Yoga Mat Thickness And Weight
Yoga mats range from super thin and compact travel styles that weigh a mere 2 lbs. to cushy quarter-inch beasts that weigh up to 7 lbs.
If youre not sure where to start, choose a mat thats about 1/8-in. thick , a pretty standard thickness. These mats are excellent for those in a strong, flowing practice. They allow solid contact with the floor, which helps with stability during a variety of poses. Compared to thicker mats, they are also less likely to catch and get in your way when you flow from pose to pose.
Thinner mats can help increase stability for styles of yoga with more active poses or balanced, focused poses. Look for mats with textured surfaces to maintain better grip when the poses get more strenuous.
Thicker mats provide extra cushioning and are best for more therapeutic practices. If you enjoy restorative yoga, a style with fewer poses that you hold longer, for example, you may prefer a softer, more cushioned mat. Thicker mats are also more comfortable for forearm and kneeling poses and for yogis with tender knees or achy joints. But they can be more difficult to balance on during standing poses.
If your yoga plans include air travel, look for a travel mat thats specifically designed for portability. Travel mats are very thin and light and pack down smaller than traditional mats, so theyre easy to take along in your luggage. Keep in mind that you will sacrifice some cushioning with a travel mat.
How To Choose A Yoga Mat
Long hailed for its positive effects on the mind and body, yoga helps build strength and flexibility, can help relieve stress and can improve overall mental and physical wellness.
Compared to other fitness activities, yoga requires minimal gear to get started. While most studios provide everything a beginner needs, investing in your own personal mat, yoga-specific clothes and a few other items can make your experience with yoga even more enjoyable.
Video: How to Choose Yoga Gear
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.
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Pick: Csg 3/4 Thick Yoga Mat
My second choice for the Runner-Up award would have to be the CSG 3/4 Mat. This mat also delivers most of the great qualities of the Yoga Cloud. Yet it provides users who may feel that the 1 mat might be too thick with a great alternative.
Even at 1/4 less than our 1 inch thick mats, the CSG provides exceptional comfort and support for the right reasons.
If you would rather have a mat that is a little less bulky and less conspicuous then this mat is definitely a good choice.
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.
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How To Choose The Right Yoga Mat
Finding a good mat isnt tough , but when youre shopping, keep in mind all of your specific needs. Maybe you find thicker mats more comfortable for joint pain. Maybe perfect alignment is your goal, and you want a mat that provides you with ample space to stretch your legs out in Warrior II pose. And if you sweat a lot during your practice, a mat that reduces slipping might be top of mind.
Next, consider the mats portability. If youre looking for a mat you can carry with youeven if its just into the backyard for some outdoor yogaor a mat compact enough to stow under your bed, you may want to choose one that fits in a yoga strap or rolls up easily to fit inside your yoga mat carrier.
And especially in these stressful times, it can be helpful to think outside the mats functionality for a minute and choose one that just brings a smile to your face with its design and feel. Need some inspiration? Below, yoga instructors and fitness pros walk us through what they consider the best yoga mats for all types of practices and bodies.
All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
So Would 6mm Yoga Mats And Thicker Be More Comfortable
In terms of the comfort youll get with a 6mm yoga mat , any such mat may tend to become too cushion-y with time. Much like a bed thats way too soft, youll have a hard time feeling comfortable, especially when it comes to holding balancing poses or staying in the same pose for a long time. Your hands and feet are likely to simply sink into the mat, making it a chore to fight through so much thickness when you try to go from one pose to the next. At the end of the day, yoga is there to make us feel grounded, which may prove quite hard to achieve when you have too much of a barrier between your body and the ground itself.
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So Whats The Optimal Thickness Then
There is no one size fits all, but wed argue that avoiding the extremely thin mat and the ultra thick ones is the way to go for most people looking to have a supported and empowering yoga or Pilates practice. A 4-5 mm mat will be the ideal choice for many as it will ensure you keep grounded and balanced whilst having your joints protected. While regular travel mats are much thinner than that, a 4-5mm thick mat is still thin enough to be carried around with ease and taken on holiday, especially if you have a mat carrying strap at hand, which some mats come with. However, please be mindful of your own particular requirements and health condition if you have an injury, joint sensitivity or are pregnant it may be best to consult with your yoga teacher or a medical professional before you invest in your next mat. Remember that while its tempting to choose your mat by colour or pattern, its important to find one that is just right for you and make sure you are comfortable for the 1+ years of using it. A new yoga mat is truly an investment in yourself and your practice, and most of all it simply has to suit YOU and make you look forward to your next yoga or Pilates session.
Over 90000+ Happy Customers And Counting
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“Love my new mat!! Did yoga and a few other P90x workouts, it was the best mat I’ve seen in a long time. Going to by another one!”
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“I am a big guy and bought this mat specifically for stretching out and doing kettle bell workouts in my living room. Been using it for roughly a month now and love it.”
Happy Customer
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Ampio 80cm Extra Wide And Extra Long Yoga Mats
Our AMPIO Yoga Mats are 80cm wide and 4.5mm thick.
Available in lengths of 180cm , 200cm , 220cm , 240cm and 260cm .
Our AMPIO Yoga Yoga Mats are quality mats offering a good balance and traction with excellent cushioning and grip whilst remaining easy to roll up. The AMPIO Yoga Mat is particularly thick, abrasion resistant, flexible and shock absorbing, which is well-suited for sitting and standing asanas. This mat is ideal to use especially if you have wooden or tiled floors. It is textured on the top and smooth on the other side.m wide and 4.5mm thick.
What Are Extra Thick Yoga Mats
Yoga mats, in general, are used to provide a comfortable non-slip and non-skid workout space for various floor related exercises such as yoga, stretching, sit-ups, physical therapy, and even meditation.
The difference between a yoga mat and an exercise mat is the thickness of the mat. Exercise mats are usually about ¼ to ½ thicker than your typical yoga mat. Yoga mats are generally not as thick to allow for certain yoga poses to have a stronger connection to the floors surface.
There are many reasons for using a thicker mat. The main reason and most obvious would be for comfort. The second reason would be for its intended use.
Lets take a closer look at the specific reasons why using an extra thick yoga mat might be more beneficial for your needs.
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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
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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Best 1 Inch Thick Yoga Mat Reviews 2021
In our 6 best 1 inch thick yoga mat review and product guide, you will find extra thick yoga mats with padding from 3/4 inches thick up to 1 inch thick. Finding these mats can be difficult. Trust me when I say locating a store that offers a mat even remotely close to 1 is practically an impossibility.
Most mats youll find online or at your local store are 1/4 to 1/2 in thickness. This is fine for most users doing stretching and exercise movements that you would typically perform on a regular-sized yoga mat. But for some, a thicker mat can mean the difference between using your mat the way it was intended, or not using it at all due to discomfort.
Prosourcefit 1 Thick Yoga Mat
With all the features, available colors, and bargain price, how could I not make this my top choice?
Do you need some extra cushion to help relieve pain on sensitive joints during your yoga or Pilates class? Then look no more, the ProsourceFit 1 thick yoga mat will deliver a pain-free way to perform and perfect your yoga poses every time.
The Prosourcefit is made from high-density 1-inch thick durable foam and provides the necessary support and stability you would expect from any quality yoga mat,
These extra thick yoga mats are available in 6 different colors and come with a free carrying sling for easy portability.
Currently only black & blue available
ProsoureFit: Lifetime Warranty 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
Key Features
- Free yoga mat carrying sling
- 6 Colors: Black, Blue, Aqua, Purple, Green, Gray
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Yoga Mat Materials And Durability
When selecting the material for your yoga mat, you can choose anything from inexpensive PVC to environmentally friendly natural rubber. Which material you choose will affect the mats price, weight, grip and durability. Generally, thicker mats last longer than thinner mats. That said, mat durability is also related to the material the mat is made from.
PVC is a plastic-based material that is highly durable, easy to clean and offers excellent floor grip. However, PVC mats are non-absorbent and can become slippery when you sweat heavily. PVC is latex-free, a benefit to those with latex allergies, however, it is not biodegradable or as environmentally friendly as other options.
TPE is a man-made blend, usually of plastic and rubber polymers. TPE mats may be more environmentally friendly than PVC, and some are fully recyclable. TPE mats are generally less durable than PVC mats of the same thickness, but still deliver good traction.
Eco / naturalmats come from a variety of sources, including natural rubber, organic cotton, and jute. Compared to other options, eco mats are slightly less grippy on the floor, but their natural texture provides traction for your body. Eco mats lack the decade-long durability of PVC, yet they top the list if sustainability is your priority.
Extra Long Yoga Mat For Tall People: A Guide 5
Standard Yoga mat length is about 68. This means anyone over 58 wont be able to stretch out fully on their mat in Savasana. And really tall people might start to have issues in wide stance poses like warrior II, wide-legged forward fold, and downward dog. So this is where an extra long yoga mat for tall people can help. Its also helpful to have some extra width too in poses like wide-legged childs pose. The following are some possible options.
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Extra Thick Yoga Mat 5/8 Inch With No Stick Ridge
- Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
24 x 6 x 6 inches |
Item Weight |
- by entering your model number.
- HAVE A PAINLESS WORKOUT: Save your joints and resume your health journey with the help of a thick, non-slip yoga mat. Available in black, blue, pink, and red
- HIGH-DENSITY YOGA MAT: Made with ultra-thick foam material. Measures 71″ long x 24.25″ wide and 5/8 an inch thick
- THE RIDGED DIFFERENCE: Wavy texture makes for safe, slip-free use. The ridges create a cooling effect that captures excess moisture, so you never lose grip. This means less risk of injury for you, and more concentration on your workout
- MULTI-PURPOSE: Great for gym, schools, classes, Pilates, stretching, floor exercises, or even as a seat cushion or sleeping pallet for camping or daycare facilities
- WITH CARRYING STRAP: Convenient way to take your yoga mat on the go, to the gym, studio, or home workout room
- High-density foam mat measures 16 mm thick
- Perfect for Pilates, Yoga and other floor exercises
- Ridged texture creates a non-stick, moisture-resistant surface for a comfortable workout
- Mat measures 71 inches long and 24 1/4 inches wide
- Carrying handle allows for convenient transportation, no-slip bottom helps prevent injury