Choose the right yoga mat for home workouts

YOGA provides you with various physical, mental health and wellbeing benefits and luckily it requires a tiny investment in equipment compared to other forms of exercise.

A yoga mat is one of the most versatile essentials you need, especially in these challenging times with gyms opening and closing.

Practising on a yoga mat allows you to properly perform different poses while remaining safe and free from unnecessary stresses such as slipping or experiencing pain from uncomfortable body support.

Whether you are a hardcore yogic or someone about to embark on your fitness journey, a yoga mat will help elevate your performance and keeps pains and aches at bay.

Pallav Bihani, Founder Of Boldfit, shares some tips on how to select the best mat for your home workouts:

Thickness

There are several yoga mats in the market with varying thicknesses. If you love the extra cushioning or are purchasing for senior citizens, opt for mats with 10-12 mm thickness.

If you are someone who loves to connect with the ground while you move from one asana to another, then a yoga mat with a standard thickness of 6mm is ideal for you.

Anything below the 10-6 mm thickness range won’t provide you with stability, comfort, and cushioning.

Size

The standard size in the market is 183cm by 61cm, which is more than enough to perform all the asanas and exercises. If you are tall or big, opt for a larger mat.

Consider how much room and portability is also required before fixing the size of the yoga mat.

Texture

The yoga mat’s surface provides traction and prevents slipping; everyone has different preferences: some like their mats with manufactured texture, while some prefer a smooth, cushioned mat.

Stickiness

A sticky yoga mat will keep you from sliding all over the place and help you maintain your alignment as you move from one pose to another, as well as when you hold asanas. Purchase a mat that provides just the right amount of stickiness for you.

Material

Most budget yoga mats are made of recycled plastic such as EVA or PVC, leaving a nasty odour and can cause skin allergies.

Although these are yoga mats, they are not optimised to perform an asana that may require your mat to hold your grip during the movement.

If performance is one of your concerning parameters, then TPE material is the perfect match for you.

TPE yoga mats provide you the confidence and quality to perform your exercise, while lasting for years without degrading in nature. This is the ideal investment you can make in your fitness. |