5 Things to Consider When Purchasing an Exercise Mat

Many different exercise programs require the use of an exercise mat. Mats come in a wide variety of styles and serve different purposes depending on your athletic preferences and needs. If you are in the market for a new exercise mat, consider these 5 things before buying.

1. First you need to consider what you will be using the mat for. Different mats are designed for specific purposes. If you are doing Pilates, for example, you will want a thicker mat that is firm. It should also be smooth on top since a lot of plates work involved sliding on the mat. You also want to be sure that the bottom is sticky or has traction so that you can glide over the mat, but the mat will still remain in place on the floor. If you are doing yoga on the other hand, the mat will likely be a bit thinner so that you can feel the floor underneath. This is because yoga involves a lot of standing and balancing postures. Finally, you may just want a general-purpose fitness mat for use at the gym or in your home. These are typically narrow and made of vinyl so that they are easy to clean.
2. Next you should decide which types of features you would like to have in a mat. Some mats are slippery for movement while others have more grip and traction to help prevent your hands and feet from sliding as you move. You can also decide how much cushioning you want. Softer mats are more difficult to balance on, but they also reduce the impact and stress impacted on your joints.
3. Another thing to consider is the color of your mat. This is more of an individual preference. Mats come in all sorts of colors and some even have designs on them such as pictures or shapes. You can choose a vibrant, inspiring color like yellow or orange, or you may choose a more gentle, soothing color like a navy blue or sage green.
4. You will also need to think about how you will carry and transport your new mat with you to the yoga or Pilates studio or even to the gym. Some mats come with a bag or strap included while others will require you to buy a separate bag or carrying case yourself. Straps slide on easy so you can carry the mat over your shoulder. Mat bags come with lots of features including pockets or compartments for your things such as a wallet, keys and cell phone.
5. Finally you will want to find out how easy it is to clean the exercise mat. Most are fairly simple to clean but you want to make sure that you have the right product to clean it with so that you don’t damage the mat. Every time you use your exercise mat, it is recommended that you wipe it down with a wet towel or cloth. You may also purchase a mat cleaning spray. Some mats can even be washed in the washing machine, but check first because this can completely ruin other mats!

All of these points are essential for you to consider when you are shopping for a new exercise mat. Make sure that you buy a mat that will cover your needs and wants that is easy to maintain and effective to use. You can find mats for sale in various places such as online or at treadall gym flooring & gym mats.