Selecting the right type of wall padding is an important step in creating a safe and functional gym or athletic facility. Wall padding is not just a protective accessory but a vital part of ensuring athlete safety, reducing maintenance needs, and enhancing the overall look of a space. From school gyms and recreation centers to fitness studios and professional training facilities, properly chosen wall padding provides both peace of mind and practical benefits. Understanding how wall padding works and what it is used for can help facility managers, coaches, and owners make the best choice for their environment.
What is Wall Padding used for?
Wall padding is primarily used to improve safety by reducing the risk of injury when athletes or participants come into contact with hard surfaces. In sports like basketball, volleyball, or gymnastics, players often collide with the walls or structures surrounding the play area, and padding helps absorb the force of these impacts to prevent concussions, bruises, and other serious injuries. Additionally, wall padding is an especially great option for Sensory rooms to keep neurodiverse people safe, secure, and comfortable.
Beyond protection, wall padding enhances the overall environment of a gym or athletic space. It can be customized with colors or logos to show off school spirit or team identity while also improving the appearance of the facility. Padding also provides acoustic benefits in large, echo-prone gyms, creating a more comfortable setting for athletes and spectators. Additionally, many padding systems are manufactured to meet fire safety standards, ensuring that the facility remains compliant while offering maximum protection for those who use it.
Types of Gymnasium Wall Padding Foam
AirTex
AirTex is the innovative foam at the heart of all Coversports Gymnastics Foam products, offering a sustainable, versatile solution for athlete safety and comfort. This eco-friendly material dissolves in salt water within 30 to 90 days and is partially made from 10% recycled content, making it an environmentally conscious choice. AirTex is engineered to resist tearing from pests like mice, and its quick-drying, antimicrobial nature helps prevent odor build-up over time. Its excellent absorbent qualities allow it to double as retention pads in agricultural applications, soaking up nutrients efficiently.
Beyond gymnastics and wall padding, AirTex is also suitable for use in mattresses and seat cushions, showcasing its wide range of utility. While it is not inherently fire-resistant, outdoor applications like wall padding use additional materials and include weeping holes and grommets to ensure water drains effectively, keeping the internal foam dry. Additionally, disposal of AirTex may qualify for a landfill discount due to its rapid biodegradability, breaking down in as little as 90 days to 2 years, rather than over decades.
Extra Firm
Extra Firm foam is high-density and offers top-level firmness and recoil, making it ideal for high-impact sports like advanced gymnastics, martial arts, and cheerleading. It provides a stable, non-sinking landing surface that supports confident movement and safe landings. It is commonly laminated to Flex-Firm for enhanced shock absorption and durability. Extra Firm foam prevents bottoming out and is used in competition-grade mats and training aids. Its firmness makes it especially valuable for athletes sticking landings from vaults or balance beams. It also simulates “street conditions” in sports where firm footing is key.
Medium Firm
Medium Firm foam sits between soft and extra firm, offering safe, supportive cushioning for medium-impact activities like cheerleading, intermediate gymnastics, or wall padding. It often meets ASTM F2440 standards for impact resistance, making it a trusted material in athletic facilities. This foam type helps reduce the risk of injury while still providing firm enough support to aid in skill execution. It is available in standard and flame-retardant (ASTM E-84-08a compliant) formats. Medium Firm foam is used where athletes need a balanced combination of softness and structure. It is also a popular choice for multi-purpose gym mats.
Safety Foam (IFD 50 and ASTM E-84-08a)
IFD 50 foam refers to foam with an Indentation Force Deflection (IFD) rating of 50, which measures its firmness. An IFD rating of 50 indicates medium-firm foam, offering a balance of support and comfort, making it suitable for applications that require both cushioning and stability. This type of foam is commonly used in athletic mats, seating, and padding where consistent performance and moderate impact absorption are important. ASTM E-84-08a is a standard test method developed by ASTM International to evaluate the surface burning characteristics of building materials, including foam products. When a foam meets ASTM E-84-08a, it means it has been tested for flame spread and smoke development, ensuring it meets specific fire safety requirements. This certification is especially important for foam used in public facilities or commercial environments, where fire resistance is a critical safety factor.
| Foam Type | Foam Details | Recommended Sport/Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5" Extra-Firm | High density offers firm, lightweight shock absorption for top recoil. Provides stable landing surface that won’t bottom out. Ideal for high-impact activities and tumbling. | Gymnastics - Advanced, Martial Arts, Cheerleading |
| 2" Classic | Provides extra softness and cushioning for protection against injuries. | Gymnasium Wall Padding |
| 2" Flex-Firm | Soft cushioning for low-impact activities. Ideal for young children learning basic gym exercises. More cushion than Medium-Firm, less impact resistance. | Gymnastics - Beginner, Home Exercise Mat, Gymnasium Wall Padding |
| 2" Medium-Firm | Medium-firm cushioning for medium impact activities. Meets ASTM F2440 for impact resistance. | Gymnastics - Intermediate, Cheerleading, Gymnasium Wall Padding |
| 2" Medium-Firm FR | Meets ASTM E-84-08a for flame retardant properties. | Gymnasium Wall Padding |
| 2.5" Extra-Firm/Flex-Firm Combo | One ply of Extra-Firm bonded to one ply of Flex-Firm. Offers semi-soft cushioning, firm landing, and shock absorption. Prevents bottoming out. | Gymnastics - Beginner, Gymnastics - Intermediate, Gymnastics - Instructor Mats, Martial Arts |
How to Install Gymnasium Wall Padding?
Installing Wall Padding sounds like a complex task but it actually couldn't be any easier with the use of Z-Clips. Start by choosing the right size clips for your installation (1.5', 3', or 6'). This may vary depending on how much wall padding you are attempting to install, but in any case it's important to remember that you need a minimum of 4 total clips per section of padding. In order to install your wall padding properly you must have a set of clips near the top AND near the bottom of each wall padding section. From here, you just need to follow these steps:
- Step One: Measure two sets of lines along you wall. The bottom line should be no less than 4" off the ground and the top line should be the height of the wall padding away from the bottom line. This will be an outline of where your wall padding should end up.
- Step Two: Hang the Z-Clips along the wall within your lines. It is recommended that these are installed about a foot away from the top and bottom line to even weight distribution along your wall pads.
- Step Three: Install the other set of Z-Clips on the wood backing of your wall pads. For these clips, place them at least 1 1/4" higher than the wall clips, or about 10 3/4" for proper alignment.
- Step Five: Simply slide your pads down onto the Z-Clips and repeat for all wall pad sections.
Customization Options
All of our Wall Padding, Folding, Safety Landing, and Non-Folding Mats come with a wide variety of customization options for your needs! Each mat can be cut to your exact specifications as well as color matched with your facility's theme or custom printed with your own logo! If you choose one of our color options as seen below, your mats are sure to arrive in as little as two weeks. Additionally, all of our custom graphics options include a free "proof" to ensure that the design for your Gym is as stylish as it will be safe.
To get started with your Custom Wall Padding purchase, simply click the button below to shop by our wide range of sizes and colors! Looking for printed options? Contact us today to get a tailored quote and free "proof" for your customs design!
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If you have questions about choosing the right gym mat for your facility, we’re here to help. Our selection includes folding mats, non-folding mats, safety landing mats, and wall padding, each designed for specific needs in schools, gyms, and athletic programs. Whether you’re outfitting a new space or upgrading existing equipment, our team can guide you through the best options for safety, durability, and performance. We’re committed to helping you create a safe, functional environment for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Reach out today to get expert guidance or request a quote tailored to your needs.
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