Ensure the safety of your athletes with our expert guide to selecting the best safety pads for any sport. We’ll help you find just the right solutions to maximise safety at your sporting facility. 

As you’ll already know, safety is a big deal in any sports facility. Whether it's a pro stadium, a local gym, or even a school sports hall, the safety of your athletes is paramount. So how can you improve safety, and create a more secure environment for everyone? By investing in high-quality safety pads.

Why Safety Padding?

Safety padding is a simple and cost-effective way to reduce the risk of injuries significantly during practice, training, games, and matches. It can give you complete peace of mind that you’re doing everything within your power to support your athletes as they work to develop their skills.

So how can you be sure you’re choosing the very best safety pads for your sports facility? Here are 4 crucial considerations to help ensure you’re making the best decision for your athletes and venue.

Safety Standards

Different nations around the world all have their own views about what ‘safety’ really means. And this perspective shapes the standards and regulations that are developed for product manufacturers. Countries with lower safety standards than we have here in the UK, therefore, are able to legally manufacture and sell safety pads that do not meet the more stringent requirements we’re used to.

When you opt for British-made safety padding, you’ll have no worries that the products may not be what we deem ‘fit for purpose’. Buying from local UK businesses, you’ll have confidence that the safety pads have been designed and manufactured to adhere to the UK’s strict criteria for health and safety.

Materials for Safety Pads

While rubber and vinyl can both work well for safety pads, at Implay we often recommend looking for foam-based products instead. Why? Because foam padding typically has better shock-absorbing qualities, making it the preferred choice for sporting facilities. In situations where an athlete may interact with a safety pad at high speed, this extra level of protection can make a notable difference.

Another aspect to think about in terms of materials is waterproofing. While many people may only consider this when purchasing safety pads for outdoor use, it can be a beneficial feature for indoor sporting facilities, too. A waterproof, breathable lining can prevent damage to the structure of the padding should it get wet – for example, from accidental water spills or a roof leak in rainy weather.

Longevity of Equipment

While safety pads are generally very affordable, they’re still an investment. And naturally, you want your investments to continue bringing value for as long as possible. So it makes sense to consider safety pad longevity, especially as these pads are likely to be in action day after day. By choosing long-lasting products, you can help slow the rate of wear and tear and get more bang for your buck.

We typically recommend medium-duty PVC 610 (610gm/sq m). This is the same quality of material that’s used for applications such as winter boat covers and lorry tarps, so it’s definitely got what it takes to withstand use in a sporting environment. While you may be tempted by a heavy-duty alternative – eg. PVC 900 – it doesn’t really bring any additional benefits in sporting facilities.

Size of Safety Pads

Size is a crucial consideration when buying safety pads. After all, select the wrong size and you could be leaving your athletes vulnerable to injury. Don’t let that happen. Instead, always make sure that the pads you’re ordering are the exact right size for your needs, without compromising. When safety pads are the perfect size, you can be sure they’ll protect your athletes in the best possible way.

Unfortunately, it’s very much a game of luck trying to find safety pads in the exact size that you need. That’s why, at Implay, we offer bespoke, made-to-measure solutions based on your own requirements. We typically manufacture as needed in a variety of common sizes – for example, 1000mm, 1200mm, and 1500mm heights – but always chat with us if you require a different size.

Don’t Settle for Second-Best

When your athletes’ health & safety is on the line, you can’t afford to settle for second best; for safety pads that tick nearly all the right boxes, but aren’t quite perfect. It’s not worth the risk. Instead, take a look at our safety pad collection, and find the perfect solution for your needs.

Any questions? We’d be happy to answer them. Just get in touch!