When attending a Pilates class at a devoted studio, you’ll typically discover specialised tools like reformers or train balls. Nonetheless, should you’re seeking to apply at house or in a gymnasium, having no less than a fundamental mat is crucial on your exercise. Pilates could be very fluid, so the mats are thicker and extra slippery than yoga mats, permitting you to transition between workouts and repetitions simply, says licensed Pilates teacher Julie Erickson, CPI, CPT.
To seek out the perfect Pilates mats, we spoke with licensed Pilates instructors to study 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 house, 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 Overview Board evaluate 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 Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest for these seeking 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 strong cushioning and assist, we will simply transfer via our whole apply with out taking a break as a result of joint discomfort, which is widespread for us. We additionally love that this mat is massive sufficient for full-body workouts with out us having to reposition ourselves.
Throughout testing, we liked its regular grip, as we flowed via Pilates workouts, 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 snug performing each slower- and faster-paced workouts. With a gentle, cozy ribbed texture, it supplies glorious grip for our toes and fingers, even after they get sweaty. Plus, it’s grippy sufficient to assist totally 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 tough to hold round. Nonetheless, it’s light-weight and may be transported if wanted, however we favor to make use of it in our house exercise house.
Most Helpful Perception
“This mat has enhanced my Pilates apply by offering a snug and supportive layer and safety from onerous flooring surfaces. I can transfer freely, doing full-body workouts without having to reposition or pause to permit my joints to relaxation. I’m fully targeted 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 Score: 5/5
Who It’s For
Finest 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
Constructed from naturally sourced supplies, Balanced Physique’s EcoWise Mat is our prime choose for individuals who prioritize assist when looking for the correct Pilates mat. With thick cushioning and a raised sample that gives superior grip, this mat strikes the right steadiness of stability and assist. After we use this mat on our hardwood flooring and carpet, it stays fully in place. Plus, it grips our socks and naked toes nicely, 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 snug touching it to our naked pores and skin with out worrying about any irritation. It’s tremendous simple to wash, and in contrast to another mats we’ve used previously, 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 fully flatten after unboxing, and a crease stays even after numerous use. Nonetheless, this didn’t influence our Pilates apply; the crease simply doesn’t look the perfect aesthetically.
Most Helpful 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 might with a smaller mat. I might advocate this mat to others, particularly in the event that they’re on the lookout for a pure possibility that received’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 Score: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Finest for individuals who wish to put money into a long-lasting, well-cushioned Pilates mat for a house gymnasium.
Why We Love It
Should you’re prepared to speculate in your house gymnasium and know you wish to apply Pilates long-term, Bala’s The Play Mat ought to be on the prime of your record. This mat is skinny however presents unbelievable cushioning. It grips completely on our hardwood flooring and jute rug, and supplies cozy assist, particularly to our hips when mendacity on our facet and knees after we’re on all fours. Plus, we really feel secure and safe, by no means shedding our grip, even throughout sweatier exercises.
Sturdiness is the place this Pilates mat shines—we now have used it for over a 12 months and haven’t seen any indicators of damage and tear. It really seems the identical because the day we obtained it. It doesn’t maintain onto any odor, and sweat marks are simple to wash with cleaning soap and water. We additionally love its aesthetically pleasing smooth design that curves on the prime. Plus, it is obtainable in two thickness choices, so you’ll be able to choose the correct quantity of cushioning on your wants.
Potential Flaws
- This mat is pricier than different mats on our record. Nonetheless, we expect 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 Helpful Perception
“This mat is value its price, particularly due to its sturdiness. Should you’re prepared to splurge up-front, realizing you received’t have to switch it, then I would definitely advocate it. It’s snug, smooth wanting, well-designed, and long-lasting.” —Abby Moore, Verywell Match product tester
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Glorious assist, particularly for the again and elbows
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Simple to hold with connected straps
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Finances-friendly
Key Specs
Dimensions: 70 inches x 22 inches x 10 millimeters | Materials: Closed-cell foam | Weight: 1.8 kilos | Our General Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest for individuals who are fascinated by making an attempt Pilates for the primary time or who’re desirous about making it a daily a part of their health routine.
Why We Love It
The additional thickness and assist supplied by Stott’s Pilates Categorical Pilates Mat make it our prime choose should you’re easing your means into a daily Pilates apply. Its glorious cushioning offered us with nice assist, which we notably observed when performing strikes whereas mendacity on our again and when holding elbow plank poses.
We love that it presents top-notch grip, letting us circulate via our apply with out worrying about slipping or any mat motion, regardless if we apply it to hardwood flooring, tiles, or outside on concrete. We discovered this mat simple to roll up and transport, because of its connected straps.
Potential Flaws
- After we used this mat outside, we discovered that it heated up shortly in direct daylight. Should you plan on utilizing this mat outside, you could wish to keep on with a shady space.
Most Helpful Perception
“Consolation is the place this mat shines. My knees, elbows, and again really feel nice! My again, particularly, feels higher with this mat than some other mat I’ve ever used earlier than. Its thick cushioning lets my again sink in, and I really feel so supported and comfy. Its thick, delicate texture helps assist my joints and bones, permitting for longevity in poses that require strain, 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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Glorious grip on varied surfaces, together with hardwood and carpet
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Gives glorious joint assist
Key Specs
Dimensions: 70 inches x 23 inches x 25 millimeters | Materials: Excessive-density foam, rubber | Weight: 3.2 kilos | Our General Score: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest 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 nicely and helps us really feel supported and comfy 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 glorious grip on all surfaces, together with carpet and hardwood flooring. We felt secure and safe, by no means slipping or sliding, even throughout intense, sweaty exercises. Its clean texture makes it simple to wash, and it doesn’t maintain onto any odors. Plus, it’s light-weight and simple to hold, because of its included strap.
Potential Flaws
- Though light-weight, as a result of its cushioning, it’s fairly thick when rolled up, which can make it tougher to retailer.
Most Helpful Perception
“This mat could be very snug. 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 in a position to put extra strain 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 ultimate record of suggestions. Though we appreciated a few of this mat’s options, it finally didn’t meet our rigorous testing necessities to be chosen as a prime choose.
- Gaiam’s Necessities Health Mat presents a budget-friendly worth and a fantastic grip on onerous flooring. Nonetheless, it felt inflexible and uncomfortable to make use of, and our fingers and toes slipped as we grew to become 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 totally examined article, solely offering our hands-on expertise with every really useful 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 Purchasing for Pilates Mats
- Thickness: One of many important indicators of Pilates mats versus different train mats you would possibly discover within the gymnasium or at a yoga studio is their thickness. This extra thickness supplies joint assist for the backbone, knees, wrists, and extra. Should you are likely to expertise joint ache, think about a thicker possibility for added assist.
- Cushion: Some mats provide 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 assist throughout sure workouts, says Erikson. Pilates teacher Laura Quinn, CPT, says that firmer mats present a secure, supportive floor perfect for sustaining your steadiness throughout varied Pilates workouts.
- 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 product of closed-cell or high-density foam are denser, higher high quality, and face up to longer use.
- Floor Texture: The floor of Pilates mats tends to be clean or flippantly textured. This helps you glide and carry out strikes extra fluidly. Should you are likely to get sweaty, you could wish to go for a flippantly textured possibility for added grip.
- Portability: Should you plan to take your mat on the go, you’ll need one which rolls up nicely, is light-weight, and comes with a strap for simple journey. Select a smaller, lighter mat should you plan on taking it with you typically. A Heavier, bigger mat may go finest should you plan on utilizing it in your house exercise house.
How We Examined the Pilates Mats
To seek out the perfect Pilates mats, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing prime choices at house whereas performing varied workouts and stretches. When testing Pilates mats, we consider every possibility primarily based on the next key standards.
- Grip: To guage for grip, we think about whether or not the mat supplies sufficient grip to maneuver via 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 enough cushioning and assist throughout strikes that require sitting, mendacity down, standing, and kneeling. We additionally notice if we really feel any strain factors or discomfort when utilizing the mat.
- Portability: When assessing portability, we think about 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 simple it’s to retailer.
- Sturdiness: When taking a look at sturdiness, we ask ourselves if the mat exhibits any indicators of damage and tear over time. Is it simple to wash and preserve? Does it maintain onto any odors?
- Worth: We verify every mat’s worth after we consider all different key standards to evaluate whether or not it’s value it. Do we expect 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 consultants at every stage of our analysis, testing, and reporting course of. The next consultants 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 choices.
- Julie Erikson, CPI, CPT, licensed Pilates teacher and licensed private coach at Pilates for Life
- Anne Bertram, MFA, CMA, CHHC, licensed motion analyst, licensed Pilates teacher, and director of Structural Components LAB
- Laura Quinn, CPT, licensed private coach and head Pilates Teacher at Alo Strikes
Regularly Requested Questions
How thick ought to a Pilates mat be?
Most Pilates mats are no less than a half-inch thick to assist your backbone and tailbone in the course of the class. Nonetheless, some extra transportable ones are as skinny as 6 millimeters (about 0.2 inches).
Can I take advantage of a yoga mat for Pilates?
Pilates mats are usually clean as an alternative of textured, and their thickness is designed to assist your backbone throughout sure workouts. You could discover that utilizing a grippy yoga mat makes some Pilates workouts tougher and even uncomfortable.
What dimension mat is finest for Pilates?
Pilates mats are usually round 24 inches by 72 inches. Nonetheless, there are bigger choices obtainable that will work higher for taller people and those that favor to not reposition their mats for full-body workouts.
Why Belief Verywell Match
Amanda Berkey, M.Ed., is a Pennsylvania-based health teacher and health author. She’s captivated with discovering steadiness, whether or not performing a whole bunch or making an attempt to nail the king pigeon pose. She believes there’s not rather more motivating for an on-the-ground exercise than a beautiful, purposeful Pilates mat.
Further reporting by Sarah Anzlovar
Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RD is a personal apply dietitian who works as a contract author, recipe developer, meals photographer, and model advisor. She enjoys Pilates lessons and is aware of how essential the right mat is for sustaining correct kind and getting via probably the most grueling exercises.