Fast Tip: The perfect yoga mat thickness will depend on your apply model, with thicker mats providing extra cushioning and thinner mats offering higher stability.
The huge alternative of yoga mats as of late is overwhelming. You could find a yoga mat in each shade and design and of various thicknesses and lengths. Whereas issues like colours and patterns are purely for aesthetic preferences, the thickness of a yoga mat can decide its usability.
Further-thick yoga mats could also be nice for one yoga model but a hindrance to a different, and the identical is true for skinny mats. So that will help you select a yoga mat that’s best for you, we’re sharing the professionals and cons of various thicknesses, together with our favourite thick and skinny mats.
What Ought to Be The Ultimate Thickness For A Yoga Mat?
The most effective yoga mat thickness will rely in your private wants. Thicker yoga mats give extra cushioning and are finest for restorative yoga kinds the place you maintain poses for longer. Nevertheless, thinner mats present extra stability and allow you to preserve steadiness. Thus, they’re higher for dynamic yoga kinds corresponding to vinyasa, Ashtanga, or sizzling yoga.
So what are the totally different thicknesses out there? Most traditional yoga mats vary from 3 to five mm thick, whereas further thick yoga mats can from 6 to 10 mm. Journey yoga mats are the thinnest, simply 1 to 2 mm thick.
How To Select The Proper Yoga Mat Thickness
There isn’t a one excellent yoga mat. Each thick and skinny yoga mats have benefits and drawbacks, which is why many skilled yogis wish to have each thick and skinny ones. That means, they will interchange relying on the kind of yoga they’re doing and the setting they’re doing yoga in.
Alternatively, you could choose for the standard yoga mat that’s round 4 or 5 mm. Common yoga mats give sufficient cushioning to guard your joint well being with out being too cumbersome or lowering steadiness or stability.
Let’s discover the professionals and cons of thick and skinny mats.
Thick Yoga Mats Execs and Cons
Skinny Yoga Mats Execs and Cons
If you’re doing out of doors yoga, you could assume a thinner mat is finest as it’s lighter and simpler to hold round. Nevertheless, a skinny yoga mat could be uncomfortable or painful when working towards outside on a tough or uneven floor, corresponding to concrete or in a forest.
Finest Thick Yoga Mats
Do you’re feeling a thicker yoga mat is finest for you? If that’s the case, listed here are our three favourite thicker mats.
lululemon The Exercise Mat 6mm
lululemon The Exercise Mat 6mm
If you happen to do plenty of dynamic yoga and, thus, require a grippy mat however don’t wish to compromise your joints, the lululemon Exercise Mat is arms down the best choice.
It’s 6mm thick, offering adequate padding, but it has glorious grip due to its raised textural design. This lets you transition shortly and effortlessly between standing poses with out dropping traction.
As a result of this thick yoga mat is designed for different exercises apart from yoga, it’s tremendous sturdy and can be utilized with sneakers. Thus, it doubles up as an excellent health or pilates mat for yogis who love all types of motion.
The 2kg (4.4lbs) mat is created from 100% Recycled PVB and has a closed cell design that retains sweat and different moisture out. Furthermore, it’s stain-resistant and simple to scrub with a moist material, so it’ll keep smelling contemporary even in probably the most strenuous sizzling yoga periods.
Gaiam’s 10mm (2/5 inch) mat is without doubt one of the thickest yoga mats. Due to its thickness, it may be used for different health actions apart from yoga. Plus, it’s ultimate when you usually apply on a tough or uneven floor.
Regardless of its thickness, this mat is surprisingly light-weight, weighing simply 1.4 kg (3.1 kilos). Subsequently, many yogis love utilizing it for out of doors practices. It additionally comes with a simple cinch strap, making it easy to safe and sling over your shoulder.
Though it’s an additional thick yoga mat, it offers first rate stability due to its dual-sided, textured ridges that assist improve traction and scale back slippage. It’s created from Nitrile Butadiene rubber foam and has 9 shade selections.
Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
The famend Manduka PRO is seen in yoga studios worldwide and cherished by yogis all over the place. At 6mm thick, it has the best yoga mat thickness for house or studio use, defending probably the most delicate joints whereas giving superior stability.
The Manduka PRO yoga mat is high-performance and ultra-supportive. It is usually some of the sturdy, thicker yoga mats, constructed to final a lifetime. As well as, Manduka PRO mats are crafted in Germany from licensed PVC and are free from dangerous substances.
It contains a closed-cell design to stop moisture and micro organism from getting contained in the mat. This makes cleansing simple after your yoga apply as you merely wipe it with a moist material. This design additionally prevents 4 smells from occurring.
The draw back of the Manduka PRO is that it’s heavy, weighing 3.4kg (7.5 kilos). Thus, this isn’t a mat you’d wish to carry from place to put.
Finest Common Thickness Yoga Mats
Desire a versatile yoga mat that can be utilized for a number of yoga kinds and environments? Contemplate certainly one of these normal thickness mats.
lululemon The Mat 5mm
You may’t go fallacious with the lululemon reversible 5mm “The Mat” for each cushioning and grip. Its pure rubber base offers eco-friendliness to the planet and extra cushioning on your physique. Utilizing it with the underside aspect up is right for practices with plenty of kneeling or seated poses.
In the meantime, the highest layer offers glorious grip and moisture absorption, excellent for flowing by means of solar salutations and difficult standing and balancing poses. It’s additionally simple to scrub with a moist material because it has antimicrobial therapies to stop mould and mildew.
It weighs 2.38kg (5.24 lbs), so it’s gentle sufficient to hold round whether or not you’re going to the native studio or out of doors yoga courses. Plus, with over 10 designs and colours, your subsequent mat can be high-quality and tremendous trendy.
JadeYoga Concord(™) Yoga Mat
The Jade Concord mat is 4.7mm (3/16 inches) thick and provides the proper mixture of grip and luxury. It’s created from pure open-cell rubber, which gives higher cushioning than artificial rubber mats, making it simpler to carry poses and preserve steadiness.
The Jade Concord mat is simply nearly as good for the planet as for you as it’s created from 100% plant-based pure supplies and has no PVC, phthalates, or heavy metals. As Jade additionally offers again by planting a tree for each yoga mat bought, this is without doubt one of the finest eco-friendly mats.
The reasonably thick mat weighs 2kg and is available in 12 shade choices. It’s extremely sturdy, and most yogis discover it lasts them a few years and withstands on a regular basis put on and tear. There are additionally three size choices; 68-inch, 71-inch, and extra-long 74-inch. All are 24 inches broad.
Liforme Unique Yoga Mat
The Liforme 4.2mm rubber mat options the most effective yoga mat thickness for each kind of yoga. It offers sufficient consolation and assist for restorative yoga. But, its ground-breaking “GripForMe” materials offers unparalleled grip and stability in vinyasa or Ashtanga yoga.
One other distinctive promoting level of this well-liked yoga mat is the “AlignForMe” system, which helps you discover foot placement and forestall accidents. It is usually environmentally pleasant as its created from eco-polyurethane and rubber and is biodegradable.
As a pure rubber mat, it isn’t tremendous gentle, weighing 2.5 kilos (5.5 kilos). There are six colours to select from, all of which retain vibrancy even after a number of years of use.
Finest Journey Yoga Mats
Are you in search of a skinny mat that’s gentle, doesn’t take up a lot house, and is straightforward to journey with? If that’s the case, listed here are our high three journey mats.
lululemon The (Un) Mat
The lululemon Un Mat is tremendous light-weight and simple to journey with, permitting you to apply all over the place and anyplace. At simply 1.5 mm thickness, this barely there mat can be utilized on gentle surfaces or as a topper for a thicker mat on arduous surfaces.
As a result of it weighs simply 1.05kg (2.32 lbs), it makes a perfect yoga mat for frequent vacationers who don’t have a lot house or weight to spare of their baggage.
One other superior factor about this mat is that it’s reversible. So the underside offers extra cushioning whereas the highest is clean and grippy.
The bottom is created from sustainably sourced and FSC™-certified pure rubber with a textured grip ultimate for low-sweat practices. In the meantime, the progressive high-grip high layer wicks up moisture, so it’s fab for sweaty practices. It additionally options an antimicrobial additive to stop mould and mildew buildup.
JadeYoga – Voyager(™) Yoga Mat
The Jade Voyager yoga mat is a well-liked alternative amongst yoga-loving digital nomads and touring yoga academics, because the mat folds as much as the dimensions of a yoga block.
It’s simply 1.6mm thick (1/16 inches) and weighs a featherlight 680 grams(1.5 kilos), making it one of many lightest yoga mats ever. Whether or not you add it to your checked baggage or carry-on, it’ll take up nearly no house or weight.
It’s not simply the dimensions that makes this mat a fab alternative. It’s created from eco-friendly pure rubber with an open-cell design, considerably lowering slipping. Many yogis like to make use of it as a journey mat whereas away and a topper to their thicker mat at house.
Yoga Design Lab Journey Yoga Mat
This tremendous skinny mat by Yoga Design Lab is simply 1.5mm thick, serving as a 2-in-1 yoga mat and towel. It’s ultimate for sweaty practices like Bikram yoga as its ultra-absorbent microfiber high layer offers superior sweat administration.
Apparently, as it’s made for sweaty practices, the sweatier you’re, the higher your grip. To extend stickiness, you may moist your arms earlier than apply. Due to the yoga mat’s thickness, you may machine wash it on a mild cycle and dangle it dry. Nevertheless, it’s best to hand-clean it with a material to protect its life.
The journey yoga mat contains a pure rubber base layer bonded to a recycled PET microfiber high layer made utilizing 15 plastic bottles. Thus, this can be a fab alternative when you’re in search of a sustainable and eco-friendly journey mat.
The Affect of Yoga Mat Thickness on Joint Well being
An necessary issue that’s usually disregarded when deciding on a yoga mat is its affect on joint well being. Whereas we now have talked concerning the benefits and drawbacks of thick and skinny mats, let’s discover additional how the thickness of your mat can affect your joints.
Thicker Mats for Joint Help
Thicker yoga mats, usually starting from 6 to 10 mm, present further cushioning. That is particularly useful for people with delicate or achy joints. When partaking in poses that exert strain in your knees, wrists or elbows, a thicker mat can provide the required padding to stop discomfort and potential harm. As an illustration, poses like Camel or Tabletop could really feel extra comfy on a thicker mat, easing the pressure in your joints.
Thinner Mats for Stability and Equilibrium
Conversely, thinner mats, often between 1 to five mm, provide much less cushioning however higher stability. This may be advantageous for dynamic yoga kinds that demand steadiness and accuracy, corresponding to Vinyasa or Ashtanga. A thinner mat lets you sense the bottom beneath you, which might improve your steadiness and alignment. Nevertheless, when you’ve got joint issues, you could discover these mats much less comfy for poses that necessitate extended strain in your joints.
Reaching the Good Equilibrium
If you happen to’re coping with joint points however favor a thinner mat for its stability, you can discover utilizing further gear like yoga knee pads or a yoga towel. These equipment can provide added assist the place vital whereas sustaining the general firmness of your mat. Alternatively, you could think about choosing a mat of reasonable thickness, roughly 4 to five mm, hanging a harmonious steadiness between cushioning and steadiness.
The thickness of your yoga mat performs an important function in safeguarding your joint well being. Thicker mats present enhanced safety for delicate joints, whereas thinner mats promote higher stability throughout balancing poses. Choose a mat that caters to your particular necessities to make sure a nice and safe yoga apply.
What About Yoga Towels?
A yoga towel topper is a brilliant useful merchandise, whether or not it’s to wick up your sweat, scale back slipping, or add further thickness. They’re extremely light-weight and fold up tiny, making them a fab element on your journey yoga mat. Plus, when you’re utilizing a skinny mat and want further cushioning on your knees, you may fold the towel like a blanket for further padding.
Yoga towels are available in a couple of totally different sizes. Most towels particularly designed for yoga, like The Towel by lululemon, are manufactured from microfibre cloth, so they’re quick-drying. You too can select between many trendy patterns and a number of colours.
The Affect of Yoga Mat Thickness on Your Apply Setting
The thickness of your yoga mat can vastly affect your apply setting. You probably have an outdated mat that isn’t thick sufficient, upgrading to a 1 inch thick yoga mat could make a world of distinction. Buyer evaluations on amazon.com rave about the advantages of utilizing an additional thick deluxe yoga mat.
The 1 inch thick excessive density foam supplies a secure floor for all of your yoga poses and ensures that you’ve a cushty apply. The non-slip floor of this thick train mat will even provide you with added stability throughout your apply, whether or not you’re doing yoga or pilates.
Comparability Between Indoor and Outside Yoga Classes
When deciding on the suitable yoga mat thickness, take into consideration the situation the place you propose to apply. The setting, whether or not indoors or outside, can have a notable affect in your total consolation and efficiency.
Indoor Yoga Practices
In indoor settings, a normal mat thickness starting from 4 5 mm is mostly appropriate. Surfaces indoors corresponding to hardwood or carpet present a secure basis on your apply. Whereas thicker mats can provide further cushioning, they might compromise stability on softer surfaces like carpet. If you happen to apply on a tough flooring floor, choosing a thicker mat will help defend your joints with out sacrificing steadiness.
Outside Yoga Practices
Outside yoga periods include their very own set of challenges. Uneven surfaces corresponding to grass, sand or concrete require extra cushioning for assist. A thicker mat with a thickness of round 6 10 mm can present the mandatory consolation and assist in out of doors settings. Nevertheless, thicker mats are typically bulkier and heavier, which can have an effect on portability. For normal out of doors practices, think about using a foldable mat that strikes a steadiness between thickness for consolation and ease of carrying.
Private Insights
Having skilled each indoor and out of doors yoga periods myself, I discover that utilizing a 4 mm mat indoors fits me effectively on my hardwood flooring. It gives adequate cushioning with out compromising my stability throughout poses. When working towards outside, I change to a 6 mm mat which supplies further padding important for uneven terrain regardless of its heavier weight. This equilibrium has improved my yoga routine, enabling me to relish yoga in several settings with ease.
Deciding on the suitable mat thickness in line with the place you apply can improve your yoga session. Whether or not you’re indoors or outside, the proper mat will allow you to keep comfy and attentive.
Remaining Ideas On How Thick Ought to A Yoga Mat Be?
As you may see, the best mat thickness fully will depend on your yoga apply. A thinner mat could also be finest when you do plenty of fast-paced, dynamic yoga that makes you sweat. Nevertheless, when you’re a lover of yin yoga, you’ll probably discover a thicker yoga mat extra comfy.
If you happen to’re after a brand new yoga mat, the mats featured on this information are all premium high quality and rated extremely by different yogis.
Pop quiz! 🧘🤔
Thicker yoga mats are all the time higher for every type of yoga.
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Journey yoga mats are usually the thinnest kind of yoga mats.
YesNo
A 6mm yoga mat is taken into account an additional thick yoga mat.
YesNo
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