How to Measure & Set Up Folding Mats
Planning a folding mat setup starts with your space. Learn what to measure, how compatible mats connect, and what to consider when creating a padded training area.
Folding mats provide a flexible way to add padded floor space for gymnastics, martial arts, drills, practice, home training, and other activities.
Whether you're using one mat or connecting several together, start by measuring the area you want to cover and planning how each mat will fit within the space.
Measure & Plan Your Mat Area
Use these three steps to measure the usable floor area, check your layout, and compare your measurements with the folding mat options you're considering.
Measure the Length
Measure from one end of the intended padded area to the other.
Use the overall length as one of the main dimensions when comparing folding mat sizes.
How Folding Mats Fit Together
If your training area requires more than one mat, compatible folding mats can be joined using their fabric fastening strips.
Check Where the Fastening Strips Are Located
AK Athletics folding mats can be ordered with fastening strips on 2 sides or 4 sides. The option selected affects how compatible mats can connect within the space.
Before ordering multiple mats, compare each mat's dimensions with the total area you want to cover.
Planning tip: Start with the size of the complete padded area, then determine how individual mat sections can fit together within that space.
Choose Your Fastening Strip Option
AK Athletics folding mats will be available with the option to choose fastening strips on 2 sides or 4 sides. Select the option that works best for how you plan to connect your mats.
Connect End-to-End
Choose fastening strips on 2 sides when you need connection points on two sides of the mat.
Connect on All Sides
Choose fastening strips on 4 sides for connection points on all four sides of the mat, providing more flexibility when connecting multiple mats.
Build a Larger Padded Training Area
Connecting multiple compatible folding mats allows you to cover a larger area while keeping the flexibility of individual folding sections.
Then compare your measurements with the mat sizes and connection options available.
Fold It Up When Training Is Finished
Once you've planned your layout, position the mats in the intended training area and connect compatible fastening strips where the sections meet.
When the space is no longer being used for training, the folding panels allow the mat to collapse into a smaller footprint for storage.
Folding the mats between activities can make it easier to open the floor back up when padded coverage isn't needed.
Find a Folding Mat That Fits Your Space
Once you know the dimensions of your training area, compare your available space with the folding mat sizes and connection options available.
Explore AK Athletics Folding Mats
Folding mats are available for gyms, schools, martial arts facilities, home training spaces, and other padded training areas.
Compare the available sizes and styles to find an option that works with the space you've measured.
Ready to compare your options?
Browse AK Athletics folding mats and use your measurements to help plan your setup.
Folding Mat Setup Questions
Review the main things to remember when measuring, connecting, and setting up your folding mats.
