its shock absorbing properties pretty fast.

Last would be puzzle mats. If you see that crap in a school, go find another one that will actually purchase mats that will protect your body.

 

[Shadowdean]

I never had any toe injuries on wrestling mats. How are you guys injuring yourselves?

 

[Delbjj]

www.greatmats.com


There mats are very nice and fairly cheap.

I put them in my school for less than half the price of Zebra mats and everyone who comes thorugh oyur school always comments on how they love these mats.

Only had them down for 3 months but I love em. very easy to install also

 

[Tim Goodwin]

dollamur wrestling mats are good. they're a little stiffer than normal wrestling mats so that might cut down on broken toes (i've never broken toes on a wrestling mat though)

 

[davejitsu]

Shadowdean,
I have injured my toes from takedowns and judo throws, where my toes dug into the mat on the execution of the throw. I know of a few others that have broken them. It is really not a big deal: tape em up and train, they only hurt a little.