From the shrill sound of a coach’s whistle to kids chanting war cries and crowds cheering on their favourite team, there are many reasons why gyms can be noisy. Unfortunately, most school gyms and sports halls were not originally designed with acoustics in mind.
These high noise levels can make it difficult for students and coaches to concentrate, communicate or work together in a team. Poor gym acoustics not only affect the performance of athletes but can also pose safety concerns when instructions aren’t clearly heard.
Noise from school sports halls often travels beyond the court and into adjacent classrooms, disrupting learning and making it harder for students to focus. If your goal is to create a distraction-free environment throughout your school, it's essential to think carefully about your school acoustics strategy, especially in large, shared spaces.
Why is the Gym So Noisy?
Gyms and sports halls are typically large, open areas with high ceilings and hard surfaces, ideal for physical activity but not for sound. The problem comes down to one concept: reverberation time. When a sound is made, like a bouncing ball or a referee’s whistle, it reflects off hard surfaces and lingers in the space. If your gym has poor acoustic treatments, those reflections create long reverberation times that amplify the overall noise level.
With everyone trying to be heard over the echo, the result is an acoustic feedback loop: people get louder, the room gets noisier, and speech intelligibility becomes difficult. These poor gym acoustics not only make it hard to hear but can create a stressful, fatiguing environment for both staff and students.
Acoustic Treatments to Stop My Gym from Echoing?
The best way to fix echo in a gym or sports hall is to introduce materials that absorb sound rather than reflect it. In acoustical terms, this means reducing reverberation time using targeted acoustic treatments. These materials soften reflective surfaces like walls and ceilings, so sound energy is absorbed rather than bouncing around the room.
One challenge in managing gym acoustics is the floor. A timber or vinyl floor serves a critical purpose for performance and safety, so softening it isn’t usually an option. That’s why most acoustic solutions focus on the walls and ceiling.
Consider These Gym/Sport Halls Acoustic Solutions
Not every solution will work for every school or gym, but the following acoustic treatments are among the most effective ways to create a quieter, more productive space. These treatments also support better school acoustics overall, helping educators and students get the most out of every learning and training session.
1. Acoustic Wall Panels
Acoustic wall panels are one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve sound control in school gyms. These panels are made from high-density materials that absorb mid- and high-frequency sounds—such as human speech, whistles, and squeaky shoes—helping to reduce noise and improve clarity.
A popular choice in schools is Autex Cube®, a durable and versatile wall panel made from 100% polyester fibre. These panels can be custom-cut to fit around gym equipment and are typically mounted high on the walls to stay out of harm’s way. Many schools also use them to reflect school colours, branding, or motivational messages, making them both practical and visually appealing.
2. Acoustic Ceiling Baffles
When wall space in the gym is limited, the ceiling becomes a key opportunity for acoustic improvement. Acoustic ceiling baffles are suspended vertically and absorb sound from both sides, making them ideal for large, open gym environments. They’re particularly effective at softening disruptive sounds like shouting, clapping, and ball impacts.
Autex Horizon™ baffles come in a variety of shapes and colours and can be arranged in creative layouts that enhance both acoustic performance and visual design. They’re a great solution when you want to reduce reverberation without obstructing lighting, equipment, or lines of sight within the gym.
3. Acoustic Ceiling or Wall Tiles
If your gym already has a suspended ceiling grid, acoustic ceiling tiles offer a clean, unobtrusive way to control noise. These tiles slot into existing ceiling systems and help reduce ambient sound across a wide frequency range.
Autex Quietspace® Ceiling Tiles are specifically designed for spaces like school gyms. They’re fire-rated, moisture-resistant, and manufactured from sustainable materials—making them a smart choice for gyms that also serve as exam rooms, performance spaces, or assembly venues, where speech clarity is essential.
4. Acoustic Wall Fabric
For schools seeking a subtle, design-forward approach, acoustic wall fabrics are a great option. Autex Vertiface® is a fabric finish that can be applied directly to gym walls or wrapped around acoustic panels to create pinboards, visual displays, or branding walls that also reduce noise.
These treatments are ideal for gyms where space is tight—they absorb sound without requiring much depth. Available in a wide range of colours, they’re also durable enough to handle the demands of daily school life.
Why Acoustic Design for Gym and Sport Halls Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought
Many schools put off addressing gym acoustics due to budget limitations or other competing priorities. But the cost of inaction can be much higher. Poor gym acoustics can lead to miscommunication during sports, lost teaching time, increased student frustration, and even safety risks when instructions aren’t clearly heard.
Through reducing reverberation and improving sound clarity, schools can create a calmer, more focused atmosphere in the gym. This leads to better teamwork, improved behaviour, and stronger connections between students and staff—not just during PE, but in assemblies, extracurricular activities, and community events hosted in the gym.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re retrofitting an older gym or designing a new one, acoustic design should be a key part of your planning. With a wide range of modern, durable, and aesthetically pleasing acoustic solutions from Autex, it’s never been easier to create a gym that sounds as good as it looks.
From wall panels to suspended ceiling systems, every detail you add helps transform your gym into a space that supports learning, teamwork, and school spirit. Don’t let poor acoustics drown out the energy and engagement that your gym was built to inspire.
Get the Specialists In
Not sure where to start? We can help.
At Acoustic Solutions Store, we offer an Acoustic Appraisal service. Our expert team will suggest the best acoustic and decorative products to improve your space, in a style that suits you. Have a look at our wide range of acoustic products.
For all your acoustic needs, contact the team at Acoustic Solutions Store today!