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A good exercise mat is essential, regardless of whether you’re an ardent yogi, a Pilates guru, a HIIT fanatic, obsessed with CrossFit, or all of the above. Fitness mats are crucial to any workout that involves floor work. For one, you don’t want to sit or lay on the ground, as it may be dirty. Additionally, laying on the bare ground can be hard and painful to your back; a proper workout mat will provide you with the comfort needed so you can extend your workout and not have to worry about pain.
Fitness mats are perfect for use at home, at a private or commercial gym, or in boutique fitness studios. Some mats are better suited to travel with, while others are more ideal for keeping in one place. Because there are so many options, it can be difficult to settle on a mat. To help you make a decision, we’ve reviewed and put together a list of the elite greatest workout mats of 2024 and included some top tips for buying a proper fitness mat.
Our Favorite Workout Mats of 2024
BalanceFrom Puzzle Workout Mat — Top Pick
Key Features
- The tiles are durable and non-skid
- It has a lightweight design and is easy to store
- It is easy to wipe clean
- Comes in a variety of different surface-area options
- A high-density EVA foam is used for ultimate comfort
The two-inch thick exercise mat will give your body the extra padding it needs to push through any workout, whether you’re doing floor exercises or practicing yoga. This mat features a tri-fold design and includes carrying handles, which will make storing it a breeze. Additionally, the vinyl exterior is puncture-resistant. It is not recommended that this mat be used underneath racks or heavy equipment, due to its cushiony nature.
You can use this thick tri-fold workout mat for all kinds of exercises since it has exceptional resilience. It comes with a 2-year warranty. This mat is best for use in home gyms, as it is not very portable.
Maximo Fitness Yoga Mat — Most Versatile
Key Features
- Comes with a handle for convenient storage and transport
- Offers multi-purpose use
- Water-resistant and non-slip design
- Available in multiple colors and sizes
- Great thickness for use on hard benches or floors
The Maximo Fitness Yoga Mat is the ideal multi-purpose exercise mat that offers unparalleled support for all floor-based exercises. Its specialized 0.6"(15mm) high-density NBR foam provides conveniently cushioned comfort when exercising, making it perfect for pilates, yoga, stretching, sit-ups, press-ups, planks, and more. Plus, the non-slip and water-resistant design of the mat ensures your workout is safe and secure and also makes the mat easy to wipe clean.
Furthermore, the fitness mat comes with a handy carrying strap for easy portability, making it suitable for picnics, camping, and travel as well. Not to mention, this yoga mat is available in five colors and three size options to choose from.
ProsourceFit Tri-Fold Workout Mat — Most Durable
Key Features
- The tri-fold design makes it easy to store
- It has a thick cushion design
- A resilient waterproof foam is used in its construction
- Vinyl surface is easy to wipe clean
- This mat measures 72"L x 24"W x 1 1/2"T
The tri-fold design of this exercise mat makes it easy to move around. It features an ultra-comfortable cushioned surface and a tri-fold design. This mat comes with two carrying handles for enhanced portability. Its most outstanding feature is the resilience and strength of the foam interior. This helps the mat retain its shape, even after long-term use. The mat is available in blue, black, gray, or purple to match any gym aesthetic.
The ProsourceFit Tri-fold exercise mat will help to make your workouts safer and more comfortable. The mat’s low maintenance allows kids and enthusiasts to get the most out of their activities.
Gaiam Essentials Thick Workout Mat — Most Comfortable
Key Features
- The mat has a cushioned support
- This yoga mat is extremely versatile and extra-comfortable
- The mat is non-toxic and free of 6P
- A yoga mat strap makes it easy to carry the mat
- It has dimensions of 72 inches long by 24 inches wide by 2/5 inch thick
People who attend classes regularly would benefit from this yoga mat. A thick and bulky mat can be a hindrance if you’re traveling with it - especially if you’re taking public transportation to your yoga studio. With a ⅖-inch thick mat, you’ll have plenty of cushioning in your mat, yet it has a low profile and can easily be rolled up. The PVC material used in this item is non-toxic and free of 6P chemicals. It measures about 72 inches by 24 inches.
This workout mat comes in a variety of beautiful colors. You can look good, do good, and feel good with the Gaiam Essentials exercise mat, thanks to its textured grip, easy cinch straps, and ideal thickness.
Gruper Thick Workout Mat — Most Eco-Friendly
Key Features
- It is made of soft, comfortable NBR material
- Available in 2/5-inch and 5 mm thicknesses
- The mat is non-toxic and eco-friendly
- It measures 72 x 32 x 0.6 inches (LxWxH)
Using a thicker yoga mat such as the Gruper Workout mat can reduce impact, providing a superior cushion to work out on. The high-quality foam material is soft, comfortable, breathable, elasticity-efficient, and durable. It also rolls up, making it perfect for bringing to the gym or yoga studio.
With thick high-grade foam rubber, it is very strong and durable, and also helps to reduce impact and provide excellent padding for your sports. The mat also features an anti-slip effect for extra protection during your workout.
Amazon Basics Yoga Mat — Most Budget-Friendly
Key Features
- Textured foam construction provides traction and stability
- It provides extra support, shock absorption, and comfort
- Soft and durable high-density TPE makes the mat comfortable and durable
This mat is great for yoga or floor exercises. The mat is super soft with padding for extra comfort. Gym and workout enthusiasts can benefit from the non-slip cushioning made from high-density foam. It comes in two different colors: green and purple.
This mat is ¼-inch thick, so it is perfect for preventing pain during yoga or floor exercises. The material is also non-slip, so you don’t have to worry about slipping and injuring yourself during an intense, sweaty workout. It is also very easy to roll up and take to the gym or yoga studio.
Finding Your Next Workout Mat: A Buyer’s Guide
Are you having a hard time settling for a mat for your workout? We’ve got you covered. This buying guide explains the various aspects of choosing an exercise mat. The last part of the guide provides answers to frequently asked questions.
How to Choose an Exercise Mat
You can exercise anywhere, including on the beach, with the help of an exercise mat. With an exercise mat, you can fit in a workout even when you don’t have time to make it all the way to the gym or studio. And on the days you can make it, you can bring your portable mat with you for enhanced comfort.
If you want to get yourself the right exercise mat, you need to consider a few factors:
Size
The ideal size for a workout mat is directly related to your height and the type of exercise you do. Larger mats are advised for taller people. It is best to choose an exercise mat that is long enough to match your height and wide enough to accommodate your movements.
Thickness
You can find both thick and thin fitness mats on the market. Depending on the exercise mat’s purpose, there are different levels of thickness. Finding your ideal level of thickness may require some trial and error. For the most comfort, an exercise mat should ideally be between 3mm and 8mm thick.
Weight
Exercise mats vary in weight depending on their thickness. The thicker the mat, the heavier it will likely be. According to your needs, you can get exercise mats that fit your exercise routine. You may want to opt for a lighter mat if you’ll constantly be on the move. For instance, a portable and lightweight mat suits a traveling yogi better than a heavy one would.
Budget
Prior to making a purchase, it is vital to establish a budget so that you don’t go beyond your price limit. However, it may be worth it to splurge a bit on your mat in the first place, as spending a little more money on a high-quality mat up front will prevent you from having to replace it down the line.
How Much Do Exercise Mats Cost?
It is usually possible to find mats at different prices depending on the product. For example, you might find a cheap exercise mat of lower quality. You’ll have to spend a little more on a high-quality exercise mat. It is not that expensive to buy a fitness mat. The prices usually range from $20 to $200.
What Are the Types of Workout Mats?
There are various types of workout mats available today. If you don’t familiarize yourself with all of the various types, you might end up choosing the wrong mat for your exercise.
Exercise mats
Exercise mats tend to be thick and large. They have a thickness of about an inch and are around 6 feet long. Mats of this type are used primarily to perform stretching exercises or mild exercises of your choice. Their vinyl cover makes them easy to clean. These are ideal for in-home use, as they are generally not very easy to travel with.
Gym floor protection mats
These floor-protecting mats protect a gym floor. It’s best not to exercise on them directly, as they are still somewhat hard. Gym floor protection mats mainly serve the purpose of protecting the gym floor from heavy equipment and dropping weights. It is instead recommended that you exercise on your workout mat.
Yoga mats
The yoga mat is the thinnest mat of all, with a standard thickness of 3mm to 6mm. Yogis use yoga mats to increase traction and provide comfort to their hands, knees, and back. Yoga can be practiced in many different ways, so different mats are available to support the various styles.
Yoga mats are usually made of PVC. PVC is flexible and adds grip to the mat. To prevent slipping while practicing hot yoga, you might want to opt for a mat with a towel-like surface that will absorb sweat. Or, you can use a regular mat and place a towel on top. Besides using natural or biodegradable fibers like hemp and cotton, you can also get yoga mats made from organic materials. If you bring your own personal mat to the studio, you won’t have to worry too much about hygiene when sharing. But you should still remember to keep your mat clean.
Pilates mats
A pilates mat is built to cushion the body and provide excellent grip. It is marginally thicker than a yoga mat. It’s possible to find some pilates mats with a grippy bottom and a somewhat slippery top so you can transition smoothly between postures.
Mats made from closed-cell foam are the most preferred type for Pilates because they are easier to clean. As opposed to yoga mats, Pilates mats are often provided by the gym. These mats are easily washable, which is essential for hygienic reasons.
Stretch mats
Despite being fully cushioned, thick, and non-foldable, stretch mats can still be moved around the room at the user’s convenience. You can expand the zone for stretching by laying multiple mats side by side. The mats are super durable as they are designed with a high-density chip foam core. They are also coated in durable PVC. This type of mat is easy to wipe clean and very durable.
How to Take Care of Your Workout Mat
You should wash your mat regularly – at least twice a month if you use it every day. A mild laundry detergent and warm water will do just fine. You can also opt for mat-specific cleaning solutions. Or, you can use an easy-to-make solution of white vinegar and tea tree oil, which you can spray on the mat, let sit for a few minutes, and then wipe off.
