Workout Mats: How They’re Different and Who Needs Them

December 26, 2014

Benefits of a High Quality Multi-Use Workout Mat

If you’ve ever exercised on a hardwood floor, you know just how uncomfortable it can be. For yoga and cardiovascular exercises, a good workout mat will offer support and traction. Unfortunately, not all workout mats are the same. Depending on your activities, the exercise mat could either be helping or hurting your body and your workout.

There are a lot of choices out there on the market and it can be a little overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting a yoga practice or exercise routine. Here are a few important points to keep in mind when searching for a high quality workout mat.

Purpose

Unless you’re absolutely positive you’re only using a mat for one purpose and you’ll never stray from your routine, you should considering buying a high quality workout mat that is suitable for multiple uses. For most people it isn’t practical to have several different mats for yoga, pilates, cardio, strength training, etc.  Pogamat is great for all uses, with or without shoes.

Material

The truth is there are a LOT of opinions out there about the materials used for workout mats, regarding both their impact on the environment and our bodies. Your best bet is to evaluate what is most important to you and then do some research. Do you prefer something made from recycled materials? Would you like a cotton mat? Whatever you decide, make sure you get a mat that won’t slip, especially when you work up a sweat. Safety is highly important when choosing quality workout mats.

Size

Yoga mats are generally 72 inches long by 24 inches wide, although there are larger sizes available. But if you’re like most people and plan to use your mat for more than just yoga, consider something bigger that will fit several functions (see Purpose above).

Portability

Not everyone exercises inside the home all the time. It’s nice to get out into nature and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air while working out, or to go to the gym and participate in a class. Look for a high quality workout mat that you can easily roll up and take with you, particularly with a strap so that you can carry it around. Portability is also important for storage as many people don’t have a home gym and need to put their mat away easily between uses.

Price

The price of something is always a major factor when deciding on a purchase. But don’t let it be your only consideration when looking for a high quality workout mat. Just like with most things in life, you get what you pay for. If you’re able to, invest a little more money for something that will last you for years to come, rather than need to be replaced in a few months.

Many cheap yoga and exercise mats will crumble away while you work out, curl up under you, and slip around easily. Less expensive fitness mats are made of foam or soft fabrics, but they will compress over time and need to be replaced. Cheap mats also lack traction, which is important if you use your mat on the carpet. Poor traction can also cause your body to slip and slide while on the mat, increasing your risk for injury.

Reviews

You should definitely check out online reviews when considering which high quality workout mat to buy. See what people are saying about the performance, comments about customer service and return policies. See Pogamat Reviews here.

Use

Consider your uses for your workout mat. Mats with better cushion and more traction usually cost more but last longer. You can find waterproof mats (made of a “closed cell” structure) that make cleaning easy, and others with antibacterial properties. Generic fitness mats are too thick for activities like yoga and Pilates and don’t offer the traction that is necessary for those exercises.

Yoga Mats provide a thin cushioned, non-slip surface for yoga practices and work best when used on a smooth floor. While they offer slightly more padding than a hard floor, yoga mats will not cushion your body well enough for cardio workouts.

Consider all purpose workout mats that has the cushion and size you need for all types of workouts.

The post Workout Mats: How They’re Different and Who Needs Them appeared first on Pogamat.

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