Biggest Loser's Rubber Floor Installation
Updated: Santa Ana, Calif., June 7, 2011
Rubber-Cal and “The Biggest Loser” teamed up for seasons 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the popular NBC reality show. The production crew installed the highly versatile and wildly popular “Elephant Bark” rubber gym flooring and “Eco-Sport” rubber exercise flooring tiles.
Made from old tires, the sturdy recycled rubber flooring works great as a fitness equipment mat and can be used in a variety of applications with little or no trouble. A reclaimed rubber surface provides excellent support and effectively provides a cushion for high impact activities.
The Biggest Loser is a reality television show that started in the U.S. in 2004. The show centers on overweight contestants attempting to lose the most weight and to fight for a cash prize. The popularity of the show has spawned different variations of The Biggest Loser around the world. The show is now casting season 15! The shows website proclaims: “Are you finally ready to change your life? If you have at least 80 lbs. to lose, we strongly encourage you to apply! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to lose the weight and compete to win $250,000!”
Rubber-Cal is the leading provider of DIY fitness flooring across the commercial and consumer channels. The rolls installed in the show are recycled rubber gym flooring produced in the US. Installing rubber flooring is a simple DIY process that can be done quickly and professionally. Here it begin by unrolling the rubber exercise flooring slowly. Make sure to sweep the sub-surface before you begin. This will ensure that the doubled-sided tape or other adhesive sticks to the ground securely. It also helps to keep the rubber flooring flat on the ground.
“The Biggest Loser” crew chose to use a five-inch wide, fabric reinforced double-sided tape called DSPS to adhere to the plywood surface below. This is a good option if you plan on moving the floor in the future. However, you may also choose to use a polyurethane based adhesive for a more permanent application. Be sure to pay close attention to the tape as you unroll the fitness equipment mat. Make sure it is sticking properly. The crew in the video is peeling the tapes’ protective layer off as they go. Press the rubber mat firmly throughout the entire process to ensure that it is adhering properly.
You may need to work around corners or other obstacles during the installation process. The video demonstrates how “The Biggest Loser” crew member used a utility knife to make any necessary alterations to the rubber gym flooring. For clean and straight cuts make sure to use a straightedge ruler or t-square.
The versatile properties of this flooring make it perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. “The Biggest Loser” producers wanted a floor that would be visually aesthetic for their show, as well as functional to protect their expensive equipment. Rubber-Cal’s “Elephant Bark” and “Eco-Sport” tiles were a hassle-free and gave their gym that completed look they wanted.
