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When attending a Pilates class at a devoted studio, you’ll usually discover specialised tools like reformers or train balls. Nevertheless, should you’re seeking to observe at dwelling or in a fitness center, having not less than a fundamental mat is crucial in your exercise. Pilates could 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 seek out one of the best 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 prime choices at dwelling, 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 Assessment Board assessment 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
Greatest for these seeking to improve their Pilates observe 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. Because of its strong cushioning and help, we will simply transfer via our whole observe with out taking a break on account of joint discomfort, which is widespread 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 liked its regular grip as we flowed via 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 comfy performing each slower- and faster-paced workouts. With a gentle, cozy ribbed texture, it offers glorious grip for our toes and palms, even after they get sweaty. Plus, it’s grippy sufficient to help 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. It’s light-weight and may be transported if wanted, however we choose to make use of it in our dwelling exercise house.
Most Priceless Perception
“This mat has enhanced my Pilates observe by offering a cushty and supportive layer and safety from laborious ground surfaces. I can transfer freely, doing full-body workouts without having to reposition or pause to permit my joints to relaxation. I’m fully centered on train actions versus the tools 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
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
Created from naturally sourced supplies, Balanced Physique’s EcoWise Mat is our prime decide for many who prioritize help when looking for the best Pilates mat. With thick cushioning and a raised sample that provides superior grip, this mat strikes the right stability of stability and help. Once we use this mat on our hardwood flooring and carpet, it stays fully in place. Plus, it grips our socks and naked toes properly, 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 comfy touching it to our naked pores and skin with out worrying about any irritation. It’s tremendous simple to scrub, 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 simple to move and retailer.
Potential Flaws
- This Pilates mat didn’t fully flatten after unboxing, and a crease stays even after numerous use. Nevertheless, this didn’t influence our Pilates observe; the crease simply doesn’t look one of the best aesthetically.
Most Priceless Perception
“This mat enhances my Pilates observe 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 might advocate 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
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Key Specs
Dimensions: 71 inches x 26 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 need to put money into a long-lasting, well-cushioned Pilates mat for a dwelling fitness center.
Why We Love It
In the event you’re prepared to take a position in your house fitness center and know you need to observe Pilates long-term, Bala’s The Play Mat needs to be on the prime of your record. This mat is skinny however gives unimaginable cushioning. It grips completely on our hardwood ground and jute rug, and offers 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 dropping 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 appears to be like the identical because the day we acquired it. It doesn’t maintain onto any odor, and sweat marks are simple to scrub with cleaning soap and water. We additionally love its aesthetically pleasing modern design that curves on the prime. Plus, it is accessible in two thickness choices, so you possibly can choose the correct quantity of cushioning in your wants.
Potential Flaws
- This mat is pricier than different mats on our record. Nevertheless, we predict 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 Priceless Perception
“This mat is value its price, particularly due to its sturdiness. In the event you’re prepared to splurge up-front, understanding you gained’t have to switch it, then I would definitely advocate it. It’s comfy, sleek-looking, well-designed, and long-lasting.” —Abby Moore, Verywell Match product tester
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Glorious help, particularly for the again and elbows
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Straightforward to hold with hooked up straps
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Finances-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 inquisitive about making an attempt 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 help supplied by Stott’s Pilates Specific Pilates Mat make it our prime decide should you’re easing your method into a daily Pilates observe. Its glorious cushioning offered us with nice help, which we significantly seen when performing strikes whereas mendacity on our again and when holding elbow plank poses.
We love that it gives top-notch grip, letting us move via our observe 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, because of its hooked up straps.
Potential Flaws
- Once we used this mat outside, we discovered that it heated up rapidly in direct daylight. In the event you plan on utilizing this mat outside, you could need to stick with a shady space.
Most Priceless 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 comfy. Its thick, mushy 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
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Reminiscence foam-like cushioning that holds its form
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Stable grip on varied surfaces, together with hardwood and carpet
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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 stage of cushioning and luxury throughout their Pilates observe.
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 properly and helps us really feel supported and comfy all through each transfer of our observe. 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.
In contrast to another mats we’ve used, this one has glorious 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 easy texture makes it simple to scrub, and it doesn’t maintain onto any odors. Plus, it’s light-weight and simple to hold, because of its included strap.
Potential Flaws
- Though light-weight, on account of its cushioning, it’s fairly thick when rolled up, which can make it tougher to retailer.
Most Priceless Perception
“This mat could be very comfy. The truth that it’s one inch thick could 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 record of suggestions. Though we favored a few of this mat’s options, it finally didn’t meet our rigorous necessities to be chosen as a prime decide.
- Gaiam’s Necessities Health Mat gives a budget-friendly value and an excellent grip on laborious flooring. Nevertheless, it felt inflexible and uncomfortable to make use of, and our palms and toes slipped as we grew to become sweaty. Our nails scratched this mat’s floor simply, and it held indentations lengthy after our observe ended.
What We’ve Up to date
- Since publishing our preliminary research-based roundup of one of the best 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 really helpful Pilates mat.
- We consulted an extra skilled, 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 Searching for Pilates Mats
- Thickness: One of many most important indicators of Pilates mats versus different train mats you may discover within the fitness center or at a yoga studio is thickness. This extra thickness offers joint help for the backbone, knees, wrists, and extra. In the event you are likely to expertise joint ache, think about a thicker possibility for added 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 enhance the problem or present extra help throughout sure workouts, says Erickson. Pilates teacher Laura Quinn, CPT, says that firmer mats present a steady, supportive floor ideally suited for sustaining your stability throughout varied Pilates workouts.
- Density and Materials: Density is usually mistaken for thickness, however these are two separate elements to think about. A denser mat usually 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 easy or calmly textured. This helps you glide and carry out strikes extra fluidly. In the event you are likely to get sweaty, you could need to go for a calmly textured possibility for added grip.
- Portability: In the event you plan to take your mat on the go, you’ll need one which rolls up properly, is light-weight, and comes with a strap for simple journey. Select a smaller, lighter mat should you plan on taking it with you usually. A heavier, bigger mat may go finest should you plan on utilizing it in your house exercise house.
How We Examined the Pilates Mats
To seek out one of the best Pilates mats, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing prime choices at dwelling whereas performing varied workouts and stretches. When testing Pilates mats, we consider every possibility primarily based on the next key standards.
- Grip: To guage for grip, we think about whether or not the mat offers sufficient grip to maneuver via our observe 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 offers satisfactory cushioning and help 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 think about how gentle the mat is, how simply it rolls up, and whether or not it comes with a strap for simple journey. We additionally be aware how simple it’s to retailer.
- Sturdiness: When taking a look at sturdiness, we ask ourselves if the mat reveals any indicators of wear and tear and tear over time. Is it simple to scrub and keep? Does it maintain onto any odors?
- Worth: We test every mat’s value after we consider all different key standards to evaluate whether or not it’s value it. Do we predict 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 advocate to family and friends.
Our Consultants
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 searching for a high-quality Pilates mat. Though we select merchandise independently, skilled enter helps inform our choices.
- Julie Erickson, 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
Incessantly Requested Questions
How thick ought to a Pilates mat be?
Most Pilates mats are not less than a half-inch thick (12.5 millimeters) 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 exploit a yoga mat for Pilates?
Pilates mats are typically easy as an alternative of textured, and their thickness is designed to help your backbone throughout sure workouts. Chances are you’ll discover that utilizing a skinny, grippy yoga mat makes some Pilates workouts harder and even uncomfortable.
What dimension mat is finest for Pilates?
Pilates mats are typically round 24 inches by 72 inches. Nevertheless, there are bigger choices accessible which will work higher for taller people and those that choose 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 keen about discovering stability, whether or not performing lots 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 beautiful, practical Pilates mat.
Extra reporting by Sarah Anzlovar
Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RD is a non-public observe dietitian who works as a contract author, recipe developer, meals photographer, and model advisor. She enjoys Pilates lessons and is aware of how necessary the right mat is for sustaining correct kind and getting via essentially the most grueling exercises.
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