Get the Best Yoga Mats For An Exceptional Workout

Buying Guide: Yoga Mat

One of the biggest gifts you can offer your body is yoga. It helps you become more flexible while also strengthening and toning your body without putting too much strain on it. To reap all of these advantages (and more), you will need a good yoga mat.

Something with a pattern or color that inspires you to work out is great, but when selecting a yoga mat, style and pattern should not be your primary consideration. You will need one that is ribbed and sticky enough to keep you from slipping in some of the more challenging positions, thick enough to be comfortable, and not all that heavy to move. If you are taller, make sure you pick a mat that will fit you properly.

Materials Used for Yoga Mats

PVC

PVC is a common yoga mat material. PVC mats are often affordable and they are an excellent choice for novices since they are relatively strong and provide you with a decent grip. On the flip side, PVC yoga mats have phthalates and other harmful pollutants, and they are not recyclable, so they are not an environmentally friendly alternative.

Rubber

Another common yoga mat material is rubber, which is an eco-friendly solution to PVC. Rubber mats are just as sturdy and comfortable as PVC mats, but if you have a latex sensitivity this material might pose a problem for you.

Foam

Foam yoga mats, like rubber, are an ecologically friendly substitute for PVC yoga mats, delivering the same results while being reusable and toxin-free. However, foam mats can also contain latex, thus they are not suitable for people who are allergic.

PER

PVC is used to make PER yoga mats. Thankfully, PER is a reasonably eco-friendly alternative because it contains no phthalates or chemicals and can be recycled.

Cotton

Cotton yoga mats are a great choice for the environment since they are composed of a recyclable, organic fiber that degrades quickly. But, since they are thinner than other mats, they do not provide as much stability. A good point about this material, however, is that cotton mats absorb perspiration well and give an excellent grip even when moist.

Jute

Jute yoga mats are created from a natural, recyclable, and biodegradable fiber, comparable to cotton mats. On the flip side, jute mats do not absorb perspiration as effectively as cotton mats and are less sturdy than other options.

Factors to Consider While Buying Yoga Mats

Stickiness

You might want to look for a yoga mat with some stickiness to help you hold your position and keep an appropriate equilibrium. Yoga mats made of PVC, foam, and PER have a lot of adhesion, rubber mats have a modest quantity, and those made of cotton or jute are not very sticky.

Texture

Check the texture of the yoga mats you are thinking about buying. A yoga mat with the proper texture enables you to remain in place more smoothly during poses, keeping your hands and feet from moving and sliding. Yoga mats made of rubber, cotton, and jute offer the most textured coating for optimal grip. The flat surfaces of PVC, foam, and PER yoga mats normally do not give much grip.

Style and design

Yoga mats come in every shade of the color spectrum, as well as a variety of designs. Which one should you pick? That is purely a question of personal taste. Choose a yoga mat that inspires you to perform yoga every day. However, a gorgeous design does not indicate it is a great mat. Choose a material and thickness that you want, then think about the design afterward.

How Much Does a Yoga Mat Cost?

Yoga mats vary in price depending on size, material, and length. Generally, you can consider paying anywhere from $15 to $125 for one.

Inexpensive

You may expect to pay between $15 and $25 for a thinner yoga mat that does not provide much padding.

Mid-range

A medium-thickness, moderate padding mat will often cost between $30 and $50.

Expensive

A thicker mat with a lot of padding will typically cost between $55 and $100.

Useful Tips for Buying and Using Yoga Mats

• After every yoga session, wipe off your mat with a mat-cleaning solution (a mixture of water and vinegar) or regular water to prevent odor.
• If your yoga mat is exceptionally filthy, wash it in the water and clean the dirt away with a washcloth. Wrap it in a towel to absorb any extra dampness, then put it flat to dry.
• Use both sides of your yoga mat to minimize wear and tear.
• Your yoga mat should be stored flat beneath a bed or sofa, or carefully wrapped up in a cabinet or on a shelf.
• The material may expand if you wrap the mat too firmly, allowing germs to thrive.
• If you notice mat fragments on your yoga trousers after practice that signifies the mat is worn out and it is time to replace it.
• Use an old yoga mat below your entrance mat or bathroom mat to reuse it. The yoga mat might give it some more grip, which will prevent it from slipping about.

Do not let friends or relatives use your yoga mat. It is an effective means to transfer bacteria that cause colds, coughing, respiratory infections, and skin infections.
Combining cotton or jute mats over other yoga mats for increased grip is a good idea. Latex is commonly found in foam and rubber yoga mats, so if you have latex sensitivity, these mats are not a smart choice.