:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/vwt-pilates-exercise-mats-apr-24-test-airex-190-jessica-christopher-09-cb26e5d1a1f84b53bfd5bb7290bed269.jpeg?w=1920&resize=1920,1267&ssl=1 "We Discovered the Greatest Pilates Mats After 4,200+ Minutes of Planks, Lots of, & Extra")
When attending a Pilates class at a devoted studio, you’ll typically discover specialised tools like reformers or train balls. Nonetheless, when you’re seeking to apply at house or in a health club, having a minimum of a fundamental mat is crucial to 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 seek out the very best Pilates mats, we spoke with licensed Pilates instructors to study extra about what key options to search for when purchasing for a high-quality possibility. Then, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing prime choices at house, 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 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 Ranking: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for these seeking 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. Due to its strong cushioning and help, we will simply transfer via our total apply with out taking a break resulting from 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.
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, cozy ribbed texture, it offers wonderful grip for our toes and palms, even once they get sweaty. Plus, it’s grippy sufficient to help 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. It’s light-weight and might be transported if wanted, however we favor to make use of it in our house exercise area.
Most Helpful Perception
“This mat has enhanced my Pilates apply by offering a cushty and supportive layer and safety from exhausting 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 utterly centered 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 Ranking: 5/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals 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
Constituted of naturally sourced supplies, Balanced Physique’s EcoWise Mat is our prime decide for individuals who prioritize help when looking for the correct 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 utterly in place. Plus, it grips our socks and naked toes effectively, 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 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 previously, 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. Nonetheless, this didn’t influence our Pilates apply; the crease simply doesn’t look the very best aesthetically.
Most Helpful 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 on the lookout 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 26 inches x 5 or 8 millimeters | Materials: Pure rubber | Weight: 1.2 kilos | Our General Ranking: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals who need to put money into a long-lasting, well-cushioned Pilates mat for a house health club.
Why We Love It
In case you’re prepared to take a position in your house health club and know you need to apply Pilates long-term, Bala’s The Play Mat must be on the prime of your checklist. This mat is skinny however presents unimaginable cushioning. It grips completely on our hardwood ground and jute rug, and offers cozy help, particularly to our hips when mendacity on our aspect and knees once we’re on all fours. Plus, we really feel steady and safe, by no means dropping 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 to be like 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 prime. Plus, it is out there in two thickness choices, so you’ll be able to choose the correct amount of cushioning to your wants.
Potential Flaws
- This mat is pricier than different mats on our checklist. Nonetheless, we predict 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 Helpful Perception
“This mat is price its value, particularly due to its sturdiness. In case you’re keen to splurge up-front, understanding you gained’t have to exchange it, then I will surely advocate it. It’s snug, sleek-looking, 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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Simple 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 Ranking: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals who are interested by attempting Pilates for the primary time or who’re interested by making it a daily a part of their health routine.
Why We Love It
The additional thickness and help supplied by Stott’s Pilates Specific Pilates Mat make it our prime decide when you’re easing your approach into a daily Pilates apply. Its wonderful 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 outdoor on concrete. We discovered this mat straightforward to roll up and transport, because of its hooked up straps.
Potential Flaws
- Once we used this mat outdoor, we discovered that it heated up rapidly in direct daylight. In case you plan on utilizing this mat outdoor, chances are you’ll need to persist with a shady space.
Most Helpful 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 every 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, comfortable texture helps help my joints and bones, permitting for longevity in poses that require strain, like elbow planks.” —Samantha Aronson, manufacturing assistant and Verywell Match product tester
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Reminiscence foam-like cushioning that holds its form
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Strong grip on numerous surfaces, together with hardwood and carpet
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Gives wonderful joint help
Key Specs
Dimensions: 70 inches x 23 inches x 25 millimeters | Materials: Excessive-density foam, rubber | Weight: 3.2 kilos | Our General Ranking: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals who desire 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 practising 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 comfy 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.
Not like another mats we’ve used, this one has wonderful grip on all surfaces, together with carpet and hardwood flooring. We felt protected 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, because of its included strap.
Potential Flaws
- Though light-weight, resulting from its cushioning, it’s fairly thick when rolled up, which can make it tougher to retailer.
Most Helpful Perception
“This mat may be very snug. The truth that it’s one 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 ultimate checklist of suggestions. Though we appreciated a few of this mat’s options, it finally didn’t meet our rigorous necessities to be chosen as a prime decide.
- Gaiam’s Necessities Health Mat presents a budget-friendly worth and an important grip on exhausting flooring. Nonetheless, it felt inflexible and uncomfortable to make use of, and our palms and toes 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 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 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 most important indicators of Pilates mats versus different train mats you may discover within the health club or at a yoga studio is thickness. This extra thickness offers joint help for the backbone, knees, wrists, and extra. In case you are inclined to expertise joint ache, contemplate 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 Erickson. Pilates teacher Laura Quinn, CPT, says that firmer mats present a steady, supportive floor preferrred for sustaining your stability throughout numerous Pilates workouts.
- Density and Materials: Density is commonly mistaken for thickness, however these are two separate components to think about. 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 clean or calmly textured. This helps you glide and carry out strikes extra fluidly. In case you are inclined to get sweaty, chances are you’ll need to go for a calmly textured possibility for added grip.
- Portability: In case 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 straightforward journey. Select a smaller, lighter mat when you plan on taking it with you typically. A heavier, bigger mat may match greatest when you plan on utilizing it in your house exercise area.
How We Examined the Pilates Mats
To seek out the very best Pilates mats, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing prime choices at house whereas performing numerous workouts and stretches. When testing Pilates mats, we consider every possibility based mostly on the next key standards.
- Grip: To judge for grip, we contemplate whether or not the mat offers sufficient grip to maneuver via our apply 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 offers satisfactory cushioning and help throughout strikes that require sitting, mendacity down, standing, and kneeling. We additionally word if we really feel any strain factors or discomfort when utilizing the mat.
- Portability: When assessing portability, we contemplate how mild the mat is, how simply it rolls up, and whether or not it comes with a strap for straightforward journey. We additionally word how straightforward it’s to retailer.
- 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 wash and preserve? 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 predict 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 purchasing for a high-quality Pilates mat. Though we select merchandise independently, professional enter helps inform our choices.
- Julie Erickson, 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
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
How thick ought to a Pilates mat be?
Most Pilates mats are a minimum of a half-inch thick (12.5 millimeters) to help your backbone and tailbone through the class. Nonetheless, 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 an alternative of textured, and their thickness is designed to help your backbone throughout sure workouts. It’s possible you’ll discover that utilizing a skinny, grippy yoga mat makes some Pilates workouts harder and even uncomfortable.
What measurement mat is greatest for Pilates?
Pilates mats are usually round 24 inches by 72 inches. Nonetheless, there are bigger choices out there that will work higher for taller people and people who 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 for Verywell Match. She’s obsessed with discovering stability, whether or not performing tons 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, practical Pilates mat.
Further reporting by Sarah Anzlovar
Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RD is a non-public apply dietitian and author for Verywell Match. She enjoys Pilates lessons and is aware of how essential the proper mat is for sustaining correct type and getting via essentially the most grueling exercises.
Each authors appeared over our testing insights from our lab to decide on our prime picks.
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