A synthetic indoor turf floor provides a secure and durable environment for high school strength coaches and athletes to experiment with new exercises and techniques or practice movements that translate well to the field of play.
Dr. Brian Gearity, ATC, CSCS, FNSCA is founding Director and Assistant Professor of the Master of Arts in Sport Coaching program, the Graduate Certificate in Strength and Conditioning (S&C) and Fitness Coaching, and specialized graduate certificates in S&C and the Psychology of Coaching at the University of Denver.
He is a highly experienced strength and conditioning coach, having worked with athletes at various levels, from youth to professional. He has held positions at the University of Tennessee and Cleveland Indians and is a Fellow of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Gearity is also a respected voice in the field, serving as Editor-in-Chief for NSCA Coach and Associate-Editor-in-Chief for NSCA’s Strength & Conditioning Journal.
“When I’ve taught on indoor turf, it’s easy, it’s convenient, it’s indoors, it’s protected from the weather,” says Gearity. “It’s generally soft, not concrete, so there’s no slipping. In terms of being able to demonstrate and line people up in a real-life setting, it’s got real benefit to it.”
Coaches can also depend upon the fact that it’s going to be available. Gearity teaches in Denver, so the weather – especially in winter – can be unpredictable, rendering outdoor turf unusable.
“I’m looking outside right now, and it’s 25 degrees if I’m lucky,” he says. “Today, we got about three inches of snow, so getting outside isn’t going to happen. If you’re living in the south, you see rain all the time. Sometimes, you just can’t get outside. And so to have indoor turf, more and more, it’s just kind of par for the course for good teaching and consistent training, too.”
Top 5 Reasons To Install Indoor Turf
Here are the top five reasons to think about installing an indoor turf field of your own.
1. Provide Comfort When Uncomfortable
Indoor turf provides a comfortable, cushioned surface for strength training and conditioning. It helps to eliminate joint pain and discomfort caused by high-impact exercises that may not be advisable on other gym flooring.
2. Indoor Turf Minimizes Noise
Indoor turf helps to reduce noise levels during training sessions, making it a more pleasant environment for both athletes and nearby neighbors. The artificial fibers absorb impact sounds, such as weight drops, for a quieter workout experience. This is absolutely crucial in a high school environment, where loud noise can interrupt concentration for students not currently active in a physical fitness environment.
3. Indoor Turf Resists Wear And Tear
Indoor turf is durable and long-lasting, making it a smart investment for your gym or training space. Its fibers can withstand heavy use and its structure resists tearing, making it a reliable and safe surface for high-intensity workouts.
If your athletes are pushing Prowlers or other sleds across the surface all day, using jump ropes or other abrasive workout equipment, indoor turf’s high face weight and tall pile – specially designed for this kind of heavy use – offers that level of durability you’ll require. Its resistance to abrasions ensures longevity and performance, especially in high traffic environments.
4. Protect Athletes From Themselves
Indoor turf with perforated drainage is designed to quickly drain water, keeping your subfloor dry even after a spill. Its design also resists bacteria buildup, ensuring a clean and safe environment for your training. Simply let it air out, and it’s ready to use again.
5. Boost The Appearance Of Your Facility
High school coaches can transform their workout spaces with indoor turf installation. They can upgrade their facilities to a professional level with a sleek and polished appearance.
“For anybody designing facilities or planning this kind of installation, I think coaches understand,” says Gearity. “The instructional space has not kept up with the reality of athletics. With indoor turf, it’s not super expensive. You can move it if you need to. There are many aspects of it that make sense, and you can use it anywhere: a gym, an empty room, a hallway. It’s just good sense.”
Installation Is A Snap
Indoor turf can be easily laid down temporarily or permanently. Coaches can use tools to keep it where it lies, or use more transitory solutions that will allow it to be picked up and moved elsewhere depending upon your specific needs. Here are some great installation tips, whether you’re installing glue- or tape-down turf or interlocking turf tiles.
For Glue-Down Or Tape-Down Installation
- Before installing your indoor turf, ensure that the subfloor is level and free of any debris or dust to ensure proper installation and performance.
- To create a natural look for your indoor turf flooring, implement roll sequencing during installation to avoid repeating patterns.
- Apply the double-sided tape or adhesive in sections and firmly press the turf roll onto the subfloor. This will ensure a secure and stable surface for your training routines.
- Seal seams where two pieces of indoor turf meet by using seam sealer.
- Secure the turf’s hold by using a weighted roller over the newly installed indoor turf.
- Give your indoor turf flooring 72 hours to fully dry before using it for the first time.
For Interlocking Tile Installation
- Start installation on a smooth and clean base for best results.
- Use chalk lines to organize the tile layout from the center of the room. Connect the slots of each tile to the corresponding tab of another tile.
- Wait to trim and secure the edge of the indoor turf tiles until all tiles have been installed.
- Measure the distance from the wall to the last tile, and cut the tiles as needed to fit the remaining space.
- Cut excess turf material close to the wall with an extremely sharp knife. Leave a quarter-inch gap between tiles and wall to allow for expansion/contraction in changing weather to prevent rippling.
- To secure the tiles, use a double-sided mat tape for a stronger hold.
