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When it comes to martial arts training facilities, no two are exactly the same. While many differ in design, they also differ in use and specialization. When it comes to dedicated martial arts gyms, the choice of padding and mats is usually of the highest grade possible.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are a number of multi-use facilities, community centres and the like that also offer martial arts programming and for their uses, a different grade of padding could suit their situation more specifically.

While we certainly have the ability to get highly customized in designing any martial arts-style padding, we traditionally offer two main martial arts padding products for these highly specialized facilities.

When shopping for any type of padding, whether it be for an athletic institution, for use on walls for protection or for tumbling exercises such as gymnastics, you have likely been met with some confusing verbiage.

As each type of padding is filled with a different type of foam, the materials used and the way in which it is constructed can vary widely depending on the intended use of that particular piece of padding.

When reading specifications, the “ingredients” used to describe what they are made of can elicit the feeling of ready obscure ingredients found in some of your favourite foods. For many of us, we are unsure of what exactly they mean, what they are made of and which are good for us.

Two such ingredients found in most of our padding are polyethylene and polyurethane. While somewhat confusing by name, their differences are quite important when selecting padding for your home or facility.  As such, we will break each down below and give a few examples as to which each is best suited for.

With the growing number of multi-use facilities in schools, community centres, colleges and other organizations, owners and operators are always looking for ways to maximize their available space.

Many gymnasiums today are used for a variety of athletic activities such as volleyball, basketball, gymnastics and badminton as well as other activities such as assemblies, pep rallies and theatrical performances. In light of the growing need to do more with an allotted space, manufacturers and suppliers of athletic equipment and infrastructure are required to constantly innovate and create customized products to meet the need of the fast-paced athletic industry.

Here are five products that do a fantastic job of adding a great deal of versatility to any gymnasium.

When we think of gym mats or padding, we often come to the same conclusion; that all gym mats are created equal. For most of us, our experience with gym mats came in our younger years, most likely in elementary school or in high school and those of us without any extensive martial arts or wrestling training, will never know that there is much more out there in terms of gym matting.

When selecting a gym mat, there is a surprisingly large amount of variety, customization and options available to buyers. While choosing a standard blue gym mat is quite routine, when facilities, training centres and specific programs get involved, choosing the right foam and filler can make or break a good mat. Here are the varieties of foam and filler we use in our line of gym and athletic mats:

As facility managers, operators and business owners, we all know the importance of a strong brand image to represent your company, sports team or both. Your logo and associated colour scheme is a symbol that provides instant and powerful brand recognition and in some cases portrays organizational values and goals without saying a word.

As more and more facilities and athletic institutions grow their user and fan bases, the need for unique customization of their athletic equipment becomes very important. Logo screening was perhaps at one point thought of as a luxury, but is now becoming more a necessity for a large portion of our clientele.

It began when organizations started requesting team colour-coded removable and permanent wall padding for their gymnasiums, along with customized colour schemes and lettering for their telescopic bleachers and fixed seating in lecture halls and auditoriums.

When outfitting a facility with new equipment or accessories, a comprehensive maintenance program should be in place to extend the life of your new product as much as possible. Gym mats are no exception and with the proper care, you will enjoy a longer product life cycle, saving you money on recurring replacement costs.

Keeping Gym Mats Clean

This step requires a fair bit of work but can really pay dividends in the long run. Cleaning is arguably the most important aspect of maintaining gym mats. In addition to regular wiping, a thorough disinfecting on a weekly basis will not only keep the mat in great shape, but will keep participants protected from bacteria and other unwanted organisms that can accumulate after extended use.

As far as cleaning solutions go, a regular commercial solution or a simple bleach and water solution mixed at a 10:1 ratio will do the job handily.

Knowing exactly what your facility needs for gymnastics in particular can be somewhat of a challenge, especially for the inexperienced. With the large variety of madding and gym mats on the market today, choosing can sometimes seem like a daunting task.

These days budgets are particularly tight, especially for school athletics.  Luckily, budget cuts don’t have to mean cutting corners; Sport Systems can get you set up with the high quality products you need at highly competitive prices.

When you are looking to invest in your facility, look to Sport Systems.   We will work closely with you every step of the way, handling your project from soup to nuts, saving you time and money!

Design and Build

We are happy to customize any order, specializing in customizing grandstands, press boxes, and barrier netting systems.  University and High Schools turn to Sport Systems for all their sports facility needs.  No matter the size and specs of the job, we will design and build to meet your needs.

Manufacturing

The Sport Systems welding plant is the cornerstone of our manufacturing operation.  Certified by the Canadian Welding Bureau to the highest levels of the Canadian Standards Association, our experienced craftsmen will ensure your stadium equipment is sturdy, safe, and supportive.

Nothing brings the student body together like a good old fashioned pep rally! No matter the sport, pep rallies have long represented the tradition of unity and community pride in a group of students that together are more than just a team.

The esteemed student athletes who are lauded at a pep rally represent the highest potential of the student body, and without the warm and enthusiastic support of their peers, their success would not be as sweet. In a gymnasium full of young people, all bathed in school colors and gushing with school spirit, it is impossible not to be a fan of the home team!

Although not limited to athletics, school pride has strong roots there. Students leave the gymnasium after a pep rally newly inspired, ready to uphold their school’s reputation of excellence. Some might be prompted to challenge their local rival to a charity food drive contest; others might be raring to bring home that Math trophy for Hometown High; others will be proud to sport school colors while volunteering in the community for the National Honor Society. Not every student is an athlete, but every student benefits from the boost in self-esteem that comes with being a part of a winning team. Pride in one’s school means pride in oneself.

From pee-wees to the big leagues, and even sandlots and pick-up games, a competitive edge is in our nature as humans. It drives and motivates us to be our best, and it makes games fun! Youth competitiveness in sports is healthy, but it can lead kids to injury. By taking the necessary safety precautions in your sports facility, you can help prevent your players from getting hurt during gameplay. 

Millions of high school students take to the field every year for a season of their favorite sport that always feels like it ends too soon. Of the many virtues of youth is the raw passion that embodies young people in all that they do, especially on the playing field. During an eight-week season, student athletes will give 100% every day. While participating in youth sports does come with its long list of benefits - improved physical fitness, lessons in sportsmanship, character building, scholarships - the unbridled energy of youth also contributes to an estimated two million injuries in high school sports each year.