:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/vwt-pilates-exercise-mats-apr-24-test-airex-190-jessica-christopher-09-cb26e5d1a1f84b53bfd5bb7290bed269.jpeg "We Discovered the Greatest 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 gear like reformers or train balls. Nevertheless, in case you’re trying to apply at residence or in a fitness center, having at the least a primary mat is crucial on 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 search out the most effective 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 prime choices at residence, 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 Evaluation Board evaluate 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 Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Greatest 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 total spot. Due to its stable cushioning and help, we are able to simply transfer via our total apply with out taking a break as a result of joint discomfort, which is frequent for us. We additionally love that this mat is giant sufficient for full-body workout routines with out us having to reposition ourselves.
Throughout testing, we beloved its regular grip, as we flowed via 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 mild, cozy ribbed texture, it supplies glorious grip for our toes and arms, 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. Nevertheless, it’s light-weight and will be transported if wanted, however we want to make use of it in our residence exercise house.
Most Useful Perception
“This mat has enhanced my Pilates apply by offering a snug and supportive layer and safety from laborious 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 targeted 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 Score: 5/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for many 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
Constituted of naturally sourced supplies, Balanced Physique’s EcoWise Mat is our prime choose for many who prioritize help when trying to find the proper Pilates mat. With thick cushioning and a raised sample that gives 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 nicely, 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 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 simple to move and retailer.
Potential Flaws
- This Pilates mat didn’t utterly flatten after unboxing, and a crease stays even after a number of use. Nevertheless, this didn’t influence our Pilates apply; the crease simply doesn’t look the most effective aesthetically.
Most Useful 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 on the lookout for a pure choice 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 Score: 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 residence fitness center.
Why We Love It
When you’re prepared to take a position in your house fitness center and know you wish to apply Pilates long-term, Bala’s The Play Mat must be on the prime of your listing. This mat is skinny however affords unbelievable cushioning. It grips completely on our hardwood ground and jute rug, and supplies cozy help, 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 have now used it for over a 12 months and haven’t seen any indicators of wear and tear and tear. It actually seems to be the identical because the day we acquired 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 prime. Plus, it is obtainable in two thickness choices, so you’ll be able to choose the correct amount of cushioning on your wants.
Potential Flaws
- This mat is pricier than different mats on our listing. 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 Useful Perception
“This mat is price its price, particularly due to its sturdiness. When you’re keen to splurge up-front, figuring out you gained’t have to switch it, then I would definitely suggest it. It’s snug, smooth trying, well-designed, and long-lasting.” —Abby Moore, Verywell Match product tester
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/stott-pilates-express-mat-2e0a1c691b0143dd862e1a1d73dbe4e2.jpg)
-
Wonderful help, particularly for the again and elbows
-
Straightforward to hold with hooked up straps
-
Price range-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
Greatest for many who are desirous about making an attempt Pilates for the primary time or who’re enthusiastic about making it an everyday a part of their health routine.
Why We Love It
The additional thickness and help provided by Stott’s Pilates Specific Pilates Mat make it our prime choose in case you’re easing your means into an everyday Pilates apply. Its glorious cushioning supplied us with nice help, which we notably 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 circulation via our apply 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 rapidly in direct daylight. When you plan on utilizing this mat outside, it’s possible you’ll wish to persist with a shady space.
Most Useful 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 some 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, delicate texture helps help 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
: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
-
Supplies glorious joint help
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
Greatest for many who desire 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 working towards Pilates on a cloud, you’ll love HemingWeigh’s 1” Thick Yoga Mat. Its thick, reminiscence foam-like cushioning holds its form nicely 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.
Not like 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 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 result of its cushioning, it’s fairly thick when rolled up, which can make it more difficult to retailer.
Most Useful 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 prime Pilates mats, however solely 5 impressed us sufficient to make our last 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 prime choose.
- Gaiam’s Necessities Health Mat affords a budget-friendly value and an ideal grip on laborious flooring. Nevertheless, it felt inflexible and uncomfortable to make use of, and our arms 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 most effective Pilates mats, we’ve re-evaluated our earlier picks and spent over 4,200 minutes hands-on testing prime choices. That is now a absolutely examined article, solely offering our hands-on expertise with every beneficial 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 fundamental indicators of Pilates mats versus different train mats you may discover within the fitness center or at a yoga studio is their thickness. This extra thickness supplies joint help for the backbone, knees, wrists, and extra. When you are likely to expertise joint ache, take into account a thicker choice for extra help.
- 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 improve the problem or present extra help throughout sure workout routines, says Erikson. Pilates teacher Laura Quinn, CPT, says that firmer mats present a steady, supportive floor best for sustaining your stability throughout varied Pilates workout routines.
- Density and Materials: Density is usually 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 intervals 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 frivolously textured. This helps you glide and carry out strikes extra fluidly. When you are likely to get sweaty, it’s possible you’ll wish to go for a frivolously textured choice for extra grip.
- Portability: When you plan to take your mat on the go, you’ll need one which rolls up nicely, 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 finest 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 prime choices at residence whereas performing varied workout routines 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 supplies sufficient grip to maneuver via our apply comfortably. We strive the mats on varied 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 supplies enough cushioning and help throughout strikes that require sitting, mendacity down, standing, and kneeling. We additionally word if we really feel any stress factors or discomfort when utilizing the mat.
- Portability: When assessing portability, we take into account 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 simple 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 simple to wash and preserve? Does it maintain onto any odors?
- Worth: We examine every mat’s value 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 Specialists
We consulted consultants at every stage of our analysis, testing, and reporting course of. The next consultants 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 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
Steadily Requested Questions
How thick ought to a Pilates mat be?
Most Pilates mats are at the least a half-inch thick to help your backbone and tailbone throughout the class. Nevertheless, 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 a substitute of textured, and their thickness is designed to help your backbone throughout sure workout routines. You might discover that utilizing a grippy yoga mat makes some Pilates workout routines tougher 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 obtainable that will work higher for taller people and people who want 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 obsessed with discovering stability, whether or not performing lots 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 stunning, purposeful Pilates mat.
Extra 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 marketing consultant. She enjoys Pilates lessons and is aware of how necessary the proper mat is for sustaining correct kind and getting via essentially the most grueling exercises.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/vwt-pilates-exercise-mats-apr-24-test-airex-190-jessica-christopher-09-cb26e5d1a1f84b53bfd5bb7290bed269.jpeg&description=We+Discovered+the+Greatest+Pilates+Mats+After+4%2C200%2B+Minutes+of+Planks%2C+A+whole+bunch%2C+%26+Extra){kind=link}