: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 usually discover specialised tools like reformers or train balls. Nevertheless, when you’re seeking to apply at dwelling or in a gymnasium, having no less than a fundamental mat is important 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 seek out the perfect Pilates mats, we spoke with licensed Pilates instructors to study extra about what key options to search for when purchasing for a high-quality choice. Then, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing high 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 Evaluate 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 Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest 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 assist, we will simply transfer via our complete apply with out taking a break on account of 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 liked 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 gentle, cozy ribbed texture, it gives glorious grip for our ft and palms, 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 troublesome to hold round. Nevertheless, it’s light-weight and will be transported if wanted, however we choose to make use of it in our dwelling exercise house.
Most Beneficial Perception
“This mat has enhanced my Pilates apply by offering a snug and supportive layer and safety from onerous ground 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 Total Score: 5/5
Who It’s For
Finest for individuals who desire 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
Created from naturally sourced supplies, Balanced Physique’s EcoWise Mat is our high choose for individuals who prioritize assist when trying to find the best Pilates mat. With thick cushioning and a raised sample that gives superior grip, this mat strikes the right stability of stability and assist. After 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 scrub, 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 straightforward 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. Nevertheless, this didn’t impression our Pilates apply; the crease simply doesn’t look the perfect aesthetically.
Most Beneficial 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’d suggest this mat to others, particularly in the event that they’re searching 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 Score: 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 gymnasium.
Why We Love It
If you happen to’re prepared to speculate 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 checklist. This mat is skinny however affords unbelievable cushioning. It grips completely on our hardwood ground and jute rug, and gives cozy assist, 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—we’ve got used it for over a yr and haven’t seen any indicators of wear and tear and tear. It actually seems the identical because the day we obtained it. It doesn’t maintain onto any odor, and sweat marks are straightforward to scrub with cleaning soap and water. We additionally love its aesthetically pleasing smooth design that curves on the high. Plus, it is accessible in two thickness choices, so you possibly can choose the correct amount of cushioning on your wants.
Potential Flaws
- This mat is pricier than different mats on our checklist. Nevertheless, 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 Beneficial Perception
“This mat is value its price, particularly due to its sturdiness. If you happen to’re keen to splurge up-front, realizing you received’t have to interchange it, then I would definitely 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 hooked up straps
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Funds-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 individuals who are taken with making an attempt Pilates for the primary time or who’re desirous 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 high choose when you’re easing your approach into a daily Pilates apply. Its glorious cushioning offered us with nice assist, which we significantly observed when performing strikes whereas mendacity on our again and when holding elbow plank poses.
We love that it affords top-notch grip, letting us circulate via our apply with out worrying about slipping or any mat motion, regardless if we apply it to hardwood flooring, tiles, or open air on concrete. We discovered this mat straightforward to roll up and transport, due to its hooked up straps.
Potential Flaws
- After we used this mat open air, we discovered that it heated up shortly in direct daylight. If you happen to plan on utilizing this mat open air, chances are you’ll wish to keep on with a shady space.
Most Beneficial 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 comfy. Its thick, gentle texture helps assist 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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Supplies 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 Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest 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 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 comfy all through each transfer of our apply. 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.
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 clean texture makes it straightforward to scrub, 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, on account of its cushioning, it’s fairly thick when rolled up, which can make it more difficult to retailer.
Most Beneficial 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 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 high Pilates mats, however solely 5 impressed us sufficient to make our remaining checklist 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 affords a budget-friendly value and an important grip on onerous flooring. Nevertheless, it felt inflexible and uncomfortable to make use of, and our palms 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 perfect Pilates mats, we’ve re-evaluated our earlier picks and spent over 4,200 minutes hands-on testing high choices. That is now a absolutely examined article, solely offering our hands-on expertise with every really useful Pilates mat.
- We consulted a further 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 Looking for Pilates Mats
- Thickness: One of many most important indicators of Pilates mats versus different train mats you may discover within the gymnasium or at a yoga studio is their thickness. This extra thickness gives joint assist for the backbone, knees, wrists, and extra. If you happen to are likely to expertise joint ache, take into account a thicker choice for extra assist.
- 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 assist throughout sure workouts, says Erikson. 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 usually mistaken for thickness, however these are two separate elements to think about. 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 face up to longer use.
- Floor Texture: The floor of Pilates mats tends to be clean or flippantly textured. This helps you glide and carry out strikes extra fluidly. If you happen to are likely to get sweaty, chances are you’ll wish to go for a flippantly textured choice for extra grip.
- Portability: If you happen to 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 when you plan on taking it with you usually. A Heavier, bigger mat may fit finest when you plan on utilizing it in your house exercise house.
How We Examined the Pilates Mats
To seek out the perfect Pilates mats, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing high choices at dwelling whereas performing numerous workouts and stretches. When testing Pilates mats, we consider every choice based mostly on the next key standards.
- Grip: To judge for grip, we take into account whether or not the mat gives 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 modifications as soon as we begin to work up a sweat.
- Consolation: When contemplating consolation, we take into consideration whether or not the mat gives sufficient cushioning and assist 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 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 wear and tear and tear over time. Is it straightforward to scrub and preserve? 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 value 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 suggest to family and friends.
Our Consultants
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 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
Regularly Requested Questions
How thick ought to a Pilates mat be?
Most Pilates mats are no less than a half-inch thick to assist your backbone and tailbone through the class. Nevertheless, 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 typically clean as an alternative of textured, and their thickness is designed to assist your backbone throughout sure workouts. You could discover that utilizing a grippy yoga mat makes some Pilates workouts tougher 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 that will work higher for taller people and those that choose 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 tons of or making an attempt to nail the king pigeon pose. She believes there’s not far 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 right mat is for sustaining correct type and getting via probably the most grueling exercises.
