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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, if you happen to’re trying to apply at dwelling or in a fitness center, having a minimum of 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 workout routines 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 choice. Then, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing prime choices at dwelling, 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 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 Total 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 general spot. Due to its stable cushioning and assist, we are able to simply transfer by means of our total apply with out taking a break on account 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 liked its regular grip, as we flowed by means of 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 comfy performing each slower- and faster-paced workout routines. With a mild, cozy ribbed texture, it offers glorious grip for our toes and fingers, 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 tough to hold round. Nevertheless, 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 apply by offering a snug and supportive layer and safety from onerous ground surfaces. I can transfer freely, doing full-body workout routines with no need to reposition or pause to permit my joints to relaxation. I’m utterly 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 Total 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
Comprised of naturally sourced supplies, Balanced Physique’s EcoWise Mat is our prime choose for many who prioritize assist when trying to find the proper Pilates mat. With thick cushioning and a raised sample that provides superior grip, this mat strikes the proper stability of stability and assist. After we use this mat on our hardwood flooring and carpet, it stays utterly in place. Plus, it grips our socks and naked toes 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 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 utterly flatten after unboxing, and a crease stays even after a number of use. Nevertheless, this didn’t affect our Pilates apply; the crease simply doesn’t look one of the best aesthetically.
Most Priceless 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 advocate this mat to others, particularly in the event that they’re searching for a pure choice that received’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 Total Score: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for many who wish to put money into a long-lasting, well-cushioned Pilates mat for a dwelling fitness center.
Why We Love It
When you’re prepared to speculate in your house fitness center and know you wish to apply Pilates long-term, Bala’s The Play Mat ought to be on the prime of your checklist. This mat is skinny however presents unbelievable cushioning. It grips completely on our hardwood ground and jute rug, and offers cozy assist, particularly to our hips when mendacity on our aspect 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—now we have used it for over a 12 months and haven’t seen any indicators of damage and tear. It really seems the identical because the day we obtained 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 glossy design that curves on the prime. Plus, it is out there in two thickness choices, so you’ll be able to choose the correct quantity of cushioning in your wants.
Potential Flaws
- This mat is pricier than different mats on our checklist. 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 value, particularly due to its sturdiness. When you’re keen to splurge up-front, figuring out you received’t have to interchange it, then I would definitely advocate it. It’s comfy, glossy wanting, well-designed, and long-lasting.” —Abby Moore, Verywell Match product tester
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Glorious assist, particularly for the again and elbows
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Simple to hold with connected 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 Total Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for many who are serious about attempting Pilates for the primary time or who’re fascinated by 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 prime choose if you happen to’re easing your method 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 circulate by means of 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 connected straps.
Potential Flaws
- After we used this mat outside, we discovered that it heated up rapidly in direct daylight. When you plan on utilizing this mat outside, chances are you’ll wish to follow a shady space.
Most Priceless Perception
“Consolation is the place this mat shines. My knees, elbows, and again really feel nice! My again, particularly, 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, comfortable texture helps assist my joints and bones, permitting for longevity in poses that require strain, 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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Glorious grip on numerous surfaces, together with hardwood and carpet
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Supplies glorious joint assist
Key Specs
Dimensions: 70 inches x 23 inches x 25 millimeters | Materials: Excessive-density foam, rubber | Weight: 3.2 kilos | Our Total 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 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 comfy 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.
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 scrub, 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, on account of its cushioning, it’s fairly thick when rolled up, which can make it tougher to retailer.
Most Priceless Perception
“This mat may be very comfy. 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 strain 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 ultimate checklist of suggestions. Though we preferred 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 presents a budget-friendly worth and an incredible grip on onerous flooring. Nevertheless, it felt inflexible and uncomfortable to make use of, and our fingers and toes 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 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 advisable Pilates mat.
- We consulted a further skilled, a licensed 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 major 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 offers joint assist for the backbone, knees, wrists, and extra. When you are inclined to expertise joint ache, take into account a thicker choice for extra assist.
- Cushion: Some mats provide 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 assist throughout sure workout routines, says Erikson. Pilates teacher Laura Quinn, CPT, says that firmer mats present a steady, supportive floor preferrred for sustaining your stability throughout numerous Pilates workout routines.
- Density and Materials: Density is commonly mistaken for thickness, however these are two separate elements to contemplate. A denser mat usually 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 face up to longer use.
- Floor Texture: The floor of Pilates mats tends to be clean or evenly textured. This helps you glide and carry out strikes extra fluidly. When you are inclined to get sweaty, chances are you’ll wish to go for a evenly textured choice for extra grip.
- Portability: When you 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 simple journey. Select a smaller, lighter mat if you happen to plan on taking it with you usually. A Heavier, bigger mat may fit greatest if you happen to 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 numerous workout routines and stretches. When testing Pilates mats, we consider every choice primarily based on the next key standards.
- Grip: To guage for grip, we take into account whether or not the mat offers sufficient grip to maneuver by means of our apply comfortably. We strive the mats on numerous 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 assist throughout strikes that require sitting, mendacity down, standing, and kneeling. We additionally notice if we really feel any strain 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 simple journey. We additionally notice how simple it’s to retailer.
- Sturdiness: When taking a look at sturdiness, we ask ourselves if the mat exhibits any indicators of damage and tear over time. Is it simple to scrub and keep? Does it maintain onto any odors?
- Worth: We examine every mat’s worth 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 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 searching for a high-quality Pilates mat. Though we select merchandise independently, skilled enter helps inform our choices.
- 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
Regularly Requested Questions
How thick ought to a Pilates mat be?
Most Pilates mats are a minimum of a half-inch thick to assist your backbone and tailbone in the course of 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 typically clean as a substitute of textured, and their thickness is designed to assist your backbone throughout sure workout routines. It’s possible you’ll discover that utilizing a grippy yoga mat makes some Pilates workout routines harder and even uncomfortable.
What dimension mat is greatest for Pilates?
Pilates mats are typically round 24 inches by 72 inches. Nevertheless, there are bigger choices out there that will work higher for taller people and people who choose 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 captivated with discovering stability, whether or not performing lots of or attempting to nail the king pigeon pose. She believes there’s not far 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 apply dietitian who works as a contract author, recipe developer, meals photographer, and model advisor. She enjoys Pilates courses and is aware of how essential the proper mat is for sustaining correct kind and getting by means of essentially the most grueling exercises.
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