The Best Workout Mats

Buying Guide for Workout Mats

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

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.