When attending a Pilates class at a devoted studio, you’ll typically discover specialised tools like reformers or train balls. Nevertheless, for those who’re seeking to follow at dwelling or in a gymnasium, having at the very least a primary mat is crucial to your exercise. Pilates may 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 search out the most effective Pilates mats, we spoke with licensed Pilates instructors to study extra about what key options to search for when looking for a high-quality choice. Then, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing prime choices at dwelling, performing standing, mendacity, and kneeling Pilates strikes and stretches. We rated every choice for grip, consolation, portability, sturdiness, and worth. We additionally had a yoga and Pilates teacher from our Overview Board evaluation 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 Total Ranking: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest for these seeking to improve their Pilates follow 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 total spot. Due to its strong cushioning and help, we are able to simply transfer by way of our whole follow with out taking a break because of joint discomfort, which is frequent 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 beloved its regular grip, as we flowed by way of 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 mild, cozy ribbed texture, it supplies wonderful grip for our ft and fingers, even after they get sweaty. Plus, it’s grippy sufficient to help 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 troublesome to hold round. Nevertheless, it’s light-weight and might be transported if wanted, however we favor to make use of it in our dwelling exercise area.
Most Invaluable Perception
“This mat has enhanced my Pilates follow by offering a snug and supportive layer and safety from laborious ground surfaces. I can transfer freely, doing full-body workouts while not having to reposition or pause to permit my joints to relaxation. I’m utterly 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 Total Ranking: 5/5
Who It’s For
Finest for individuals who desire a supportive, grippy mat and/or have delicate pores and skin and wish an choice made with out latex and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Why We Love It
Comprised of naturally sourced supplies, Balanced Physique’s EcoWise Mat is our prime choose for individuals who prioritize help when looking for the correct Pilates mat. With thick cushioning and a raised sample that gives superior grip, this mat strikes the proper steadiness 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 ft 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 snug touching it to our naked pores and skin with out worrying about any irritation. It’s tremendous simple 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 simple to move and retailer.
Potential Flaws
- This Pilates mat didn’t utterly flatten after unboxing, and a crease stays even after plenty of use. Nevertheless, this didn’t affect our Pilates follow; the crease simply doesn’t look the most effective aesthetically.
Most Invaluable Perception
“This mat enhances my Pilates follow 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 choice 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 Total Ranking: 4.7/5
Who It’s For
Finest for individuals who need to spend money on a long-lasting, well-cushioned Pilates mat for a dwelling gymnasium.
Why We Love It
In case you’re prepared to speculate in your house gymnasium and know you need to follow Pilates long-term, Bala’s The Play Mat ought to be on the prime of your listing. This mat is skinny however presents unbelievable cushioning. It grips completely on our hardwood ground and jute rug, and supplies cozy 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 shedding our grip, even throughout sweatier exercises.
Sturdiness is the place this Pilates mat shines—we’ve used it for over a yr and haven’t seen any indicators of damage and tear. It really appears to be like the identical because the day we obtained it. It doesn’t maintain onto any odor, and sweat marks are simple to scrub with cleaning soap and water. We additionally love its aesthetically pleasing modern design that curves on the prime. Plus, it is accessible in two thickness choices, so you possibly can choose the correct amount of cushioning to your wants.
Potential Flaws
- This mat is pricier than different mats on our listing. Nevertheless, 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 Invaluable Perception
“This mat is price its value, particularly due to its sturdiness. In case you’re keen to splurge up-front, realizing you gained’t have to switch it, then I will surely advocate it. It’s snug, modern trying, well-designed, and long-lasting.” —Abby Moore, Verywell Match product tester
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Glorious 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 Total Ranking: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest for individuals who are enthusiastic about attempting Pilates for the primary time or who’re enthusiastic about making it an everyday a part of their health routine.
Why We Love It
The additional thickness and help supplied by Stott’s Pilates Specific Pilates Mat make it our prime choose for those who’re easing your method into an everyday Pilates follow. Its wonderful cushioning offered us with nice help, 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 move by way of our follow 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 simple to roll up and transport, because of its hooked up straps.
Potential Flaws
- Once we used this mat outdoor, we discovered that it heated up shortly in direct daylight. In case you plan on utilizing this mat outdoor, you could need to stick with a shady space.
Most Invaluable 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, gentle texture helps help 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 wonderful joint help
Key Specs
Dimensions: 70 inches x 23 inches x 25 millimeters | Materials: Excessive-density foam, rubber | Weight: 3.2 kilos | Our Total Ranking: 4.8/5
Who It’s For
Finest for individuals who desire a excessive stage of cushioning and luxury throughout their Pilates follow.
Why We Love It
If you wish to really feel such as you’re working towards 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 follow. 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.
Not like another mats we’ve used, this one has wonderful 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 easy texture makes it simple to scrub, 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, because of its cushioning, it’s fairly thick when rolled up, which can make it tougher to retailer.
Most Invaluable Perception
“This mat may be very snug. The truth that it’s 1-inch thick may 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 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 closing listing 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 an excellent grip on laborious flooring. Nevertheless, it felt inflexible and uncomfortable to make use of, and our fingers and ft slipped as we grew to become sweaty. Our nails scratched this mat’s floor simply, and it held indentations lengthy after our follow ended.
What We’ve Up to date
- Since publishing our preliminary research-based roundup of the most effective 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 beneficial Pilates mat.
- We consulted a further 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 most 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 help for the backbone, knees, wrists, and extra. In case you are likely to expertise joint ache, take into account a thicker choice for added help.
- 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 enhance the problem or present extra help throughout sure workouts, says Erikson. Pilates teacher Laura Quinn, CPT, says that firmer mats present a secure, supportive floor best for sustaining your steadiness throughout varied Pilates workouts.
- Density and Materials: Density is commonly 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 stand up to longer use.
- Floor Texture: The floor of Pilates mats tends to be easy or frivolously textured. This helps you glide and carry out strikes extra fluidly. In case you are likely to get sweaty, you could need to go for a frivolously textured choice for added grip.
- Portability: In case 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 straightforward journey. Select a smaller, lighter mat for those who plan on taking it with you typically. A Heavier, bigger mat may fit finest for those who plan on utilizing it in your house exercise area.
How We Examined the Pilates Mats
To search out the most effective Pilates mats, we spent over 4,200 minutes testing prime choices at dwelling whereas performing varied workouts and stretches. When testing Pilates mats, we consider every choice based mostly on the next key standards.
- Grip: To guage for grip, we take into account whether or not the mat supplies sufficient grip to maneuver by way of our follow comfortably. We strive the mats on varied surfaces, together with hardwood, tile, and carpet, and see whether or not their grip modifications as soon as we begin to work up a sweat.
- Consolation: When contemplating consolation, we take into consideration whether or not the mat supplies satisfactory cushioning and help throughout strikes that require sitting, mendacity down, standing, and kneeling. We additionally observe if we really feel any strain factors or discomfort when utilizing the mat.
- Portability: When assessing portability, we take into account how mild the mat is, how simply it rolls up, and whether or not it comes with a strap for straightforward journey. We additionally observe how simple it’s to retailer.
- Sturdiness: When sturdiness, we ask ourselves if the mat exhibits any indicators of damage and tear over time. Is it simple to scrub 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 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 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 looking 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 authorized 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
Steadily Requested Questions
How thick ought to a Pilates mat be?
Most Pilates mats are at the very least a half-inch thick to help your backbone and tailbone throughout the class. Nevertheless, some extra moveable ones are as skinny as 6 millimeters (about 0.2 inches).
Can I take advantage of a yoga mat for Pilates?
Pilates mats are typically easy as an alternative of textured, and their thickness is designed to help your backbone throughout sure workouts. You could discover that utilizing a grippy yoga mat makes some Pilates workouts harder and even uncomfortable.
What measurement mat is finest for Pilates?
Pilates mats are typically round 24 inches by 72 inches. Nevertheless, there are bigger choices accessible 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 attempting to nail the king pigeon pose. She believes there’s not rather more motivating for an on-the-ground exercise than a stunning, practical Pilates mat.
Extra reporting by Sarah Anzlovar
Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RD is a personal follow dietitian who works as a contract author, recipe developer, meals photographer, and model marketing consultant. She enjoys Pilates courses and is aware of how vital the proper mat is for sustaining correct type and getting by way of essentially the most grueling exercises.
