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Exercise and yoga mats can be a huge asset for your workout routines.
The comfortable joint cushioning could make a big difference during stretching or free weight exercises. But the problem is always quality and durability.
I’ve had too many mats that tore to shreds within weeks, so I decided to test some of the most popular ones. I spent countless hours researching exercise mats, and together with a group of volunteers, I tested over 30 of them.
Here's the list of the top options.
The Best Home Exercise Mats
- Best Overall Exercise Mats for Home Workouts: HemingWeigh
- Cheapest Exercise Mats for Home Workouts: AmazonBasics
- Best Exercise Mat for Yoga: Gaiam Yoga Mat
- Most Durable Mat for Exercise: ProsourceFit
- Best Exercise Mat for Intense Workouts: Sunny Health & Fitness
- Best Thick Exercise Mat: HemingWeigh
- Most Convenient Exercise Mat for Travel: Manduka Eko Superlite
- Easiest-to-Maintain Mat for Home Workout: SPRI Exercise Mat
- Most Lightweight Exercise Mat for Home: Manduka Eko Superlite
- Best Easy-to-Fold Home Workout Mat: Sunny Health & Fitness
- Best Non-Toxic Material Exercise Mat: HemingWeigh
Our Top Exercise Mats (April 2024)
1 - HemingWeigh Extra Thick Yoga Mat (Best Overall & Non-Toxic)
- Dimensions : 70 x 23 x 1 inches
- Material : Nitrile Butadiene Rubber
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Positive comments about the non-slip surface even when you sweat
- Uses only non-toxic material to reduce skin reactions
- Easy to clean with a damp cloth
- It’s long enough to suit taller people
Cons
- It has a strong smell when you first unpack it
Having used the HemingWeigh mat consistently for over a year, I can personally vouch for its quality. It's been a game-changer for my stretching routines.
According to an article on the Great Mats website, mat thickness varies from 8mm to 2 ½ inches [1].
At 1 inch, it’s a thick exercise mat that suits me during my extended stretching routines.
2 - Sunny Health & Fitness Mat (Best for Intense Workouts & Foldable)
- Dimensions : 72 x 24 x 2 inches
- Material : Synthetic nylon
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Folds up easily with a zip to hold it together
- Extra padding suits people with joint problems
- Positive comments that it wipes clean easily after intense workouts
Cons
- It might not be dense enough for heavy-duty use
I've tried various mats from Sunny Health & Fitness, and this particular one caught my attention with its extra thickness.
I liked the non-slip surface, which was a boon for my HIIT routines.
It’s not a high-density one to support heavier people and might lose its shape a little.
3 - Manduka Eko Superlite Yoga Mat (Best for Travel & Lightweight)
- Dimensions : 68 x 24 x 0.06 inches
- Material : Biodegradable tree rubber
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Nice and light design makes it a more portable option
- Improves your grip even on smooth, hard surfaces
- Suitable for machine washing after use
Cons
- It’s thin by design, which might not suit everyone
I remember searching for a compact mat for my gym bag, and the Manduka Eko Superlite was the perfect find. It's lightweight yet offers the grip I need for workouts.
It’s also a non-slip exercise mat that you could use for some dumbbell workouts.
4 - ProsourceFit Tri-Fold Exercise Mat (Most Durable)
- Dimensions : 72 x 24 x 1.5 inches
- Material : Vinyl
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Folded foam tiles make it easier to store under a bed
- Vinyl materials are more suitable to avoid movement and stretching
- Easy to clean with a cloth and doesn’t seem to smell
Cons
- Might not stand up to high-intensity floor exercises
From my experience, the interlocking tiles design, although making it a bit bulkier when folded, provides the cushioning I need.
An article on the Great Mats website says that interlocking mats are stable, easy to install, and replace [2].
It's especially beneficial for certain yoga poses that might strain your joints.
5 - Gaiam Yoga Mat (Best for Yoga)
- Dimensions : 68 x 24 x 0.25 inches
- Material : 6P free PVC
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Positive reviews about the non-slip material
- Comes with some guided yoga class videos
- Available in some great color options and designs
Cons
- The thin design might not suit people with joint issues
The thin design of the Gaiam Yoga Mat surprised me, and not in a bad way. It felt so grippy, almost as if it was glued to the floor, which was great for stability during workouts.
That might be helpful if you have wood floors where some other mats could start to slip.
6 - AmazonBasics Thick Exercise Mat (Cheapest)
- Dimensions : 74 x 24 x 0.5 inches
- Material : NBR foam
Pros and Cons
Pros
- It’s one of the longest yoga mats we could find for taller athletes
- Suitable for hardwood floors as it doesn’t seem to slip
- The surface is textured, which helps improve traction during yoga
Cons
- It may receive some tears from high-intensity workouts
As a taller individual, I've struggled to find a mat that fits my frame. The AmazonBasics mat, being one of the longest I've come across, has been a perfect match for my yoga sessions.
At 74 inches, it should suit taller athletes with many types of yoga and pilates exercises.
7 - BalanceFrom GoYoga
- Dimensions : 74 x 24 x 0.5 inches
- Material : Synthetic foam
Pros and Cons
Pros
- The high-density foam is suitable for heavier people
- Straps detach so they don’t get in the way of exercising
- Easy to wipe clean even after intense workouts
Cons
- It tends to slip a bit on hard surfaces
After a few HIIT sessions at home that left my previous mats in tatters, the BalanceFrom GoYoga mat proved to be a resilient choice. It's held up impressively against intense workouts.
And this mat has a lot of positive comments that highlight that may be more tear-proof than most other mats.
8 - Everyday Essentials Large Yoga Mat
- Dimensions : 71 x 24 x 0.5 inches
- Material : Synthetic foam
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Positive reviews about the mat not slipping on a wood surface
- Moisture-resistant foam should avoid it getting smelly
- Seems to provide good traction for home yoga exercises
Cons
- The foam could be a bit denser to reduce pressure on joints
Though named 'Large Yoga Mat', in my experience, it's not the largest I've used. However, its traction and grip have been commendable during my sessions.
I found it's easy on my knees and ankles which made it great for plyo exercises.
9 - SPRI Exercise Mat (Easiest to Maintain)
- Dimensions : 48 x 24 x 0.5 inches
- Material : Poly-foam
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Small enough to fit in your gym bag
- Users like that it provides good traction and less slipping
- It’s easy to keep clean with a damp cloth
Cons
- It’s pretty short so won’t suit all types of exercises
I've always preferred compact mats for on-the-go workouts. The SPRI Exercise Mat, being one of the shorter ones, fits perfectly in my gym bag and offers the support I need.
At just 48 inches long, this is one of the smaller ones, but it may work surprisingly well.
10 - Gxmmat Workout Mat
- Dimensions : 72.05 x 95.67 x 0.28 inches
- Material : Micro-foam
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extra large workout mat ideal for cardio
- Rolls up into an easy to store package for
- Includes workout gloves for HIIT exercises
Cons
- It tends to get a bit slippery with a lot of sweat
I was on the lookout for a spacious mat for partner workouts, and the Gxmmat didn't disappoint.
It's vast enough for two, making it ideal for HIIT and plyometric exercises, as it gives you way more square feet to work with.
How We Tested These Exercise Mats
Here's how we chose the best exercise mats:
Durability
It subjected each mat to daily workouts for a period of several weeks. This included high-intensity exercises, weight training, and stretching routines.
We also simulated common wear-and-tear scenarios, such as rolling and unrolling the mat repeatedly and even intentionally dropping weights on them.
We closely monitored for any signs of tearing, fraying, or loss of grip over time.
Price
We compared the price of each mat with its performance and features. This involved assessing whether a higher-priced mat genuinely offered superior quality or if budget-friendly options could provide similar benefits.
We also took into account any additional features or accessories that came with the mat, ensuring that our readers get the best bang for their buck.
Material
Understanding that the material of an exercise mat can significantly impact its comfort, grip, and longevity, we closely examined each product.
We tested for any chemical odors upon unpacking, checked if the material caused any skin reactions, and observed how it responded to sweat.
Mats made from eco-friendly or non-toxic materials were given special attention, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable fitness products.
Buyer’s Guide
Here are all the important things you need to keep in mind when making a buying decision.
1. Optimum Materials
According to a study published on Science Direct, effective cushioning is effective in decreasing pain and fatigue levels [3].
You’ll find some cheaper mats that use EVA foam. It might feel nice and soft, but it misses a few important things.
Not only is it not dense enough to withstand some more intense exercises, but it might also tear quite easily.
If you need something that provides good padding and will last a long time, rubber is possibly the best choice.
Our best exercise mat recommendation uses a nitrile butadiene rubber, which has two important advantages.
It gives it a non-slip surface, but it’s also very easy to clean.
2. Size And Thickness
Most mats are about 24 inches wide, and the longest ones will be about 74 inches long.
If you’re over 6 feet tall, then make sure you get a 74-inch mat.
But what’s probably more important is the thickness.
A thick exercise mat of about 1.5 to 2 inches may be ideal if you have some joint issues where pressure tends to cause some pain.
But they might also help if you do a lot of stretching where you might spend a long time in a certain position.
3. Roll-Up Or Fold-Up Design
Both of these are easy to store, but you might find the roll-up mats would be easier to fit in your gym bag.
I know many people who bring their own mat to the gym for hygiene reasons, and that’s where a rolled-up mat is ideal. Just make sure that you get one where the carrying strap detaches.
I find the ones where the strap is permanently attached to the mat end up with bits hanging off it where your feet can get tangled up.
4. Technology Innovations
Recent innovations have introduced smart mats equipped with sensors that can track your workouts, provide feedback on your posture, and even guide you through exercises via connected apps.
Some mats now come with embedded LED lights that illuminate to guide your positioning and alignment during routines.
5. Accessories
There's a range of accessories designed to enhance your workout experience. Carrying straps or bags can make transporting your mat to the gym or yoga studio more convenient.
Non-slip towels can be placed on top of the mat during sweaty sessions to provide additional grip.
There are also specialized mat cleaners available that are formulated to be gentle on the mat while effectively removing dirt and bacteria.
These accessories can help you get the most out of your exercise mat and ensure a comfortable and safe workout.
Other Equipment Articles:
Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
For daily cleaning, a simple wipe down with a damp cloth can remove sweat and dirt. For a deeper clean, consider using a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar, which acts as a natural disinfectant.
Spray the solution onto the mat and wipe it down.
Note: Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive scrubbers, as they can degrade the mat's material.
After cleaning, always let the mat air dry completely before rolling it up to prevent mold and mildew growth.
FAQs
Is There a Difference Between a Yoga Mat and an Exercise Mat?
Yes, there is a difference between a yoga mat and an exercise mat. Most yoga mats would be thinner than exercise mats, normally ranging between 1/4 and 1/2 inches thick. Exercise mats tend to be 1/2 to 2 inches thick.
How Thick Should an Exercise Mat Be?
An exercise mat should be 0.5 to 2 inches thick. The thicker they are, the more suitable they might be for a high-intensity workout. Thinner ones tend to be more portable if you want to bring it to the gym.
Our Verdict on the Best Exercise Mats
Having tried and tested various exercise mats, the HemingWeigh mat stands out as my personal favorite.
From yoga sessions to intense pilates, it's been my go-to. Its durability is commendable, even enduring the occasional dumbbell drop.
Plus, cleaning it has always been a breeze.
Our #1 Recommendation
HemingWeigh Extra Thick Yoga Mat (Best Overall & Non-Toxic)
Rated With Total Shape's Scoring System
- Positive comments about the non-slip surface even when you sweat
- Uses only non-toxic material to reduce skin reactions
- Easy to clean with a damp cloth
- It’s long enough to suit taller people
- It has a strong smell when you first unpack it
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