Why do you need a yoga mat?

A yoga mat helps you stay safe and comfortable while practicing yoga. It stops you from slipping and hurting yourself, and keeps you clean. A good yoga mat makes your yoga practice better.

Best Yoga Mat MaterialRubber (natural rubber) is an eco-friendly material for yoga. It is quite heavy, weighing from 1.5 to 3 kg. Rubber mats are not very thin. Rubber keeps its shape for a long time. It is not slippery at all. Here we would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is so non-slip that if you are a beginner, it will be more difficult for you to do a number of maneuvers, to the point that you can dislocate your joint.

Suitable for professionals.

Wear resistance is at the highest level.Cotton, hemp, jute, bamboo Hypoallergenic. Excellent moisture absorption and pleasant to the touch.

Easy to clean (machine washable). However, they are slippery, so they are suitable for simple exercises. It is better to put such mats as an additional one on a regular carpet.

Mats for group training in a fitness club should be thicker and more wear-resistant.

For classes that are held without shoes - have a good antibacterial surface, since clients of group classes can take off their socks and touch the mat with their body.

For training in shoes - have a special dense structure so that the mat does not tear and retains its shape for many years. For example, a mat for functional training made of Reebok's patented composition. The service life of such mats, with proper use, care and storage, can reach 10 years.

What workouts to use - size differencesRugs come in:

long – from 200 centimeters – recommended for horizontal exercises for adultsshort – up to 140-150 centimeters – most often purchased for children or for activities in a sitting positionThe average width of exercise mats for group classes in fitness centers and gyms is usually 50-60 cm.Yoga mat - thickness 3-6 mm

This mat has good grip on the surface, does not slip and is lightweight so it can be easily transported.

Pilates mats - thickness 10-12 mmDue to the nature of the workout, they have less grip than yoga mats. There are softer and denser options.

For regular group training in the gym, we recommend using a mat with a denser structure - it will last longer.

Fitness mat - thickness 4-10 mm, but thicker is betterThis is a general-purpose training mat. It is used to soften the surface, with a minimum level of slip. It is made of NBR, PVC, TPE and economical EVA

Aerobic mats - short mats 120 - 140 cm long, 8-15 mm thickThese mats are great for stretching, abs, or weight training (like dumbbells). The thick, dense structure of aerobic mats allows you to exercise in shoes.

Mats for crossfit, functional training - thickness 8 mmUsed for intensive group training in a fitness club. You can exercise in sneakers on this mat. The two-layer structure provides softness of the mat and at the same time minimal slippage due to good adhesion to the floor.

How to Care for and Store Gym MatsLike any other product that is used in direct contact with the human body, fitness mats will require some care.

General recommendations that are guaranteed to extend the service life of the product:

It is worthwhile to study the manufacturers' advice on further care in detail after purchase. Since products from different brands may differ in their composition, the recommendations may also differ slightly.Rolling up mats and tying them tightly with rubber bands or other elements is only worth it if the rug consists of segments or quickly regains its original shape.Synthetic products should be rinsed without using aggressive chemicals and washing machines in warm water with soap. After wet treatment, they should be dried in an upright position. As for rugs made of natural materials, they should be looked after with a damp cloth.

If possible, it is recommended to store the mats unrolled. After long-term storage or active training, the mats should be hung out in the fresh air for several hours to air out. Professional mats are always equipped with eyelets for convenient storage on racks in an upright position - to avoid cracks in the middle, long service life of the equipment and the absence of an unpleasant odor.Creases and peeling will indicate that the product has become unusable. It is not recommended to use such products in the future.

Abdul Raheem is an article writer and publisher at Gracify as well as a digital marketer and content writer.