What Thickness Yoga Mat Should You Get

What Is A Good Thickness For Yoga Mats

• Mats that come with a -inch thickness are generally the best ones if youre looking for portability. They are light in weight and offer plenty of stability when youre doing your poses.
• ¼-inch mats are great for those who need more cushioning in order to protect sensitive joints and bones.
• 5/16-inch mats are good for those who do floor workouts and means protection for their spine.

The Best Yoga Mat For Bikram Yoga

Yoga is all about enjoyment and relaxation, but when you sit on a mat so thin that you can feel your ankles digging into the floor below, it’s hard to focus on your breath, much less relax. Selecting the right yoga mat depends on a few factors, and once you have the ideal thickness of mat, you’ll be able to more easily focus on the teacher’s instructions.

What’s The Difference Between A Yoga Mat And An Exercise Mat

A yoga mat is typically thinner than an exercise mat, features a textured surface for helpful grip, and provides a medium firmness for support, comfort, and grounding. Meanwhile, an exercise mat tends to be much thicker and is either very firm to support heavy gym equipment or very cushioned to keep you comfortable during bodyweight exercises.

Verywell Fit / Joline Buscemi

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How Much Do I Sweat

If you tend to sweat during your yoga practice, an ordinary yoga mat will not help you so much. You will probably need a sticky grippy yoga mat. You can look for natural rubber yoga mats or yoga mats layered with PU material. These yoga mats are known for their super sticky feature that prevents you from slipping during the Downward Dog or Warrior poses.

You can also consider buying a hot yoga towel to place on top of a regular yoga mat. However, it is not always convenient to bring both a yoga mat and yoga towel for every practice.

So instead of buying both yoga mat and yoga towel, you should probably consider investing in a high-quality natural rubber yoga mat that can solve your slipping problem.

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Is A Yoga Mat Or Yoga Rug Better

If you practice certain types of yoga such as Ashtanga, you might be familiar with a yoga rug. They are made from cotton or jute and were used long before yoga mats were created. Both yoga rugs and yoga mats have their benefits so its down to your personal need. A yoga mat will provide more cushion for your knees and better grip, whereas a yoga rug is more traditional and feels much more natural on your hands.

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Should You Buy A Cheap Yoga Mat

You can get a basic, thin, solid-colour PVC mat for less than £10. If you’re not sure how well you’ll take to yoga, you could always try a cheap mat to start with, but bear in mind it may be less durable.

And try not to substitute price for truly important features if you’ve got dodgy knees, it could be well worth spending a bit more for extra padding.

This doesnt mean you cant find a bargain yoga mat. Just double check it has the features you need before investing. Reading customer reviews will help, though keep a watching eye out for potentially fake reviews take a look at our guide on how to spot fake reviews.

Keep track of all your fitness activities with the help of thebest fitness trackers look out for one that lets you track yoga as well as activities such as running and cycling.

Versatile Multipurpose Yoga Mat: Lulemon Reversible Mat

• Price: £48
• Thickness: 3mm
• Size: 180cm x 66cm

You can use this mat for a variety of yoga types. One side has a polyurethane top layer, which offers the grip needed for hotter, sweatier workouts. The other, smoother side is more suited to restorative or yin yoga. The Lulemon Reversible Yoga Mat comes in a variety of colours and patterns.

Lulemon also offers thicker and bigger versions of its reversible mat, with higher price tags.

View or buy theLulemon Reversible Yoga Mat.

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Where To Buy Yoga Mats

As yoga becomes more popular an increasing number of retailers are selling mats, including both generalists and dedicated yoga shops. Popular shops that sell yoga equipment include.

Find out how popular retailers, including Amazon, John Lewis and Sports Direct, performed in our survey of the best and worst shops.

Pay Attention To The Material

Most yoga mats, especially the inexpensive ones, are made of PVC, which is not the most eco-friendly option. PVC is not biodegradable, which means the mat might last a bit longer, but its not environmentally friendly. You might consider jute, recycled or natural rubber, or even organic cotton when looking into the materials of your new mat. Make sure that toxic glues were not used in the production process. You dont want any nasty metals, such as cadmium or lead in your mat. Yoga mat brands disclose these details, so check everything before you buy. Note that youll want to avoid natural-rubber mats if youre allergic to latex. Go for a different natural material, such as jute or cotton.

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Ultra Thin Yoga Mats 04 To 2mm

The ultra-thin mats are designed specifically keeping in mind the travel need of practitioners. The cushioning is obviously going to be low with these mats. After few sequences of practice, during the pose hold, you will feel the ground pushing against your joints. You also must not expect much fluid or moisture absorption from these mats. The ultra-thins will quickly get sweaty.

The balance and grip will not be an issue with these mats if the material is natural and dense. On the utmost plus side, you will be able to carry these mats anywhere, in anything. Folding and bending the ultra-thin mats are the easiest, not to mention they weigh the lightest. Note the 0.4 mm mats are extremely thin, and they are only worth considering if the material is something like natural rubber or cork.

Who needs ultra thin Mats?

• These are definitely for people who travel a lot and practice yoga on the go.
• Someone who really wants a natural rubber or cork mat, but you are low on budget.
• Someone with a need for a synthetic material mat, but also wants to minimize the carbon footprint.
• People who mostly practice seated light restorative poses, seated meditative poses, and pranayama.

Best Yoga Mat Thickness Guide: How Thick Your Mat Should Be

• Extra thick yoga mats

The thickness of a yoga mat is one of the key considerations for comfortability and durability. It decides how comfortable your yoga practice will about to happen. Especially in those backward bends where your joints pressed against the hard floor surface.

However, choosing an extra-thick yoga mat could add challenges in your balancing posture and it can take much space on folding. What works here is thickness between extra thick and ultra-thin mats!

In this article, we will see the importance of yoga mat thickness, in what different thickness mats come, and how can we decide which thickness is best for you.

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What Is The Best Thickness For A Yoga Mat

Yoga is an excellent exercise for your body and mind. It tones your muscles, stretches your muscles, increases your flexibility, and develops your balance.

Many people enjoy practising yoga, but some are confused about what kind of yoga mat they should use?

There are many different kinds of yoga mats available. Some are very thin  others are thick. Some are made out of natural materials  others are man-made. As a result, there is a lot of confusion regarding choosing the right type of yoga mat. 

In this article, Ill discuss what you should be looking for in a yoga mat, the ideal thickness for a yoga mat, why it matters, and give you some tips on choosing the right one for you.

Lets get started!

The 10 Best Yoga Mats For 2021

Whether youre a newbie or an expert, these superlative mats will support you through any practice.

This definitive guide provides information on the 10 best yoga mats available based on features like thickness, material, texture, grip, durability and price. In it, we offer suggestions on which yoga to buy for different practices based on our own testing as well as input from professional yoga instructors.

Of all the mats we tested and asked experts about, Decathlon’s Kimjaly 8mm Yoga Mat offers the best balance of features for the most approachable price. It’ll suit yogis of all types with its grip, and at eight-millimeters, it’s very comfortable but doesn’t sacrifice much stability and remains lightweight.

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• Comes with a shoulder strap

• Not made from eco-friendly material
• Experts might favor less cushioning

Manduka’s Pro yoga mat has six millimeters of high-density foam to prop up your poses. It forms an incredibly sturdy platform that isn’t too squishy but does keep you comfortable. The material also stands up to sweat and bacteria, so it won’t get grimy over its long lifetime . Manduka backs that up with a lifetime wear-and-tear guarantee.

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• Material is easy to keep clean
• More durable and lasts longer than cheaper mats

• Heavy at 7.5 pounds

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• Won’t last as long as other mats

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Weight Of The Yoga Mat

A thicker yoga mat will be heavier compared to a thinner yoga mat. A 6.35 mm thick yoga mat can weigh up to 3.18 kilos. The lighter the yoga mat is, the easier it is to carry it or to bring it during travel or when bringing it home, to the yoga studio, or generally outside. Many manufacturers sell lightweight yoga mats with slings or bags to make it easier to be carried and to be stored.

How Long Will A Yoga Mat Last

Thereâs no exact timeline for how long you can keep using a yoga mat. Most will last about one year, but this can change depending on the quality of your mat, how frequently you use it, and how you take care of it. No matter what type of yoga mat you prefer, keeping yours in tip-top shape by cleaning and storing it properly can help prolong its life and let you get your flow on comfortably.

A quality yoga mat is paramount to set you up for success in your yoga practice. Not only will it help you maintain balance and have the correct posture in a pose, it will keep your joints and muscles safe so that you can maintain your practice for years and years to come, Baldino says. The good news is that there are so many great yoga mats out there, finding the right one for you should be as easy as downward-facing dog.

The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on , , and for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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Need Help Choosing The Best Yoga Mat

As you may have noticed, there are quite a few different mats to choose from, and we hope that it has helped you choose the yoga mat that best suits your needs, yoga style and budget.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send us an e-mail. We like to think along with you to find the yoga mat that is perfect for you 🙂

Best Cushioned: Balancefrom Goyoga All

• Plenty of cushion for sensitive joints

• Less stable than other options

• Foam stretches and imprints over time

Those who prefer to double up on yoga mats for extra cushioning need to try this mat from BalanceFrom. Made of high-density foam material, the mat safely protects and cushions the spine, hips, knees, and more while you exercise.

Along with yoga, the half-inch-thick premium mat suits a variety of activities. Its also super lightweight and portable. With dual-sided non-slip surfaces, the mat ensures a stable, balanced workout while protecting joints from hard flooring. Itâs also moisture-resistant, so sweat beads right off and wont seep in. Its easy to clean using soap and water. It also comes with an adjustable strap for easy travel.

Thickness: 0.5 in | Material: High-density foam | Size: 71 x 24 in | Weight: 1.8 lbs | Style: Closed-cell

• Cork grain can shed

• Can be slippery when dry

Cork is an eco-friendly, renewable resource thatâs hand-harvested from the outer bark of the cork oak tree every nine years. This yoga mat features a soft, fine-grain cork top from this tree, plus a foam bottom. Cork naturally provides a non-slip surface, ensuring exceptional traction and grip. It also naturally possesses antimicrobial properties, eliminating bacteria and making cleanup a breeze. Meanwhile, the closed-cell foam bottom will not absorb moisture or odor.

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How We Engineered A Yoga Mat With The Perfect Amount Of Thickness

Did you know that we engineered our own yoga mat? We at Body By Yoga knew that having the right mat is essential to a good practice. Therefore, we decided to create our own mat that is sustainable, thick, and has a good grip.

So, how are our mats made, and what makes them different from other mats?

We used two different materials. The reason that we chose to do this is because we are aware that each material has different benefits. Our mats are made out of natural cork and rubber. Natural rubber is weighted, making it less likely to slip. Therefore, we decided to put it on the bottom of our mat. This makes it possible to grip the floor better, but if you chose to practice on carpet, the rubber would help to weigh the mat down and keep it in place. In addition, it creates more padding, making it better for sensitive knees. The rubber on the bottom of the mat will also help to keep it weighed down so that when you unroll it, it stays in place and holds the shape you want it to. Our rubber is made naturally in Vietnam and we use this instead of TPE. This avoids the sponginess that some mats can have. When a mat is too spongy, it is hard to balance.

Most cork mats do not use very much cork at all. In fact, many only have a layer of cork that is as thin as sandpaper. Our mats have six times as much cork, but they hold their shape and do not break apart with use.

Factors To Consider When Buying A Yoga Mat

When trying to buy a product that you know you will use almost every single day, you must take the time to check it out thoroughly. Look for something that is the perfect fit, and make sure that you are getting the most out of your money.

With yoga mats, there are four factors that you need to consider in order to choose the one that matches your specific needs and preferences.

• Size

Yoga is a practice that is embraced by individuals from all walks of life. Men, women, and children from all over the world enjoy this discipline and do it as a form of exercise. That being said, it is understandable that there are varying sizes of yoga mats that are available on the market today.

The standard size for a yoga mat has a length of 172 centimeters or around 68 inches. If you are a beginner, it is advisable to invest in a yoga mat that is in the accustomed length. However, if you know you are shorter or taller than the average individual, then you can go ahead and buy a yoga mat that is the right length for you.

To know if a yoga mat is the perfect length for you, test it by doing a Downward-Facing Dog position. In such pose, both hands and feet should be rested firmly on the mat. You can also lie down and check if your head is positioned safely on the mat and not on the bare floor. Longer yoga mats measure up to 85 inches.

• Material

• Weight

• Thickness

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What To Look For When Choosing The Right Yoga Mat

The right yoga mat has to serve its purpose, align with your values, and offer a degree of convenience. If you are taller, choose a longer yoga mat if your joints give you trouble, choose a thicker yoga mat of 6-10mm and if you will practice in the park or on the sand, choose a cotton yoga mat thats easy to wash.

Practically, a yoga mat needs to be:

• Made of a durable material
• Easy to clean/wash

Other yoga mat options include:

• Colourful designs
• Symbolic drawings
• Personalised print
• Alignment markings.

If you sweat a lot or are planning to do a Hot Yoga class, you will need a yoga mat that has the most grip. Cork yoga mats are a good option.

A calmer yoga, like Yin Yoga or Kundalini Yoga, involves a lot more sitting and laying down. To do them in comfort, consider a softer and more insulating yoga mat.

Tip: When the yoga mat gets wet it loses its grip. This is more true for synthetic yoga mats. Natural yoga mats made from cotton and cork gain more grip when wet.

Lets take a look at your options in choosing a yoga mat material