: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, Tons of, & Extra")
When attending a Pilates class at a devoted studio, you’ll typically discover specialised gear like reformers or train balls. Nevertheless, when you’re trying to follow at house or in a gymnasium, having no less than a fundamental mat is important 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 seek out the perfect Pilates mats, we spoke with licensed Pilates instructors to study extra about what key options to search for when searching for a high-quality possibility. Then, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing high 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 Evaluation Board evaluation this text for accuracy.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/airex-c1709a93298d4ee585ffebd4a8678f5e.jpg)
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 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 total spot. Due to its strong cushioning and assist, we will simply transfer by means of our whole follow with out taking a break as a consequence 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 means of 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 snug performing each slower- and faster-paced workout routines. With a gentle, cozy ribbed texture, it supplies wonderful grip for our ft and palms, even after 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 troublesome to hold round. Nevertheless, it’s light-weight and will be transported if wanted, however we favor to make use of it in our house exercise area.
Most Invaluable Perception
“This mat has enhanced my Pilates follow by offering a snug and supportive layer and safety from arduous ground 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 centered on train actions versus the gear I’m exercising with.” —Jessica Christopher, Verywell Match product tester
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/balanced-body-ecowise-pilates-mat--78623d1c705e4985afc07d34729e7a2f.jpg)
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 many 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
Produced from naturally sourced supplies, Balanced Physique’s EcoWise Mat is our high choose for many who prioritize assist when looking for the proper Pilates mat. With thick cushioning and a raised sample that provides superior grip, this mat strikes the proper steadiness of stability and assist. Once 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 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 simple 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 straightforward 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 impression our Pilates follow; the crease simply doesn’t look the perfect aesthetically.
Most Invaluable 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’d suggest this mat to others, particularly in the event that they’re searching for a pure possibility that gained’t irritate their pores and skin.” —Danielle Auger, Verywell Match product tester
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Bala-The-Play-Mat-Plus-32dea115fe0e448f85f0f37ed9e6200e.jpg)
Key Specs
Dimensions: 71 inches x 23 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 many who wish to spend money on a long-lasting, well-cushioned Pilates mat for a house gymnasium.
Why We Love It
For those who’re prepared to speculate in your house gymnasium and know you wish to follow Pilates long-term, Bala’s The Play Mat ought to be on the high of your checklist. 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 once 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 12 months and haven’t seen any indicators of damage and tear. It really seems to be the identical because the day we obtained it. It doesn’t maintain onto any odor, and sweat marks are simple to wash with cleaning soap and water. We additionally love its aesthetically pleasing smooth design that curves on the high. Plus, it is out there in two thickness choices, so you may choose the correct amount of cushioning in your wants.
Potential Flaws
- This mat is pricier than different mats on our checklist. 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 Invaluable Perception
“This mat is price its price, particularly due to its sturdiness. For those who’re prepared to splurge up-front, figuring out you gained’t have to interchange it, then I will surely suggest it. It’s snug, smooth wanting, well-designed, and long-lasting.” —Abby Moore, Verywell Match product tester
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/stott-pilates-express-mat-2e0a1c691b0143dd862e1a1d73dbe4e2.jpg)
-
Wonderful assist, particularly for the again and elbows
-
Straightforward to hold with hooked up straps
-
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 many who are all in favour of attempting Pilates for the primary time or who’re fascinated about making it a daily a part of their health routine.
Why We Love It
The additional thickness and assist supplied by Stott’s Pilates Specific Pilates Mat make it our high choose when you’re easing your means into a daily Pilates follow. Its wonderful cushioning offered us with nice assist, which we notably 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 stream by means of 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, due to its hooked up straps.
Potential Flaws
- Once we used this mat outside, we discovered that it heated up shortly in direct daylight. For those who plan on utilizing this mat outside, you could wish to stick with a shady space.
Most Invaluable 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, 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
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/HemingWeigh-Non-Slip-Exercise-Mat-b7ac9591b14f47d48f01b45894581948.jpg)
-
Reminiscence foam-like cushioning that holds its form
-
Wonderful grip on varied surfaces, together with hardwood and carpet
-
Offers wonderful joint assist
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 many who desire a excessive degree of cushioning and luxury throughout their Pilates follow.
Why We Love It
If you wish to really feel such as you’re training 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 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 simple to wash, and it doesn’t maintain onto any odors. Plus, it’s light-weight and simple to hold, due to its included strap.
Potential Flaws
- Though light-weight, as a consequence of its cushioning, it’s fairly thick when rolled up, which can make it more difficult to retailer.
Most Invaluable 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 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 high Pilates mats, however solely 5 impressed us sufficient to make our closing checklist of suggestions. Though we appreciated a few of this mat’s options, it in the end didn’t meet our rigorous testing necessities to be chosen as a high choose.
- Gaiam’s Necessities Health Mat presents a budget-friendly worth and an important grip on arduous flooring. Nevertheless, it felt inflexible and uncomfortable to make use of, and our palms 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 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 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 Looking for Pilates Mats
- Thickness: One of many essential 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. For those who are likely to expertise joint ache, take into account a thicker possibility 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 enhance 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 excellent for sustaining your steadiness throughout varied Pilates workout routines.
- Density and Materials: Density is commonly mistaken for thickness, however these are two separate components to think about. A denser mat sometimes 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. For those who are likely to get sweaty, you could wish to go for a flippantly textured possibility for added grip.
- Portability: For those who 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 finest when you plan on utilizing it in your house exercise area.
How We Examined the Pilates Mats
To seek out the perfect Pilates mats, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing high choices at house whereas performing varied workout routines and stretches. When testing Pilates mats, we consider every possibility primarily based on the next key standards.
- Grip: To guage for grip, we take into account whether or not the mat supplies sufficient grip to maneuver by means of our follow comfortably. We attempt the mats on varied 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 enough 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 take into account how gentle the mat is, how simply it rolls up, and whether or not it comes with a strap for straightforward journey. We additionally notice how simple it’s to retailer.
- Sturdiness: When taking a look at sturdiness, we ask ourselves if the mat reveals any indicators of damage and tear over time. Is it simple to wash and keep? 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 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 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 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
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 in the course of the class. Nevertheless, some extra moveable 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 assist your backbone throughout sure workout routines. You might discover that utilizing a grippy yoga mat makes some Pilates workout routines harder and even uncomfortable.
What dimension mat is finest for Pilates?
Pilates mats are usually round 24 inches by 72 inches. Nevertheless, there are bigger choices out there which will work higher for taller people and those that favor 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 steadiness, whether or not performing a whole bunch or attempting to nail the king pigeon pose. She believes there’s not way more motivating for an on-the-ground exercise than a beautiful, purposeful 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 guide. She enjoys Pilates lessons and is aware of how necessary the proper mat is for sustaining correct kind and getting by means of essentially the most grueling exercises.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/vwt-pilates-exercise-mats-apr-24-test-airex-190-jessica-christopher-09-cb26e5d1a1f84b53bfd5bb7290bed269.jpeg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1&description=We+Discovered+the+Greatest+Pilates+Mats+After+4%2C200%2B+Minutes+of+Planks%2C+Tons+of%2C+%26+Extra){kind=link}