When attending a Pilates class at a devoted studio, you’ll usually discover specialised tools like reformers or train balls. Nonetheless, should you’re trying to apply at dwelling or in a gymnasium, having not less than a primary mat is crucial in your exercise. Pilates could 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 search out the perfect Pilates mats, we spoke with licensed Pilates instructors to be taught extra about what key options to search for when purchasing for a high-quality possibility. Then, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing prime choices at dwelling, 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 Ranking: 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. Because of its stable cushioning and help, we are able to simply transfer by means of our whole apply with out taking a break because 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 cherished 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 gentle, comfortable ribbed texture, it supplies wonderful grip for our toes and arms, even after 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. Nonetheless, it’s light-weight and might be transported if wanted, however we favor to make use of it in our dwelling exercise house.
Most Worthwhile Perception
“This mat has enhanced my Pilates apply by offering a snug and supportive layer and safety from arduous 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 General Ranking: 5/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals 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
Constituted of naturally sourced supplies, Balanced Physique’s EcoWise Mat is our prime choose for individuals who prioritize help when looking for the fitting Pilates mat. With thick cushioning and a raised sample that provides 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 properly, 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 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 straightforward to move and retailer.
Potential Flaws
- This Pilates mat didn’t utterly flatten after unboxing, and a crease stays even after a lot of use. Nonetheless, this didn’t affect our Pilates apply; the crease simply doesn’t look the perfect aesthetically.
Most Worthwhile Perception
“This mat enhances my Pilates apply due to its elevated grip. I discover it extra secure 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’d advocate this mat to others, particularly in the event that they’re searching 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 23 inches x 5 or 8 millimeters | Materials: Pure rubber | Weight: 1.2 kilos | Our General Ranking: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals who wish to spend money on a long-lasting, well-cushioned Pilates mat for a dwelling gymnasium.
Why We Love It
Should you’re prepared to take a position in your house gymnasium and know you wish to apply Pilates long-term, Bala’s The Play Mat must be on the prime of your listing. This mat is skinny however provides unimaginable cushioning. It grips completely on our hardwood ground and jute rug, and supplies comfortable help, particularly to our hips when mendacity on our aspect and knees after we’re on all fours. Plus, we really feel secure and safe, by no means dropping our grip, even throughout sweatier exercises.
Sturdiness is the place this Pilates mat shines—we now have used it for over a yr and haven’t seen any indicators of wear and tear and tear. It actually seems to be the identical because the day we acquired 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 prime. Plus, it is accessible 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 listing. Nonetheless, 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 Worthwhile Perception
“This mat is price its price, particularly due to its sturdiness. Should you’re keen to splurge up-front, figuring out you gained’t have to switch it, then I will surely advocate it. It’s comfy, glossy trying, well-designed, and long-lasting.” —Abby Moore, Verywell Match product tester
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Wonderful help, particularly for the again and elbows
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Straightforward to hold with hooked up 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 General Ranking: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals who are interested by attempting Pilates for the primary time or who’re fascinated with making it a daily a part of their health routine.
Why We Love It
The additional thickness and help supplied by Stott’s Pilates Categorical Pilates Mat make it our prime choose should you’re easing your method into a daily Pilates apply. Its wonderful cushioning supplied us with nice help, which we significantly observed when performing strikes whereas mendacity on our again and when holding elbow plank poses.
We love that it provides 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 outdoor on concrete. We discovered this mat straightforward to roll up and transport, due to its hooked up straps.
Potential Flaws
- Once we used this mat outdoor, we discovered that it heated up shortly in direct daylight. Should you plan on utilizing this mat outdoor, it’s possible you’ll wish to follow a shady space.
Most Worthwhile 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 every other mat I’ve ever used earlier than. Its thick cushioning lets my again sink in, and I really feel so supported and cozy. Its thick, tender texture helps help my joints and bones, permitting for longevity in poses that require stress, 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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Wonderful grip on varied surfaces, together with hardwood and carpet
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Gives 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 Ranking: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Greatest for individuals 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 properly and helps us really feel supported and cozy all through each transfer of our apply. And, as exercisers who are likely 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.
In contrast to another mats we’ve used, this one has wonderful grip on all surfaces, together with carpet and hardwood flooring. We felt protected and safe, by no means slipping or sliding, even throughout intense, sweaty exercises. Its clean 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, because of its cushioning, it’s fairly thick when rolled up, which can make it more difficult to retailer.
Most Worthwhile Perception
“This mat could be very comfy. The truth that it’s 1-inch thick could be very noticeable. It has a reminiscence foam really feel, which feels nice on my fragile joints. I like that I’m capable of put extra stress 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 remaining listing of suggestions. Though we preferred a few of this mat’s options, it in the end didn’t meet our rigorous testing necessities to be chosen as a prime choose.
- Gaiam’s Necessities Health Mat provides a budget-friendly value and an important grip on arduous flooring. Nonetheless, it felt inflexible and uncomfortable to make use of, and our arms 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 perfect 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 an extra knowledgeable, 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 Searching for Pilates Mats
- Thickness: One of many essential indicators of Pilates mats versus different train mats you may discover within the gymnasium or at a yoga studio is their thickness. This extra thickness supplies joint help for the backbone, knees, wrists, and extra. Should you are likely to expertise joint ache, take into account a thicker possibility for extra help.
- Cushion: Some mats supply 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 help throughout sure workout routines, says Erikson. Pilates teacher Laura Quinn, CPT, says that firmer mats present a secure, supportive floor splendid for sustaining your stability throughout varied Pilates workout routines.
- Density and Materials: Density is usually mistaken for thickness, however these are two separate elements to think about. A denser mat usually 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 clean or evenly textured. This helps you glide and carry out strikes extra fluidly. Should you are likely to get sweaty, it’s possible you’ll wish to go for a evenly textured possibility for extra grip.
- Portability: Should you plan to take your mat on the go, you’ll need one which rolls up properly, is light-weight, and comes with a strap for simple journey. Select a smaller, lighter mat should you plan on taking it with you usually. A Heavier, bigger mat may match greatest should you plan on utilizing it in your house exercise house.
How We Examined the Pilates Mats
To search out the perfect Pilates mats, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing prime choices at dwelling whereas performing varied workout routines and stretches. When testing Pilates mats, we consider every possibility based mostly on the next key standards.
- Grip: To judge for grip, we take into account whether or not the mat supplies sufficient grip to maneuver by means of our apply comfortably. We strive the mats on varied 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 supplies ample cushioning and help throughout strikes that require sitting, mendacity down, standing, and kneeling. We additionally notice if we really feel any stress factors or discomfort when utilizing the mat.
- Portability: When assessing portability, we take into account how gentle the mat is, how simply it rolls up, and whether or not it comes with a strap for simple journey. We additionally notice how straightforward it’s to retailer.
- Sturdiness: When taking a look at sturdiness, we ask ourselves if the mat exhibits 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 examine 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 Consultants
We consulted specialists at every stage of our analysis, testing, and reporting course of. The next specialists suggested us on what key options to search for when purchasing for a high-quality Pilates mat. Though we select merchandise independently, knowledgeable enter helps inform our selections.
- Julie Erikson, CPI, CPT, licensed Pilates teacher and authorized 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
Often Requested Questions
How thick ought to a Pilates mat be?
Most Pilates mats are not less than a half-inch thick to help your backbone and tailbone throughout the class. Nonetheless, some extra transportable ones are as skinny as 6 millimeters (about 0.2 inches).
Can I exploit a yoga mat for Pilates?
Pilates mats are usually clean as a substitute of textured, and their thickness is designed to help 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 measurement mat is greatest for Pilates?
Pilates mats are usually round 24 inches by 72 inches. Nonetheless, there are bigger choices accessible which will work higher for taller people and people who favor 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, purposeful 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 guide. She enjoys Pilates courses and is aware of how necessary the proper mat is for sustaining correct kind and getting by means of probably the most grueling exercises.