Floor covering
Intro
Dojangs have various training floor protective coverings; some modern, some traditional. Each covering has advantages and disadvantages.Wood
Wood is a traditional floor covering. Wood is hard and provides little cushioning, but it provides good support for stable stances. It is easy to pivot and spin on wood, but this becomes more difficult as sweat makes the wood either sticky or slippery. Wood may warp, crack, or splinter over time if not properly constructed or maintained.Tatami
Tatami is a traditional floor covering for martial arts such as aikido and judo. Tatami is tightly woven rice straw. They have almost the same cushioning as a hard foam mat. Cushioning is important when doing falls. Tatami is rarely used outside the orient. Straw tatami is expensive to purchase and maintain, so synthetic substitutes are used where the use of tatami is desired but not financially practical.Hard surface/Soft base
This type of covering has a base of used car tires spread over the floor with a two-by-four wood framework covered with plywood placed atop the tires. The plywood is then covered with a thin pad and a canvas sheet. This type of surface is hard and very stable but still offers good cushioning.Mats
There are many types of mats:- Single sheet synthetic mats. They are stable but are usually temperature sensitive (hard when cold, soft when warm). When soft, toes may snag and cause injury. When hard, they lose some of their cushioning. They may get sticky with use and require sprinkling with powder. Stability requires subtle movements in the joints when may either strengthen the joints or lead to joint damage over time.
- Old multiple section horsehair mats. They get hard with age and do not stay together very well.
- Multiple section synthetic soft mats. They tend to separate at the joints. Falling directly on a joint may lead to injury, also toes may snag in the joints. Mats kept folded may mold if not aired often.
- Multiple sheet synthetic hard mats with interlocking joints. They offer cushioning, good traction, stable surface, and the joints stay together well. When used on a carpeted floor, the interlocking mats tend to gradually slide in the direction of the nap of the carpet and must be re-centered regularly.
Carpet
Carpet is a terrible training floor covering. It is hard, holds moisture and odors, and causes carpet burns on exposed skin. Many newly opened schools start with carpet until they can afford a better surface.Concrete
Concrete is probably the worst training floor. It has no cushioning and is difficult to keep clean. It is usually only found in clubs since they meet in whatever facility they can gain access.Grass
Training outside on grass creates a feeling of being a real warrior, but it is dirty and hidden objects may cause injury, so shoes may be required. Be sure the area is clear of rocks, glass, etc. that may injure students. Grass may also leave stains on uniforms that are difficult if not impossible to remove.⏪ Back
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