With a rug, you can do more than just yoga or fitness exercises. It creates a special area for creative energy and acts as a space limiter in halls where there are many people. With its help, you can solve the problems of ensuring hygiene, protecting the body from the cold when exercising on the floor, preventing slipping and creating positive emotions that will only increase the effect of the exercise. Below is a ranking, worked on by several seasoned experts, which includes the best yoga mats for 2024.
When choosing a yoga or aerobic exercise mat, you should pay attention to its dimensions, the material from which it is made, and texture.
Yoga mats are made from the following materials:
When doing yoga, you often have to take recumbent asanas, so the product must be chosen according to the person's height, adding another 15 cm. For fitness, you can choose a model 220 cm in length so that it is comfortable to do different movements on it.
Almost all models have the same width with a slight difference of 2-3 cm. The range of product thickness can be from 3 to 10 mm or more. Often, a product is chosen that is convenient for a student who does not yet have experience of standing firmly on his feet in various positions. For beginners, products that vary in thickness from 4 to 6 mm are suitable, while for experienced instructors it is better to look at rugs with a thickness of 3 mm.
Weight depends on what material the rug is made of and what size it is. When choosing, they usually focus on the weight of the person who will be engaged. A simple calculation says: if a person's weight is up to 60 kg, then the weight of the product should not exceed 1.5 kg. It is also important how intense the classes will be. A yoga mat has less weight than a fitness mat.
What rigidity of the product to choose, according to experts, should be determined by the athlete himself. Most often, soft ones are chosen for yoga, and hard ones - for fitness. You can find out what the rigidity of the rug is after studying the following markings:
Marketers help simplify the choice, thanks to which there are ready-made kits and products from high-quality materials in sporting goods stores.
There are 2 types of structure:
You need to pay attention to the cells only when choosing a model for yoga. They don't matter for fitness.
Amateur athletes and professional trainers recommend the following most comfortable exercise mats.
This mat is suitable for children, women with sensitive skin and lovers of soft textures, as the rough surface of Ojas Shakti Pro is very delicate. It is made from toxin-free material. It perfectly resists loads, adheres perfectly to the floor, and does not lose its positive qualities during operation.
Dimensions - 183x60 cm, thickness - 0.6 cm, weight - 1.2 kg. The latter parameter is much lower than that of products of the same size. This mat is suitable for beginners because it provides quality protection from cold and falls.
The mat has different characteristics on both sides. On the one hand, the rug has a rough surface and bright colors, and on the other, it is discreet and smooth. Both sides adhere perfectly to the floor, so the wearer can practice on any surface. The average cost of the rug is 3,400 rubles. The Ojas Shakti Pro mat is suitable for both yoga and fitness.
Bodhi Rishikesh 60 is made of thermoplastic polymer, has a high degree of wear resistance and is suitable for any physical activity.The mat will be equally comfortable for both a baby with a small body weight and an obese owner of extra pounds. On such a mat, classes will be easy and enjoyable.
Width - 60 cm, length varies from 175 to 220 cm (everyone chooses individually). Customers will also like the variety of color shades: dark red, carrot, purple, aquamarine, malachite, as well as traditional black and gray. The mat is suitable for aerobics, pilates and yoga. It can be used for outdoor training, thickness - 10 mm.
Dirt does not stick to sports equipment, and if necessary, it can be washed with a damp cloth or washed. The Bodhi Rishikesh 60 has a different working surface from the one that adheres to the floor. The structure of the upper layer prevents the limbs from sliding during training, and the lower one is smooth.
During operation, due to nylon inserts, the mat does not stretch, but over time it becomes softer. The disadvantages include the fact that it will be slippery when your feet or palms are damp with sweat. The average cost of a model is 2,600 rubles. It is based on the durability of the sports equipment.
The firm produces a wide range of sports goods. The new EKO-line, launched by the corporation several years ago, has pleased the majority of consumers who are committed to protecting the environment or leading a healthy lifestyle. In 2024, the manufacturer released several samples of environmental rugs. Consumers have already been informed about the innovative models, but not all of them have gone on sale. The most vividly recommended mats are Manduka EKO superlite Bondi.
This ultra-thin model is easy to carry, folds easily and fits into a regular gym bag. It does not slip on the floor, so it can be used both at home and in the gym. The model is made using a special technology from an environmentally friendly, natural elastomer that does not have harmful additives. Cost - 3,200 rubles.
This rug is made from natural cork material. Its quality has been tested and confirmed by certificates, so lovers of environmentally friendly materials choose it. It was based on rubber, and the top coat is made of natural cork. The mat adheres firmly to any floor covering and does not slip even during the most difficult asanas, and the cork surface is highly absorbent. All this makes the model attractive for lovers of comfortable yoga practice. Cost - 4 500 rubles.
Despite the fact that there are other shades in the product line of this company on the market, the most popular in the list of the best mats for sports is the OFT NBR multifunctional aerobics and yoga mat.The model is produced in black and has dimensions of 1800x610x8 mm. The sports equipment is made of elastic material, which in its composition resembles a natural resin product. The mat does not slip on the floor covering.
The thickness of the mat is 8 mm, which allows it to be used on any surface (lawns, sand, etc.). Lumps and pits underneath are practically not felt. For easy storage, the manufacturers have equipped the mat with 2 holes with plastic rims. They do not interfere with the practice and do not allow the mat to stretch when it is hung on the wall.
It is no coincidence that the consumer chose black for sports equipment. The fact is that dirt on it is almost invisible, so the rug retains a presentable appearance for a long time. It is quite easy to care for it - just wipe it with a damp cloth or sponge. Cost - 1 200 rubles.
Starfit FM-201 is made of thermoplastic elastomer. It has delicate colors (different on each side), so it can be used according to the mood by flipping it to a specific side. The length of Starfit FM-201 is slightly shorter than the traditional one and is only 1.73 m, so it is not quite suitable for tall athletes. In terms of weight, the rug has no limits. He can handle even very obese people.
It is extremely convenient to store the rug in a folded state, which is fixed thanks to the presence of textile ties included in the kit. One way or another, professional athletes rarely use this model, because when performing some exercises, their arms and legs begin to slide over the surface. In addition, the rug tends to become electrified, and this attracts hair and dust. Clean with a wet cloth. The average cost is about 1200 rubles.
The classic FitTools Banana Lime is tinted yellow on one side and banana on the other. Both sides have the same texture, made of polyvinyl chloride. The mat is resilient, and the marks left by aerobics classes quickly disappear from the surface. The model is easy to care for: it can be washed with soap under running water or simply wiped with a damp sponge.
FitTools Banana Lime sizes are suitable for people of all sizes. The model, made of PVC, has a high density, so it is difficult to straighten out after storage in a folded state. The average cost is 900 rubles.
This mat is made of NBR elastic synthetic rubber, which is much cheaper than all the above. This model is suitable for amateur athletes doing Pilates, yoga or stretching at home, while it will not be a good choice for high loads due to the lack of reinforcement.
The surface of the mat often slips, which makes it difficult to perform static asanas. Sneakers, sudden jumps and steps can damage or even tear the surface. The cost of the rug is 700 rubles.
Yoga lovers will agree that practicing on the right mat is much more enjoyable and effective than on a simple mat or bare floor. That is why, when choosing a yoga mat, you should familiarize yourself with its characteristics, but you should focus on making the classes comfortable and not fettered movement.
Professional athletes know how important high-quality and comfortable equipment is, since only on a good mat can you perform the most difficult asanas without risking injury. There are many manufacturers in the modern sports equipment market, which makes it sometimes difficult to make the right choice. That is why it is necessary to carefully and responsibly approach the purchase of training equipment. Only in this case, the classes will bring not only benefits, but also pleasure.