When it comes to outdoor sports the playing surface is more important than you think. Whether it’s a football pitch, rugby field, hockey rink or a multisport arena the turf beneath your feet is key to performance and safety. Enter sports turf – synthetic grass systems that provide a reliable, durable and consistent playing surface.
But not all sports turf is the same. In fact there are different types, 2G and 3G systems and the installation process for these can be quite technical. Let’s get into everything you need to know about sports turf and its uses in outdoor sports and indoor gym spaces.
Table of Contents
What is the difference between 2G and 3G Sport Pitches?
Gym Turf: A Slightly Different Beast
Benefits of Sports Turf for Outdoor Sports
How do you clean Artificial Grass Sport Turf?
Installation of Sports Turf vs Gym Turf
What is Sports Turf?
Sports turf is synthetic grass designed for outdoor sports. This isn’t just a surface layer of artificial grass. Sports turf systems are a multi-layered setup, shock pads, drainage systems and base layers all working together to provide optimal performance, stability and safety. These systems are built to withstand constant use and heavy sports equipment so are perfect for outdoor activities such as football, rugby, athletics and hockey.
What is the difference between 2G and 3G Sport Pitches?
2G and 3G are the two most common types of sports turf. Let’s get into what these mean and how they differ.
- 2G Sports Turf: This type of turf has a short-pile synthetic grass system and is used for sports like recreational football and hockey, mainly in school sports campuses and community facilities. It has a simple, more rigid design so is perfect for sports that don’t require premium cushioning or meet professional sport standards. A great example of a 2G turf pitch is the San Siro School Sports Pitch System. It’s durable and versatile and can accommodate multiple sports while being cost effective.
- 3G Sports Turf: 3G is slightly more advanced and has longer, more flexible fibres to mimic the feel of natural grass. 3G systems have rubber infill which gives the turf more cushioning and a better playing experience. These are the gold standard for football pitches and rugby fields. The Maracana 50 Synthetic Turf Football Pitch System is an example of high quality 3G turf that meets FIFA standards.
Both 2G and 3G turf systems perform well but the main difference is in their use. 3G systems have more cushioning and are better for sports like advanced football and rugby that involve high impact and more physical activity.
The Sub-layer System
One thing to remember is that sports turf isn’t just about the synthetic grass on the surface. The sub-layer system below the grass is just as important. A proper installation requires groundworks to provide a stable and draining base. That’s why sports turf installation is a job for specialists as it’s more than just laying down grass – it’s about building a multi-layer system that will support the turf’s life and performance.
For example a good sports turf system will have a base layer of crushed stone or aggregate to provide drainage. Above this you’ll have shock pads and depending on the type of turf an infill layer to give the surface bounce and softness. Without this carefully designed sub-layer the turf will deteriorate quickly or be unsafe for athletes.
Gym Turf: A Slightly Different Beast
You may have heard of “gym turf” but how does it differ from traditional sports turf? Gym turf is a lighter, less dense version designed for indoor or outdoor functional training spaces. It’s used in gyms for activities such as sprinting, sled pulling, tyre work and agility training.
Gym turf doesn’t require a shock pad or infill layer. It’s more about a durable and safe surface for exercises that involve a lot of movement and impact. One key difference is that gym turf can be installed without the complex sub-layer systems used in outdoor sports turf, so it’s faster and easier to install. Gym turf is also thinner and more flexible in terms of design and layout.
Some gym turf tracks like the Sprung Essential Sprint Track come pre-marked with boxes, metre indicators, lanes and numbers to accommodate different exercises which can be really handy for functional training environments. Tracks are available for sprints, sled pushing, speed work and more. These sled tracks and sprint lanes can be customised and come in various sizes and colours.
Benefits of Sports Turf for Outdoor Sports
The benefits of using sports turf for outdoor sports surfaces are obvious. First and foremost it provides a consistent playing surface regardless of the weather. Unlike natural grass sports turf won’t get muddy or uneven in wet weather so athletes can train or compete all year round.
Also sports turf is low maintenance. While it does need to be brushed and cleaned occasionally it doesn’t need to be watered, mowed or fertilised like natural grass saving time and money. And it’s extremely durable and can withstand the heavy impact of constant use making it ideal for high traffic areas like football fields or rugby pitches.
Benefits of Gym Turf
While sports turf is great for outdoor sports, gym turf has its own set of benefits for indoor training as well as outdoor bootcamp facilities. The main benefit of gym turf is it provides a safe and cushioned surface for high impact activities like sprinting, sled pulling and agility drills. Its durability makes it perfect for gyms that get a lot of foot traffic or heavy equipment.
Also gym turf is versatile and can be installed in different forms—a full gym floor covering or specific track layouts for targeted exercises. It allows gyms to create dedicated areas for specific exercises like speed drills or tyre work and can be customised to fit the facility. This allows for more functionality, enhancing the gym users experience.
How do you clean Artificial Grass Sport Turf?
Installation of Sports Turf vs Gym Turf
The installation process for both sports turf and gym turf is different mainly due to the complexity of the systems. Sports turf is installed by specialists who have experience in laying down the multi-layer systems required for optimal performance. As we mentioned earlier this includes the sub-layer system of aggregates, shock pads and infills. This layered approach ensures the turf provides a safe and durable surface for outdoor sports especially high impact sports like football and rugby.
Gym turf is simpler to install. It can be laid on top of existing floors or outdoor spaces with minimal groundwork. You may still need some prep work but gym turf doesn’t require the complex sub-layer systems of sports turf so it’s a more DIY friendly option for gyms or smaller training areas.
Customer Insight:
"I fitted my sled track by myself and it was actually not too hard. The key is to get good quality adhesive tape - makes the job so much easier"
Conclusion
Whether you’re building a sports pitch for football, rugby or hockey or creating a gym space for functional training the right turf makes all the difference. Sports turf provides a high performance weather resistant surface for outdoor sports and gym turf provides a durable cushioned surface for indoor workouts.
Both sports turf and gym turf when installed and maintained correctly can help improve athletic performance and safety so are great for training facilities, schools and sports clubs.
FAO
How long does an artificial pitch last?
An artificial grass pitch can last up to 15 years although it is down to a few factors. Maintenance of the pitch, its original quality and usage play a big part. If a quality pitch is well looked after with regular maintenance, even with heavy use can last between 10-15 years.
What is the best weight for sled sprints?
The best way to work this out is to use a percentage of your bodyweight for a good balance between resistance, movement and speed. It is recommended to use 15-30% of your bodyweight.
How long is a sled track in a gym?
A sled track in a gym is typically between 15.5 and 20m depending on the size of the gym.
Ready to level up your sports or gym set-up? Explore the best sports turf and functional training turf to get started.
