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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 at the least a primary mat is crucial in 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 study extra about what key options to search for when looking for a high-quality possibility. Then, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing high choices at residence, 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 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 General 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. Due to its stable cushioning and assist, we will simply transfer by way of our total apply with out taking a break because of 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 beloved its regular grip, as we flowed by way 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 gives glorious 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. Nonetheless, it’s light-weight and will be transported if wanted, however we want to make use of it in our residence exercise house.
Most Worthwhile 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 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 General Score: 5/5
Who It’s For
Finest for many who need 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
Created from naturally sourced supplies, Balanced Physique’s EcoWise Mat is our high choose for many who prioritize assist when looking for the suitable Pilates mat. With thick cushioning and a raised sample that provides superior grip, this mat strikes the proper 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 effectively, 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 up 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 fully flatten after unboxing, and a crease stays even after a number of use. Nonetheless, this didn’t impression our Pilates apply; the crease simply doesn’t look the most effective aesthetically.
Most Worthwhile Perception
“This mat enhances my Pilates apply due to its elevated grip. I discover it extra secure 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 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 23 inches x 5 or 8 millimeters | Materials: Pure rubber | Weight: 1.2 kilos | Our General 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
For those who’re prepared to speculate in your house gymnasium and know you wish to apply Pilates long-term, Bala’s The Play Mat ought to be on the high of your listing. This mat is skinny however presents 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 secure and safe, by no means dropping our grip, even throughout sweatier exercises.
Sturdiness is the place this Pilates mat shines—we’ve got 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 acquired 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 modern design that curves on the high. Plus, it is accessible in two thickness choices, so you’ll be able to choose the correct amount of cushioning in your wants.
Potential Flaws
- This mat is pricier than different mats on our listing. 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 Worthwhile Perception
“This mat is value its price, particularly due to its sturdiness. For those who’re keen to splurge up-front, figuring out you gained’t have to exchange it, then I will surely suggest it. It’s snug, modern trying, well-designed, and long-lasting.” —Abby Moore, Verywell Match product tester
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Wonderful 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 General Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest for many who are enthusiastic about making an attempt Pilates for the primary time or who’re eager about making it an everyday 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 in case you’re easing your manner into an everyday Pilates apply. Its glorious cushioning supplied 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 circulation by way of 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, because of its hooked up straps.
Potential Flaws
- Once we used this mat open air, we discovered that it heated up shortly in direct daylight. For those who plan on utilizing this mat open air, you might wish to keep on with a shady space.
Most Worthwhile 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 cozy. Its thick, comfortable 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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Wonderful grip on numerous surfaces, together with hardwood and carpet
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Offers glorious joint assist
Key Specs
Dimensions: 70 inches x 23 inches x 25 millimeters | Materials: Excessive-density foam, rubber | Weight: 3.2 kilos | Our General Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest for many who need a excessive degree of cushioning and luxury throughout their Pilates apply.
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 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 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 easy 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, because of its cushioning, it’s fairly thick when rolled up, which can make it more difficult to retailer.
Most Worthwhile 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 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 closing listing of suggestions. Though we appreciated 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 worth and an awesome grip on exhausting flooring. Nonetheless, 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 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 useful Pilates mat.
- We consulted an extra knowledgeable, 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 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. For those who are inclined to expertise joint ache, contemplate 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 workouts, says Erikson. Pilates teacher Laura Quinn, CPT, says that firmer mats present a secure, 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 elements to contemplate. A denser mat sometimes means it’s extra sturdy and can maintain as much as positions held for longer durations 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 easy or frivolously textured. This helps you glide and carry out strikes extra fluidly. For those who are inclined to get sweaty, you might wish to go for a frivolously 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 in case you plan on taking it with you usually. A Heavier, bigger mat may go greatest 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 possibility primarily based on the next key standards.
- Grip: To judge for grip, we contemplate whether or not the mat gives sufficient grip to maneuver by way of our apply comfortably. We strive 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 ample cushioning and assist throughout strikes that require sitting, mendacity down, standing, and kneeling. We additionally be aware if we really feel any stress factors or discomfort when utilizing the mat.
- Portability: When assessing portability, we contemplate how gentle the mat is, how simply it rolls up, and whether or not it comes with a strap for straightforward journey. We additionally be aware 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 test every mat’s worth after we consider all different key standards to evaluate whether or not it’s value 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 looking for a high-quality Pilates mat. Though we select merchandise independently, knowledgeable enter helps inform our selections.
- 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
Incessantly Requested Questions
How thick ought to a Pilates mat be?
Most Pilates mats are at the least a half-inch thick to assist your backbone and tailbone throughout 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 easy as a substitute of textured, and their thickness is designed to assist your backbone throughout sure workouts. You might discover that utilizing a grippy yoga mat makes some Pilates workouts tougher and even uncomfortable.
What dimension mat is greatest for Pilates?
Pilates mats are usually round 24 inches by 72 inches. Nonetheless, there are bigger choices accessible that will work higher for taller people and people who 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 enthusiastic about discovering stability, whether or not performing tons of or making an attempt to nail the king pigeon pose. She believes there’s not way more motivating for an on-the-ground exercise than a stunning, purposeful Pilates mat.
Further 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 advisor. She enjoys Pilates courses and is aware of how vital the proper mat is for sustaining correct type and getting by way of probably the most grueling exercises.