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An exercise mat can help you do a lot of different things including fitness, martial arts, stretching, Yoga, Pilates, and other exercises too. A good exercise mat will protect your knees, elbows, and other joints from the ground by providing a thick base for you to exercise on. Working out on the hard ground is not fun and it can be downright painful. The only real solution is to get the proper exercise mat that will support you during your workout routine. Choosing the best exercise mat for you can be kind of difficult, but fear not because we’re going to give you some advice on choosing the right one. Also, we have a few exercise mat suggestions of our own.
Summary: The Best Exercise Mats
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What To Look For In An Exercise Mat
Before you go out and make your big purchase you should definitely do some research. There are a few important factors that you should think about before buying any one exercise mat.
Length & Width
One of the most important things to pay attention to is the size of the mat in question. If the mat you get isn’t big enough for the various exercises you want to do, you are definitely not going to be comfortable. Ideally, the mat should be a few inches longer than you are tall. In terms of width, the mat should be at least 8 – 12 inches wider than the widest part of your body. Any smaller and you will have an awkward time working out.
Moisture Aspect
The next thing you should look for before buying an exercise mat is if the material it is made of is moisture proof or at least moisture resistant. You don’t want to get an exercise mat that absorbs all of your sweat. A material that absorbs moisture is not easy to clean, plus, of course, it will begin to smell like sweat too. On the other hand, something that does need to be noted is that the less moisture the mat absorbs, the more of it stays on top, and that tends to make the mat slippery.
Portability
Another thing that is pretty important is the portability factor. You will be much happier with a mat that easily rolls or folds up into a small package, rather than one that can’t be turned into a compact package. This makes it easy for you to take the mat to a group class, the park, and it makes it much easier to store in a small space too. Even better is if the mat you are getting comes with a carrying strap for ease of transportation.
Material Thickness
The thickness of the mat is also really important. The mat is the thing that protects you from the hard ground while doing exercises so it needs to be thick enough to keep your joints free of pain. Keep in mind that Pilates and Yoga don’t require such a thick mat as some bodyweight exercises. So, exercise mats, while they can be used for Pilates and Yoga, are ideal for stretching and exercises like sit-ups, planks, and other such exercises.
Anti-Slip
Another crucial aspect of any exercise mat is the anti-slip nature that it should have. The underside of the exercise mat should have a textured surface that is slip resistant. You don’t want it slipping around on the ground as you exercise because that will make working out difficult as well as unsafe.
Exercise Mat Reviews
Our Rating
For the low price that this exercise mat comes at, you really can’t go wrong. It’s affordable and has a really good build quality, making it ideal for various forms of exercise.
Design
One of our favorite parts about the Reehut Exercise Mat is that it is equipped with a simple carrying strap. This makes it versatile and lets you take it to your Yoga, Pilates, or other fitness class where you may need it. The compact size of it when rolled up also lets you put it in a small space for storage.
Although it rolls up pretty small, when fully extended it comes in at 24 by 71 inches. This makes it ideal for all shapes and sizes of people. There is also the fact that this mat is a full half-inch thick. This is great if you are on a wood floor or other hard surfaces because it protects you from the ground and keeps your joints in good shape.
Moreover, this is a high-density mat designed with NBR foam. That means that you can put a whole lot of pressure and weight on it before it bottoms out, making it just that much more comfortable. The high-density foam also makes sure that it never loses its shape even with years of use. On a side note, we also like the fact that the Reehut Mat is made with non-toxic materials to keep you safe and healthy.
Another great part about this mat is that it has a special non-slip design to ensure that it stays in one place no matter what exercises you are doing. It will stay in one place while you exercise and also keep you feeling great thanks to the smooth topside of the mat. Safety might not sound so important when doing Yoga, but a slipping mat can actually be pretty dangerous.
Value for money
The value for the price when it comes to the Reehut Exercise Mat is great. It comes in at just over 20 dollars, making it a cheap find for a darn good product. It’s soft, comfortable, protective, and will allow you to do all of the exercising you can take.
Build quality
We love the build quality of this exercise mat because the thickness not only ensures your safety but its own as well. It’s pretty durable and isn’t going to rip when it gets caught on something. The special NBR foam is both tough and comfortable at the very same time, plus it will keep you from slipping around too.
Pros
- Very durable
- NBR foam doesn’t lose shape over time
- Comfortable to work out on
- Very affordable
- Convenient carrying strap
- Non-slip design
Cons
- Stretches as you work out on it
- Sticks to you sometimes
Our Rating
This is a really great and super thick mat that will definitely keep you comfortable through a variety of exercises. It is a little pricey, which is why it didn’t take our number one spot, but it will definitely do the trick.
Design
The design of this exercise mat is pretty basic in that it folds in half, unlike other exercise mats which roll up. While this mat may not be as portable as other mats, due to only folding in half and being a bit bulky, it definitely provides a superior level of comfort.
One upside is that does come with a carrying handle installed on it, making it a little easier to transport. In comparison, this is more of an MMA mat or a gym mat than it is a Yoga or Pilates mat.
We really like the fact that it is super-thick. It is well over half an inch thick and provides excellent comfort. It will protect you and your sensitive joints from the hard ground without a problem.
Another great factor of the Everlast folding mat is that it has a moisture-proof shell that keeps your sweat from being absorbed into it, not to mention that it makes this mat really easy to clean. We do also like the fact that this mat is a full 24 inches by 72 inches in size, thus making it ideal for even the largest of people.
Value for money
This mat does have a pretty good value for its price. It definitely is not the cheapest option out there, but its superior thickness makes it ideal for intense MMA and bodyweight training exercises. It can be used for other things like Pilates or Yoga, but it doesn’t have the same portability factor as other roll up mats on this list. It costs a little over 40 bucks and is definitely a great option thanks to its comfort factor.
Build quality
The Everlast Exercise Mat has a pretty good build quality. We like the fact that it is super thick, making it ideal for heavier people and intense exercising. This makes it rugged and durable. It’s also quite firm which makes it great for various workout routines.
Pros
- Folds in half for easy storage
- Super thick and comfortable
- Comes with a carrying strap
- Has a moisture-resistant shell
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Handle has a tendency to rip off
- Has a strong rubbery smell
- Not very portable
Our Rating
This exercise mat comes in at a very reasonable price, yet it doesn’t fail to deliver in terms of quality, comfort, or portability. This is a great option if you need an exercise mat for a whole variety of exercises.
Design
The design of the Prosource is pretty solid, especially because it has a good size, that being 71 inches by 24 inches. This makes it ideal for small and large people to perform a variety of exercises on it. Even though it’s nice and big for exercising, it is also conveniently small when rolled up. This makes it great for taking it with you wherever you go, and it makes storage a breeze too.
Another great part about this exercise mat is that the high-density NBR foam keeps its shape for a really long time and won’t lose its shape with prolonged use. Another good thing about this foam is that it is moisture repelling which means that no matter how hard you sweat, it isn’t going to get absorbed by the Prosource. You can also just use a cloth or sponge to wipe it down and give it an easy cleaning.
The high-density foam is also half an inch thick, which means that it will adequately protect your joints and other vital parts from the hardness of the ground. This makes the Prosource an amazing choice in terms of comfort. This same material is also slip-resistant so your mat won’t move around on the ground, making for a safe and easy workout environment.
Value for money
The Prosource exercise mat definitely has a great value for its price. Coming in at just over 20 bucks, you really couldn’t ask for anything better. It’s small and portable, thick and comfortable, moisture-resistant, easy to clean, and even come with a carrying strap included.
Build quality
When it comes to the build quality of the Prosource Exercise Mat, there is really nothing to complain about. The NBR foam means that moisture doesn’t affect it, plus it is really strong and rugged too. It also keeps your joints safe from damage and thanks to the awesome strap it’s easy to carry around as well.
Pros
- Tough and durable
- Provides optimal comfort
- Thick and dense
- Comes with a convenient carrying strap
- Rolls up into a compact package
- Moisture-resistant
- Quite big
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Gets slippery when wet
- Has a bad smell
Our Rating
The Sivan Exercise Mat is a great choice to go with because it is very affordable, designed with special foam, and will keep you comfortable while doing Yoga, Pilates, and various bodyweight exercises.
Design
This mat has been designed with everybody in mind because it is 24 inches wide and 71 inches long, meaning that it is ideal for the smallest and the biggest of people. Even though it’s a big mat when open, it can be tightly rolled up to for convenience. Take it to the park, to the gym, your Pilates class, and when you are done you can neatly store it in your closet. It even has an integrated carry strap which makes it all the more portable.
You will be very comfortable when using this exercise mat because it is a half-inch ultra-thick mat made of special memory foam. It’s designed to handle some serious weight and will protect your hands, elbows, knees, and other vitals from the hard floor. The memory foam not only makes this mat comfortable, but it also means that it springs back into shape as soon as you take your weight off of it.
We also really like the fact that the Sivan Health and Fitness Exercise Mat is very durable. This thing isn’t going to degrade quickly, nor will it rip, tear, or deform due to your exercising. Another thing that will be protected is your health because this mat has a ribbed surface that sticks to the floor so it won’t slip and cause you to fall. The topside of the mat has a soft and smooth surface to keep you as comfortable as can be.
Value for money
For something like 20 bucks you really can’t go wrong with the Sivan Health and Fitness Exercise Mat. It’s extra-strong, it provides a safe surface to exercise on, it’s really thick and comfortable, plus it’s easy to carry too. This is a really high-quality mat that only costs a fraction of the price when compared to other leading models.
Build quality
We can’t complain about the build quality of the Sivan Health and Fitness Mat. It’s really thick and the memory foam build makes sure that it’s a really rugged mat that is the epitome of longevity. That is combined with the fact that it keeps you safe and free of slipping thanks to the ribbed underside. Not to mention that the extra thick build keeps your body free of pain as well.
Pros
- High-quality memory foam snaps back into place
- Extra thick design ensures protection from the ground
- Built to last
- Easy to carry
- Extra-large
- Ideal for various forms of exercise
Cons
- Has a distinct odor
- Some models vary in thickness
- Carrying straps may rip
Our Rating
This is definitely a decent exercise mat to have. It has a good build and a rugged yet comfortable design. The only reason that it’s a little lower on the list is because it’s slightly more expensive than other choices, yet the features aren’t really any better.
Design
The design of the HemingWeigh Exercise Mat is pretty good indeed. It is a full 23 by 70 inches big, making it a little smaller than some other options, yet still more than big enough to work for any size person no matter what the exercise is. We also like the fact that this mat has an easy to clean surface that is moisture-resistant so it won’t suck up your sweat.
The size also plays a big factor in its portability too. It rolls up to a pretty good size and comes with a carrying strap too. Taking it with you to a group class or even to the park is made easy with the HemingWeigh, plus storing it is convenient too.
This exercise mat is also very comfortable thanks to its extra thick foam design. This makes it perfect for Pilates, Yoga, bodyweight exercises, and other workout routines which require a floor mat. It also has a double-sided non-slip surface that keeps it from moving around on the ground as you work out. Not only is this made durable and comfortable, but it’s pretty safe too.
Value for money
The value for the price of this mat is pretty decent. Now don’t get us wrong, it’s not our first choice, but still more than good enough to make our top 5 list. It’s a rugged, comfortable, non-slip mat that is great for a variety of exercises. It’s a little bit more expensive than some other options but doesn’t really have any discernibly better features than them.
Build quality
The build quality of this exercise mat is definitely good enough to make us consider it as one of the better mats out there. The extra thick foam design means that it protects your body from the floor and protects the mat itself from damage. The non-slip feature is of course also a large part of the build quality too.
Pros
- Extra thick for comfort
- Has a non-slip surface for safety
- Large design makes it ideal for all people
- Can be rolled up
- The carrying strap makes it portable
Cons
- Has a chemical smell
- Becomes slippery with prolonged use
- Surface may peel after a while
Conclusion
We hope that we could be of some assistance when it comes to choosing the right exercise mat for you. These things are some really nifty pieces of equipment that can make a variety of workouts much easier and a lot more comfortable too. The best exercise mat is one that protects you from the ground, doesn’t absorb moisture, is slip-resistant, and keeps its shape too. Any of the above recommendations are great choices so if you’re on the market for a new exercise mat you should definitely consider them!