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When attending a Pilates class at a devoted studio, you’ll typically discover specialised tools like reformers or train balls. Nevertheless, in case you’re trying to apply at residence or in a health club, having at the very least a primary mat is crucial on your exercise. Pilates could 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 the perfect 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 residence, 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 Evaluation Board evaluation 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 General Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for these trying to improve their Pilates apply 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 help, we will simply transfer via our whole apply with out taking a break as a consequence of joint discomfort, which is frequent for us. We additionally love that this mat is giant sufficient for full-body workouts with out us having to reposition ourselves.
Throughout testing, we cherished its regular grip, as we flowed via 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 snug performing each slower- and faster-paced workouts. With a mild, comfortable ribbed texture, it supplies glorious grip for our ft and arms, even after they get sweaty. Plus, it’s grippy sufficient to help completely 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 may be transported if wanted, however we favor to make use of it in our residence exercise house.
Most Invaluable Perception
“This mat has enhanced my Pilates apply by offering a cushty and supportive layer and safety from onerous 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 fully targeted on train actions versus the tools 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 General Score: 5/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for many who need 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
Constituted of naturally sourced supplies, Balanced Physique’s EcoWise Mat is our prime choose for many who prioritize help when looking for the precise Pilates mat. With thick cushioning and a raised sample that provides superior grip, this mat strikes the proper stability of stability and help. Once we use this mat on our hardwood flooring and carpet, it stays fully in place. Plus, it grips our socks and naked ft nicely, stopping us from slipping and sliding, even after we get sweaty throughout extra intense strikes.
We love that this mat is hypoallergenic, which makes us really feel snug touching it to our naked pores and skin with out worrying about any irritation. It’s tremendous simple to scrub, and in contrast to another mats we’ve used prior 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 simple to move and retailer.
Potential Flaws
- This Pilates mat didn’t fully flatten after unboxing, and a crease stays even after numerous use. Nevertheless, this didn’t influence our Pilates apply; the crease simply doesn’t look the perfect aesthetically.
Most Invaluable Perception
“This mat enhances my Pilates apply 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 might advocate this mat to others, particularly in the event that they’re searching for a pure possibility that gained’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 General 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 house health club.
Why We Love It
Should you’re prepared to take a position in your house health club and know you wish to apply 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 help, particularly to our hips when mendacity on our facet and knees after we’re on all fours. Plus, we really feel steady and safe, by no means shedding our grip, even throughout sweatier exercises.
Sturdiness is the place this Pilates mat shines—now we have used it for over a yr and haven’t seen any indicators of wear and tear and tear. It really appears to be like the identical because the day we obtained it. It doesn’t maintain onto any odor, and sweat marks are simple 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’ll be able to choose the correct amount of cushioning on 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.
Most Invaluable Perception
“This mat is price its value, particularly due to its sturdiness. Should you’re prepared to splurge up-front, realizing you gained’t have to switch it, then I would definitely advocate it. It’s snug, glossy trying, well-designed, and long-lasting.” —Abby Moore, Verywell Match product tester
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Glorious help, particularly for the again and elbows
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Straightforward to hold with hooked up straps
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Finances-friendly
Key Specs
Dimensions: 70 inches x 22 inches x 10 millimeters | Materials: Closed-cell foam | Weight: 1.8 kilos | Our General Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for many who are serious about attempting Pilates for the primary time or who’re serious about making it an everyday a part of their health routine.
Why We Love It
The additional thickness and help provided by Stott’s Pilates Specific Pilates Mat make it our prime choose in case you’re easing your manner into an everyday Pilates apply. Its glorious cushioning supplied us with nice help, which we significantly observed when performing strikes whereas mendacity on our again and when holding elbow plank poses.
We love that it presents top-notch grip, letting us circulation via our apply with out worrying about slipping or any mat motion, regardless if we apply it to hardwood flooring, tiles, or outside on concrete. We discovered this mat simple to roll up and transport, because of its hooked up straps.
Potential Flaws
- Once we used this mat outside, we discovered that it heated up rapidly in direct daylight. Should you plan on utilizing this mat outside, you could wish to persist with a shady space.
Most Invaluable 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 another mat I’ve ever used earlier than. Its thick cushioning lets my again sink in, and I really feel so supported and cozy. Its thick, delicate texture helps help my joints and bones, permitting for longevity in poses that require stress, 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 numerous surfaces, together with hardwood and carpet
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Gives glorious joint help
Key Specs
Dimensions: 70 inches x 23 inches x 25 millimeters | Materials: Excessive-density foam, rubber | Weight: 3.2 kilos | Our General Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for many who need a excessive degree of cushioning and luxury throughout their Pilates apply.
Why We Love It
If you wish to really feel such as you’re working towards Pilates on a cloud, you’ll love HemingWeigh’s 1” Thick Yoga Mat. Its thick, reminiscence foam-like cushioning holds its form nicely and helps us really feel supported and cozy all through each transfer of our apply. 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 easy texture makes it simple to scrub, and it doesn’t maintain onto any odors. Plus, it’s light-weight and simple to hold, because of its included strap.
Potential Flaws
- Though light-weight, as a consequence of its cushioning, it’s fairly thick when rolled up, which can make it tougher to retailer.
Most Invaluable Perception
“This mat could be very snug. The truth that it’s 1-inch thick could 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 stress 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 remaining record of suggestions. Though we favored 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 value and an amazing grip on onerous flooring. Nevertheless, it felt inflexible and uncomfortable to make use of, and our arms and ft slipped as we turned sweaty. Our nails scratched this mat’s floor simply, and it held indentations lengthy after our apply ended.
What We’ve Up to date
- Since publishing our preliminary research-based roundup of the perfect Pilates mats, we’ve re-evaluated our earlier picks and spent over 4,200 minutes hands-on testing prime choices. That is now a totally examined article, solely offering our hands-on expertise with every advisable Pilates mat.
- We consulted an extra professional, a licensed private coach and Pilates teacher, to make sure that our recommendation on selecting Pilates mats is correct and updated.
What to Search for When Purchasing for Pilates Mats
- Thickness: One of many important indicators of Pilates mats versus different train mats you would possibly discover within the health club or at a yoga studio is their thickness. This extra thickness supplies joint help for the backbone, knees, wrists, and extra. Should you are inclined to expertise joint ache, take into account a thicker possibility for added help.
- 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 enhance the problem or present extra help throughout sure workouts, says Erikson. Pilates teacher Laura Quinn, CPT, says that firmer mats present a steady, supportive floor ultimate for sustaining your stability throughout numerous Pilates workouts.
- Density and Materials: Density is commonly mistaken for thickness, however these are two separate elements to contemplate. A denser mat sometimes means it’s extra sturdy and can maintain as much as positions held for longer durations with out leaving indentations within the mat. Mats product of closed-cell or high-density foam are denser, higher high quality, and face up to longer use.
- Floor Texture: The floor of Pilates mats tends to be easy or calmly textured. This helps you glide and carry out strikes extra fluidly. Should you are inclined to get sweaty, you could wish to go for a calmly textured possibility for added grip.
- Portability: Should you plan to take your mat on the go, you’ll need one which rolls up nicely, is light-weight, and comes with a strap for simple journey. Select a smaller, lighter mat in case you plan on taking it with you typically. A Heavier, bigger mat may match finest in case you plan on utilizing it in your house exercise house.
How We Examined the Pilates Mats
To search out the perfect Pilates mats, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing prime choices at residence whereas performing numerous workouts and stretches. When testing Pilates mats, we consider every possibility based mostly on the next key standards.
- Grip: To guage for grip, we take into account whether or not the mat supplies sufficient grip to maneuver via our apply comfortably. We strive the mats on numerous surfaces, together with hardwood, tile, and carpet, and see whether or not their grip modifications as soon as we begin to work up a sweat.
- Consolation: When contemplating consolation, we take into consideration whether or not the mat supplies enough cushioning and help throughout strikes that require sitting, mendacity down, standing, and kneeling. We additionally notice if we really feel any stress factors or discomfort when utilizing the mat.
- Portability: When assessing portability, we take into account how mild the mat is, how simply it rolls up, and whether or not it comes with a strap for simple journey. We additionally notice how simple it’s to retailer.
- Sturdiness: When taking a look at sturdiness, we ask ourselves if the mat reveals any indicators of wear and tear and tear over time. Is it simple to scrub and keep? Does it maintain onto any odors?
- Worth: We examine every mat’s value 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 advocate to family and friends.
Our Specialists
We consulted specialists at every stage of our analysis, testing, and reporting course of. The next specialists 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 choices.
- Julie Erikson, CPI, CPT, licensed Pilates teacher and authorized 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
Often Requested Questions
How thick ought to a Pilates mat be?
Most Pilates mats are at the very least a half-inch thick to help your backbone and tailbone through the class. Nevertheless, some extra moveable ones are as skinny as 6 millimeters (about 0.2 inches).
Can I exploit a yoga mat for Pilates?
Pilates mats are usually easy as a substitute of textured, and their thickness is designed to help your backbone throughout sure workouts. You might discover that utilizing a grippy yoga mat makes some Pilates workouts tougher and even uncomfortable.
What dimension 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 favor 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 captivated with discovering stability, whether or not performing lots of or attempting to nail the king pigeon pose. She believes there’s not rather more motivating for an on-the-ground exercise than a beautiful, purposeful Pilates mat.
Extra reporting by Sarah Anzlovar
Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RD is a personal apply dietitian who works as a contract author, recipe developer, meals photographer, and model marketing consultant. She enjoys Pilates courses and is aware of how essential the proper mat is for sustaining correct type and getting via essentially the most grueling exercises.
