8 Best Exercise Mat: How to Choose the Right One for You

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So, you've finally decided to invest in an exercise mat! Congratulations on taking the first step towards improving your health and wellness. Exercise mats are a great way to protect your hardwood floors from sweat or other bodily fluids that may get spilled during workouts.

They also offer protection for carpeted floors, giving them time to dry between uses. There are many different types of exercise mats out there, but knowing what type will work best for you can be difficult.

In this blog post, we're going to discuss 8 best exercise mats so that you'll know how to choose the right one for you!

What is an exercise mat?

Exercise mats are typically large pieces of equipment that are used to cushion and protect people from the hard floor surface underneath them during different types of exercise. They come in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, colors, and styles.

8 Best Exercise Mat For Your Needs

1. ProsourceFit Tri-Fold Folding Thick Exercise Mat 

4.8

You will be able to get every fitness bug bite you wan, and stay comfortable while doing it with the perfect workout mat. The ProsourceFit Tri-fold Folding Thick Exercise Mat features a thick cushion that offers support while we're working out and provides protection for our joints, all while being waterproof and easy to wipe clean!

The resilient foam interior keeps its shape and protects your knees or elbows from delicate kicks or punches without stressing too much on the material. Easy fold function allows for portability so that you can take your workout anywhere with ease!

Pros
  • Thick mat
  • Long and strong
  • With handle
  • Easy folds
Cons

2. Sensu Large Exercise Mat

4.8

Say goodbye to uneven surfaces and hello to a firm, cushioned workout! Get the most out of your strenuous exercise routine with our mat that’s perfect for all-body workouts.

Enjoy improved balance thanks to this nonslip mat's thicker layer and grip top make it easier for you to stay steady through tough routines. 

This mat includes a soft towel for easy drying and a convenient carrying case to take your workout anywhere.

Your 8.5mm thick mat features a non-skid bottom as well as a dense foam top that is both friendly on the body and free from harmful chemicals such as latex, phthalates, rubber, or heavy metal, so your workout can be strong without posing any risk§§to those near you!

Pros
  • Big and durable
  • Each size have different texture
  • Thick and heavy duty
Cons

3. Gorilla Mats Premium Large Exercise Mat

4.8

Avoid skin-damaging hard floors with a durable, eco-friendly mat that grips and stays put for just about any workout. Stay stable during HIIT workouts with the nonslip top layer and stand securely, even on slippery surfaces with a rubber bottom surface that doesn't budge.

The waterproof design prevents leaks from sweat wherever your exercises take you. Choose from our entire range of colorful patterns to keep changing up your look as much as possible! Get ready to move heavy weights farther than before, so you’ll have plenty of energy left over for ripping it up after class is done!

Pros
  • Durable
  • It is warm and soft
  • Non-slip
  • Has straps for storage
Cons

4. HemingWeigh 1 inch Thick Yoga Mat

4.7

We all know there’s nothing more important than keeping our health and well-being first, and it can be difficult to find a mat that provides both. 

The HemingWeigh yoga mat is made with soft and resilient NBR material, which is friendly to the environment as well as your feet. It’s also lightweight at 1 inch thick, so you don't have to worry about lugging around a heavy mat for those stretching sessions. 

And best of all, once you're finished using it, you'll be able to toss it in the washing machine because its durable, non-toxic design means no sweat stains or bacteria!

Pros
  • Extra thick
  • Resilient
  • Durable
  • Easy to clean
Cons
  • Has an unpleasant smell 

5. Hatha Yoga 1 inch TPE Yoga Mat Fitness & Exercise Mats 

4.7

This yoga mat is really for you if you are in pain or afraid of sports-related injuries. The extra thickness provides the right kind of support to keep your joints nice and stable while releasing tension from muscles, increasing flexibility. 

It's also easily transported, lasting a long time with proper care, and doesn't create any life-damaging chemicals when manufactured because it's made out of durable TPE material instead of PVC. So take my word for it: this is one eco-friendly mat that won't make you sore later on!

Pros
  • Skin-friendly
  • Thick and comfortable to use
  • Odorless
  • Long and wide
Cons

6. Gaiam Yoga Mat - Premium 6mm Print Extra Thick Non Slip Exercise & Fitness Mat

4.7

Whether your looking to increase your fitness regime or take a calm, deep breath in some zen time later today, this Gaiam yoga mat is the perfect way to make sure you start with something that will leave you feeling strong and confident.

With extra thickness for added comfort and superior grip, thanks to the textured sticky nonslip surface design it's like lululemon isn't the only brand making high-quality mats anymore.

Lightweight enough to carry with you on any adventure. No matter what type of floor surface it might be placed on. These mats are about as good as gymnastics equipment with color-coordinating end tabs for easy carrying and rolling up when not in use.

Pros
  • Non-slip
  • Comfortable to use
  • Thick and durable
Cons
  • It has a plastic smell when you unpacked
  • No strap

7. Gxmmat Extra Large Exercise Mat 6'x8'x7mm

4.7

You'll never worry about slipping out of position again with the Gxmmat! With a textured surface that prevents your feet from sliding off, this extra-long and wide mat is large enough for P90X, Insanity, dance workouts like T25 and Zumba, as well as home gyms. 

Its anti-slip grooved & matrix circle underside makes it perfect for all floor surfaces. Plus, because the mat is non-toxic and eco-friendly, you can use going without shoes, making it great at home or in a crowded workout space!

Pros
  • Good for people with sensitive skin
  • Comfortable to use
  • Well built
  • Bounce back when you put kettles, dumbbells, etc on it
Cons

8. BalanceFrom GoYoga+ All-Purpose 1/2-Inch Extra Thick High-Density Anti-Tear Exercise Yoga Mat 

4.7

The BalanceFrom GoYoga+ All-Purpose 1/2-Inch Extra Thick High Density Anti-Tear Exe Yoga Mat is the perfect accessory for any type of cardio workout, dance workout, or home gym.

The extra long and wide mat will be large enough for an individual working out on their own and it's also friendly to use with a partner.

No need to worry about moving around too much like you might do on a traditional yoga mat because of the grooved and matrix circle design . The high-density foam construction eliminates sliding during any kind of aerobic activity.

Pros
  • Odorless
  • Very soft and comfortable
  • Well padded
Cons

How To Choose The Perfect Exercise Mat?

In choosing the best exercise mat for you, there are a few factors to consider:

Material

This is one of the most important factors to consider. You might want a material that will stay comfortable for you even during long hours of exercising.

Some materials are also better at absorbing your sweat, which can keep it from slipping out of position, keeping you safe, and preventing injuries.

Mat Thickness

The thickness of an exercise mat is another factor to consider. If you are concerned about your joints, then thicker mats are the best choice for you.

They will provide more support and cushioning against any hard surfaces that may cause injury or pain when exercising on them. If, however, comfort during long hours of exercise is what matters most to you, a thin mat would be good enough as it provides less impact on your body, allowing you to focus more on your workout rather than the surface beneath you.

Size And Weight

This is another important factor to consider. The best exercise mat should be long enough for you to perform different exercises while still giving you ample space on both sides of the mat so that there are no accidents during your workout.

It should also not take up too much room in storage or at home, which means it needs to be light and easy to fold or roll up when storing them away.

You do not want an extra-large, heavy mat taking over all available spaces in your house! Also, make sure that its size will work well with other equipment like benches and weight training machines before choosing one.

Lastly, choose a color according to your preferences as this can affect how motivated you feel throughout your daily workouts, knowing that you have the perfect color that matches your personality and taste.

Price

Last but not the least, price! As always, you should consider how much you are willing to spend for an exercise mat.

This is usually a good indicator of the quality of material used in its making, so if it's too cheap or expensive, it might be best to choose one within your budget range. It will also help if you know about any brands and their prices so that you can estimate which brand has better features at a cheaper cost than others who offer similar products with more bells and whistles.

There's no need to get something too fancy when all we're looking for is just equipment that will keep us safe while doing our workouts, right? Keep these factors in mind when choosing the best exercise mat for you!

Exercise Mat FAQ's

Can I use a yoga mat as an exercise mat?

Yes, but you need to check if the exact same type of mat is being used for any classes. Some instructors may prefer different thicknesses, and some might be slippery, while others will not absorb your sweat very well! If it is suitable, make sure that there's enough room on both sides of the mat, especially when doing exercises like lunges or squats so that you don't lose balance and fall off from the mat accidentally, which can cause serious injuries.

Will this work with my cardiovascular equipment?  

This depends on what kind of cardio machine you have at home, such as treadmills, rowing machines, etc., how often do you use them regularly and most importantly, do they fit properly on the mat you have chosen to buy! If it's a machine with smaller wheels and takes up less space, then a longer exercise mat will definitely do. But if your treadmill is very large and requires enough room where you can move around freely while exercising, choose one whose length allows for this kind of movement, so there are no accidents during your workout.

What should I consider when buying an exercise mat?  

You want something that will keep you safe, so always consider the size and thickness. If it's too thin, there is a chance of slipping or falling off from the mat, especially during cardio exercises like jumping jacks where your feet are constantly moving about! This can be very dangerous as mats aren't usually thick enough to cushion your joints well, which means you might end up with bruises all over if this happens often.

What should I do if my exercise mat has bad odors?

If the material used for making them absorbs sweat, they may smell after some time depending on how much you use it and its conditions (how clean is the room where you leave it, etc.). It's best to choose one made out of machine washable material so that you can just wash it with soap and water or place them in the washing machine if they are too big to clean by hand.