Whether you’re doing yoga or HIIT workouts, an exercise mat is vital for protecting your joints. But in relation to deciding on the right one, there are plenty of alternatives accessible—and no longer they all are created equal. For the first-class desire, you’ll need a mat with a robust grip that can rise up to the sweatiest of workouts and a cushy experience that’s gentle for your knees and elbows. Plus, it’s crucial to find a mat as a way to roll up without difficulty and suit your home fitness center or journey bag.
One of the most not unusual varieties of exercise mats available on the market is a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) mat. It’s a long-lasting, waterproof cloth that’s clean easily with a damp cloth and doesn’t harbor microorganisms or odors like some other types of mats. Plus, it’s quite lightweight and less expensive, which makes it a very good option for an amateur who’s just starting out or a skilled athlete trying to replace their present-day mat.
There are several other sorts of exercising mats in the marketplace, however, along with rubber, polymer, and neoprene mats. These are a chunk thicker than PVC, in order that they’re higher on your elbows and knees at some stage in exercises that require greater effect. Plus, they’re extra sustainable, as they can degrade within three to five years, which means that they’re much less in all likelihood to become in landfills.
Another type of workout mat is a TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) mat, which is made from a blend of soft, flexible foam and tough plastic. It’s a versatile material that’s used in everything from car tires to seals and offers a range of benefits for exercisers. For instance, TPU is more flexible and lighter than PVC drop stitch, making it a good choice for exercise mats that need to withstand rough use.
In our tests, TPU mats scored well on traction and comfort, and they’re additionally a terrific preference for folks who plan to practice yoga or different types of flexibility and energy-schooling workout routines in the heat or rain. The handiest downside is that TPU isn’t as green as different styles of workout mats, which is why it didn’t acquire a top rating in our sustainability rankings.
If you’re interested in gaining knowledge of extra about TPU, we’ve prepared a guide that covers the fundamentals of this cloth and the distinctive sorts of exercising mats that use it. It’s the proper primer for the ones new to exercise mats and helps you make an informed decision approximately which exercise mat is proper for you.