This fitness mat keeps the shape perfectly and the lifetime warranty proves the high quality of the product. It's made of eco-friendly materials.
It's a bit heavy, which might impact its mobility.
Among top-selling mats for yoga, this one from Manduka is the best one. It features many convenient solutions to make your exercises comfortable no matter the surface and/or conditions.
Length: 71" (85")
Width: 26"
Limited lifetime
The mat has Body Alignment lines to help users adjust their hands and feet to the accurate position, thus, keeping your body in proper alignment.
It doesn't roll out that smoothly.
The intelligent Heathyoga mat can help you fully concentrate on asanas rather than wondering what should go where. The mat has a generous length and width, so it's suitable even for the tallest users.
TPE material
Length: 72"
Width: 26"
1/4"
Textured non-slip surface, Anti-tear middle-mesh layer
Body alignment system, Velcro strap, Carrying strap included
Hand wash with cold water
~2.8 lbs
1 year
The mat offers a good grip owing to the dense ridges. Yet, the mat is still very easy to clean, since those ridges run in parallel lines in one direction.
Even when rolled off, the mat is a bit too bulky.
Provided by a trustworthy manufacturer, this mat is extremely thick and reliable. Regardless of your height or weight, it'll provide you with exceptional comfort and allow for a wide range of exercises and poses.
NBR foam
Length: 74"
Width: 24"
1/2"
Textured foam construction
Lightweight, Durable, Carrying strap included
Wipe cleaning
2.2 lbs
Amazon's 30-day return policy
This is a flexible yet durable yoga mat that is easy to take care of. Free Yoga Workout Download is available.
It might emit an unpleasant smell at first.
This mat will suit all types of yoga and asana of any complexity. With this mat, you will be able to concentrate on your exercises without been distracting by any inconveniences. Available in more than 40 designs.
Length: 68" (78")
Width: 24"
Limited lifetime
The Sivan mat is made of NBR foam. This material has closed cells, which makes it highly moisture- and water-repelling. Also, it causes no allergic reactions.
Carry strap seems to be lacking in quality.
The Sivan yoga mat can easily travel with you wherever you go. Simply attach the shoulder strap to transport the mat to your next yoga class, pilates, stretching, or abs workout.
NBR foam
Lengh: 71"
Width: 24"
1/2"
Ribbed surface on one side with a smooth surface on the other
Removable carry strap
Wipe cleaning
1.75 lbs
Amazon's 30-day return policy
Eco-friendly Choice
The Manduka PRO Yoga Mat is really built to last a lifetime. It's a great eco-friendly choice that is certified to be completely safe for human contact by OEKO-TEX. It's manufactured through a specific process that ensures no toxic emissions are released into the air, meaning it's a great choice for eco-conscious users. With that, the Manduka PRO Mat provides extremely good performance. The thick layer of PVC is intended to serve for many years, delivering unmatched support and joint protection. The proof of that is a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
It's important to emphasize that the surface of Manduka PRO Mat is manufactured in compliance with the so-called 'Closed-cell' technology, which makes this yoga mat very hygienic - keeping it clean is really simple. It's recommended to wipe the mat occasionally with a wet cloth and lubricate it with tea tree oil to maintain its top-notch look.
Speaking about the size, this Yoga and Pilates Mat is offered in two sizes, 71 and 85 inches, so that you can find the mat suitable for your height. Both types have the same thickness of 1/4 inch, which allows you to practice yoga without experiencing pain in your joints.
The mat comes in 9 varieties of colors. The manufacturer knows that yoga is not just a fitness technique but spiritual teaching, so the customers will feel a lot more concentrated when they are doing yoga on a mat of the color they really like.
All things considered, the Manduka PRO company offers a high-quality yoga mat for eco-conscious users. Owing to its extra-thick texture, it's excellent for tricky exercises.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $120.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B0000DZFXZ |
What customers say about this product
Key Specs(4.4)
Features(4.4)
Perfect Body Alignment
The folks behind Heathyoga gather inspiration and experience from the best yoga instructors to provide you with the utmost comfort and relaxation while taking all the guesswork out of hand/feet positioning. The mat in question comes fitted with handy alignment lines that make sure you get the most out of your poses by correctly aligning yourself. Besides the central line and center point, there are helpful reverse points and end-to-end lines that work as a navigational tool for your yoga practice. This way, you spend more time on mental joy rather than hassle with what should go where.
Speaking about the grip, the mat has a double-layer surface design to meet different non-slip requirements. Each side has a premium anti-slip texture to provide an excellent grip and help the mat stay firm. Speaking about the core, it boasts an extra middle-mesh layer with perfect anti-tear properties. That's why this mat is much durable than most other mats out there.
When it comes to cushioning, the Heathyoga mat shows excellent performance as well. Made with SGS certified TPE material, it's thick enough to cushion your knees, hands, and shoulders, but not overly thick to make balancing postures impossible.
Designed with a spacious practice in mind, the mat has a generous length and width. At 72" x 26", it's a couple of inches longer and wider than normal yoga mats, which makes exercising much more comfortable. Even tall individuals won't find their heads constantly falling off the mat. In all, it's a really comfy mat for any build and skill level. With intelligent Body Alignment guidelines and excellent traction, it'll surely take your yoga game to a whole new level.
| Last updated price | $36.95 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B078XJ4JPK |
For Any Weight, For Any Height
If you're after something really solid in all senses of this world, the Amazon Basics mat may catch your fancy. It's another durable Amazon Basics product that comes at a fair price and performs amazingly well. The mat is made of NBR foam material with 1/2-inch cushioning, which offers indisputable advantages.
First of all, it contains no latex or other hazardous materials that may cause allergies. Secondly, it offers added comfort and padding support for your joints, while also protecting your back from cold floors. With it, you'll be able to do yoga poses like cat/cow on wood floors and hard surfaces without experiencing discomfort.
Besides being thicker than most other exercise mats, this one is also longer. So, it won't feel too short for taller gals or guys who would like to lay down and do sit-ups or stretches. Plus, it won't feel slippy since it offers extremely good grip and doesn't move around even when standing barefoot. The thing is, it has dense ridges that provide very good traction, thus, allowing for plenty of poses. As a nice touch, the ridges run in parallel lines in one direction instead of being cross-hatched or bumpy. This design solution makes the mat easier to wipe clean when dirt gets stuck in-between the ridges.
What else makes the maintenance easier? The elastic strap that allows you to quickly roll up the mat for easy on-the-go carrying. Yet, take note that when rolled up, this mat is surely a bit bulkier than the thin-as-paper mats. Agree, it's a minor sacrifice for extra thickness and length. Using it will be a pleasure for anyone, from XS to Plus Size individuals.
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B01LP0U5X0 |
Make Your Training More Personaized
The Gaiam Print Mat is a fantastic offering for those who would like to make their exercising more personalized, fun, and enjoyable. Each Gaiam product is designed, sourced and produced with your yoga needs in mind. That's why this mat isn't just a plain mat but a real masterpiece. It's available in a variety of designs and prints to customize your yoga and let you express your inner yogi to the fullest. To specify, you can choose from a cute mandala, sundial, and many other prints (more than 40 designs) to emphasize your individuality.
As for the size, here, the choice is more limited. The mat is offered in two sizes - 68 inches and 78 inches. You can also select between two thickness options - 0.2 or 0.25 inches. Both of them have a rather sticky surface, which prevents you from slipping during your training. The upper side has an excellent cushioned surface that protects your joints.
The mat is made of PVC, i.e. a synthetic material. Due to this fact, it is extremely wear-proof and unpretentious to the conditions of use. Also, it's suitable for machine washing.
As the icing on the cake, the manufacturer offers a free app upon purchasing the mat. The Gaiam Yoga Studio App includes more than 25 hours of HD video classes and 280+ poses with easy-to-follow instructions to help you achieve better yoga goals. Also, you'll get access to exclusive classes by a famous yoga instructor Rodney Yee. So, if you'd like to take your studio with you wherever you go, the Gaiam mat and your smartphone are everything you need to try a class.
Ultra Thick, Ultra Gentle
The yoga mat from Sivan Health and Fitness is the thing that can deliver comfort to people of all shapes and sizes. Being 71-inch long and 24-inch wide, it handles any weight and height just fine. It's worth pointing out that this fitness mat is substantially thicker than many others, which makes it more comfortable too. The 1/2-inch memory foam is capable of protecting your knees and joints while ensuring a good grip and allowing you to hold poses for a length of time. The ribbed surface on one side is non-slip, so neither the mat nor your feet will slide anywhere.
The main perk of this mat is probably the material it's made of. The innovative NBR foam (also known as Nitrile cellular rubber) material has closed cells, which makes it highly moisture- and water-repelling. Also, NBR rubber is praised for its excellent oil-resistance, meaning you can safely use the mat for hot yoga with different creams and oils. In addition to that, NBR foam is less likely to cause allergic reactions as compared to the natural rubber, making the mat a perfect option for individuals with very sensitive skin.
As a handy addition, the Sivan Health and Fitness mat is fitted with a removable carry strap that ensures easier transportation to home, gym, or yoga studio. When not in use, it easily rolls for neat storage.
So, whenever you’re ready for a workout, this lightweight yoga mat can easily travel with you. Simply attach the shoulder strap to transport the mat to your next yoga class, pilates, stretching, or abs workout. It's the product that can really get into your daily routine and help you on your way to cultivating a healthy mind, body, and soul. Available in 8 vibrant colors to become a good match for your sports outfit.
| Last updated price | $19.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00IIQUBY8 |
What Is a Yoga Mat?
For those practicing yoga, getting a yoga mat might be a good solution. Why? Let's check out what advantages it offers. First things first, exercising on a yoga mat feels more comfortable, allowing you to hold your posture for a longer time. Another advantage is that these yoga mats provide protection for your joints while also giving you a non-slip surface for training. Also, yoga mats can help improve your balance and posture during workouts. And lastly, for those practicing yoga in groups, these mats can outline the private space along with its borders so that you all can train with greater comfort. So, as you can see, there are quite a number of advantages to having such a seemingly simple thing as a yoga mat. For this review, we've selected five yoga mat models from different brands so you can choose the one that best fits your needs (and taste, of course).
Besides yoga, this type of mat can be used for other exercises including those that involve resistance bands, fitness balls, kettlebells, and dumbbells, for example. Look through these selections too and add a few more tools to your home fitness equipment.
What Features to Compare
Size and Thickness
Choosing the best yoga mat, you should, first of all, pay attention to its size and thickness. These two features are crucial. The mat size should be 4 inches longer than your height. Some yoga practices require even a longer mat. For example, if you practice asana yoga, you'd better buy a mat at least 86 inches long. At the same time, the thickness of the mat has a direct impact on how soft it is. It will be easier to lean an elbow or knee on a thicker yoga mat without discomfort. Also, a thick mat will not conduct the cold from the floor, which is important if you practice savasana and long-lasting meditation. The optimal thickness of a yoga mat is 1.5 - 2.6 inches.
Efficiency
To buy a yoga mat that will be convenient to use, pay attention to the structure and material it's been made of. Most yoga mats from popular brands are made of either natural materials, thermoplastic elastomer or synthetic. Let's take a closer look at each option:
- Synthetic mats are made of PVC (elastic, durable synthetic polymer). Such mats are not very good for yoga because they are too slippery. Their lifespan is two years at best. However, you may try yoga mats made of dense PVC: they are rough, non-slip, and quite durable. A PVC mat will be suitable for a novice who is still not sure about his/her near-term yoga perspectives.
- Thermoplastic elastomer mats are suitable for fitness and yoga practice. They are softer, lighter, and more flexible than PVC mats. Also, such yoga mats are pleasant to touch and they keep their shape very well. Such mats do not fade in the sun and they are resistant to cold temperatures. Also, due to their non-slip surface, softness, and capability of absorbing sweat, they are particularly great for yoga. As usual, such yoga mats can serve you as long as 4-5 years.
- Natural yoga mats are made of natural rubber with inclusions of jute. The rubber is not so lightweight, but absolutely frizz-free. Moreover, rubber yoga mats don't slip or emit any unpleasant smell. They are thicker than synthetic mats, so you won't hurt your elbows or knees if you need to lean on the mat. Rubber does not conduct the cold from the floor, it is very sticky so you can easily do the "Adho Mukha Shvanasana" and other asanas that require leaning on your arms.
Maintenance and Usability
PVC yoga mats are durable enough to be washed in a washing machine. Other mats are better to clean with a wet wipe or tea tree oil. Please note: do not wash them with soap and water. Any detergent is absorbed into a yoga mat and it is really hard to rinse it later. During intensive training, the soap soaks into the carpet and mixes with body moisture, and then rolls on the mat like an ice cube. At the same time, if you are going to practice yoga not at home but somewhere else, take a look at such parameters as weight and mobility. You should be able to fold the yoga mat quickly and comfortably.
Did you know?
Old Yoga
Yoga was originated in India. More than 5,000 years ago people there practiced yoga as a form of healing. Actually, it’s one of the oldest physical disciplines in the world.
The Meaning
The word “yoga” means “yoke” (union). It unites the mind, body, and soul. That is to say, yoga combines body poses, breathing, and meditation.
How Many?
Officially, there are 19 different variations of yoga with 66 postures in total. There are 196 yoga Sutras (aphorisms) and 84 classic yoga asanas. The Asana is one of the eight limbs of yoga.
Statistics
It’s estimated that more than 22 million people practice yoga in the US. 72.2% of those yoga practitioners are women, while 27.8% are men.
What’s even bigger is the amount of money they spend annually on different yoga products which makes 27 billion dollars.
The Proven Benefits of Yoga
On the physical level, yoga eases digestion, improves metabolism and aids weight loss, reduces cellulite through muscle stretching, improves posture and balance, alleviates allergy symptoms, increases pain tolerance, normalizes blood pressure and pulse rate, and even prevents migraines. No wonder it also delays aging.
As for the mental health, yoga helps you sleep better, improves your mood, improves memory, helps quit addictions, reduces anger, relieves anxiety or depression, and consequently, leads to a more positive outlook on life.
In sum, yoga is a perfect de-stress. A few minutes of yoga can relax both your body and mind, by releasing tension in muscles and pacifying your brain.
Unique Types
Although the most popular type of yoga in the US is Hatha Yoga, many Americans practice other types of Yoga, some of which are presented below:
- Naked yoga is currently gaining in popularity across the US. As the name suggests, you should wear nothing when doing naked yoga. This type of yoga obeys the basic yoga rule “the maximum amount of skin should be exposed to the air".
- Jivamukti yoga is performed to music. It’s a very relaxing and vital type of yoga.
- Bikram (also called hot yoga) is practiced in rooms heated to 105 degrees F and 50% humidity.
- Chair yoga is practiced by older individuals or people with disabilities. It calls for minimum movements but maximum concentration.
How Do You Act?
The last fact is the most surprising. The yoga mat is something like a dress rehearsal for real life. How you behave on the mat shows how you handle negative and positive experiences in your life. When we learn to spend more time on the mat and stay consistent, we learn to be consistent in the office. If you sit with discomfort on the mat, you slowly begin to sit with discomfort in your life.
So, don’t hurry to roll up your yoga mat with your practice. Take it out, open your heart to love and kindness, and live yoga every day!
Sources:
1. Yoga mat, Wikipedia. October 13, 2016.
2. How to choose a yoga mat, wikiHow.
3. Yoga Gear: How to Choose, REI.