Exercise is noisy.
Whether you’re using a running machine, lifting weights, rowing or doing burpees all of these movements create a significant amount of impact sound.
If you are setting up a home gym or you run a gym that is (in)conveniently located in the same building as residential homes then it is important to ensure that excessive noise doesn’t create problems with your neighbours or family…especially if you’re the kind of person who likes to exercise at 5am!
What Causes Gym Noise?

Dropped weights are one of the biggest creators of noise in a gym.
Dropping even a relatively small weight, such as a 22lb or 10kg dumbbell, from a height as low as a couple of feet will create huge vibrations which can easily be heard in adjacent rooms.
This happens because when a weight hits the floor its fall speed immediately drops to nothing.
The energy from the falling movement is then transferred into the flooring.
If you have a solid concrete floor none of that energy is absorbed so a huge impact is created over a short duration which creates a very big noise.
Machines such as running machines can also create a lot of noise due to the impact of feet repeatedly hitting it, while it would be nice to be able to teach everyone who enters your gym how to run quietly, this is not a possibility, thankfully other techniques are available.
Dropped weights and noisy machines can combine to create a very noisy atmosphere unless gym soundproofing measures are put in place.
Also Read: Quiet Cardio Workouts: 8 Low Noise Exercises For The Home
Our Top Tips For Reducing Noise In Your Gym
Reducing the noise levels in your gym is always going to be beneficial, it makes the gym more comfortable for members to work out in, it prevents neighbours from being disturbed and it can also help your equipment last longer.
Here are our top tips to make it happen:
1. Absorb Vibrations Using Gym Flooring
Using soundproof gym flooring is the number one step you should take to minimize gym noise. Flooring does incredible things for gym sound reduction.

Rubber flooring means that when a weight is dropped it doesn’t immediately stop, instead the flooring gives, this means that the falling speed of the weight doesn’t immediately fall to zero, instead it stops more gradually.
This means that the noise generated is greatly reduced, instead of creating a high impact sound over a short duration rubber flooring increases the duration of the sound meaning that noises will be lower frequency.
This significantly reduces the volume as the energy is dispersed over a longer time frame into the flooring.
2. Decouple Noisy Gym Machines
Decoupling noisy equipment from the floor will help absorb impact vibrations and stop them traveling through your floor.
An effective way of decoupling is to fit shock-absorbing pads to the feet of all of your exercise machines.
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Fitting these to treadmills will help further cushion the impact and reduce the amount of sound generated when someone is running on it.
Machines such as stationary bikes and rowing machines usually make much less noise than a treadmill however if you do feel the need to dampen their vibrations then you put them on top of an anti-vibration treadmill mat (the kind which is typically used under washing machines).
3. Use Bumper Plates To Reduce Impact Noise
Bumper plates are weights that are designed to be dropped.

They are typically used for Olympic weightlifting or exercise programs such as Crossfit.
Bumper plates are much thicker than cast iron plates, this is because they are made from solid rubber that surrounds a steel or brass hub (as seen in the photo above).
Being made of rubber means they can be dropped from overhead and will bounce, causing no damage to the floor and significantly reducing the volume of impact sound.
Equipping your gym with bumper plates will help reduce the impact of sound vibrations caused by dropped weights.
You should make bumper plates available in any part of the gym where people perform exercises where the barbell is likely to be dropped, for example:
- deadlifts
- shoulder presses
- clean and jerk
- snatches
- bent over rows
4. Install Weightlifting Platforms
Weightlifting platforms encourage gym users to lift heavy weights in areas that are designed specifically to reduce the impact of big weights being dropped.
A weightlifting platform consists of a central wooden platform where the lifter stands while making their lift. Either side of this are thick rubber mats, usually at least a couple of inches thick (considerably thicker than most gym flooring).
When a heavy barbell is dropped onto the rubber mats they absorb a lot more of the impact than a standard rubber floor would because they are so much thicker.
A professionally built lifting platform can be very expensive, if you can’t afford the expense it is not too difficult (or expensive) to build one yourself.
Check out this article on how to build a weightlifting platform for less than $150.
5. Reduce The Echo
Big gym halls can often feel very echoey, this has the undesirable effect of seemingly amplifying all sounds within the gym.
Instead of hearing one loud bang as someone drops their weights you hear it echoed back two or three times.
Reducing echo in your gym will help make it quieter.
Echo is common in gyms because there are usually a lot of hard surfaces that air-borne sound bounces off.
If you have covered your floor in rubber matting you have already taken one significant step to reduce echo, however walls are usually the biggest echo causing culprits.
To minimize echo coming from your walls take these steps:
- Get some acoustic sound panels or acoustic foam.
- Mount in on your walls.
- Cover as much of the wall as possible.
- Test the echo – if it still bad add cover more of the wall.
The reason this works is that acoustic sound panels or acoustic foam are both very soft, this means sound doesn’t immediately bounce straight back off it.
Instead sound waves are absorbed into the foam and bounce around inside it, they then hit the wall on the other side and bounce back again through the foam, however in doing so much of their sound energy is dispersed and lost by the time it gets back through the acoustic panel.
6. Invest In Quiet Exercise Machines

Some gym machines are not designed with noise reduction in mind.
You can put all the decoupling equipment in the world on some treadmills but if they are poorly designed then they will still sound like an elephant is running through the gym when someone uses them.
Sometimes you have to face facts, if you want your gym to be significantly quieter there isn’t always a cheap shortcut.
If you have machines which are notoriously loud then consider switching them for machines such as quiet treadmills, quiet rowing machines, quiet exercise bikes or turbo trainers and ellipticals which are designed with noise reduction in mind.
If you have punching bags setup in your gym make sure you put them towards the back of the gym so that gym life isn’t punctuated by the noise of someone hitting it. You could also invest in quiet punching bags or simply ensure that people wear thicker gloves when hitting the bags in your gym.
7. Use Weightlifting Drop Pads
If your gym is the type of gym where people are doing olympic lifts and are frequently dropping heavy weights onto the floor from overheard then this will create some serious noise!
The best way of muting this without putting a blanket ban on dropping weights is to use weightlifting drop pads.
These are effectively giant cushions will significantly soften the fall of weights, getting your members to use these will make a huge difference!
Also Read: Quiet Gym Times: The Best Times For Peaceful Training
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FAQs
How can I reduce the noise in my gym? ›
To reduce gym noise, acoustic panels can be wall or ceiling mounted in the room to capture and convert the echoes out of the space. As a result, background noise levels collapse, resulting in greater clarity to vocal instruction, lower levels of crowd noise, and speaker systems that sound crisp and not blurred.
How can I make my weight plate quieter? ›- Put down thick, rubber mats in your home gym. ...
- Build a weight lifting platform. ...
- Use rubber coated Olympic weights. ...
- Use dumbbells more in your workout routine. ...
- Line bars and racks with cloth tape. ...
- Add sandpits to your weight lifting platform. ...
- Improve your weight lifting technique.
- Choose a Noise Reducing Drywall. Traditionally to reduce noise transfer between rooms you'd use a resilient channel. ...
- Insulate Interior Walls. ...
- Float the Floors. ...
- Soften the Surfaces. ...
- Seal it Up. ...
- White Noise.
Using earplugs is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to block out disturbing sounds. Even if you don't start the night wearing earplugs, keep a pair by your bed so you can slip them into your ears if noise arises.
What is the most effective way to reduce noise in the workplace? ›A tried-and-true solution, wall partitions and cubicles have helped companies of all sizes separate employees and reduce overall office noise. Even low-level wall partitions that don't completely close someone off have proven effective.
Is there a device that cancels noise? ›Noise cancellation devices, including noise cancelling headphones, are an easy, portable way to increase comfort and privacy. We offer a diverse variety of options to test, analyze, block out, or mask unwanted sound. Some of our best-selling testing devices and electronic noise reduction products can be found below.
How do I silence my garage openly? ›What you can do on your own to make a garage door quieter. Lubricate the metal components: rollers, hinges, tracks and springs. Only use lubricant intended for use on metal, such as 10W‑30 motor oil. Apply with an oil can and wipe off the excess with a rag.
Is rubber flooring soundproof? ›Rubber is an effective sound treatment
Rubber has sound absorbent qualities. It can soundproof your room by adding mass to prevent sound waves from escaping a wall, ceiling, or floor. Many schools, hospitals, studios, gyms, and kitchens that need acoustic flooring material, opt for rubber flooring.
Wrap the weights in bubble wrap or newspaper to protect them during the move. Fill the box with blankets and towels to prevent the weights from moving around and banging up against each other.
Do bumper plates make less noise? ›Because of their design and compound, bumper plates are quieter and more versatile than steel or iron plates. For those training at home, the shock absorbing feature is essential because it quiets the noise made during a workout. This means your workout doesn't need to disrupt neighbors, family members or the dog!
How heavy do weight plates go? ›
Plate sizes
Plates are available in a range of weights. Standard (25mm center hole) plates are commonly available in 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20 kg, or 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 35 and 50 lb where pound denominated plates are used. Less commonly seen are plates of 0.5, 7.5, and 25 kg, or 1.25, 7.5, 12.5, 20, and 100 lbs.
- Soundproofing Spray Foam. Definition: Foam sprayed from a can that can be added as insulation to walls for insulation. ...
- Mass Loaded Vinyl Sound Barrier. Definition: Heavy, versatile material that reduces noise wherever it is placed. ...
- Acoustic Caulk. ...
- Acoustic Window Inserts.
Noise from conversation ranges from about 200Hz to 4 kHz—but noise-canceling systems don't work above 1kHz or so.
What are three ways to reduce noise? ›- Erect enclosures around machines to reduce the amount of noise emitted into the workplace or environment.
- Use barriers and screens to block the direct path of sound.
- Position noise sources further away from workers.
Reducing noise pollution in the workplace
Change or modify equipment. Locate the equipment in a more isolated area, or soundproof the room. Make sure that people spend time working in quiet areas too. Try to run noisy equipment early or late in the day when fewer people will be exposed.
- Turn down the volume of the TV, radio, or music.
- If listening to loud music, take listening breaks to reduce your exposure.
- Use quieter products (power tools, toys, recreational vehicles) whenever they are available. ...
- Reduce equipment noise by replacing worn, loose, or unbalanced machine parts.
- Weatherproof your front door. Sealing the leaks and air gaps around the front door will quiet the chatter from in and around the front door. ...
- Door curtains. ...
- Acoustic panels. ...
- Soundproof a bedroom door. ...
- Reduce the reflected noise.
The emergency release cord is the red rope that hangs from the door trolley that moves with the door along the rail. The trolley sits on the opener carriage. which moves the door. When the release cord is pulled, it disconnects the trolley from the carriage allowing you to manually move the door.
Why do people leave their garage open a little? ›Typically, residents crack their garage doors open to improve ventilation or let cool air in during the summer. Without the help of an AC or ventilation system, garages often become stuffy and uncomfortable to work or spend time in, so it seems logical to crack the door open.
What should you use to lubricate a garage door? ›While you might be tempted to reach for standard WD-40 to lubricate your garage door, you'll actually want to avoid using it for this task because it can attract dirt, which can create additional problems. Instead, use white lithium grease or silicone spray.
What flooring best absorbs sound? ›
Carpeting is often the best pick for flooring material as it naturally reduces footfall and impact noise. If your existing floor is hardwood, ceramic tile or laminate flooring, you'll likely experience a higher level of impact and airborne noise and need a heavy-duty soundproofing flooring to lay on top.
What is a good sound barrier for flooring? ›- Carpet. Carpet or carpet tiles are known for mitigating impact sound, making them a perfect choice for hotels, classrooms and offices. ...
- Cork Flooring. ...
- Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) Flooring. ...
- Rubber Flooring. ...
- Vinyl Tile.
Fit insulation such as fibreglass or cellulose wool between the floor joists to completely fill the cavity. Pro tip: Studies have shown that all variants of this type of insulation provide roughly equal sound-absorption performance.
Why do people grunt so loud at the gym? ›Why do people grunt? It turns out there's science behind our grunting sounds. When people do weightlifting exercises, like deadlifts and squats, they often grunt because they need to exhale, Pedemonte said. The trainer explained that when people lift heavy weights, it's important they don't hold their breath.
What time is the gym quietest? ›Quietest times during the day to visit the gym at the weekend: 1pm to 9pm and 5am to 7am. Quietest times during weekday mornings to visit the gym: Between 4am and 6am. For the shift workers: Busiest times of the day to visit the gym: Between 5pm and 7pm Monday to Thursday.
Should I use noise Cancelling at the gym? ›Lower the volume, limit use of earbuds.
Collord Johnson also suggested wearing noise-cancelling earbuds or headphones when working out to help better deal with background noise at a gym, which can lead to the volume being turned up when listening to music to cancel out such background noise.
Dawdling. Most people's number one excuse for not going to the gym is that they don't have time. Watching you send a five-paragraph email while sitting on a machine might be the most irritating thing ever.
How do I stop grunting habits? ›There are also pharmacological approaches to alleviating involuntary grunting noises, which might include things like antidepressants, antipsychotics, cannabinoids, and other psychoactive drugs. Outside of formal behavioral therapy, communicating with your loved one about the noise they're making is often a good start.
Why do guys grunt when they sit down? ›While carrying out a movement such as sitting, the breath is exhaled steadily, resulting in a groan or sigh as the air escapes through the vocal cords. For short, explosive actions, notably in professional tennis, vocalisations can be loud grunts or even shrieks as the breath is released rapidly.
What is the best time to do gym? ›Between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., your body temperature is at its highest. This may mean you'll be exercising during the window of time your body is most ready, potentially making it the most effective time of day to work out.
What time of day is best to go to gym? ›
“Exercising at 7 a.m. or between 1 and 4 p.m. helps your circadian clock to 'fall back' in time, making it easier to wake up earlier,” Heisz says. If you need to train your body to wake up later in the morning, try working out between 7 and 10 p.m. “The best time to exercise is when you can fit it in,” Arciero says.
What time is best to go gym in the morning? ›A study published in 2019 in the Journal of Physiology found that exercising at 7 a.m. may shift your body clock earlier, meaning you'll feel more alert in the morning and get tired earlier in the evening, potentially priming you to get enough rest to wake up and do the same thing the next day.
Is noise cancelling damaging? ›Noise cancellation earphones pose no risk to your health and are perfectly safe to use. Unlike mobile phones, they don't emit low-level radiation, so you can use your headphones to block out background noises knowing they pose no risk to your safety or wellbeing.
Can noise cancellation work? ›Luckily, noise cancelling headphones are great at blocking background noise even without music. They can effortlessly reduce the sound of busy streets or shops. But they're even more useful for ambient noise, which are noises that are repetitive and long-lasting.
Does noise cancelling work perfectly? ›It's not perfect. these headphones don't “create” silence, nor are they able to eliminate noise. The crests and troughs do not perfectly cancel out. The absolute best noise-canceling headphones merely reduce noise, and work best with low-frequency droning sounds.