Before you jump into your daily workout, you need the right surface to support and amplify your moves. That’s where exercise mats come in. Whether you’re flowing through a yoga class, challenging yourself with Pilates, or repping through a strength training workout, this piece of equipment is the foundation for all fitness modalities.
“There are several different types of exercise mats, including thick rubber mats used for people who drop heavy weights or want to protect their flooring; thinner plastic mats that are used under heavy cardio equipment; (like a treadmill mat) and yoga-type mats that are often made of some type of foam and intended to provide a more comfortable experience for the exerciser,” says Kate Meier, NASM-CPT, a certified personal trainer.
Knowing that not all exercise mats are created equal, we unrolled dozens of mats to discover which stand up to sweaty strength training, support you through relaxing stretching sessions, and cushion your most high-impact workouts.
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Portable
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Sticky and cushiony
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Waterproof top layer
Thickness: 8mm | Dimensions: 26.5” x 72” | Material: FSC™-certified natural rubber and polyurethane
If you want to purchase one mat for all your fitness needs, this Bala option is an ideal choice. Engineered in a portal shape, this mat is sticky enough for a sweaty yoga class, but cushioned enough to protect your joints while you’re performing calisthenics, which makes it versatile for different types of workouts. It also rolls up easily, so you can take it with you wherever you move. A waterproof top layer wicks moisture and sweat and even features an antimicrobial material to keep you and your gear squeaky clean. At 8 millimeters thick, this mat is moderately heavy compared to others on our list, which might make it difficult to tote around. However, if you use the mat mostly at home and prioritize traction, stability, and a thick, cushiony surface, this mat is ideal. We ultimately think its quality outweighs any concerns about bulkiness.
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Carry strap
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Budget-friendly
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Plenty of cushioning
Thickness: 12.7mm | Dimensions: 71” x 24” inches | Material: Foam
Those who want a great mat at an even better price will appreciate this BalanceFrom GoYoga. At 12 millimeters thick, this product offers plenty of cushioning while still maintaining the firmness you need to perform moves like squats or push-ups. However, that weight does make it one of the heavier mats on our list. Our experts pointed out that they love that it comes with a great strap to help you take it with you to the gym or yoga studio, making the weight less of an issue. We also note that the foam material can have a strong smell at first, but our experts explain that’s typically due to the plastic packaging it comes in and not the foam material of the mat itself.
Thickness: 4mm | Dimensions: 24” x 68” | Material: Latex-free PVC
Brand new to fitness? Worry not: This Gaiam mat will ease you into your new workout routine with its versatility and portability, should you want to join a class for that extra motivation. Ultimately, we chose this as our best pick for beginners because of its lightweight portability, making it super easy to tote from class to class as you get acclimated to working out. Once you’ve found your favorite exercise modality (or modalities), we recommend purchasing something tailored to your favorite way to move. As a bonus, this option comes in many patterns and colors to help pump you up.
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Recycled materials
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Grippy
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Extra long
Thickness: 6mm | Material: Recycled PVB and TPE | Length: 71 inches | Width: 26 inches
Yoga mats need to be ready for anything: backbends, forward folds, twists, and more, and the Lululemon workout mat, with its extra-long 71-inch length, textured surface, and thick, cushiony width is super cushiony yet textured to protect your physique. This mat outperformed the rest by remaining grippy and reliable through every downward dog, warrior pose, and core workout circuit, winning top honors when we tested the best yoga mats. We also love how it performed in Pilates and barre classes. We recommend throwing on a yoga towel for extra sweaty classes to help absorb perspiration.
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Three size options
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Can hang on the wall
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Antimicrobial coating
Thickness: 12.7mm | Dimensions: 20” x 48”, 24” x 56”, and 24” x 72” | Material: NBR closed-cell foam
We love an exercise mat that you can hang on the wall for storage and easy cleaning. This one comes with the approval of Pilates expert Vanessa Huffman, director of Club Pilates, who loves that it has an antimicrobial coating to prevent odor and perspiration from building up on the mat. Although this feature is excellent when it comes to repelling germs, our experts note that the coating makes this mat a bit more slippery than those on our list without it. Ultimately, we chose this mat for Pilates because Pilates poses typically don’t demand as much grip as a workout with weights or an advanced yoga flow. Plus, this option is nice and thick to protect your joints as you rep through bridges, one-hundreds, lunges, and more. We also love the versatility: you can choose from three different size mats depending on your height and preferences.
Thickness: 15mm | Dimensions: 24” x 72” | Material: Closed-cell foam
Those who love a soft, cushioned surface will find comfort in this cushy, 15-millimeter mat. This double-sided mat offers a ridged side for workouts that demand more grip and a softer side for the times when you’re simply stretching or practicing mobility. Whether you have aching knees or sensitive wrists, this mat will support your body so you can focus on the exercises ahead. We’ll note that this is one of the heaviest options on our list, which means it’s best-suited for a home workout, but those for whom cushioning is imperative, its thick composition definitely delivers.
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Eco-friendly
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Has alignment cues
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Lightweight and portable
Thickness: 6.35mm | Dimensions: 24” x 72” | Material: Thermoplastic Elastomers
Those who prefer to exercise on eco-friendly materials will appreciate this mat, which is made with TPE material (thermoplastic elastomers), a material that’s better for the environment than plastic or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) mats. Although this material is eco-conscious, our experts note that it doesn’t withstand well to excess perspiration. Ultimately, that wasn’t an issue for our experts, especially considering that the mat arrived stench-free. As a bonus, it also came with guidelines on the mat to help you nail your form. Lightweight and portable, it weighs less than two pounds, so you can breathe easy as you throw this mat into your trunk and head to Pilates class.
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Non-slip
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Mat adheres to the floor
Thickness: 6mm | Dimensions: 26” x 71” | Material: Certified OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 PVC
Sweaty workouts call for durable, sticky materials to keep you from slipping and sliding on your mat. This option delivers an unbeatable grip that actually gets better as you get sweatier. The bottom of the mat even features a dot pattern that adheres the mat to the floor, so you never have to worry about your mat sliding out from underneath you in downward dog. Although the mat requires some breakdown time, the brand suggests sprinkling coarse sea salt over the mat to expedite this process. Let it sit for 24 hours, then wipe the mat clean.
Thickness: 5mm | Material: TPE | Length: 68 inches | Width: 24 inches
If you’re running to a workout class in between work and personal obligations, you need a mat that won’t drag you down. Weighing in at .04 ounces, this option goes where you go without taking up a lot of space. Although it has a lightweight structure, making it so easy to tote, we’ll note that it’s still moderately cushioned at five millimeters thick. Our experts note that this thickness is enough to protect your joints and give you a nice soft surface without being overly cushy. Ultimately, we think this mat has that perfect middle-ground cushion, while still being lightweight.
Thickness: 6mm | Dimensions: 48” x 72” | Material: Thermoplastic Elastomers
Real talk: Sometimes you just want a place to play—and that’s where this option comes in handy. This epically huge surface offers plenty of space for practicing handstands, jumping, and inviting your friend to join in. The grippy, high-quality TPE (thermoplastic elastomers) material keeps the mat secure during backyard workouts in the grass or on slippery wooden floors. Finally, a closed-cell foam finish prevents liquid from seeping into the material, so don’t be afraid to get sweaty.
What to Know About Exercise Mats
- Thickness Is Important: Thicker, more cushioned mats offer more support, while a thinner mat is better suited for one-the-go workouts. “A padded mat can soften the stress on your body; people with knee issues, for example, probably don’t love kneeling on a hard surface,” says Meier.
- Grip Is Key: “Exercise mats can also make exercise safer by providing a grippy surface on which to do exercises. Carpet and hardwood surfaces, for example, aren’t exactly ideal for exercise,” says Meier. Those with sweaty palms and those who love challenging, steamy workouts should opt for grippier materials.
- Size Matters: Exercise mats come in multiple sizes. If you’re on the taller side, make sure you pick something that’s more than 68 inches.
- Portability Is Handy: Consider whether you want something with more room or something that you can roll up and carry to a Pilates or yoga class. “I’m a home gym owner, so stow-ability is important to me with all my equipment. I love exercise mats that have grommets so they are easy to hang, or they have straps that allow you to roll them up and store them in a roll,” says Meier.
- Exercise Mats Are Different from Yoga Mats: While you can use yoga mats for other exercises like Pilates or HIIT, exercise mats generally have a bit more cushioning to support your joints during strength training. Yoga mats, meanwhile, tend to be a bit more grippy so that your hands and feet don’t slide around.
Why Trust Shape
Kells McPhillips is a health and wellness writer living in Los Angeles. For this story, she interviewed Kate Meier, a Certified Personal Trainer and CrossFit Instructor. She has over a decade of experience in training adults and children and loves to share her versatile fitness knowledge. She holds Level 1 certifications from USA Weightlifting and CrossFit and owns a CrossFit affiliate. She’s been an athlete in CrossFit for six years and competing in weightlifting for three.
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