Varying up your workout routine is key to staying motivated, but how do you keep it fun when you’re limited by your environment? Try gym and sports turf!
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If you like to work out indoors, our gym turf is perfect for you. However, if you’re more of an outdoorsy person, sports and field turf is a great solution.
So what’s the difference between gym turf and sports turf? Many times, the main difference is that sports turf is UV stable, meaning it won’t fade in sunlight, and it is mostly used outdoors. Lots of artificial grass made for sports and exercise is compatible with both indoor and outdoor use and can handle heavy traffic. Still, there can be differences. For example, sports turf should always be designed to handle cleats. Meanwhile, gym turf can sometimes have a shorter pile to allow for sled pulls and other exercises.
Regardless of how you use it, artificial turf makes workouts and sports practice fresh, challenging, and, most of all, fun! Otherwise, Netflix and potato chips will always sound better.
To help you avoid being a couch potato, this guide will help you incorporate synthetic turf into your fitness and sports workouts.
Artificial grass, also known as artificial turf, is a man-made synthetic grass made from durable, synthetic fiber materials like nylon, Polyethylene, or Polypropylene. Most fake grass is designed to withstand the outdoor elements, so it’s UV stable, heat-resistant, and frost-resistant.
Synthetic turf floors allow you to transform your workout area or practice field into a space where you can challenge yourself in fun and varied ways. From strength training and conditioning to scrimmages and drills, you can reach your full potential with a safe and resilient surface beneath you.
Sports turf is a specific kind of artificial grass made to withstand the challenges of sports traffic. It can be used indoors or outdoors, and it provides the optimal surface for safety and traction. Sports turf is non-abrasive and provides the traction athletes need to make quick movements without injuring themselves.
Keep sports going all year round in your community with indoor soccer, lacrosse, or field hockey. Sports turf can withstand plenty of wear and tear, even from spikes! Sports turf floors can also be taken outside. Many of our turf products have been used as flooring in batting cages, baseball dugouts, Bocce courts, putting greens, and mini-golf areas.
SHOP SPORTS AND FIELD TURF
Gym turf is a durable and long-lasting artificial grass that is perfect for pulling or pushing sleds, completing your CrossFit WOD or performing HIIT workouts. While its sound-absorbing qualities make it perfect for weight lifting and high-intensity work, the softness of the artificial grass provides an inviting space for your yoga mat. Take advantage of the flat, cushioned surface for body-weight work and stretching.
Training for a 5k or warrior dash? Many runners practice speedwork on grass because of the lower impact. If bad weather hits, take your workout inside while still getting the safety benefits of grass. Gym turf products make a great surface for speed and agility training because they’re made to absorb impact, helping to prevent athletic injuries.
SHOP GYM TURF
Related Content >> Best Home Gym Flooring OptionsOkay, so you’re ready to up your fitness game with gym turf, but how do you know what to look for in a product? The most important factors to consider are the turf’s face weight, pile height, and thickness.
Artificial grass products have a face weight - the amount of material used in your turf per square yard. This is one of the most important factors when choosing the right gym or sports turf. Essentially the higher the face weight, the more durable the product.
If your gym or sports field sees a lot of traffic throughout the day, make sure to get a product with a higher face weight. We offer face weights from 5-90 oz. Be leary of any artificial turf products you see with a face weight over 90, as companies have been known to include the backing to show a higher number. We offer full documentation and free samples, so you can see and feel the difference for yourself.
Pile height and thickness are important factors to consider for your floor’s functionality. Choose the wrong product and you might see people in the gym tripping and falling, losing any confidence they just gained from all that practice.
For gyms, fill your space with a turf that has a low pile so your athletes can push a sled across without destroying your floor. The low pile height also keeps a nice appearance for the turf. When considering a product’s thickness, consider the other flooring being used in your gym as well. Uneven surfaces can lead to missteps and falls. Gym turf rolls can also come with attached padding, which adds some height to your floor while providing comfort underfoot.
For sports fields, choose a pile high enough to offer optimal traction for athletes who will be running, tackling, and making fast cuts across the surface. Sports fields contain lots of rubber infill to protect athletes with more spring and cushioning, so the pile height has to be high to contain the optimal amount of infill.
Related Content >> Home Gym Flooring for Your BudgetGym and sports turf offers a DIY-friendly installation. All you need are a few accessories and you're ready to install. Don't worry, indoor installation isn't especially daunting. You'll be ready to get your sweat on soon after installation.
SHOP ACCESSORIES
Artificial grass is a low-maintenance alternative to conventional grass. Easy to clean and maintain, sports turf is an attractive element in your gym that you don’t have to work hard to upkeep.
To take care of indoor gym turf, you can treat it like regular carpet for the most part. Vacuum it to remove dust and dirt, and disinfect and deodorize after workouts by using a carpet cleaning solution.
For any stains to the artificial grass, use a warm-water solution of household detergent and water, or a mixture of white distilled vinegar in an equal amount of water.
Maintaining outdoor sports and field turf is even easier! You can hose it down if it gets dirty or muddy. If the blades start to look flattened, you can “bloom” the turf by raking it and adding infill if any is lost or washed away.
Discover the variety of turf products you can use to upgrade your gym.
Performance Turf Rolls are perfect for pushing and pulling sleds. The tough surface boosts your performance during CrossFit and high impact workouts. They come in cushioned and non-cushioned versions to protect your joints. Since these gym turf rolls are made with polyethylene, they are softer than standard nylon turf rolls allowing you to do floor exercises without being injured.
SHOP PERFORMANCE TURF ROLLS
Shock Turf X gym turf is a premium workout surface for home or commercial use. The 5mm foam backing adds extra bounce and cushion to any high impact workout. This turf was made with heavy use in mind and is perfect for pushing and pulling sleds and for dropping heavy weights.
SHOP SHOCK TURF X
Our Launch performance turf requires no infill and provides an ideal surface for indoor applications from putting greens to batting cages. The foam cushion backing provides shock absorption and thermal insulation, so it can perform in high traffic areas. The turf itself is made from a polypropylene fiber, which is softer than nylon and highly UV stable.
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SHOP LAUNCH TURF ROLLS
Bring your A-game to the field with premium sports and field turf products.
This turf is super dense and features unique 3D Wide Wave Shape blades and a durable yarn shape that creates a stronger fiber strength. While initially designed for rambunctious pets, this turf can more than handle traffic from sports.
It’s designed with an innovative yarn shape that features CoolFlo Technology to increase airflow and lower the surface temperature. All Play Pet Turf Rolls can handle the roughest play and were designed to provide a safe surface. This turf will withstand cleats but it’s not officially classified as "cleat safe" by the manufacturer.
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SHOP ALL PLAY PET TURF ROLLS
Our Sports Play Turf Rolls enhance the safety of athletes playing sports by offering the optimal traction for a wide range of sports. Made from polyethylene fiber, these turf rolls are designed to endure heavy traffic from soft cleats, so you know it will still look great even after lots of use. Maintenance is also very simple, requiring no mowing or watering to maintain a fresh, green appearance.
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SHOP SPORTS PLAY TURF ROLLS
Use this turf roll as indoor field turf for soccer, agility training, and much more. No matter if the sport requires cleats or shoes, this cleat-safe artificial grass can handle it. This turf is very easy to install and maintain and comes with a 10-year warranty. It’s also free of lead and heavy metals, so you don’t have to worry about adverse health effects.
You have a choice of buying this turf with a foam backing, which provides added comfort underfoot and also provides further stability and shock absorption. The padded version is recommended for indoor use only because the padding is not designed for drainage. However, you can use the non-padded version both indoors and outdoors.
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SHOP ELEVATE TURF ROLLS
Still wondering if sports turf is for you? Read up on these pros and cons.
Plus, check out the video to see how this gym owner uses (and loves!) indoor turf.
Artificial turf is made from non-toxic plastics and nylon, and it has no adverse health effects. In the past, people have been concerned about the chemicals in rubber infill used for sports turf. However, there have been dozens of studies relating to whether or not synthetic turf with rubber infill can cause cancer. After decades of research, no links have been found.
Crumb rubber infill is the most popular option for sports turf. This is because it absorbs impacts and adds more bounce to the field, preventing injuries. Crumb rubber is made from recycled tires, so it’s inexpensive and will last for years with little to no maintenance required. It is often referred to as SBR Rubber (styrene-butadiene rubber) and it’s usually black.
Gym turf is used for a lot of popular workouts including CrossFit because it provides optimal traction and impact absorption. You can use gym turf for HIIT workouts, sled pulls, and plyometrics. It reduces the strain on your joints and creates a safer space for high-impact workouts. All in all, turf is the perfect flooring for gyms.
To clean artificial turf in your gym, start by vacuuming it like you would any ordinary carpet. To remove stains from gym turf, scrub the stain areas with a sponge and soapy water until it fades. If you need to sanitize and disinfect artificial turf, you can use a carpet cleaner and deodorizer, which will get rid of germs, mold, and mildew.
You can wear cleats on artificial sports turf without damaging it. It can handle soccer shoes and football cleats without the cleats tearing it up. Cleat-safe turf is densely packed with shorter fibers for better traction and more durability.
Please Note: Some turf can handle all cleats, and some can only handle soft cleats. Check with the manufacturer to determine what cleats are best to use with the turf.
Finding the perfect artificial grass for your gym or sports field all starts with having the right information. Hopefully, this guide has pointed you in the right direction by answering your questions and recommending some of our best gym and sports turf. Are you ready to get started and transform your game with brand new turf?
When artificial grass was invented in the s, there was only one brand and one product: AstroTurf.
Since then, dozens of companies have sprung up offering hundreds of different types of artificial grass—so many, in fact, that shopping for fake grass for your home or business can be a bit daunting.
There’s a surprising amount of information and terminology to learn when you’re shopping for fake grass.
With all the different looks, grades, and prices, you may be wondering how to choose the best artificial grass for your location.
We’ve created this complete buyer’s guide to artificial grass with our new customers in mind.
By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with all you need to know to confidently choose the best artificial grass for your home, playground, patio, or putting green.
Artificial grass is far from a commodity.
There are different types of turf made for specific uses and applications.
This guide will cover the different elements of artificial grass and explain what you should be looking for in an artificial turf product.
Shopping for synthetic turf can be overwhelming, as there are so many brands, features, and products to choose from.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on choosing the best artificial grass for your space.
First of all, research the space the turf will go in.
Will it receive a lot of foot traffic?
Is it prone to puddles or standing water?
Is it in the sun or the shade?
Will it be used by pets?
These questions and more will help you hone in on what features you’ll need in your artificial grass.
Next, research the brands and products available.
Turf distributors and installers should provide you with all the information you want about their synthetic grass products.
To assist with your research, you should check out the following blog posts:
Who knew that fake grass could be so complicated?
In this section, we’ll demystify all the specific terminology in the artificial grass world so you can interpret product specifications and find the synthetic turf that will be the best fit for your project.
Only three types of yarn are used in artificial grass: polyethylene, polypropylene and nylon.
Polyethylene is the most commonly used because of its versatility and balance between durability, aesthetics, and softness.
Polypropylene is typically used for putting greens and as a thatch layer on landscape grasses.
Nylon is the most expensive and durable yarn material, but it’s not soft and is most commonly used for putting greens.
Yarn comes in a variety of colors, thicknesses, and shapes to mimic specific species of grass.
Also called stitch count, density is the number of blades per square inch.
Similar to thread count in sheets, a denser stitch count signifies a higher-quality turf.
Denser turf products are more durable and provide a more realistic artificial grass lawn.
Pile height refers to how long the blades of artificial grass are.
If you need fake grass for a sports field, dog run, or other high-traffic area, look for a shorter pile height, between ⅜ and ⅝ inches.
A luxurious, true-to-life look for a front yard is achieved by products with a longer pile height, between 1 ¼ and 2 ½ inches.
Face weight refers to how many ounces of material per square yard a type of turf has.
The heavier the face weight, the better quality and more durable the artificial grass is.
Face weight does not include the weight of the backing material.
Thatch is additional fiber with varying color, weight, and texture that mimics the inconsistencies of natural grass.
Thatch often includes brown fibers that replicate the dying underlayer of grass beneath the vibrant green, growing one.
If you’re looking for a synthetic grass product for your front or back lawn, a product with thatch will get you the closest look to the real thing.
Infill plays many roles in keeping your artificial grass pristine.
It keeps fibers upright, acts as a stabilizer to prevent the turf from shifting, and makes the grass look and feel more realistic.
Without infill, turf fibers would quickly become flat and matted.
It also cushions feet and paws that walk on it, as well as protecting the backing from sun damage.
Infill is made from a variety of materials, including silica sand and crumb rubber.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Outdoor Athletic Turf. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Some brands come with antimicrobial, anti-odor, or cooling properties.
The backing on synthetic grass has two parts: primary backing and secondary backing.
Both the primary and secondary backings work together to provide dimensional stability to the entire system.
The primary backing is comprised of woven polypropylene fabrics that allow the artificial grass fibers to be tufted into the material in rows and facilitate seaming between artificial grass panels.
In other words it’s the durable material that the grass blades/fibers are stitched to.
A good backing will resist stretching.
The Secondary Backing is often referred to as the ‘coating’ and is applied to the reverse side of the primary backing in order to permanently lock the tufted fibers permanently in place.
Together, the primary and secondary backing make up the back weight.
You can expect to see a back weight above 26 oz. on a high-quality turf product.
A decent back weight is a must for any installation area that will see heavy traffic.
Just as natural grass comes in a variety of colors, so does fake grass.
High-quality artificial grass will include a number of colors to mirror the look of real grass.
Choose a color that most closely mirrors the natural grass species in your area.
If you try to install artificial grass directly onto soil, you’ll get dimples and wrinkles as the soil expands and contracts during wet and dry seasons.
So while it’s not an official part of your artificial grass, having a good sub-base is critical to a quality turf installation.
The sub-base is a layer of compacted sand, decomposed granite, river rocks and gravel beneath the artificial grass.
It acts as the foundation for your synthetic turf and needs to consist of the right materials to ensure proper drainage.
Now that you’re familiar with the terminology in the artificial grass world, you’re armed with the knowledge you need to compare the different fake grass products available.
Here are a few specifications you’ll find on each synthetic turf product:
Not all of these features are equally important, however, and the weight of each one will depend on the location and purpose of the installation area.
Read on to know which features are the most relevant for your project.
An artificial grass installation can be quite a hit to your budget, but it’s important to look at more than just the sticker price when weighing how much you can afford.
When comparing fake grass vs. real grass, the long-term savings on water and maintenance alone enable artificial grass to pay for itself in about three to five years.
Other financial benefits to synthetic turf include less hassle for mowing/weeding/fertilizing, increased home values, and boosted curb appeal.
Many turf companies offer financing options to assist you in your investment in artificial grass.
Now that we’ve inundated you with everything you need to know, we’ll break down the most important characteristics to look for to find the best artificial grass.
Keep in mind that there is no one “best” product—the ideal turf will be different depending on the installation area and intended purpose.
However, the key elements we cover below are fairly universal.
Different turf products will withstand differing amounts of useage and foot traffic, so choose one that will last through everything you will throw at it.
Will your artificial grass host children?
Or pets?
If so, how many and how frequently?
Keep in mind that while you’ll pay more for extra durability, artificial grass is one of those “buy it nice or buy it twice” purchases.
You don’t want to have buyer’s remorse in just a few years if the turf product you chose isn’t up to the job.
If a lush, full look for the grass is important to you, pay extra attention to pile height, thatch, infill, and density.
Each of these elements add to the natural look of the best artificial grass products.
Also, take care to maintain your synthetic turf regularly with a Power Broom for Turf Rake to preserve the fluffy, plush appearance of your grass and to prevent matting.
To learn more, check out our detailed guide to Artificial Turf Maintenance.
It’s easy to forget that artificial grass is out in the heat, cold, sun, dust, and rain 24/7.
Choose a product that has the features that will help it endure through the weather that is common in your area.
Note that the materials used in making artificial turf are extremely durable and able to withstand high-levels of foot traffic for many years with only the occasional hose-down and fluff-up for maintenance.
The best artificial grass is specifically designed to resist matting and laying flat.
Turf fibers should return to an upright position when you walk across them.
This is partly due to the structure of the fibers and partly to the infill that’s used.
We recommend rounded silica sand infill and T°Cool’s Evaporative Cooling Infill in our turf installations.
They keep the synthetic turf springy and cool, just like the real thing.
While you might not think about it in the showroom, a quality turf drainage system is an important consideration when choosing the best artificial grass.
It’s important that water and pet urine are able to pass through your turf and into the sub-base below.
In order to do that, the liquids must pass through the turf’s backing.
There are two types of turf backings or drainage systems: 100% permeable and hole-punched.
The 100% permeable backing allows water and pet urine to pass directly through any point in the turf.
This drainage system is ideal for the wet areas of Texas near the coast, as well as lawns with pets or areas prone to flooding or pooling water.
Hole-punched backing has drainage holes every few inches and is best for dry areas that seldom see excess runoff.
We carry a proprietary hybrid drainage system called “DUAL FLOW” that is both fully permeable and hole-punched.
The beauty of modern synthetic turf is not only how much it looks like natural grass but how closely it can mimic different species of grass.
Take a close-up photo or (if your neighbor will let you) a small sample of grass from a neighboring lawn.
Use this as a guide when choosing a color and texture of artificial grass for your lawn so you can be sure your lawn will match the surrounding ones.
If you have pets or children on your lawn often, you should strongly consider an artificial grass product with antimicrobial properties.
In these products, antimicrobial additives are added during the manufacturing process.
The antimicrobial backing found on Ideal Turf’s best artificial grass products, called “Microbe Safe” helps to prevent the buildup of odors from pet urine, as well as germs and bacteria, keeping your backyard denizens clean and healthy.
Even if you choose the best artificial grass product, a subpar installation can ruin the entire look of your landscaping.
Choose a reputable and trustworthy artificial grass installation company that has experience and expertise in the business.
Check out reviews from multiple sources when comparing turf installers.
The company should be willing to provide you with all the information you want about their turf products and the installation process.
Different artificial grass products are suited to different applications, so there is no one “best” artificial grass product or brand.
To put it in perspective, if you tried to paint your home’s siding with chalkboard paint or to top your chicken parmesan with strawberry jam, you’d get a less-than-desirable result.
It’s not that chalkboard paint and strawberry jam are bad products, but they are best when used for the intended situation.
Below, we’ll show you what type of turf products work best in specific applications.
One of the most common applications of artificial grass is in backyards.
Key features to look for in the best artificial grass for your lawn are a high face weight and long pile height to ensure a nice soft ground cover that’s able to withstand moderate to heavy foot traffic.
We also recommend using a cooling infill (for little feet and paws).
If you see a lot of heavy rain in your area, you should look for turf products with a fully permeable backing or our hybrid “DUAL FLOW” backing to allow for maximum drainage.
If your downtown apartment, deck or patio needs a little greening up, artificial grass is a great way to do it.
Because it’s installed over concrete or other hard surface, the best fake grass for patios should have a fully permeable backing to allow for draining and deter mold from growing.
Since a small deck or patio won’t see the heavy foot traffic that a yard would, you can afford to go with a short pile height.
Fake grass for dogs has exploded in popularity in recent years as homeowners recognize the value of creating a dog-friendly backyard.
Whether you’re considering replacing your entire lawn or looking to build a dog run, the best artificial grass for dogs & pets should have a fully permeable backing to allow pet urine to pass through.
We recommend using T°Cool Infill with dogs and pets because its antimicrobial properties will prevent the buildup of odors and bacteria, and the evaporative cooling will protect your pets paws.
Make sure you choose an infill that is non-toxic to pets.
A short pile height will also enable quick, easy cleanup of solid waste. (Read more about the specifics of artificial grass for pets here.)
Many homeowners choose to install artificial grass around swimming pools.
The best artificial grass for around swimming pools will have a fully permeable backing to allow splashed pool water to drain away rather than puddle up and foster bugs and messes.
Because of all the excess water, antimicrobial additives and a lower face weight are a good idea for artificial turf near pools or backyard ponds.
For an at-home putting green, choose a short pile height, around ½ to ¾ of an inch.
The best putting green turf products will have nylon fibers.
If you want to get fancy, you can choose two different pile heights to differentiate between the putting green and the fairway.
When you have the site prepped for your putting green, make sure there are no rocks, rough spots, uneven areas, or debris as these will affect your golf game.
Also, choose a high-quality infill to allow golf balls to roll consistently across the green.
A fully-permeable backing is ideal for playground turf.
The last thing you need in a children’s play area is stagnant water.
Choose an antimicrobial product to reduce germs, odors, and bacteria.
As for the fake grass itself, the best artificial grass for playgrounds and play areas should have a good thatch layer because it provides extra traction and cushion from falls.
You can even get a base layer of foam underlay for additional padding underneath the artificial grass.
You’ll also want a product with a good face weight so it will be durable enough to withstand continual foot traffic.
Regardless of what brand you choose, make sure the site is well-prepped to ensure there are no rocks or uneven areas beneath the artificial grass installation.
This will increase the life of your play area and prevent injuries from trips and falls.
There’s an artificial grass product to fit nearly every climate, use, location, and budget.
But don’t be intimidated by the volume and variety of fake grass products.
Once you know a few terms and features you’ll be well on your way to finding the best artificial grass for your space, whether it’s hearty turf for sports arenas or springy grass for your toddler’s playground.
If you’re interested in an artificial grass installation in Texas or Oklahoma City, please contact Ideal Turf today to get your FREE Artificial Grass Design & Installation Estimate by clicking “GET A QUOTE” button.
We will assess the needs of your location and offer product recommendations for your specific situation.
Are you interested in learning more about Gateball Artificial Grass? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!