Exercise Mats for your Fitness Needs

Exercise mats are mats made of special materials that promote safety in many types of exercises. These mats differ in thickness, material, durability, and form, depending on the activity it will be used for. Whether you are building your own home gym or going to a fitness club, it is important to have your own exercise mats. Yes, mats are available for rent in these gyms but for your own safety and hygienic reasons, we recommend that you buy and bring your own.

There are plenty of benefits in buying and using an exercise mat. On one hand, it protects your knees, elbows, and other parts of the body from being injured on the floor – on the other hand, it protects the floor (especially those made of wood) from sweat and impact. Also, most exercise mats are long enough to provide full protection in full-length prone exercises.

There are a few things that you have to consider in searching for the right exercise mats. Choosing the first one you see at the first equipment store you find is definitely a no-no. So, what should you really do?

First, consider what you are going to do with the mat. Is it for standing activities such as martial arts and aerobics will be made of a different material from those used in other activities such as Yoga and Pilates. For instance, Yoga mats are thicker and softer than other mats but must have a rather sticky surface to prevent slipping when executing or holding certain positions. Mats used for gymnastics have to be thick enough to absorb impact in a fall from the height of the balance beam or other equipment.

Second, consider the material that the mat is made of, but make sure to refer to the first step always. Thus, if you wish to find an eco-friendly material for your Yoga class, you can choose jute or tatami. Eco-friendly products do not have Vinyl chloride which is a carcinogen and no toxins such as Phthalates, Lead, and Cadmium. However, eco-friendly materials does have disadvantages, including being less durable that those made of synthetic materials.

Heavy duty exercise mats made from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or rubber are great for very intense floor exercises.

Mats made of solid PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) are ideally used under exercise machines. Blown PVC was injected with air – compared to solid PVC, it has more cushion; thus, blown PVC is used in many types of exercise mats. PVC mats are often resistant against mildew and puncturing. These also have antibacterial properties and are fire retardant.

For softer mats, Polyethylene foam or Polyurethane foam is used. Polyethylene foam is sturdier, easily foldable, and is great for professional use. On the other hand, Polyurethane foam is less firm and less durable; thus, it is used for amateur sports events.

Always remember that for the exercise mats to be effective, these must stick to the floor for the entire session so that you can move around without the mat sliding. The best mats absorb perspiration so that you won’t slip on the surface, especially in intense exercises.

The brand of the exercise mats often matter, too. It can’t be denied that there are brands that are more expensive yet are able to provide mats with better quality and durability.

Thera-Band creates exercise mats from lightweight, high-density Polyethylene. Their mats have a fabric-like surface that is wear resistant and washable. Mats of this brand offer maximum cushioned support for safety and comfort during exercise.

Reebok, a leading sports equipment and apparel company, also sells a wide range of exercise mats. Most of their mats have a specially formulated non-slip foam base which are wear-resistant and can be easily cleaned.

Aeromat is another popular and great option. Exercise mats of this brand are made from tear-resistant closed-cell polyfoam; thus mats are water-resistant, non-slip, and provide extra cushion.