How To Pick A Good Yoga Mat

How To Choose The Best Yoga Mat

Looking to buy a yoga mat? If you think the only considerations are its colour and design, think again. Not all yoga mats are created equal. Heres how to make the best decision

When it comes to buying the best yoga mat, there are more variables to consider than first meet the eye. Your first and most important choice might be to seek out either an eco yoga matmade of natural materialsversus whats most commonly available on the market.

“Most mats are made of PVC, latex, plastic or rubber,” says Hema Murty, PhD, owner of Shanti Consulting, a fitness consulting company in Ottawa that offers one-on-one and group personal training and yoga instruction. However, some of these materials may be toxic to the people who use them. “Eco-friendly mats do not emit toxins,” says Murty, whose background in yoga includes intensive yoga training in India.

Testing Out Yoga Mats

In addition to checking a yoga mats cushioning and traction and how it feels underfoot, consider that some styles of yoga, such as Bikram yoga, also dictate what type of yoga mat is most safe and effective. “Hot yoga entails a lot of sweating,” says Murty. “Therefore, cotton yoga rugs are generally used in place of the latex mats.”

Once you buy a yoga mat, the next test is to see if its a good fit for you. Sometimes thats a matter of trial and error since not all yoga mat materials have the same “feel.”

Choose The Right Stickiness

Without good stickiness, you cannot really kill those moves and poses since youre worried about getting slipped. A good yoga mat should provide nice stickiness that keeps you from sliding all over the place even when you are doing difficult poses.

In general, PVC mat is considered to have the highest sticky factor which will surely hold things together. However, you need to make sure that your PVC yoga mat is always clean so it can keep its stickiness. You might want to wash a PVC yoga mat with a handy yoga mat cleaner before you use it.

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Choose The Right Thickness

Yes, the thickness should be the first consideration when you are planning to buy a yoga mat. Why? Well, because you will do all those stretches and poses of your daily yoga on that mat. You cant expect to do the movements on a mat without proper thickness.

A good yoga mat should be at least 1/8 inch thick which can provide a nice comfort while still maintaining your connection with the flooring. If you are planning to bring your yoga mat here and there, you might want to consider choosing a yoga mat around 1/6 inch thick which can be folded easily. You can also find a yoga mat with 1/4 inch thick but it can be quite wobbly.

Why Choose A Thick Yoga Mat

The thick Love Generation mats are actually the same as the PVC yoga mats described above, only they have a nice thickness of 6 mm. This gives more comfort and support, and also feels warmer on, for example, a cold floor.

This is the best yoga mat for more comfort when practicing. We also recommend this mat for quiet yoga styles where you do more lying exercises . Furthermore, this mat is especially recommended for the elderly and people with joint problems, because you will get pain less in your back, ankles, knees, etc. on a softer, thicker surface.

These mats are slightly heavier than the 4mm Love Yoga mats, but they are still easy to take with you on the bike. Washing in the washing machine is allowed, but is less recommended because the mat is actually too thick to spin properly. Scrubbing in the shower or cleaning with dettol is preferred.

A disadvantage of a thick yoga mat is the contact with the floor. The thickness of the yoga mat ensures that the surface is a lot softer. This can make the balance postures a little more challenging.

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Why Learning What Makes A Good Yoga Mat Is So Important

When you set out to get a yoga mat, you will come across several options, and while all of these options may look like a good choice, there are several things you must consider when getting one. A high-quality yoga mat is a secret to performing some of the most difficult stretches and maintaining your balance. Certain yoga mats provide more stability than others, sticking to the floor and helping you stick to them.

Furthermore, some yoga mats are made from better materials than others. We encourage you to read our article discussing whether or not yoga mats are toxic. There, youll learn the impact on your physical health that traditional yoga mats can pose. All this considered, you want to get the safest, highest-quality mat possible getting you the most bang for your buck. And were here to help you do just that lets dive in!

Buying Guide For Yoga Mats: How To Choose The Right One

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Why do you need a yoga mat?

• A yoga mat gives you your personal yoga space. If you are practising yoga in a public park, defining your space with the help of a mat prevents public intrusion in that area to let you do yoga without any disturbances.

• It is made up of anti-skid material. Thus, it will prevent you from slipping due to sweat leading to injuries while performing the yoga asanas.

• A yoga mat will always be your friend on a rainy morning. If it had rained all night and your lawn grass is wet, performing yoga on special yoga mats will let you continue your yoga without getting wet.

Types of yoga mats

• Sticky yoga mats

• Travel yoga mats

• Natural rubber yoga mats

• Jute yoga mat

• Cotton yoga mat

Image Source: Pexels.comThings to consider while buying a yoga mat?Types of yoga mats with price & features

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Before You Make A Decision

Exhaust your resources! When browsing mats online, be sure to read the reviews to get more information about the mat. At your next yoga class, talk to a few people and ask them what they like about their mat, where they got it, and how much it was. Yoga teachers typically have a favorite mat so be sure to ask your instructor too!

The Mats Style And Patterns May Depict Your Personality

After considering the mats thickness, material, flatness, and stickiness, now its finally time to satisfy your design cravings! The only thing you need to care about is that, make sure the patterns on your mat are not too attractive.

This would cause all your attention to be diverted again and again, and you would end having a poor yoga exercise. You obviously do not want that, right?

You can follow the exact same guide for choosing the best yoga mats for kids.

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How To Choose A Yoga Mat That Looks And Feels Admirable

The very first thing that you should add to your shopping cart when you are planning to do yoga in your home is the mat. You cant really pose and move your body without a proper yoga mat.

You might think, well, its just a mat, just go ahead buying the one which looks stylish when actually its way more than that. The main purpose of a yoga mat is to provide you with a nice spot so you can pose and move your body comfortably. It includes stickiness, smoothness, firmness, and stability.

So, choosing a yoga mat can be quite a challenging job to do since you may end up wasting your money on the one which is only about the look, not the function. Your yoga mat is not merely part of your decor but it should support your healthy lifestyle.

To help you out, we share with you a complete guide on How to Choose a Yoga Mat that you can use as an ultimate reference below.

How To Choose The Perfect Yoga Mat Thickness

HomeBlogYoga Mat Reviews & TipsHow To Choose The PERFECT Yoga Mat Thickness

If youre just getting started in yoga and learning about yoga mats, it can be really complicated to understand all the different yoga mat types and what each thickness is ideal for. Lets begin with understanding what the best yoga mat thickness is.

As a general rule, there are 4 different yoga mat thickness types. Extra thick yoga mats are ideal for sensitive joints. Thick yoga mats can protect joints and average yoga mats are the most commonly used. Travel mats are very thin but great for folding into a backpack.

Next, we need to understand what yoga mat thickness is perfect for us.

In the rest of the article I will:

• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of each yoga mat thickness
• Discuss the types of yoga that are most suited to each yoga mat thickness
• Give you a recommendations of highly rated yoga mats in each thickness category
• I will help you decide which yoga mat thickness is the best for you

For more information on how to find your ideal yoga mat, here is How To Choose the BEST Yoga Mat in 8 Steps.

I will cover the following in this article:

Lets now have a look at these in greater detail.

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/9 Can I Use Yoga Mat For Exercise

Yoga mats are helpful for exercises other than yoga because they offer a layer of protection over wooden floors to prevent damage, give users a cushion while stretching before and after workouts, provide a non-slip surface during aerobic exercises, and provide a soft surface for high impact exercises.

What Should I Look For When Buying A Yoga Mat

Jazzy patterns catch the eye, but put them aside and youre left with four simple criteria:

Grip: This applies to both the top and underside of the mat. Its impossible to enjoy a relaxing yoga session when you cant plant your hands in downward dog without slipping. Consider mats made from sticky materials, such as rubber, or those with a non-slip coating. Your mat should lie flat on any surface, from carpet to tiles, and provide the most stable base possible.

Support: Look for a mat thats thick enough to protect your spine from hard floors but not so cushioned that your limbs will sink into it, throwing you off balance. Mats that are between 4mm and 6mm thick tend to be just right.

Durability: Your yoga mat wont have to withstand intense HIIT workouts or dropped dumbbells , but it should emerge unscathed from dynamic practice, without any rips or dents.

Portability: A mat with great get-up-and-go credentials can be a great yoga companion if youre a fan of an al fresco session. Look for thinner mats that roll up easily and have a carry strap if you prefer Pilates in the park to flows in your front room.

On our quest to find the best yoga mats, we also considered sustainability, style and any original features before naming our favourites.

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Best Yoga Mats For Beginners: Comparison Chart

How Do I Choose The Right Yoga Mat If I Want To Buy A Yoga Mat

Yoga has grown strongly in recent years. More and more people are discovering that it is a great way to keep your body healthy, release stress, and live a clearer and more conscious life. A nice side effect is that you can practice yoga anywhere and anytime you don’t need expensive fitness equipment or a whole lot of equipment.

A yoga mat and comfortable yoga pants will suffice. Yoga clothing and mats are now available in many different shapes and sizes. And hopefully this article will help you choose the yoga mat that is best for you!

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Do You Travel A Lot Or Do You Always Practice At Home

If you frequently travel and still dont want to miss out on your yoga practice, then you know you need a yoga mat by your side – always – wherever you go. The good thing is that there are travel mats made specifically for that purpose. They are lightweight and can be folded to a size that fits into your luggage without any problem. I am an online yoga teacher and I travel a lot with only a carry-on. I love that my yoga mat folds up to the size of a book

If you prefer to practice at home, then I recommend getting a cork yoga mat, they are so beautiful and offer great support, but they take a bit more space! This cork yoga mat is an all-time favorite, get it here!

A Good Eco Yoga Mat Made Of Tpe

If you are looking for a good mat that is also ecologically responsible, then you will quickly end up with a TPE yoga mat. Yoga mats are getting better, also for the environment. TPE is an abbreviation of Thermo Plastic Elastomer, also called Thermo Plastic Rubber. This material is basically a synthetic rubber.TPE yoga mats are biodegradable and are made without toxic substances. That is why they are allowed to wear the Eko Quality Mark.

TPE yoga mats are remarkably soft and elastic compared to a PVC yoga mat. The surface is super rough. The material has an open cell structure, so you will slide less quickly during a sweaty yoga class. The mat has a more neutral odor than a rubber yoga mat, and is well suited for people with a latex allergy. Due to the softness, optimal grip and extra thickness, this mat is extra nice for quiet yoga styles and combinations such as first Vinyasa Flow and then Yin Yoga.

The disadvantage of this mat is that it is more vulnerable than a PVC yoga mat. For example, it is better not to leave the mat in the sun for a long time or to throw it in the washing machine. The mat will also wear out faster with very intensive use .

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Best Yoga Mats Of 2022 And Where To Buy Them New York

Manduka Prolite® Yoga Mat, $99 This mat is recommended by teachers around the world, and with such great specs, its easy to see why. Its Life Fitness Best for Yoga on the Go: RumiEarth Sun Yoga Mat Super Lite · $99 at Amazon Best for Versatility: Lululemon The Reversible Mat · $88 at Lululemon.

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. Your yoga mat does more than keep you from slipping and

Ok What Should I Look For When I Purchase A Yoga Mat

If you are going to buy a yoga mat, of course you first want to know what to look out for. What are the differences between the various yoga mats and which yoga mat fits best with the style you practice.

The choice for a particular yoga mat depends on, among other things, the following aspects:PRICEHow much do you want to spend on a yoga mat?YOGA STYLEWhat style of yoga do you practice? Do you need a soft or a slightly harder mat for this? Do you suffer quickly from your joints or a cold floor, or do you practice very often and intensively and do you want a yoga mat that gives you a lot of stability?APPEARANCEIs there a color that appeals to you more than any other? A mat that you like in terms of color and design can have a positive effect on your motivation to practice regularly.DURABILITYHow intensive is your yoga practice? Do you go to a quiet yoga class once a week, or do you spend an hour and a half working intensively on your mat?WEIGHTDo you want to take your mat with you on the bike? Or does your yoga mat have to fit into your suitcase when you travel? Or do you always practice on the same permanent spot and is the weight of the mat not so important?SIZEIs a standard mat enough for me or is it better for me to choose an extra long or wide yoga mat?MATERIALIs it important for me to pay attention to the type of material due to sensitivity to certain substances, for example rubber?ENVIRONMENTDo I want a yoga mat that is biodegradable?

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Best For Travel: Jade Travel Yoga Mat

If youre the type to jump on your yoga mat between flights at the airport or in your hotel room, then the Jade Travel Yoga Mat is for you. The cushion and density of this natural rubber mat is impressive considering how lightweight and thin it is. The color options are limited but beautiful jewel-tones.

There is nothing toxic or synthetic about this mat, and Jade Yoga goes the extra mile to sustainably manufacture their mats in the USA. They even plant a tree for every mat sold! I like that this mat has little to no rubbery smell and the sticky grippy surface is easy to clean. But this stickiness is also a downside because the mat does hold onto dirt and dog hair, so it may not be the best for outdoor practice.

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