I got this idea from a friend who has a home gym. His setup looked awesome with solid wood floors, so I thought, why not try it for my own place? The old vinyl stuff in my workout room was wearing out and slippery. Decided to go for solid wood sports flooring because it’s tough and feels nicer for running and jumping.

Starting with the Basics

First, I needed to figure out where to buy the wood. Hopped online and searched around for a bit. Saw a lot of options but didn’t want anything too expensive. Ended up driving to a local hardware store on a Saturday morning. Talked to the clerk, who helped me pick oak planks for sports floors. Said it’s strong and doesn’t scratch easy. Bought a bunch, plus some extra for mess-ups.

Getting the Area Ready

Before laying anything down, I had to clear the room. Took out all the weights and mats. Swept the concrete floor to get rid of dust and dirt. Then, rolled out this moisture barrier sheet. That was a bit tricky—had to cut it to size and tape it down so it stays put. Used a staple gun for the edges to make sure it’s tight.

Laying the Planks

Now for the main event. Started in one corner and worked my way out. Measured each plank first with a tape measure. Cut them to fit using a hand saw—took some time because I’m not great with tools. Then, put each one down carefully, nailing them into place. Oh man, did I hit my thumb a few times. Got about half done before taking a coffee break.

• Mixed up some adhesive and spread it on the back.
• Placed each plank edge-to-edge, tapping with a hammer.
• Checked for gaps and pushed them together.
• Left the room overnight to let it all dry.

Finishing Touches

Next day, went in and sanded the surface. Used an electric sander, made a dusty mess everywhere. Wore a mask but still coughed a bit. Applied this clear sealant with a brush to protect against spills and sweat. Wiped off the extra goo. Took about two days total from start to finish.

Now the floor is in, and I love it. Jogged on it this morning—no slipping at all. Was it easy? Not really, but worth the effort. Learned that doing things step by step avoids big mistakes. Had some fun messing around, and my workouts feel safer now.