Can You Put a Gym on the Second Floor?
- @ryananthoney
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
A Complete Guide to Upstairs Gym Installation
Installing a gym on the second floor of your building can be an excellent space-saving solution, whether you're a homeowner looking to create a personal fitness space or a business owner considering a commercial gym setup.
However, there are crucial factors to consider before moving forward with an upstairs gym installation.

Structural Considerations for Second-Floor Gyms
The most critical factor when installing a gym on the second floor is ensuring your building can handle the additional weight load. Standard residential floors are typically designed to support 195-245 kg per square metre, while commercial buildings may handle 245-490 kg per square metre. However, gym equipment can significantly exceed these limits:
Treadmills: 100-300 kg
Squat racks: 70-150 kg
Dumbbells: 2.5kg-30kg per piece
Functional trainers: 180-270 kg
Loaded barbells: 45-225+ kg
It's worth noting that weight will be spread, a treadmill will be spread over around 2-3sqm, but this isn't a test, you don't want to make out the total weight. There is also a big difference between static force and dynamic force. A 200kg deadlift may well be fine, but if you are dropping it down with force, expect cracks to appear.
If in doubt seek a professional Structural Assessment before proceeding with any second-floor gym installation. it's essential to have a structural engineer assess your building, especially if it's commercial. They'll evaluate: - Floor joist capacity and spacing - Foundation support - Load distribution requirements - Potential reinforcement needs. This sounds scary, it's not, but the reality of second floor gyms you are looking at maximising convenience with some compromises.
A Practical Approach
A second-floor gym can be a fantastic use of space and incredibly convenient for your daily routine. However, it's important to understand that this setup comes with compromises. You'll need to be more sensible with your training approach compared to a ground-floor or commercial gym environment.
Be a considerate neighbour whether you live in a flat, have family below, or neighbours underneath, being considerate is crucial:
Avoid slamming weights down
Control your movements during exercises
Consider training times (avoid early morning or late evening heavy sessions)
Use proper equipment and quality gym flooring to minimise noise transmission
Noise and Vibration Management
Impact on lower floors are one of the biggest challenges with second-floor gyms. You need to manage noise and vibration transmission to the floor below. This is particularly important for:
Residential buildings with neighbours below
Commercial spaces with offices or retail underneath
Multi-use buildings with different operating hours
We'd always recommend proper gym flooring to aid shock absorption. You can also strategically place equipment away from load-bearing walls or layout the gym so all the heavy stuff isn't in the same spot.
Getting the Best Gym Flooring for Second Floor Installations
When installing a gym on the second floor, choosing the right flooring becomes even more critical than ground-level installations. The flooring must provide protection, safety, and structural support while minimising noise transmission. At Recharge, this is something we do a lot, we never recommend less than 20mm thick tiles. Our two top sellers are:
EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) gym flooring is an excellent choice for second floor gyms due to its superior properties.
Benefits of EPDM Gym Flooring:
Exceptional shock absorption reduces impact on floor structure
Superior noise-dampening properties
Excellent durability and longevity
Smooth surface that's easy to clean
Available in various thicknesses (20mm, 30mm, 40mm) - B1 fire rating for commercial and residential use EPDM Fleck Flooring Specifications:
20mm EPDM Fleck: Ideal for lighter equipment areas
30mm EPDM Fleck: Perfect for moderate to heavy equipment
40mm EPDM Fleck: Maximum protection for heavy lifting areas
Or if you are shopping on a budget, go for SBR Gym Flooring a great value alternative to the EPDM. SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) flooring offers another excellent option for second floor gyms: SBR Flooring Advantages:
Grippier surface texture for enhanced safety
Excellent shock absorption
Cost-effective solution
Available in 20mm and 30mm thicknesses
Requires string or microfiber mop for cleaning
Make Smart Equipment Choices
When setting up a second floor gym, being smart about your equipment selection is key: Dumbbell Sets: A 2.5kg-30kg dumbbell set is perfectly fine for a second floor setup, maybe you can max out on 50kgs, but if you're in a second floor residential building, this might not be wise, especially if you are dropping them down. Focus on controlled movements and generally, even if you have great gym flooring, avoid slamming weights down. Deadlifting Considerations: You can absolutely deadlift in a second floor gym, but invest in some good quality mats and use control throughout the movement. Remember, this isn't the perfect environment to be attempting personal bests - save those for a ground-floor gym where you can really push your limits. For all freeweight exercises, focus on control: every rep should be controlled, especially the eccentric (lowering) portion - quality over intensity at home. Use your space for consistent, quality training rather than maximum effort sessions. Functional trainers with 2:1 stack ratio (90kg per side) are good for second floor homes, they have good weight distribution but give you a good amount weight to play with, or you could go for a single pulley to reduce total weight. If you are determined to lift heavy, a deadlift platform could be a good idea. Benches and cardio kit (ski ergs, air bikes, and rowers are all fairly light), make for a great space.
Why Second Floor Gyms Work Despite the compromises, a well-planned second floor gym offers incredible convenience:
- No travel time to a commercial gym
- Privacy and comfort of your own space
- Ability to train on your schedule
- Long-term cost savings
- Customisable environment
Conclusion
Installing a gym on the second floor is absolutely possible and can be incredibly convenient with proper planning, professional assessment, and quality materials. The key to success lies in choosing the right gym flooring system, ensuring adequate structural support, and adopting a sensible training approach. Whether you're considering EPDM gym flooring for its superior shock absorption or SBR flooring for its excellent grip properties, investing in quality gym floor tiles will protect your building structure while providing a safe, professional workout environment.
Remember that every second-floor gym installation is unique, and professional consultation is essential for ensuring safety, compliance, and long-term success. With the right approach and realistic expectations, your upstairs gym can provide years of convenient, effective training while maintaining the structural integrity of your building and keeping the peace with those below. For expert advice on gym flooring solutions and second-floor gym installations, consult with our experienced professionals who understand the unique challenges and requirements of upstairs fitness facilities.
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