Top Reasons To Own An Extra Thick Yoga Mat
So how do you know if you really need an extra thick yoga mat? If you fall into any of the following categories you may want to consider looking into one: larger build or overweight person, seniors, experience joint pain, knee or elbow pain, perform lengthy yoga poses, meditation and deep relaxation routines, Pilates, yoga for pregnancy, physical therapy, or any other exercises and routines where comfort, softness, and additional cushioning are paramount.
Now lets take a closer look at some good reasons why owning an extra thick yoga mat can be beneficial.
Yoga Cloud 1 Inch Yoga Mats
A great alternative to your traditional ¼ to ½ yoga mat is the 1 thick Yoga Cloud Mat. Probably one the more popular brand, this mat is the perfect fit for yoga, meditation, Pilates, and any other exercises that can be hard on your knees or back.
Made with high-density foam, the Yoga Cloud has a non-slip surface, is moisture-resistant and easy to clean.
Whether at home or on the go, the included carry strap will hold the mat together for storage or to conveniently take along to yoga class.
- Colors: Black, Blue, Pink, Red
- Dimensions: 72 x 24 x 1 inches
How To Choose The Right Yoga Mat Gaiam
Top Yoga Site: Say Alo to Yoga Options: A standard yoga mat is about 1/8 inch thick, while the thickest are about 1/4 inch. There are also wafer-thin yoga mats, often billed as travel yoga
Yoga Plus More: Go Beyond Yoga To put things into perspective, a standard yoga mat is usually 3mm thick, while a thick yoga mat starts at approximately 5mm and goes
1. Consider the Thickness A standard yoga mat is usually inch thick, and that works for most people. If youre slim and bony, however, the
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Product Details: Taurus Exercise Mat
- The high-quality exercise mat with excellent cushioning and restoring force at an introductory price:
- Rehabilitation quality, suitable for professional use!
- Excellent shock absorption and high restoring force
- Comfort makes you feel better as you exercise when training feels pleasant, you will exercise more often, for longer!
- Exercise mat adheres well to the floor. This means that, unlike many other mats , the Taurus Training Mat lies flat on the floor.
- Its ribbed surface ensures a secure hold
- Also suitable for physiotherapy!
- Including straps for easy storage and transport
- Colour: blue
- Dimensions set-up – Taurus Exercise Mat : 180 cm x 60 cm x 2 cm
How Long Is A Yoga Mat Good For
You can expect it to last about 9 to 12 months before it begins to smell funny. That is if you bought a cheaper $10 to $20 mat.
More expensive mats will typically last much longer. Even upward of 5 years depending on how often you use them.
All of this typically depends on the materials that are used.
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Incline Fit Ananda 1 Thick Mat
The Incline Fit Ananda is one of my favorite mats. Constructed with extra 1 thick padding it is made for comfort and durability. The Ananda is a great exercise mat for home but is also very practical with its easy-carry strap for on the go.
The carry strap is not only an easy way to transport your mat but also functions to secure the mat into place when rolled up for easy storage. This strap can be completely detached from the mat so as not to interfere with your yoga routine in any way.
This workout mat is very safe and with non-slip material will keep you securely on the mat and keep the mat from moving or slipping on bare floors.
If you are concerned about bacteria, germs, or dirt, this 1 inch thick yoga mat can be hand washed with a wet towel and soap and hung to dry.
For health safety reasons, this product is BPA free, has no Phthalate, heavy metals, or latex.
High Quality at a great value. Youll never want to go back to your regular mat after using this one.
TIP: New yoga mats may have a harmless odor fresh out of the bag. To remedy this issue, simply unroll the mat and let it air out for a day or two.
- Dimensions: 72 x 24 x 1 inches
- BPA free
Pick: Prosourcefit 1 Thick Yoga Mats
For the Editors Choice, I was somewhat torn between the Ananda 1 inch thick yoga mat by Incline Fit and the ProsoureFit 1 inch yoga mat. Both have very similar qualities. But in the end, I had to make a decision and thus chose the ProsourceFit Mat.
This mat has all the qualities we are looking for. Such as high-density foam with a non-slip surface and easy to clean moisture-resistant material.
The added elastic strap is great for you to keep the mat rolled together for easy storage. Additionally, it also includes a detachable carry handle for safer workouts and convenient portability.
And for those of you who like a broad selection of colors, they offer black, blue, Red, and Pink. A color for everyone.
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Why Trust Verywell Mind
Tori Zhou is the Associate Health Commerce Editor at Verywell. She enjoys staying up-to-date on wellness trends and products, with a focus on holistic health and functional medicine. She continues to test mats at home to see how they hold up after long-term use.
She personally prefers using yoga mats at home and doesnt mind a heavier weight in exchange for solid grip and padding. Having used budget-friendly picks over the years to follow along to cardio and meditation videos, her ideal mat is versatile enough for both yoga and HIIT workouts, sustainably made, and latex-free.
Additional reporting to this story by Rozalynn S. Frazier.
Rozalynn S. Frazier is an award-winning, multimedia journalist with more than 20 years of experience reporting on health and fitness. She is also a NASM-certified personal trainer and an avid exerciser who routinely puts wellness tools and fitness gear through its paces to help access which products are worthy of praise. She has created content for SELF, Mens Health, Real Simple, Health, Essence, Cosmopolitan, Livestrong.com, among others.
How To Choose The Best Yoga Mat Thickness
The search for the best yoga mat thickness can take you from the extra thick yoga mats that give you more protection for your joints to the ultra thin travel mats made for convenience on the go. With so many options, it’s easy to get confused on which is just right for your daily practice.
If youre reading this, it’s likely that you know that a mat is not just something to place between your body and the floor when you work out.
Its way more than that: your mat is that one essential piece of workout equipment that helps you feel grounded, supported and gives you the right protection for your joints – in addition to being beautiful and inspiring for your practice.
The mat in the photo above is available here.
The ideal mat should match your needs in such a way that you are able to get better and better at your yoga or Pilates practice in the 1+ years of using it so committing to choose the right one now will most definitely help upgrade your practice in the long term. We’ve written it all in detail in our blog post on how to choose your yoga mat.
Pick a mat that’s too thin and you may experience a lot of discomfort in your knees, wrists and ankles when you hold poses for a long time. At the other end of the spectrum, one that is just too thick for you can slow down your movement and keep you from feeling 100% supported youll just hopelessly sink into it.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Best Thick Yoga Mat
Are Thicker Yoga Mats Better?
Thicker mats are more cushioned and are ideal for therapeutic activities. For restorative yoga, a style with fewer postures that you hold longer, for example, a softer, more cushioned mat, could be preferable. Remember that a travel mat will not provide as much cushioning as an at-home mat.
Are Thick Yoga Mats Bad?
Extra thickness may appear beneficial, but that is not always the case. If your yoga mat is excessively spongy, youll have a tougher time balancing or sinking into some positions. Additionally, the thicker the mat, the heavier it gets, and the more time it takes to dry out.
What Is the Maximum Thickness of the Yoga Mat?
The thinnest is about 1/8 inch thick, while the thickest are around 1/4 inch. Even thinner yoga mats exist, with wafer-thin yoga mats as thin as 1/16 of an inch.
Is a 4 mm Thick Yoga Mat Good?
A 4-5 mm mat is ideal for many people because it keeps you grounded and balanced while protecting your joints.
Is a 10mm Yoga Mat Good?
There are different thicknesses of yoga mats. Thick ones are mostly preferred because they are durable and comfortable. They usually have a thickness of 10mm or more. They are good for all sorts of yoga and exercise routines.
Is a 6mm Yoga Mat Good?
How Thick Should a Yoga Mat Be for Bad Knees?
When choosing a yoga mat for knee pain, you will consider the thickness and density. A good yoga mat for bad knees will be around 1/2 to one inch thick, depending on your level of discomfort.t.
Manduka Prolite Yoga Mat
This yoga mat will be perfect for you if you have latex sensitivities. There are also 13 colors to choose from.
Product Highlights
The Manduka PROlite yoga mat is a good choice for people who want a lightweight and comfortable yoga mat.
The Good
- This is a high-performance yoga mat with a lightweight design. Its a zero-waste, long-lasting yoga mat made from natural materials. Its latex-free and safe to use by those with latex allergies.
The Bad
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Gruber Thick Yoga Mat Classic Non
The Gruber Thick Yoga Mat is an eco-friendly and non-toxic type of mat. If you are an environmentalist and care about health safety, you might want to consider this yoga mat.
Product Highlights
The Gruber Thick Yoga Mat is a thick mat that rebounds quickly. It can reduce the impact on your joints. You may choose the thickness that suits you best.
The Good
- This yoga mat is good for all types of fitness and exercise. It doesnt slip on hardwood floors, tile floors, or cement floors. Its also durable and has high tear resistance strength. Plus, its moisture resistant. The material used is soft, flexible, and safe. Plus, you can get a full refund if youre not satisfied with the product within 90 days.
The Bad
- The product is expensive. It is too spongy for yoga. If you do serious yoga, this might not work for you.
Long Guided Meditation Classes
Meditation typically involves longer durations of time where you are not moving your body, or at least very little movement. A typical ¼ to ½ mat can easily get uncomfortable after a while. So moving around and adjusting your body is the last thing you need to take you out of the zone when meditating.
With a 1 inch thick yoga mat, you can avoid this discomfort and stay in the zone. These mats are extra soft and make it much easier to lie still for longer periods of time without feeling the need to move around and make adjustments.
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Extra Thick Yoga Mats
If you are looking for an extra thick yoga mat, youll be spoiled for choice. Most mats that are very thick are made from materials such as PVC or foam, which are the most common materials being used to make exercise mats out there.
Many such mats range from 6mm to as much as 10 or 12 cm in thickness, which is about as thick as a woolen blanket and may well be *too much* for your regular practice. One of the downsides to these mats is that the materials they are made out of are not eco-friendly and therefore may contain toxins that get released into the environment long after the mat has been discarded. Simply put, this may not be the kind of material youd wish your skin to rub against every day or with every workout, so the best advice for taking care of yourself and our planet would be to avoid mats made out of synthetic materials.
Is A 4mm Or A 6mm Mat Better
4mm mats are favored by people who dont need much padding when practicing yoga. A thinner mat typically lends itself to doing standing and balancing poses better. 6mm mats are preferred by people who like a bit more cushion as it lends itself to seated poses better.
Age is also a common factor for choosing thickness in a yoga mat. As our joints wear down with age we tend to lean towards thicker mats like a 6mm size. These mats make the whole process of getting up and down a bit less taxing on our bodies.
There is also something to be said for buying a thicker mat because its a bit more durable and will last longer.
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Retrospec Solana 1 Inch
This yoga mat by Retrospec is thicker than the average mat, which makes it good for people with joint pain or injuries. I have bad knees, and this mat really helps me. Compared to a typical 6mm mat, this one is roughly four times thicker. There is also a one-half-inch version for people who want something in between.
The Solana yoga mat is a dense foam and nonslip rubber mat ribbed on one side and smooth. It comes with a carrying strap, free of latex, heavy metals, and harsh chemicals.
Some users have questioned the durability of this yoga mat, noting that it is too stretchy and prone to rips. However, that may be a risk worth taking for an affordable yoga mat.
The extra thickness makes this mat hard to store and carry around. This can be a problem because people might not want to carry it around. One reviewer said it was too large and embarrassing to bring to yoga class. The half-inch mat is superior to standard-sized mats in portability and cushioning.
However, if you are looking for a yoga mat that reduces pressure on joints, the Solana one-inch yoga mat is a good option.
Specs:
- Dimension: 72 x 24 inches
- One-inch thick
- Weight: Not specified
- Foam rubber with a thick, small-cell structure
PROS
- Extra padding, stability, and a carry strap are all provided.
CONS
- Due to its small size when unrolled, it is cumbersome to transport, and its durability is not guaranteed.
What Is Standard Yoga Mat Size In Mm
Most yoga mats are 4 to 6 millimeters, or about 3/16 of an inch thick.
While its important to consider the length of your yoga mat, its almost more important to keep in mind the thickness. This is because you need the appropriate amount of cushion when you do yoga.
Unlike length – the rule of, The more the better! doesnt apply here. Super thick mats are best for gym workouts. For most people the standard yoga mat thickness of 4-6 mm will work just fine.
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Should You Use A Thick Or Thin Yoga Mat Quora
A thin yoga mat is about 1/16-inch thick and its perfect for practicing balance postures, giving you a strong connection to the floor. The downside to a thin
Yoga mats can be as thin as 1.59 mm up to 6.35 mm thick. Regular yoga mats are 3.18 mm thick. To determine how thick the yoga mat should be, it is important to
Sivan Health And Fitness 1/2
If you are always on the go, the Sivan Health and Fitness 1/2-InchExtra Thick 71-Inch Long, NBR Comfort Foam Yoga Mat for Exercise, Yoga, and Pilates, is a good investment. It is one of the best thick exercise mats available.
Product Highlights
The Sivan Health and Fitness yoga mat are perfect for active people. This mat is lightweight and easy to handle, making it a good choice for people who are always on the go. It also has a thickness of 1/2 inch, which will protect your knees and joints while youre practicing.
The Good
- This yoga mat is made of strong material, lasting a long time. The mat has ridges for stability and is easy to clean. It is 1/2-inch thick and can provide enough padding.
The Bad
- It has a rubbery odor to it. Some individuals may also be as soft and comfortable as a yoga mat.
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The Best Yoga Mats Of 2022
Whether you are new to yoga or a lifelong lover with a daily practice, having a comfortable and reliable yoga mat can make a huge difference in your experience. We have researched, reviewed, and rated in order to provide you with this list of the best yoga mats of 2022.
Not all yoga mats are made equal. As a practitioner of different types of yoga and a borrower of many different mats, I know that there is a lot of variation in yoga mats, from material to texture and thickness to price.
Plus, you will find that the most important qualities in a mat vary depending on your practice. You may opt for a highly portable travel mat or an inch-thick mat to provide extra cushioning for your joints.
No matter what you are looking for, weve got you covered. In this comprehensive buyers guide, we break it all down and provide high-quality recommendations for every type of yoga practitioner. With the links below, you can jump down to your preferred category or simply scroll through to browse each of our recommendations.
When you are done, be sure to check out our review of the Best Yoga Apps According to a Fitness Pro so you can upgrade your practice and follow along to yoga classes right from home.
If you dont know what you are looking for, thats okay, too. We know it can be hard to sift through all the options to find the yoga mat that is right for you. That is why we have compiled the How toChoose Buyers Guide and FAQssection.
Best Overall: Manduka Pro
