:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/vwt-pilates-exercise-mats-apr-24-test-airex-190-jessica-christopher-09-cb26e5d1a1f84b53bfd5bb7290bed269.jpeg "We Discovered the Finest Pilates Mats After 4,200+ Minutes of Planks, Lots of, & Extra")
When attending a Pilates class at a devoted studio, you’ll usually discover specialised gear like reformers or train balls. Nonetheless, in case you’re trying to apply at residence or in a gymnasium, having not less than a fundamental mat is crucial on 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 the most effective Pilates mats, we spoke with licensed Pilates instructors to be taught extra about what key options to search for when searching for a high-quality choice. Then, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing high choices at residence, 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 Evaluate Board overview 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
Finest 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 general spot. Because of its strong cushioning and assist, we are able to simply transfer by means of our whole apply with out taking a break resulting from 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 liked its regular grip, as we flowed by means 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 snug performing each slower- and faster-paced workouts. With a gentle, cozy ribbed texture, it supplies wonderful grip for our ft and arms, even once they get sweaty. Plus, it’s grippy sufficient to assist 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. Nonetheless, it’s light-weight and might be transported if wanted, however we want to make use of it in our residence exercise house.
Most Precious Perception
“This mat has enhanced my Pilates apply by offering a cushty and supportive layer and safety from onerous ground surfaces. I can transfer freely, doing full-body workouts with no need to reposition or pause to permit my joints to relaxation. I’m fully targeted 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
Finest for many 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
Comprised of naturally sourced supplies, Balanced Physique’s EcoWise Mat is our high choose for many who prioritize assist when trying to find the proper Pilates mat. With thick cushioning and a raised sample that gives 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 fully in place. Plus, it grips our socks and naked ft properly, 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 straightforward to wash, 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 a lot of use. Nonetheless, this didn’t affect our Pilates apply; the crease simply doesn’t look the most effective aesthetically.
Most Precious 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 may with a smaller mat. I might suggest this mat to others, particularly in the event that they’re in search of 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 Score: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Finest for many who wish to spend money on a long-lasting, well-cushioned Pilates mat for a residence gymnasium.
Why We Love It
When you’re prepared to take a position in your house gymnasium and know you wish to apply Pilates long-term, Bala’s The Play Mat needs to be on the high of your record. This mat is skinny however presents unimaginable cushioning. It grips completely on our hardwood ground 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—we have now used it for over a 12 months and haven’t seen any indicators of damage and tear. It actually appears the identical because the day we obtained it. It doesn’t maintain onto any odor, and sweat marks are straightforward to wash with cleaning soap and water. We additionally love its aesthetically pleasing smooth design that curves on the high. Plus, it is obtainable in two thickness choices, so you’ll be able to choose the correct quantity of cushioning on your wants.
Potential Flaws
- This mat is pricier than different mats on our record. Nonetheless, 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 price its price, particularly due to its sturdiness. When you’re prepared to splurge up-front, figuring out you received’t have to switch it, then I will surely suggest it. It’s snug, 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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Simple 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 Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest for many who are taken with 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 assist provided by Stott’s Pilates Categorical Pilates Mat make it our high choose in case you’re easing your means into an everyday Pilates apply. Its wonderful cushioning supplied 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 presents top-notch grip, letting us circulate by means of 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 straightforward to roll up and transport, due to its connected straps.
Potential Flaws
- Once we used this mat outside, we discovered that it heated up rapidly in direct daylight. When you plan on utilizing this mat outside, chances are you’ll wish to keep on 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 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, comfortable 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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Supplies wonderful 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: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest for many who need a excessive stage 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 properly 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 wonderful 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 wash, and it doesn’t maintain onto any odors. Plus, it’s light-weight and straightforward to hold, due to its included strap.
Potential Flaws
- Though light-weight, resulting from its cushioning, it’s fairly thick when rolled up, which can make it more difficult to retailer.
Most Precious Perception
“This mat may be very snug. 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 high Pilates mats, however solely 5 impressed us sufficient to make our remaining 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 high choose.
- Gaiam’s Necessities Health Mat presents a budget-friendly value and a fantastic grip on onerous flooring. Nonetheless, it felt inflexible and uncomfortable to make use of, and our arms and ft slipped as we grew to become 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 most effective Pilates mats, we’ve re-evaluated our earlier picks and spent over 4,200 minutes hands-on testing high choices. That is now a totally examined article, solely offering our hands-on expertise with every really helpful Pilates mat.
- We consulted an extra professional, an authorized 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 foremost indicators of Pilates mats versus different train mats you would possibly 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. When you are inclined to expertise joint ache, think about a thicker choice for added 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 workouts, says Erikson. Pilates teacher Laura Quinn, CPT, says that firmer mats present a steady, supportive floor excellent 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 usually means it’s extra sturdy and can maintain as much as positions held for longer intervals with out leaving indentations within the mat. Mats product of 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 frivolously textured. This helps you glide and carry out strikes extra fluidly. When you are inclined to get sweaty, chances are you’ll wish to go for a frivolously textured choice for added grip.
- Portability: When you 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 simple journey. Select a smaller, lighter mat in case you plan on taking it with you usually. 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 most effective Pilates mats, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing high choices at residence whereas performing numerous workouts and stretches. When testing Pilates mats, we consider every choice primarily based on the next key standards.
- Grip: To judge for grip, we think about whether or not the mat supplies sufficient grip to maneuver by means of our apply comfortably. We strive the mats on numerous surfaces, together with hardwood, tile, and carpet, and spot 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 satisfactory 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 think about how gentle the mat is, how simply it rolls up, and whether or not it comes with a strap for simple journey. We additionally notice how straightforward it’s to retailer.
- Sturdiness: When sturdiness, we ask ourselves if the mat reveals any indicators of damage and tear over time. Is it straightforward to wash and keep? Does it maintain onto any odors?
- Worth: We verify 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 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, professional enter helps inform our selections.
- 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 Parts LAB
- Laura Quinn, CPT, licensed private coach and head Pilates Teacher at Alo Strikes
Incessantly Requested Questions
How thick ought to a Pilates mat be?
Most Pilates mats are not less than a half-inch thick to assist your backbone and tailbone through the class. Nonetheless, some extra transportable ones are as skinny as 6 millimeters (about 0.2 inches).
Can I exploit 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 harder and even uncomfortable.
What measurement mat is finest for Pilates?
Pilates mats are usually round 24 inches by 72 inches. Nonetheless, there are bigger choices obtainable which will work higher for taller people and those that want 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 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.
Extra reporting by Sarah Anzlovar
Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RD is a non-public apply dietitian who works as a contract author, recipe developer, meals photographer, and model marketing consultant. She enjoys Pilates lessons and is aware of how essential the right mat is for sustaining correct type and getting by means of essentially the most grueling exercises.
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