Top 3 Tips For Choosing A Great Yoga Mat
Exercising in a comfortable environment can motivate you. Our blog discusses some of the factors to consider when choosing a great yoga mat.
Are you looking to get the most out of your yoga practice? These types of exercises are quite peaceful but, at the same time, very strenuous. Given their varying difficulty levels, it’s imperative that you create a proper environment to avoid unnecessary disturbances.
What are some of the things to keep in mind? For one, you’ll need a spacious room for this purpose. Doing so will allow you to do all yoga exercises correctly. Another important factor to consider is a yoga mat.
There are several types of yoga mats in the market, and all of them have different qualities. Unfortunately, many people don’t know how to choose one that best fits their needs.
This article discusses some essential tips to consider when choosing a great yoga mat.
Choosing A Great Yoga Mat
If you’re looking to buy the perfect yoga mat, you need to take into account the following things:
1. Keep Your Needs In Mind
Your personal needs are very important when going for a new yoga mat. You would want to purchase something that won’t only make you comfortable but also allow you to complete all the exercises you want. So, what are some of the factors to consider?
Place Of Exercise
Where will you be doing your yoga? Is it far from your home? And, where will you store the mat? What’s the size of that space? All of these questions will help you choose a yoga mat that’ll serve you the way you want. (1)
If you’ll be doing all your exercises at home, you won’t have to worry about the weight of the mat and its portability. However, these features should be prioritized if you’re planning to do your yoga away from home.
The size of the mat should also be perfect for your space, preferably a dedicated corner or room in your house.
The Type Of Yoga
Apart from yoga space, the type and difficulty of exercises you’ll also be doing matter.
If you’re just experimenting and have no prior experience, you can try a lesser quality mat for a start. During this phase, you can try and understand your needs while saving for a better product.
Yin classes, for instance, require mats that are soft and cushy. However, if you are into flow yoga classes, then something with more traction will come in handy, as these exercises involve complex movements.
Body Type
Another important factor to keep in mind is your body. After all, everyone needs comfort for them to fully enjoy the benefits of yoga exercises.
Do you have a slim body? If so, then you probably have fewer fat deposits, which means very little natural cushioning. As such, you’ll need a thick or padded mat (preferably ¼ of an inch) to provide the comfort you need.
Most people, however, use a ⅛-inch mat, and it works fine for them.
2. Consider The Material
Once you have reviewed all your needs, it’s time to compare the available materials. From natural rubber and cork to polyvinyl chloride (PVC), you’ll find all kinds of materials on display when looking for a perfect yoga mat.
Natural latex rubber and PVC-based yoga mats are known for their top quality.
However, how will you know which material to choose? You’ll have to go through the benefits of each material and see which one best fits your needs.
Natural and synthetic rubber mats, for one, are durable and their texture provides enough traction. As such, they’re ideal for someone who’s into complex exercises.
Cork mats, on the other hand, are designed with a natural layer of cork covering PVC or rubber materials. Like the others, they’re very durable and provide traction, although not as much as PVC and synthetic rubber mats.
Because of their softness, cork mats are usually used in combination with rubber or PVC mats. The advantage of the soft layer is the fact that it can absorb sweat during exercises. (2)
3. Be Wary Of Your Budget
After doing all the research and deciding which type of yoga mat you need, the final factor that you’ll need to keep in mind is your budget.
How much are you willing to spend without breaking the bank? Standard mats, which are 1/8-inch thick and have one solid color, are among the cheapest in the market. Of course, the type of material you choose also plays a role here.
As mentioned, this might be enough for a beginner, but if you’re looking for more quality, then you’ll need upwards of USD$100.
That said, make sure you buy something that you can afford to avoid falling into a financial crisis.
Conclusion
Are you planning to start your yoga exercises and wondering which type of mat will serve your needs?
Well, it all depends on the type of exercises you’re planning to do, your body type, and your place of exercise.
Once you have these details nailed down, you can then go ahead and choose the mat that suits your needs.
