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The Best Workout Mats

Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com
🕚 Updated January 2023

If you want to exercise on a clean, safe surface, check out these workout mats. Whether you're into Pilates, yoga, push-ups, stretches, or sit-ups, a workout mat will give you the grippy surface you need for various floor exercises.

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  Best Interlocking Mat Best for Yoga Best Folding Mat Best Interlocking Mat Best for Yoga
 
  BalanceFrom
Puzzle Exercise Mat
BalanceFrom
All Purpose Extra Thick Yoga Mat
ProsourceFit
Tri-Fold Folding Thick Exercise Mat
Gxmmat
Large Yoga Mat
CAMBIVO
Extra Long and Wide Yoga Mat
 
Our SummaryAn interlocking puzzle mat you can quickly take apart for storage.This extra-thick yoga cushion supports the body, making it great for beginner yogis.This cushy three-sectioned mat folds up and cleans up easily.A workout mat for yoga and Pilates with tons of space and a firm, nonskid surfaceA mat made for tall yogis with a genius double-sided textured surface for non-slip grip.
Pros✓ Top-of-the-line safety
✓ Fantastic coverage
✓ Variety of thicknesses ✓ Perfect for unusually shaped areas
✓ High-density foam
✓ Half-inch thick
✓ Soft and supportive
✓ Includes mat strap
✓ Cushions and supports
✓ Measures 6 x 2 feet
✓ Great for outdoor exercise
✓ For tumbling and grappling
✓ Dense EPE foam and vinyl cover design
✓ Easy to clean and carry
✓ Perfect for large spaces and doing yoga
✓ 6 x 4 feet
✓ 7 millimeters of memory foam
✓ Nonskid surface
✓ Easy to clean and store
✓ 7 x 2.5 feet
✓ Double-sided
✓ Non-slip mat texture
✓ All-purpose
✓ Safe TPE
✓ Mesh middle for anti-tear longevity
Cons✗ The pieces shift
✗ Not that durable
✗ Unstable surface for balance poses
✗ May trip up feet in some poses
✗ Too narrow for adults to use for gymnastics or grappling✗ Not as soft and thick
✗ Large size may be too large
✗ Not much wider than standard mats
✗ Heavier than most at 5 pounds
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The Best Workout Mats

Man and woman in sportswear doing workout in living room on exercise mats.
Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com

Buying Guide for Workout Mats

Woman drinking water after training on the sport mat.
oneinchpunch/Shutterstock.com

Why buy a workout mat?

Here’s a challenge: try and find a gym that doesn’t have a matted floor or individual mats to borrow. Chances are you won’t because workout mats add safety and comfort and enhance performance. You could try a beach towel or a blanket, but it won’t be the same. A good workout mat won’t move around as you leap and bound and stretch. It absorbs sweat but doesn’t become a soggy mess. It’s easier to clean and gentler on the joints and skin than a towel or the floor alone.

What should you look for in a workout mat?

  • Thickness: For high-impact sports like weight training and martial arts, safety is a must. Thick, dense mats provide cushion and enough stiffness to create a rebound for doing burpees and tuck jumps, for example. Thinner ones may be more suited for low-impact sports. Safety concerns should be a top consideration!
  • Size: Mats can come in various sizes. Larger areas can support larger mats. This might be the case for starting a home gym or studio. A smaller mat can be more portable and easier to store if there is a space concern. Yet, there are puzzle workout mats to consider as well for creating a variety of sizes.

What are the best workout mats made of?

The most common workout mat materials are high-density EVA and EPA foams, PVC, TPE, and natural rubber. Each has its pros and cons, from expense to performance. Take natural rubber, for example. It absorbs sweat, making it great for activities like yoga, where slipping is dangerous, but it can emit an odd odor. Ultimately, most of these materials will serve you well, but there isn’t one specific material that’s best for everyone.

Our Picks for the Best Workout Mats

Best Interlocking Mat

BalanceFrom Puzzle Exercise Mat

An interlocking puzzle mat you can quickly take apart for storage.

Pros: The BalanceFrom Puzzle Exercise Mat provides top-of-the-line safety and fantastic coverage for any workout space. Each mat tile measures 24 inches long by 24 inches wide and comes in various thicknesses for various uses. You can find them in 1/2-inch, 3/4-inch, or 1-inch options. These mats are perfect if you have a larger or unusually shaped area to cover. At the size that they are, you will be able to cover plenty of space with a few mat tiles. The interlocking puzzle pieces make it especially easy to set up and tear down in any configuration.

Cons: The pieces shift over time and are not as durable as users have hoped.

Bottom Line: These mat tiles are made with high-density EVA foam and are water- and noise-resistant, making them a breeze to clean. They come with end borders to ensure that your mat setup has a clean line.

 

Best for Yoga

BalanceFrom All Purpose Extra Thick Yoga Mat

This extra-thick yoga cushion supports the body, making it great for beginner yogis.

Pros: Yogis of any level will love the BalanceFrom GoYoga Mat. This high-density foam mat measures 71 inches long by 24 inches wide and boasts a full 1/2-inch thickness for added cushion and comfort on sensitive areas like knees, elbows, hips, and spines. A free mat strap is included to make transport and storage even easier.

Cons: This extra cushy mat makes an unstable surface for balance poses. The material can also interfere with asanas like namaskara where you hop your feet forward.

Bottom Line: While you exercise, this mat ensures you’ll be safe with a slip-resistant design on both sides. It comes in a variety of colors to suit your style. It is also moisture-resistant and easily cleaned with soap and water to get right back to your yoga sessions.

 

Best Folding Mat

ProsourceFit Tri-Fold Folding Thick Exercise Mat

This cushy three-sectioned mat folds up and cleans up easily.

Pros: Ooh, a tri-folding mat! This 1.5-inch thick mat offers a cushion and support when you sit down to stretch or perform core exercises. It’s spacious, too, measuring 6 x 2 feet, and great for tumbling or a bit of grappling. Take it outside for an outdoor yoga session; the dense EPE foam and vinyl cover design will protect your joints and make an easy post-workout cleanup. The carrying handles make the mat easy to tote from room to room or to the gym.

Cons: It may make a nice gymnastics mat for kids, but it’s too narrow for some adults.

Bottom Line: This simple yet genius tri-fold workout mat has the perfect combination of cushion and stability. It makes a great space to relax and stretch or work hard.

 

Best Large Mat

Gxmmat Large Yoga Mat

A workout mat for yoga and Pilates with tons of space and a firm, nonskid surface .

Pros: This will be the perfect mat if you have a larger area for working out and tend to take up space with your exercises. You’ll feel freer and more open than on a standard yoga mat size. It’s a whopping 72 inches by 48 inches. The Gxmmat is made of 7 millimeters of memory foam that doubles as a nonskid surface to keep you safe and still during your workout. Though it is a bit larger, it is still easy to clean and roll up. This premium-quality gym mat is safe for most users as it is also latex-, phthalate-, silicone-, and toxin-free, on top of being eco-friendly!

Cons: This Gxmmat is not a soft, thick yoga mat. Also, its large size may be too large for some workout areas.

Bottom Line: It’s large and comes in black, blue, green, and pink. This is a mat you can’t go wrong with unless you want a gentle surface to catch you if you fall. The non-slip grippy feel will keep you from sliding off if you get sweaty.

 

Extra-Long Option

CAMBIVO Extra Long and Wide Yoga Mat

A mat made for tall yogis with a genius double-sided textured surface for a non-slip grip.

Pros: Let your yogi spirit run free across this spacious 7 x 2.5-foot, double-sided non-slip mat. This is a mat made with tall yogis in mind and for individuals who want a mat for yoga and other bodyweight exercises. And it’s made with safe TPE with a mesh middle to create an anti-tear, resilient yoga mat. That means it won’t stretch or begin to crumble like the mats at gyms often do.

Cons: The mat is longer than most, but it’s not significantly wider than standard yoga mats.

Bottom Line: The CAMBIVO mat is relatively lightweight at 5 pounds and comes with a handy Velcro snap for easy transport. It’s perfect for taller people.

Final Thoughts

Doesn’t your body deserve a supportive, safe surface on which to exert yourself or ease into a balanced position? Let these workout mats help.

Britta Kallevang Britta Kallevang
Britta is a professional writing tutor and freelance writer that is trained in journalistic, technical, and creative copywriting. At LifeSavvy, she researches products, writes about the items, and shares what she's uncovered with readers. Her writing is comprehensive and sometimes a bit silly. Read Full Bio »
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