: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 Finest Pilates Mats After 4,200+ Minutes of Planks, A whole bunch, & Extra")
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 follow at dwelling or in a health club, having at the least a primary mat is crucial in your exercise. Pilates may be very fluid, so the mats are thicker and extra slippery than yoga mats, permitting you to transition between workout routines and repetitions simply, says licensed Pilates teacher Julie Erickson, CPI, CPT.
To search out the very best Pilates mats, we spoke with licensed Pilates instructors to study extra about what key options to search for when searching for a high-quality choice. Then, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing prime choices at dwelling, performing standing, mendacity, and kneeling Pilates strikes and stretches. We rated every choice for grip, consolation, portability, sturdiness, and worth. We additionally had a yoga and Pilates teacher from our Overview 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 Ranking: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest for these trying 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 general spot. Due to its strong cushioning and assist, we are able to simply transfer by our total follow with out taking a break because of joint discomfort, which is frequent for us. We additionally love that this mat is massive sufficient for full-body workout routines with out us having to reposition ourselves.
Throughout testing, we liked its regular grip, as we flowed by Pilates workout routines, 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 workout routines. With a gentle, cozy ribbed texture, it supplies glorious grip for our ft and arms, even once 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 may be transported if wanted, however we desire to make use of it in our dwelling exercise area.
Most Precious 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 workout routines while not having to reposition or pause to permit my joints to relaxation. I’m utterly 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 Total Ranking: 5/5
Who It’s For
Finest for individuals who need a supportive, grippy mat and/or have delicate pores and skin and want an choice 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 individuals who prioritize assist when looking for the appropriate Pilates mat. With thick cushioning and a raised sample that gives superior grip, this mat strikes the proper stability of stability and assist. After we use this mat on our hardwood flooring and carpet, it stays utterly in place. Plus, it grips our socks and naked ft effectively, 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 comfy 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 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 simple to move and retailer.
Potential Flaws
- This Pilates mat didn’t utterly flatten after unboxing, and a crease stays even after numerous use. Nevertheless, this didn’t affect our Pilates follow; the crease simply doesn’t look the very best aesthetically.
Most Precious 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 may with a smaller mat. I might suggest this mat to others, particularly in the event that they’re on the lookout for a pure choice 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 Ranking: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Finest for individuals who wish to spend money on a long-lasting, well-cushioned Pilates mat for a dwelling health club.
Why We Love It
In the event you’re prepared to speculate in your house health club and know you wish to follow Pilates long-term, Bala’s The Play Mat must be on the prime of your listing. This mat is skinny however gives unbelievable cushioning. It grips completely on our hardwood flooring and jute rug, and supplies cozy assist, particularly to our hips when mendacity on our aspect 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 actually appears the identical because the day we acquired 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 smooth design that curves on the prime. Plus, it is accessible in two thickness choices, so you possibly can choose the correct amount of cushioning in your wants.
Potential Flaws
- This mat is pricier than different mats on our listing. 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 Precious Perception
“This mat is value its value, particularly due to its sturdiness. In the event you’re prepared to splurge up-front, understanding you received’t have to switch it, then I will surely suggest it. It’s comfy, smooth wanting, 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 connected 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 Total Ranking: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest for individuals who are concerned with attempting Pilates for the primary time or who’re eager about 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 case you’re easing your approach into a daily Pilates follow. Its glorious cushioning offered us with nice assist, which we notably seen when performing strikes whereas mendacity on our again and when holding elbow plank poses.
We love that it gives top-notch grip, letting us circulation by our follow 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 connected straps.
Potential Flaws
- After we used this mat outside, we discovered that it heated up rapidly in direct daylight. In the event you plan on utilizing this mat outside, you could wish to persist with a shady space.
Most Precious Perception
“Consolation is the place this mat shines. My knees, elbows, and again really feel nice! My again, particularly, 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 cozy. Its thick, mushy 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 numerous surfaces, together with hardwood and carpet
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Offers 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 Ranking: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest for individuals who need a excessive stage of cushioning and luxury throughout their Pilates follow.
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 effectively and helps us really feel supported and cozy all through each transfer of our follow. And, as exercisers who are likely 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.
Not like 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, because of its cushioning, it’s fairly thick when rolled up, which can make it tougher to retailer.
Most Precious 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 in a position to 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 last listing of suggestions. Though we appreciated 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 gives a budget-friendly worth and a terrific grip on arduous 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 follow ended.
What We’ve Up to date
- Since publishing our preliminary research-based roundup of the very 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 advisable Pilates mat.
- We consulted a further skilled, 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 principal 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 assist for the backbone, knees, wrists, and extra. In the event you are likely to expertise joint ache, take into account a thicker choice for extra assist.
- Cushion: Some mats supply 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 workout routines, says Erikson. Pilates teacher Laura Quinn, CPT, says that firmer mats present a steady, supportive floor supreme for sustaining your stability throughout numerous Pilates workout routines.
- Density and Materials: Density is commonly mistaken for thickness, however these are two separate components to contemplate. A denser mat usually means it’s extra sturdy and can maintain as much as positions held for longer durations with out leaving indentations within the mat. Mats made from 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 evenly textured. This helps you glide and carry out strikes extra fluidly. In the event you are likely to get sweaty, you could wish to go for a evenly textured choice for extra grip.
- Portability: In the event you plan to take your mat on the go, you’ll need one which rolls up effectively, 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 area.
How We Examined the Pilates Mats
To search out the very best Pilates mats, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing prime choices at dwelling whereas performing numerous workout routines and stretches. When testing Pilates mats, we consider every choice primarily based on the next key standards.
- Grip: To judge for grip, we take into account whether or not the mat supplies sufficient grip to maneuver by our follow comfortably. We attempt the mats on numerous 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 enough cushioning and assist throughout strikes that require sitting, mendacity down, standing, and kneeling. We additionally observe 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 simple journey. We additionally observe how simple it’s to retailer.
- Sturdiness: When sturdiness, we ask ourselves if the mat exhibits any indicators of wear and tear and tear over time. Is it simple to scrub and preserve? Does it maintain onto any odors?
- Worth: We test every mat’s worth after we consider all different key standards to evaluate whether or not it’s value 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.
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 searching for a high-quality Pilates mat. Though we select merchandise independently, skilled 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 Parts 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 at the least a half-inch thick to assist 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 typically easy as an alternative of textured, and their thickness is designed to assist your backbone throughout sure workout routines. It’s possible you’ll discover that utilizing a grippy yoga mat makes some Pilates workout routines harder and even uncomfortable.
What measurement mat is finest for Pilates?
Pilates mats are typically round 24 inches by 72 inches. Nevertheless, there are bigger choices accessible which will work higher for taller people and those that desire to not reposition their mats for full-body workout routines.
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 a whole bunch or attempting to nail the king pigeon pose. She believes there’s not far more motivating for an on-the-ground exercise than a beautiful, practical Pilates mat.
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 marketing consultant. She enjoys Pilates courses and is aware of how vital the proper mat is for sustaining correct kind and getting by probably the most grueling exercises.
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