Is foam or rubber better for at-home cardio kickboxing workouts on a concrete floor?

General
1

If joint health is the top priority and other factors like cost, aesthetics, and convenience can be put aside for now, which material is better for a concrete floor when doing cardio kickboxing workouts that include high-impact moves?

When I refer to cardio kickboxing, I mean something like TurboKick—higher intensity with some impactful movements, but not necessarily HIIT or repetitive plyometrics. I also do lighter weight lifting (not heavy or Olympic-style, just some light to mid-range dumbbell exercises) and barre, which are not high impact. I’d love to work out barefoot since I used to do all my workouts that way before moving, but I’m hesitant to do so on concrete, even with some kind of support. I’m uncertain whether I should wear shoes or not for these workouts.

Let me know if you need any additional information. Thanks in advance!

2

I believe a hard foam would be a good choice. When throwing punches and kicks, you need a solid footing to plant your feet and pivot. A harder foam would be better than a softer foam or rubber that compresses under weight.

3

That makes sense. I ended up ordering some interlocking foam mats, so I’ll have to check how firm they are when they arrive. Since I need to pivot a lot, I’m hoping they aren’t too soft… :thinking:

4

I’m doing shadow boxing, but I’m also incorporating a more dance-like workout style. It includes jabs, crosses, hooks, uppercuts, and various kicks, but not with the same speed or power as MMA training. Does that change your recommendation in any way?