Black-belt-owned tip: The single most expensive mistake we see is buyers ordering before they measure. Spend 15 minutes with a tape measure now and save weeks later.
Watch: How to Install Your ATX Mats Roll-Out Mats
Step 1: Measure Wall-to-Wall, Twice
Use a 25-ft tape and measure every wall corner-to-corner. Then measure the diagonals — if they don’t match, your room isn’t square (most aren’t). Note any pillars, doors, or HVAC boxes that intrude into the floor space. Write down the worst-case (smallest) dimension on each axis.
Step 2: Define Your Active Training Zone
- BJJ academy: 4–5 ft of clearance from wall to nearest training pair. Wall mats are non-optional for safety.
- Wrestling room: Plan for circular tournament zones. NFHS regulation diameter: 28 ft, with a 10-ft safety border.
- MMA cage: Cage diameter + 4-ft striking warm-up perimeter.
- Home gym: Plan for at least one 8×8 ft active rolling area + a 3-ft transit lane.
Step 3: Roll-Out vs Drop-In — Pick the Right System
This is where most buyers get stuck. Here’s the rule of thumb:
- Roll-out mats — best for full-room coverage. Easy to install, easy to roll up for cleaning or floor maintenance. ATX standard rolls are 6 ft × 42 ft (252 sq ft each). Custom rolls cut to your room size.
- Drop-in mats — best for inserting BJJ-specific zones inside a multi-purpose space. Drop-ins lay on top of a sub-floor and can be removed/relocated.
- Wall mats — required adjacent to all training surfaces. Pad pillars, doorframes, and any wall the floor mats touch. Match colors to your floor for a clean look.
Watch: ATX Mats™ Quick Connect Technology
Step 4: Pick a Texture and Color
- Tatami — vertical-ribbed surface. Best grip in NoGi, the BJJ standard. Available in Blue, Black, White, Red (6 ft and 5 ft rolls), Light Gray, Dark Gray, Yellow, Green (5 ft only).
- Smooth — leather-look surface. Easier to clean, better for striking and judo-style throws. Available in Blue, Yellow, Light Gray, Red, Black, Dark Gray, White.
- Dappled — textured matte finish. Best for crossfit, yoga, multi-purpose. Available in 8 colors including Orange (unique to dappled).
Step 5: Order Custom Cuts If Your Room Isn’t Rectangular
Pillars, doors, and HVAC vents make most gyms non-rectangular. Use our designer to draw your exact room shape — we cut your mats to match. There’s no upcharge for custom shape on standard sizes.
Quick Reference: Stock Sizes
- Roll-Out: 6 ft × 42 ft = 252 sq ft / roll. Or 5 ft × 42 ft = 210 sq ft / roll.
- Drop-In Tatami Tile: 1 m × 2 m × 1.5″ (~21.5 sq ft / tile).
- Wall Pad: 2 ft × 6 ft × 2″, or 4 ft × 6 ft × 2″.
Ready to Order?
Start with our designer wizard. Pick your texture, color, and shape. Get an instant ballpark quote in 60 seconds, then schedule a call with one of the founders to confirm details.
