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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, for those who’re seeking to apply at house or in a gymnasium, having at the very least a primary mat is important to your exercise. Pilates may 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 search out the very best Pilates mats, we spoke with licensed Pilates instructors to study extra about what key options to search for when looking for a high-quality possibility. Then, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing high choices at house, 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 Evaluate 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 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 strong cushioning and help, we will simply transfer by means of our whole apply with out taking a break as a consequence of joint discomfort, which is widespread for us. We additionally love that this mat is massive sufficient for full-body workouts with out us having to reposition ourselves.
Throughout testing, we beloved its regular grip as we flowed by means of 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 mild, cozy ribbed texture, it supplies wonderful grip for our toes and palms, even once 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 could be transported if wanted, however we desire to make use of it in our house exercise house.
Most Invaluable Perception
“This mat has enhanced my Pilates apply by offering a snug and supportive layer and safety from onerous flooring surfaces. I can transfer freely, doing full-body workouts 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 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 possibility made with out latex and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Why We Love It
Comprised of naturally sourced supplies, Balanced Physique’s EcoWise Mat is our high decide for many who prioritize help when looking for the best 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 comfy touching it to our naked pores and skin with out worrying about any irritation. It’s tremendous straightforward to scrub, and in contrast to another mats we’ve used previously, 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 straightforward to move and retailer.
Potential Flaws
- This Pilates mat didn’t utterly flatten after unboxing, and a crease stays even after numerous use. Nevertheless, this didn’t influence our Pilates apply; the crease simply doesn’t look the very best aesthetically.
Most Invaluable 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 may with a smaller mat. I might advocate this mat to others, particularly in the event that they’re on the lookout 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 house gymnasium.
Why We Love It
When you’re prepared to speculate in your house gymnasium and know you need to apply Pilates long-term, Bala’s The Play Mat must be on the high of your checklist. This mat is skinny however affords unimaginable cushioning. It grips completely on our hardwood flooring and jute rug, and supplies cozy help, 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 shedding our grip, even throughout sweatier exercises.
Sturdiness is the place this Pilates mat shines—we’ve got used it for over a 12 months and haven’t seen any indicators of wear and tear and tear. It really appears to be like the identical because the day we obtained it. It doesn’t maintain onto any odor, and sweat marks are straightforward to scrub with cleaning soap and water. We additionally love its aesthetically pleasing glossy design that curves on the high. Plus, it is accessible in two thickness choices, so you may choose the correct quantity of cushioning to 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 Invaluable Perception
“This mat is price its value, particularly due to its sturdiness. When you’re prepared to splurge up-front, figuring out you gained’t have to interchange 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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Simple to hold with connected 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 excited by attempting Pilates for the primary time or who’re desirous about making it a daily a part of their health routine.
Why We Love It
The additional thickness and help provided by Stott’s Pilates Categorical Pilates Mat make it our high decide for those who’re easing your method into a daily Pilates apply. Its wonderful cushioning supplied 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 affords top-notch grip, letting us circulation 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 straightforward to roll up and transport, due to its connected 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, you could need to persist with a shady space.
Most Invaluable 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, mushy texture helps help my joints and bones, permitting for longevity in poses that require strain, like elbow planks.” —Samantha Aronson, 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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Offers wonderful 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 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 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 wonderful 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 easy texture makes it straightforward to scrub, and it doesn’t maintain onto any odors. Plus, it’s light-weight and straightforward to hold, due to its included strap.
Potential Flaws
- Though light-weight, as a consequence of its cushioning, it’s fairly thick when rolled up, which can make it tougher to retailer.
Most Invaluable Perception
“This mat may be very comfy. The truth that it’s one 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 high Pilates mats, however solely 5 impressed us sufficient to make our remaining checklist of suggestions. Though we preferred a few of this mat’s options, it in the end didn’t meet our rigorous necessities to be chosen as a high decide.
- Gaiam’s Necessities Health Mat affords a budget-friendly value and an incredible grip on onerous flooring. Nevertheless, it felt inflexible and uncomfortable to make use of, and our palms 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 very best Pilates mats, we’ve re-evaluated our earlier picks and spent over 4,200 minutes hands-on testing high choices. That is now a absolutely examined article, solely offering our hands-on expertise with every really useful Pilates mat.
- We consulted a further knowledgeable, 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 Purchasing for Pilates Mats
- Thickness: One of many most important indicators of Pilates mats versus different train mats you may discover within the gymnasium or at a yoga studio is thickness. This extra thickness supplies joint help for the backbone, knees, wrists, and extra. When you are inclined to expertise joint ache, contemplate a thicker possibility for extra help.
- 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 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 superb for sustaining your stability throughout varied Pilates workouts.
- Density and Materials: Density is usually mistaken for thickness, however these are two separate components 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 stand 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. When you are inclined to get sweaty, you could need to go for a calmly textured possibility 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 for those who plan on taking it with you usually. A heavier, bigger mat may go greatest for those who plan on utilizing it in your house exercise house.
How We Examined the Pilates Mats
To search out the very best Pilates mats, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing high choices at house 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 contemplate whether or not the mat supplies sufficient grip to maneuver by means of our apply comfortably. We attempt 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 observe if we really feel any strain factors or discomfort when utilizing the mat.
- Portability: When assessing portability, we contemplate how mild the mat is, how simply it rolls up, and whether or not it comes with a strap for straightforward journey. We additionally observe how straightforward 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 straightforward to scrub and preserve? 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 price 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 looking for a high-quality Pilates mat. Though we select merchandise independently, knowledgeable enter helps inform our selections.
- 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 Components LAB
- Laura Quinn, CPT, licensed private coach and head Pilates Teacher at Alo Strikes
Often Requested Questions
How thick ought to a Pilates mat be?
Most Pilates mats are at the very least a half-inch thick (12.5 millimeters) to help your backbone and tailbone throughout the class. Nevertheless, some extra moveable ones are as skinny as 6 millimeters (about 0.2 inches).
Can I exploit a yoga mat for Pilates?
Pilates mats are usually 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 greatest for Pilates?
Pilates mats are usually round 24 inches by 72 inches. Nevertheless, there are bigger choices accessible that will work higher for taller people and people who desire 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 for Verywell Match. She’s obsessed with discovering stability, whether or not performing tons of or attempting to nail the king pigeon pose. She believes there’s not rather more motivating for an on-the-ground exercise than a beautiful, practical Pilates mat.
Further reporting by Sarah Anzlovar
Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RD is a personal apply dietitian and author for Verywell Match. 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.
Each authors seemed over our testing insights from our lab to decide on our high picks.