You want to take up yoga and you are now on the hunt for a great yoga mat…but how do you choose the right one for you?
There are different types of yoga mats that are available on the market for your consideration; colour is the last thing you should have to worry about. Yoga mats come in a variety of materials that they are made from such things as a natural, plant-based material (no PVCs), rubber, latex or plastic. If you are looking for an eco-friendly option, just ensure that it clearly states on the yoga mat packaging that there are no PVCs (yoga mats do not have affixed tags).
Something else that needs considering is that most yoga mats are 71 x 24 inches, as is the median average…however, you can also find some of what you would call ‘specialty’ yoga mats that are not much more expensive, but they are slightly shorter or slightly longer than normal yoga mats.
Now, you should consider what thickness of yoga mat you should get. Your key areas that you want the most comfort is your wrists and knees and also take into consideration what type of yoga you will be learning and executing.
Another point to bear in mind is how often you plan on using your yoga mat, as you will want a mat that is very durable if you plan on doing yoga regularly, but you can make do with a yoga mat of average durability if you only plan on doing yoga as a side activity during the weekend or something.
Most of the yoga mats that you will come across on the market list that they either can, or cannot be washed with soap and water. If they can be, that means that they are made of a high-quality material that will not distort or become damaged at any given time, due to the material being highly resistant to moisture of any sort.
There are no hard and fast rules on what yoga mat you will need for your own personal comfort, so the tried, tested and true method will maybe have you purchasing more than one mat, but eventually you will find what works best for you.
After testing many of the top yoga mat brands, here are the top 10 best yoga mats for you to consider.
10. Prosource Premium
A 71 x 24 mat that brings a high degree and level of comfort to you when practicing yoga, and it comes at a fairly low cost. It also hugs the floor so it doesn’t move on you when you’re trying to achieve that very tough pose!
This is the yoga mat ideal for those are looking to begin their Yoga training.
9. Aurorae Classic
A great mat for those who are beginning more advanced Yoga styles, such as Bikram Yoga,
8. Spoga
A good, durable mat that is roughly 5-8 inches thick, it provides fantastic cushioning for your body, as well as it being very easy to clean and keep clean.
Say goodbye to those Aladdin-style rugs that some companies sell as yoga mats, as this particular mat also gives you great traction on a solid floor, so you won’t ever have to worry about it becoming a Magic Carpet toboggan at any point.
7. Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
A thick and cushy mat that almost feels like you’re doing yoga on a fabric/material surface, not your typical yoga mat. This mat also has a simplistic design built solely with comfort in mind. Great for those who wish to do light yoga routines and exercises from the comfort of their own bedrooms.
6. Athletic Intuition Premium
A comfortable foam yoga mat that is almost one-third inches thick, putting comfort and quality as priority, so that you feel both of them while you are doing your yoga. A great mat for those getting into advanced yoga styles and for those wishing to try yoga in warmer temperatures.
5. Sivan Health and Fitness
This yoga mat features a strap that you can use for carrying it after rolling it up.
This is one of the more premium yoga mats because it is made of memory foam, which can provide nearly the ultimate comfort for your body as you perform the enduring exercise trials of yoga.
4. Gaiam Print Yoga Mats
This is a fantastic mat that is soft, comfortable, and free of DEHP, BBP, and DBP, which are all Phthalates that can be harmful to people in certain situations. The mats also are made of a material that, while Phthalate-free, can still be washed with soap and water without having to worry about damage to the mat.
3. Yoga Accessories
A website that owns and sells a variety of yoga mats that can really help with comfort/compatibility, as well as non-slip. The softer the mat, the more easily you’ll be able to meditate and move with grace and elegance. The mats are also very durable, which allows them to last for quite a long time.
2. BalanceFrom Go Yoga All-Purpose
A very thick mat that makes comfort top priority, this mat helps secure and protect your spine, knees, hands, and other parts of your body from injury due to connecting with the hard floor through the mat.
The mat has a very large amount of resistance to usage, allowing you to maintain an exceptional balance during your exercises. The mat is made of a material that can be washed with water and soap quite easily.
As a plus, this mat is exceptionally light, allowing for easy transportation.
1. Yes4All Premium
A slightly smaller, less thick mat that gets its #1 spot because it absorbs any impact (no matter how soft), allowing for what could truly be considered the best comfort in yoga mats.
The material is also washable-friendly, and it has one side that is ribbed, providing additional mobility & comfort, regardless of your activity. This mat also has a wonderful 2-year warranty placed on it that guarantees that your mat will not become damaged or ruined by normal usage in that timeframe.
The mat also does not slip or slide on surfaces, which lets you focus on the task at hand, namely, yoga.
This is the yoga mat I use daily, which I bought after wearing out my Gaiam Print Yoga Mat. Although you can’t go wrong, I like that this one has the 2-year warrant appended to it, so I have to give my best recommendation to this particular mat.
