What Is The Best Thickness For A Beginner Or Intermediate Yogi
If you are not an advanced yogi, then you need a yoga mat that is not thick or thin. This means you need a moderate one that helps and support you during practicing and balance your body. For that, 4mm is the perfect thickness as it provides grip and does not cause your hands or feet to sink while practicing.
The Ultimate Guide To Choosing A Yoga Mat Size
Selecting the right size of yoga mat is dependent on two main factors
First, how tall are you? If you have ever tried laying down in Shavasana with your heels hanging off the end of the mat, or worse yet – your head off the mat, then you know how bothersome this can be.
Second, how much padding do you want? If you have ever tried a travel yoga mat then you know first hand how hard the floor can suddenly feel when doing yoga.
Lets explore five common questions youll face when selecting a yoga mat. This way when youre researching your next purchase youll be better ready to make a decision.
Its best to start at the beginning with what a normal size looks like…
Extra Thin Yoga Mat Recommendation: Manduka Pro Travel Yoga Mat
Youll notice that the Manduka Travel mat ticks many of the boxes regarding yoga mats for traveling on a plane.
The reason for this is that not only is it a very thin yoga mat but it is also foldable, meaning simply fold it up and place it in your backpack. In this way, you will have no problem bringing your yoga mat on the plane.
This mat has excellent grip, and so any traveling yogis will definitely want to check this yoga mat out.
Features to love about theManduka PRO Travel Yoga Mat
- 2.5mm thick
- It comes in 5 colors
- Eco-friendly yoga mat
- Foldable
One other point to note about the Manduka travel mat is that because it is so thin, you may want to place it on top of a softer surface for when you practice. This could be an old yoga mat or even a carpet.
Also Check: Is Yoga Mat Necessary For Exercise
Which Mat Is Best For Yoga
The Best Yoga Mats From Your Favorite Teachers
- Best cushioned mat: Manduka PRO.
- Best grippy mat: Hugger Mugger Tapas Performance mat.
- Best mat for travelers: Jade Travel mat.
- Best sweat-resistant mat: Lululemon The Reversible Mat 3mm.
- Best mat for alignment: Liforme Yoga Mat.
- Best home practice mat: Manduka Mat PRO Squared.
Is A 5mm Or 3mm Yoga Mat Better
The 3mm is a standard mat thickness and you will feel a close connection to the ground. For those of you who suffer from knee or joint pain, using a denser mat such as the 5mm or even a 6mm will help absorb impact and provide more cushion and support on your joints, knees and hips while you practice.
Recommended Reading: How To Learn How To Do A Handstand Yoga
Best 4mm Vs 6mm Yoga Mat
Today we are going to do a comparison between the 4mm vs 6mm Yoga Mat. If you are in Searching for the right thickness of yoga mat? not to worry, in this read, you will get to know all about the thickness of the yoga mat.
Well, choosing the right thickness means a yoga mat that provides you with the best support, cushioning your joints, protect your body during yoga practice and, most importantly, save for the environment.
The choice of a yoga mat also depends upon the kinds of exercise or practice you did. Yoga mat comes in different size lengths, different thicknesses, and materials. Before choosing the best product you should consider some necessary points.
Both 4mm and 6mm Yoga Mats are good, but they depend on the yogis needs and issues related to practice. Some major factors I am discussing to give you an idea to choose the correct thickness mat for yourself.
How To Choose The Right Yoga Matjanuary 15 2014fitness Pilates Yoga0 Comments
There are hundreds of yoga and Pilates mats out there and, when starting out with either yoga or Pilates, its hard to know what to look for. You want to make sure your mat fulfils the following criteria:
1. Has the right level of cushioning 2. Is non-slip3. Is the right length for you
Many people turn up in a yoga or Pilates class with a karimat, or in a better case scenario, a regular gym mat. I cringe when I see this and rush to take it away from them before they even roll them out! They might look similar, but these types of mats are COMPLETELY UNSUITABLE for the work youre about to do. They are a recipe for injury, as they werent designed for this purpose and wont provide the stability you need.
If you are very tall, always check the length of the mat you are buying. A standard mat is only about 6 foot long, so do the math and decide what will stick out when you lie down! Look for an extra-long mat I have one listed below.
Conversely, you might need a smaller mat for a child. Children love having their own mats and will be a lot happier doing yoga on something more adequate to their size, especially if it has some cute pictures on it!
Here are some of my tried and tested brands that you can buy in confidence.
A stylish bag to carry your mat in. You can always use a yoga belt or another band, but a bag is so much nicer!
Also Check: What Does Yoga Do For Your Body
Best Thick Yoga Mat: Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat 6mm
Chock-full of springy, PVC cushion, the rubber-free Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat is perfect for anyone looking for a little extra support for their elbows and knees during their weekly Cat Cow poses. Clocking in at 6 millimeters thick, the mat is twice as thick as most on the market, providing loads of joint protection. More about that thickness: Though its a whopping 6 millimeters, the mat feels more dense than spongelike, meaning we had zero problems finding stability, even with the extra cushion underfoot.
While the grip isnt quite as firm as the Lululemon Reversible Mat, it is still among the strongest we tested, and definitely the best of the cheapish options. Featuring a surface full of tiny textured grooves, the mat has a tacky feel, offering up lots of springy traction, even during sweatier sessions. That said, if youre someone who wants to feel completely cemented into your mat, the Lululemon Reversible is going to be a better choice.
Another major selling point? That price. Not everyone wants to spend a small fortune on a yoga matus included! If you want to get the most bang for your buck, this is the absolute best choice at this price point.
Boasting a lifetime guarantee from Gaiam, the mat, which is free of latex and phthalates, is available in 30 colorways , ranging from jewel-toned tribal patterns to sedate darker designs, and each comes with one free yoga class that can be downloaded from the Gaiam app.
Dont Miss: Hot Yoga After Botox
Average Thickness Yoga Mats
This is the most commonly used yoga mat and most yoga mat brands will provide this yoga mat thickness.
Advantages
One of the ket advantages of this yoga mat is that it offers just enough cushioning for most types of yoga. This means that if you dont have any concerns with your joints, you may be absolutely fine with this yoga mat thickness.
Two further advantages of this thickness of yoga mat are that it will be both cheaper and lighter than their 6mm equivalent.
Many yoga mat brands make a wide range of yoga mats in a variety of thicknesses. For example, my much-loved Manduka Pro comes in 6mm, 5mm, and 4mm options! There are certain differences between these yoga mats, however, they are all highly rated.
Disadvantages
The key disadvantage of this type of yoga mat is that if you like a bit of extra cushioning, this may not be the yoga mat for you.
Who is this perfect for?
This type of yoga mat is perfect for anyone who doesnt have sensitive joints and is great for all types of yoga.
Average yoga mat thickness recommendation:Gaiam Dry Grip Yoga Mat
Youll notice that the Gaiam Dry Grip yoga mat tickets many of the boxes regarding yoga mats for most yoga practitioners. The reason for this is that not only is it a rather thick yoga mat, but it also has a stay-dry topcoat that promises to remove any moisture that is on the surface.
This way, they promise that you will experience the ultimate grip, regardless of how sweaty you may become during your practice.
Don’t Miss: What To Get Someone Who Loves Yoga
What’s The Standard Size Of A Yoga Mat
The standard size of a yoga mat is 68 inches long and 24 inches wide.
The normal thickness of a yoga mat is 4-5 mm. Thats about 3/16ths of an inch.
How does that translate to your height is the real question here. A standard 68 inch mat should be okay for someone who is five foot eight inches right?
Its not always that simple though
This is where a lot of first-time yoga mat buyers go wrong in the process. First, we consider how tall we are. Then as long as we are not taller than the yoga mat we think, This will work! So we buy the mat and regret our decision later.
Or worse yet, perhaps youre almost six feet tall and the clerk tells you, its just the standard size so youll be fine.
Lets talk more about finding whats best for your height.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
Emily Stone is a Chicago-based journalist specializing in fitness and lifestyle content. Emily uses different mats for different workouts. For yoga and pilates, shes a fan of Alos Yoga Warrior Mat , as it provides excellent traction and stability. Meanwhile, she uses the BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat for non-yoga workouts because it features extra cushioning for the joints.
Dont Miss: How Tight Should Yoga Pants Fit
Don’t Miss: How To Use Yoga Ball For Pregnancy
The Sweet Spot: 4mm Yoga Mats
There are more limited options when it comes to mats made of materials that are kinder to your body and the environment. Luckily, mats that are made from natural materials like natural rubber or cork cannot be too thick, and will therefore keep you more in control of your balance while you practice as well as give you the right grip for not slipping. For instance, DIYogi mats are made from natural rubber, which is a dense natural material extracted from rubber trees. This makes the absolute best material for grip. However, having more than 5mm thickness in natural rubber simply cant be for a yoga mat rubber is a heavy, dense material so a thicker natural rubber mat will be way too heavy. Natural rubber provides enough cushioning at 3.5 4.5mm and has more density than more common mats so there is no need to go for a thicker mat than that. If travelling with your mat to or from the studio or taking it with you on holiday is important to you, make sure you find a mat that is not too heavy and also comes with a carrying strap to help you take it anywhere.
Is The Material Of Your Yoga Mat Important
Looking past thickness for a moment, is the material of your mat important too? The material of your yoga mat can affect your practice. Its important to take material into account. Thickness levels will feel different with each material. For example, if you were using a mat made of TPE , it might feel thicker than one made of rubber but it might not be as easy to work with. Rubber tends to have a better grip as well, so with the same thickness as TPE, rubber would probably still be a better option if you are looking to have assistance with balance. Lets say that you have a mat made of NBR . This synthetic rubber will not have nearly as good of a grip and is much harder to roll out completely. This mat will feel like it has more of a cushion but no grip. This is why, despite how thick a mat is, material should always be taken into account too.
We believe that cork is the best material for a yoga mat. In fact, our mats are made out of a combination of sustainable cork and rubber.
Read Also: Does Yoga Change The Shape Of Your Body
Consider The Best Thickness That Will Protect Your Joints
Your joint health also determines the yoga or Pilates mat you need to choose.
- If you need extra cushioning and your mat is too thin, fold it under your knees or wrists when youre in a more challenging pose so that your joints are protected and you dont suffer from any pain during or after practice
- Some mats have an extra layer of material inside them to give you that extra joint protection, such as an inner layer of antibacterial cottonthats there to for added comfort as well as to keep your mat hygienic for longer.
The above should cover you perfectly unless you have a health condition, are working out with an injury or are pregnant. Ask your yoga teacher or even your physician to make sure, especially if you are practicing with swollen ankles, sensitive joints or have certain pain points that you are trying to protect while working out. Its always best to practice extra care as there is not a one-size-fits-all in terms of yoga or Pilates gear so make sure you pick whats best for yourself.
Medium Thick Yoga Mats 4 To 5mm
Most Yogis find the mats with the thickness of 4 to 5mm to be the most diverse ones. They are generally lightweight and flexible, but only when made of synthetic materials. If you have a 5 mm yoga mat of materials like natural rubber, jute, and cork, flexibility and weight will take a hit. However, that is the only point that you could consider as a downside.
The mats in this thickness range will have the perfect cushioning for regular yoga poses, and will support a variety of yoga styles as well. The medium thick mats can sufficiently absorb moisture and fluid. And finally in this range of thickness you will probably find a greater variety of material options.
Who needs medium thick mats?
- Someone looking for a versatile mat.
- Someone looking for the best quality natural rubber, cotton, cork, or hemp mat.
- An intermediate practitioner who is planning to upgrade difficulty level.
- A practitioner who needs a lot of cushions, yet not completely cut from the feel of the ground.
- Someone who has a lot of advanced level yoga poses in routine like, handstand, peacock pose, and crow pose.
- Someone who is looking for a long-term investment in a yoga mat.
Also Check: How To Prepare For First Hot Yoga Class
How Do You Clean And Maintain A Yoga Mat
Cleaning your yoga mat is easy. You can make use of a terry cloth rag or a damp sponge together with a spray bottle to apply a mixture of water and dish soap for cleaning.
You can wipe the soiled parts of your mat with this solution and rinse it off with clean water. You can finally hang your mat outdoors and let it air dry.
Is A 6mm Yoga Mat Good
The 3mm is a standard mat thickness and you will feel a close connection to the ground. For those of you who suffer from knee or joint pain, using a denser mat such as the 5mm or even a 6mm will help absorb impact and provide more cushion and support on your joints, knees and hips while you practice.
Don’t Miss: Can You Use Exercise Mat For Yoga
Can A Yoga Mat Be Too Thick
This brings us to the question, can a yoga mat be too thick? The answer is actually yes. A yoga mat that is too thick can come with some unwanted problems. When your mat is too thick, it can actually be harder to work with. Too much padding can make it easier to slip if the mat does not have a good grip. This can affect your balance which is essential to a yoga practice. This can negatively affect your practice, and that completely defeats the point of having a good yoga mat.
In addition, mats that are extra thick can be harder to unroll. Imagine if you got to a class and laid out your mat only to have the edges keep rolling back up. This can be due to the thickness and material of the mat. Certain materials hold their shape too much, making it so that the mat will never unroll just right. It would be frustrating to have to spend the beginning of each class constantly unrolling the edge of your mat and trying to flatten it down. This issue can also be due to the material of the mat.
Read Also: Can I Run After Botox
Choosing The Right Yoga Mat
Shopping for your first yoga mat or even just a new one can be an overwhelming experience. Deciding between the various materials, sizes, and thicknesses can feel like an overwhelming amount of information. This guide will cover each of these aspects and more, and should make the decision process a bit simpler.
As you read this, be mindful of who will be using this yoga mat. The yoga mat you choose should reflect your experience and dedication. Basically, if you’re new to yoga you should be looking more at basic, entry-level mats.
Recommended Reading: What Is A Male Yoga Master Called
