:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/vwt-pilates-exercise-mats-apr-24-test-airex-190-jessica-christopher-09-cb26e5d1a1f84b53bfd5bb7290bed269.jpeg?w=1500&resize=1500,1000&ssl=1 "We Discovered the Greatest Pilates Mats After 4,200+ Minutes of Planks, A whole bunch, & Extra")
When attending a Pilates class at a devoted studio, you’ll usually discover specialised gear like reformers or train balls. Nevertheless, in the event you’re seeking to follow at dwelling or in a gymnasium, having no less than a primary mat is important in your exercise. Pilates may be very fluid, so the mats are thicker and extra slippery than yoga mats, permitting you to transition between workouts and repetitions simply, says licensed Pilates teacher Julie Erickson, CPI, CPT.
To search out one of the best Pilates mats, we spoke with licensed Pilates instructors to be taught extra about what key options to search for when looking for a high-quality possibility. Then, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing prime choices at dwelling, performing standing, mendacity, and kneeling Pilates strikes and stretches. We rated every possibility for grip, consolation, portability, sturdiness, and worth. We additionally had a yoga and Pilates teacher from our Assessment Board evaluate this text for accuracy.
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Key Specs
Dimensions: 75 inches x 23 inches x 8 millimeters | Materials: Closed-cell foam | Weight: 3.1 kilos | Our Total Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for these seeking to improve their Pilates follow with a high-quality, well-cushioned Pilates mat.
Why We Love It
With Goldilocks-perfect cushioning and a non-slip grip on a number of surfaces, Airex’s Pilates 190 Mat was a shoo-in for our greatest total spot. Because of its stable cushioning and assist, we are able to simply transfer by way of our whole follow with out taking a break as a result of joint discomfort, which is frequent for us. We additionally love that this mat is massive sufficient for full-body workouts with out us having to reposition ourselves.Â
Throughout testing, we liked its regular grip, as we flowed by way of Pilates workouts, together with cardio-driven sequences and static and dynamic actions. We by no means felt this mat transfer on the carpet, hardwood, or tile flooring, and we felt comfy performing each slower- and faster-paced workouts. With a gentle, comfortable ribbed texture, it supplies glorious grip for our toes and fingers, even after they get sweaty. Plus, it’s grippy sufficient to assist totally different sock textures with out us sliding round. We additionally love that it’s a breeze to wipe clear with soapy water.
Potential Flaws
- As a result of this mat is so lengthy, it feels considerably cumbersome and tough to hold round. Nevertheless, it’s light-weight and could be transported if wanted, however we desire to make use of it in our dwelling exercise house.
Most Beneficial Perception
“This mat has enhanced my Pilates follow by offering a cushty and supportive layer and safety from arduous flooring surfaces. I can transfer freely, doing full-body workouts while not having to reposition or pause to permit my joints to relaxation. I’m utterly centered on train actions versus the gear I’m exercising with.” —Jessica Christopher, Verywell Match product tester
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Key Specs
Dimensions: 72 inches x 23 inches x 10 millimeters | Materials: Closed-cell foam | Weight: Not listed | Our Total Score: 5/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for many who desire a supportive, grippy mat and/or have delicate pores and skin and wish an possibility made with out latex and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Why We Love It
Made out of naturally sourced supplies, Balanced Physique’s EcoWise Mat is our prime choose for many who prioritize assist when trying to find the correct Pilates mat. With thick cushioning and a raised sample that provides superior grip, this mat strikes the right stability of stability and assist. Once we use this mat on our hardwood flooring and carpet, it stays utterly in place. Plus, it grips our socks and naked toes properly, stopping us from slipping and sliding, even once we get sweaty throughout extra intense strikes.
We love that this mat is hypoallergenic, which makes us really feel comfy touching it to our naked pores and skin with out worrying about any irritation. It’s tremendous straightforward to scrub, and in contrast to another mats we’ve used up to now, it doesn’t give off or maintain onto any odor. We wipe ours down with a disinfecting wipe after use and love that it dries extremely quick. We additionally love that it’s light-weight and straightforward to move and retailer.Â
Potential Flaws
- This Pilates mat didn’t utterly flatten after unboxing, and a crease stays even after plenty of use. Nevertheless, this didn’t influence our Pilates follow; the crease simply doesn’t look one of the best aesthetically.
Most Beneficial Perception
“This mat enhances my Pilates follow due to its elevated grip. I discover it extra steady and simpler to make use of than a thicker mat. I additionally love that it’s lengthy as a result of I can transfer round greater than I might with a smaller mat. I’d suggest this mat to others, particularly in the event that they’re in search of a pure possibility that received’t irritate their pores and skin.” —Danielle Auger, Verywell Match product tester
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Key Specs
Dimensions: 71 inches x 23 inches x 5 or 8 millimeters | Materials: Pure rubber | Weight: 1.2 kilos | Our Total Score: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for many who wish to put money into a long-lasting, well-cushioned Pilates mat for a dwelling gymnasium.
Why We Love It
If you happen to’re prepared to take a position in your house gymnasium and know you wish to follow Pilates long-term, Bala’s The Play Mat must be on the prime of your record. This mat is skinny however presents unbelievable cushioning. It grips completely on our hardwood flooring and jute rug, and supplies comfortable assist, particularly to our hips when mendacity on our facet and knees once we’re on all fours. Plus, we really feel steady and safe, by no means shedding our grip, even throughout sweatier exercises.Â
Sturdiness is the place this Pilates mat shines—we now have used it for over a 12 months and haven’t seen any indicators of wear and tear and tear. It really appears the identical because the day we acquired it. It doesn’t maintain onto any odor, and sweat marks are straightforward to scrub with cleaning soap and water. We additionally love its aesthetically pleasing glossy design that curves on the prime. Plus, it is out there in two thickness choices, so you possibly can choose the correct quantity of cushioning in your wants.
Potential Flaws
- This mat is pricier than different mats on our record. Nevertheless, we expect its high quality exceeds its worth.
- Whereas this mat isn’t essentially heavy, it’s a bit cumbersome to hold. To treatment this, we bought a mat strap to make transport simpler.Â
Most Beneficial Perception
“This mat is price its price, particularly due to its sturdiness. If you happen to’re keen to splurge up-front, figuring out you received’t have to exchange it, then I will surely suggest it. It’s comfy, glossy trying, well-designed, and long-lasting.” —Abby Moore, Verywell Match product tester
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Glorious assist, particularly for the again and elbows
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Straightforward to hold with hooked up straps
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Funds-friendly
Key Specs
Dimensions: 70 inches x 22 inches x 10 millimeters | Materials: Closed-cell foam | Weight: 1.8 kilos | Our Total Score: 4.8/5Â
Who It’s For
Greatest for many who are all for making an attempt Pilates for the primary time or who’re fascinated with making it a daily a part of their health routine.
Why We Love It
The additional thickness and assist provided by Stott’s Pilates Specific Pilates Mat make it our prime choose in the event you’re easing your manner into a daily Pilates follow. Its glorious cushioning offered us with nice assist, which we significantly seen when performing strikes whereas mendacity on our again and when holding elbow plank poses.Â
We love that it presents top-notch grip, letting us circulation by way of our follow with out worrying about slipping or any mat motion, regardless if we apply it to hardwood flooring, tiles, or open air on concrete. We discovered this mat straightforward to roll up and transport, because of its hooked up straps.Â
Potential Flaws
- Once we used this mat open air, we discovered that it heated up shortly in direct daylight. If you happen to plan on utilizing this mat open air, it’s possible you’ll wish to stick with a shady space.
Most Beneficial Perception
“Consolation is the place this mat shines. My knees, elbows, and again really feel nice! My again, specifically, feels higher with this mat than some other mat I’ve ever used earlier than. Its thick cushioning lets my again sink in, and I really feel so supported and comfy. Its thick, delicate texture helps assist my joints and bones, permitting for longevity in poses that require strain, like elbow planks.” —Samantha Aronson, commerce manufacturing assistant and Verywell Match product tester
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Reminiscence foam-like cushioning that holds its form
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Glorious grip on varied surfaces, together with hardwood and carpet
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Supplies glorious joint assist
Key Specs
Dimensions: 70 inches x 23 inches x 25 millimeters | Materials: Excessive-density foam, rubber | Weight: 3.2 kilos | Our Total Score: 4.8/5Â
Who It’s For
Greatest for many who desire a excessive degree of cushioning and luxury throughout their Pilates follow.
Why We Love It
If you wish to really feel such as you’re training Pilates on a cloud, you’ll love HemingWeigh’s 1” Thick Yoga Mat. Its thick, reminiscence foam-like cushioning holds its form properly and helps us really feel supported and comfy all through each transfer of our follow. And, as exercisers who are inclined to get sore hand and wrist joints, this mat helped us carry out strikes we beforehand felt discomfort doing when utilizing our thinner, much less supportive mats.
In contrast to another mats we’ve used, this one has glorious grip on all surfaces, together with carpet and hardwood flooring. We felt secure and safe, by no means slipping or sliding, even throughout intense, sweaty exercises. Its clean texture makes it straightforward to scrub, and it doesn’t maintain onto any odors. Plus, it’s light-weight and straightforward to hold, because of its included strap.Â
Potential Flaws
- Though light-weight, as a result of its cushioning, it’s fairly thick when rolled up, which can make it more difficult to retailer.Â
Most Beneficial Perception
“This mat may be very comfy. The truth that it’s 1-inch thick may be very noticeable. It has a reminiscence foam really feel, which feels nice on my fragile joints. I like that I’m capable of put extra strain on my joints due to this mat.” —Jacob Fox, Verywell Match product tester
Pilates Mats We Additionally Examined
We spent over 4,200 minutes testing prime Pilates mats, however solely 5 impressed us sufficient to make our ultimate record of suggestions. Though we preferred a few of this mat’s options, it finally didn’t meet our rigorous testing necessities to be chosen as a prime choose.
- Gaiam’s Necessities Health Mat presents a budget-friendly worth and an awesome grip on arduous flooring. Nevertheless, it felt inflexible and uncomfortable to make use of, and our fingers and toes slipped as we turned sweaty. Our nails scratched this mat’s floor simply, and it held indentations lengthy after our follow ended.
What We’ve Up to date
- Since publishing our preliminary research-based roundup of one of the best Pilates mats, we’ve re-evaluated our earlier picks and spent over 4,200 minutes hands-on testing prime choices. That is now a absolutely examined article, solely offering our hands-on expertise with every really useful Pilates mat.
- We consulted a further professional, a licensed private coach and Pilates teacher, to make sure that our recommendation on selecting Pilates mats is correct and updated.Â
What to Search for When Purchasing for Pilates MatsÂ
- Thickness: One of many fundamental indicators of Pilates mats versus different train mats you may discover within the gymnasium or at a yoga studio is their thickness. This extra thickness supplies joint assist for the backbone, knees, wrists, and extra. If you happen to are inclined to expertise joint ache, take into account a thicker possibility for added assist.
- Cushion: Some mats provide extra cushioning than others—some are softer and extra pliable, whereas others are thick and agency. The kind of Pilates mat you select can improve the problem or present extra assist throughout sure workouts, says Erikson. Pilates teacher Laura Quinn, CPT, says that firmer mats present a steady, supportive floor supreme for sustaining your stability throughout varied Pilates workouts.Â
- Density and Materials: Density is usually mistaken for thickness, however these are two separate components to contemplate. A denser mat sometimes means it’s extra sturdy and can maintain as much as positions held for longer intervals with out leaving indentations within the mat. Mats manufactured from closed-cell or high-density foam are denser, higher high quality, and stand up to longer use.
- Floor Texture: The floor of Pilates mats tends to be clean or evenly textured. This helps you glide and carry out strikes extra fluidly. If you happen to are inclined to get sweaty, it’s possible you’ll wish to go for a evenly textured possibility for added grip.
- Portability: If you happen to plan to take your mat on the go, you’ll need one which rolls up properly, is light-weight, and comes with a strap for straightforward journey. Select a smaller, lighter mat in the event you plan on taking it with you usually. A Heavier, bigger mat may match finest in the event you plan on utilizing it in your house exercise house.
How We Examined the Pilates Mats
To search out one of the best Pilates mats, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing prime choices at dwelling whereas performing varied workouts and stretches. When testing Pilates mats, we consider every possibility primarily based on the next key standards.
- Grip: To guage for grip, we take into account whether or not the mat supplies sufficient grip to maneuver by way of our follow comfortably. We strive the mats on varied surfaces, together with hardwood, tile, and carpet, and see whether or not their grip adjustments as soon as we begin to work up a sweat.
- Consolation: When contemplating consolation, we take into consideration whether or not the mat supplies sufficient cushioning and assist throughout strikes that require sitting, mendacity down, standing, and kneeling. We additionally notice if we really feel any strain factors or discomfort when utilizing the mat.
- Portability: When assessing portability, we take into account how gentle the mat is, how simply it rolls up, and whether or not it comes with a strap for straightforward journey. We additionally notice how straightforward it’s to retailer.Â
- Sturdiness: When taking a look at sturdiness, we ask ourselves if the mat exhibits any indicators of wear and tear and tear over time. Is it straightforward to scrub and keep? Does it maintain onto any odors?
- Worth: We examine every mat’s worth after we consider all different key standards to evaluate whether or not it’s price it. Do we expect it’s priced pretty? Would we solely purchase it on sale? We prioritize Pilates mats whose high quality exceeds their worth and that we’d suggest to family and friends.Â
Our Specialists
We consulted consultants at every stage of our analysis, testing, and reporting course of. The next consultants suggested us on what key options to search for when looking for a high-quality Pilates mat. Though we select merchandise independently, professional enter helps inform our selections.Â
- Julie Erikson, CPI, CPT, licensed Pilates teacher and licensed private coach at Pilates for Life
- Anne Bertram, MFA, CMA, CHHC, licensed motion analyst, licensed Pilates teacher, and director of Structural Components LAB
- Laura Quinn, CPT, licensed private coach and head Pilates Teacher at Alo Strikes
Steadily Requested Questions
How thick ought to a Pilates mat be?
Most Pilates mats are no less than a half-inch thick to assist your backbone and tailbone through the class. Nevertheless, some extra transportable ones are as skinny as 6 millimeters (about 0.2 inches).
Can I take advantage of a yoga mat for Pilates?
Pilates mats are usually clean as a substitute of textured, and their thickness is designed to assist your backbone throughout sure workouts. Chances are you’ll discover that utilizing a grippy yoga mat makes some Pilates workouts tougher and even uncomfortable.
What measurement mat is finest for Pilates?
Pilates mats are usually round 24 inches by 72 inches. Nevertheless, there are bigger choices out there which will work higher for taller people and those that desire to not reposition their mats for full-body workouts.
Why Belief Verywell Match
Amanda Berkey, M.Ed., is a Pennsylvania-based health teacher and health author. She’s enthusiastic about discovering stability, whether or not performing lots of or making an attempt to nail the king pigeon pose. She believes there’s not way more motivating for an on-the-ground exercise than a beautiful, purposeful Pilates mat.Â
Further reporting by Sarah Anzlovar
Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RD is a personal follow dietitian who works as a contract author, recipe developer, meals photographer, and model advisor. She enjoys Pilates lessons and is aware of how vital the right mat is for sustaining correct type and getting by way of probably the most grueling exercises.
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