I-Beam Padding & Column Pads: How to Measure and Choose
Buying Guide
A steel beam or a concrete column in the middle of a gym is the hardest thing an athlete can hit. Padding it is cheap compared with one injury. The trick is ordering the right shape and size.
1. Pick the shape
| Your post | Pad to use | Sizes at UMA | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-beam (H-shape) | I-beam pad | 6"–8", 8"–10", 10"–12" | $420 |
| Round pole | Pole pad | 2"–10" diameter, 4 ft or 6 ft tall | $191 (4 ft) |
| Square column | Four-sided column pad | 4"–12" side, 4 ft or 6 ft tall | $218 (4 ft) |
| Large square post | Flexible wrap | up to 20", 20"–38", 38"–64" around | $471 |
2. Measure
- I-beam: measure the flange width (the flat face you would hit), edge to edge. A 9" flange takes the 8"–10" pad.
- Round pole: measure the diameter. No caliper? Wrap a tape around the pole and divide by 3.14.
- Square column: measure one side. For a rectangular column, use the longer side.
- Height: 6 ft covers most sports; 4 ft is enough for youth rooms and home gyms.
3. What you get
Century I-beam pads are 6 ft tall, with 3" polyurethane foam under 18.5 oz vinyl and hook-and-loop closure — no tools needed. They typically ship in 3–6 weeks.
Order posts together with mats and walls
Most rooms need all three: mats, wall pads and post pads. Send us the room size and a photo of each post — we will match the pads and put AK Athletics, Century and Greatmats items in one quote.