Okay, let’s get started with my recent project. I’ve been wanting to upgrade my home gym for a while, and I finally decided to tackle the flooring. Here’s how it all went down:
I started researching different types of flooring. I wanted something that could handle heavy weights, provide some cushioning for jumps, and, of course, look good. After hours looking for and my friend advice, I settled on a keel volleyball soft maple assembled wooden flooring. Sounded fancy, right? It’s basically a system designed for sports, with a supportive understructure (the keel) and a nice, finished maple surface.
Getting Everything Together
First, I measured my gym space very carefully. This was crucial because I needed to order the right amount of flooring, and I definitely didn’t want to end up short or with way too much extra. Then, I placed the order. The waiting was the hardest part! It took a couple of weeks for everything to arrive.
Prepping the Subfloor
While I waited, I prepped the existing floor. My gym is in the basement, and the floor was just bare concrete. I cleaned it thoroughly, getting rid of any dust, dirt, or debris. Then, I checked for any major cracks or unevenness. Luckily, mine was in pretty good shape, just a few minor imperfections that I filled with a concrete patching compound. The key here was to make sure the subfloor was as level and smooth as possible.
The Arrival and Unpacking
Finally, the flooring arrived! It came in several large boxes. I enlisted the help of a buddy to carry everything down to the basement. We unpacked everything and laid it out to get an idea of how it would all fit together. The maple planks looked beautiful – a nice, light color with a smooth finish.
Laying Down the Keel System
This was the “bones” of the whole operation. The keel system is basically a grid of interlocking pieces that create a supportive base for the wooden planks.
- I start to assembled.
- Followed the instructions (which, thankfully, were pretty clear).
- Laid out the first row of keel pieces along one wall, making sure it was straight and level.
- Connected the pieces, using the interlocking *’s important to use rubber hammer.
- Continued adding rows, working my way across the room. This part was a bit like putting together a giant puzzle.
Installing the Maple Planks
Once the keel system was in place, it was time for the fun part – laying down the actual wooden flooring!
- Started in one corner, placing the first plank on top of the keel system.
- Carefully aligned with the edges and use a rubber mallet to gently tap it into place.
- Continued adding planks, row by * planks had a tongue-and-groove design, so they fit together snugly.
- I often use tools to make sure every planks are connected.
- For the edges near the walls, I needed to cut some planks to size. I used a circular saw for this, making sure to measure twice and cut once!
The Finishing Touches
With all the planks in place, the floor looked amazing! I went around and checked for any gaps or unevenness, making any necessary adjustments. Then, I installed some baseboards around the perimeter of the room to give it a finished look.
Enjoy!
Finally!After all is done, I moved all my gym equipment back in.I feel very happy, the new floor made a huge difference! It’s so much more comfortable to work out on, and it looks fantastic. It was a lot of work, but definitely worth it. Now I feel a little bit pro when do exercise!
