Whether you’re a fitness expert or a workout newbie, there’s always something to be learned in the ever-growing, ever-changing world of exercise.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the difference between yoga mats and exercise mats. They may seem the same, at first. After all, they’re both mats made for your favorite workouts!
However, as you continue reading, you’ll find out just how different they really are!
- First, we’ll discuss those differences. We’ll talk about what each mat is, who they’re made for, and list out their pros and cons.
- Then, we’ll delve into our Ultimate Buyer’s Guide for each mat, discussing important information like price, safety, and comfort.
- We’ll also speak about the benefits of a yoga mat and an exercise mat for different kinds of workouts.
- And finally, we’ve provided you with a few independent reviews of each type of mat to help you see what others are saying about them!
I hope you’re ready to roll out those mats!
Let’s get started!
Yoga Mats vs. Exercise Mats: What’s the Difference?
If you’re just starting your exercise journey, looking for a floor mat to comfort your joints while working out should be one of your top priorities. However, with so many options, it’s difficult to choose which is right for you. In fact, the wide variety of yoga, exercise, and other mats may even turn you off from exercising right from the get-go!
Well, don’t let the lack of information scare you off! We’ve compiled an Ultimate Guide for you that discusses the differences between yoga mats and exercise mats and which _you_ should purchase for your workout goals!
So, come on! Let’s roll out!
Yoga Mats
- Comes with a regular mat and a knee pad. Regular mat measures 71 long 24 wide, 1/2 thick, ensures comfort for people of all shapes and sizes. Knee pad measures 24 wide 10 long, 3/5 thick
- Exceptional resilience allow you to keep your balance during any exercise style. Moisture resistant technology makes the mat to be easily washed with soap and water
- Easy strapping and light weight feature are added to this mat for easy transport and storage. Balance From all-purpose premium exercise yoga mat is manufactured exclusively by BalanceFrom
If you’ve ever tried an at-home yoga video, you most likely saw your teacher using a yoga mat! They have become exceedingly popular over the last decade, so much so that they often come in a wide variety of beautiful colors and designs!
But, what is a yoga mat besides just a stylish way to gain strength and balance?
What Are Yoga Mats?
The two main things you need to know about yoga mats are that they are usually thin – anywhere from ¼ inch to 1 inch thick – and they’re made for use without sneakers or socks. The latter is why you’ve probably seen fellow yogis take their socks and shoes off while performing yoga, despite the potential smell…
Yoga mats are shock-absorbent and slip-resistant, made to cushion your joints and protect you from slipping while performing its many taxing positions. However, it must be thin since yoga contains many balancing poses, as well as many wrist-supporting exercises (like planks and cobra), neither of which are easy or comfortable on an overly thick mat.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy One?
So, if you’ve decided to take up a daily yoga practice, purchasing a yoga mat is probably in your best interest. You’ll be able to practice in your house, as well as take it to the gym, the beach, a hotel, anywhere you find peace and focus to tone those muscles and open up those chakras!
However, if you’re planning on using your yoga mat for HIIT workouts or to place your indoor fitness bike upon, a yoga mat is probably not the right choice for you.
Although you _can _use a yoga mat for certain exercises other than yoga, those high intensity exercises like jumping jacks and jogging in place are not meant to be done without protective footwear; so, attempting to perform them with no sneakers on a yoga mat could end up hurting you, and your exercise goals.
Pros of Yoga Mats
Slip-Resistant
Shock Absorbing
No Shoes Required
Usually Very Affordable
Good Variety of Thickness
Easy to Find on the Market
Lightweight for Easy Transport
Good Variety of Colors/Designs
Cons of Yoga Mats
- Some Must Be Broken In
- Not Made for Use with Sneakers
- Some Have an Unpleasant Scent
- Not Meant for Use on Thick Rugs
Exercise Mats
- Durable NBR mat; Measures 23 x 70
- Double-sided non-slip surface
- Extra thick padding to cushion and support joints
- Lightweight material; Comes with carrying strap for easy transport and storage
- Long and wide; gives you ample space to stretch and move
If you’ve ever been to the gym and seen someone unfold a thick, heavy-duty mat upon which they began performing the most taxing exercise routine you’ve ever seen, chances are you just saw them with an exercise mat.
What Are Yoga Mats?
Exercise mats are indeed made for high intensity workouts, so they’re usually much thicker – 1 inch to 3 inches – when compared to yoga mats. However, there are some brands that sell very thin, but durable, exercise mats, as well. Exercise mats are also made of shock-absorbant, heavy-duty material, so you _can _wear sneakers on them without twisting your ankle.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy One?
If you’re an active, die-hard fan of HIIT workouts, then an exercise mat may be the best option for you. Whether you perform these workouts at home or at the gym, an exercise mat will be able to cushion jumps, stomps, and even falls.
However, if you were planning on using your exercise mat for shoe-less activities, you may want to stick with a yoga mat, instead. Additionally, if you were planning on going on vacation with an exercise mat, you may have a difficult time lugging it around as they tend to be heavier than yoga mats.
Finally, if you know that you want those beautiful, zen patterns all over your mat, you should think again about purchasing an exercise mat since most aren’t as varied in design as yoga mats.
Pros of Exercise Mats
- Slip-Resistant
- Shock Absorbing
- Usually Quite Affordable
- Made for Use with Sneakers
- Can Also Be Used without Sneakers
- Durable Against Toughest Workout
Cons of Exercise Mats
- Difficult to Find Online As They’re Often Confused with Yoga Mats
- Not Great Color Variety on the Market
- Not Great Size Variety on the Market
- Not Meant for Yoga (Too Thick)
- Not All Are Easy to Transport
Yoga Mat vs. Exercise Mat Buyer’s Guide: Things to Consider Before Investing Your Hard-Earned Money
If you’ve been trying to decide whether to buy a yoga mat or an exercise mat for your workout needs, you’re certainly not alone. Choosing which one is right for you can be a very difficult decision if you don’t know their differences.
So, we’ve put together a buyer’s guide to help you out a bit!
Yoga mats are made for just that: yoga. So, if you’ve decided to follow the path of this low-intensity, shoeless strength and balance practice (and yes, pilates counts, as well), then a yoga mat may be the option for you!
Exercise mats, on the other hand, are made for intense, shock-absorbing movements. These are perfect for sneaker-wearing, dumbbell holding, HIIT workout nuts!
If you’re interested in _both _forms of fitness – or perhaps you simply haven’t decided yet – you may want to think about some other things before you make your final purchase.
Price
Prices for yoga mats range anywhere from $15 to $150, depending on the brand and style. However, you’ll easily be able to find an excellent, sturdy yoga mat at around the $30 price point.
Prices for a good quality exercise mat tend to range from $30 to $300 depending on the size you’re looking for. However, unlike the yoga mats, you may have to spend upwards of $50 to find a good, heavy duty exercise mat.
Material
Yoga mats tend to be made of a softer, foam material, perfect for cushioning your body as you vinyasa.
Exercise mats are usually made from a thicker, rubber material to absorb the shock from your jumps and falls.
Thickness
Yoga mats are usually anywhere from ¼ inch to 1 inch thick.
Exercise mats tend to be 1 inch to 3 inches thick. But some brands offer ¼ inch and up.
Durability
Both yoga mats and exercise mats are exceedingly durable for the workouts they’re made for.
Protection and Comfort
As long as you’re using them correctly, both yoga mats and exercise mats offer your body complete protection and comfort. Each is shock absorbent and slip-resistant for their required workouts.
Dimension
Yoga mats tend to be about 6 feet long by 1 foot wide.
Exercise mats can be anywhere from 6 feet long by 1 foot wide to 12 feet long by 6 feet wide.
Noise Reduction
Since both yoga mats and exercise mats are shock absorbent, they will both also ensure a quiet, soft-sounding workout!
Benefits of Yoga Mat vs. Exercise Mat for Home Gym
Depending on your home gym desires, either a yoga mat or an exercise mat may be right for you. If you’ve just purchased a fitness bike, a rowing machine, and a treadmill, or you just discovered HIIT workouts on YouTube, you may be more interested in those high intensity workouts. If that sounds like you, get yourself an exercise mat!
If you’ve just discovered the whole-body benefits of yoga, your home gym might be in need of a yoga mat, instead.
Aerobics Exercise
Aerobics exercises are usually moderately to highly intense, requiring sneakers and a whole lot of water. If you enjoy workouts that get you moving side to side and up and down like aerobics, you’re going to want to buy yourself an exercise mat.
Yoga mats won’t be able to withstand the sneaker-wearing wear and tear, pressure, and slippage that comes with aerobics workouts.
Stretching
If you’re looking to stretch out your muscles, gain balance and energy, or just lay down in corpse pose to stretch your mind, you’re going to need a yoga mat.
Exercise mats aren’t soft or gentle enough to cushion your uncovered feet and joints.
Ab Workout
Surprisingly enough, either an exercise mat or a yoga mat would work for an ab workout. As long as your ab workout doesn’t contain any strictly yoga or HIIT-type exercises, either one should be fine to cushion your back!
Workouts Using Both Types of Mats:
Exercise Mat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfyA7wzrqxo
Yoga Mat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0ZqRJWd_sg
Independent Reviews and Recommendations
Though we’ve compiled a guide filled with information on both yoga mats and exercise mats to help you make the best choice for your needs, no Ultimate Guide is complete without some outside input. We’ve scoured the internet and come upon a bunch of helpful insights from consumers just like you!
Here’s what we’ve found!
Yoga Mats – What People Are Saying
According to Brett Larkin of BrettLarkinYoga on Youtube, as long as you purchase a mat that isn’t too thick or slippery, you should have a good yoga experience. However, her favorite seemed to be the LifeForm Yoga Mat.
She enjoyed not only its comfort and non-slip material; but, she also loved the alignment lines it has. This makes it easy to correct your positioning while practicing your favorite yoga workouts!
On the other hand, Yoga Mat Reviews does not like thick, slippery mats.
Makes sense!
Their least favorite yoga mats are the Aurorae Yoga Mat and the Sivan Yoga Mat. The former was far too slippery for their liking, causing fear of twisted ankles and broken noses. The latter was just too thick; you won’t be able to achieve a great tree pose on a super thick mat.
Exercise Mats – What People Are Saying
According to several online reviews, many of their favorite exercise mats are thick!
That seems to be the consensus among exercise mat consumers, since the thickness helps cushion their feet and joints. Their favorite exercise mat is The RitFit Upgraded Tri-Fold Exercise Mat. They enjoy its thickness and easy fold-up storage capabilities!
On the other hand, Bob Sharpe (a fitness YouTuber) of Sweet Life Fitness gave a not-so-good review of the Gorilla Exercise Mat.
He claims that, when trying to perform high intensity workouts on this ultra thin exercise mat, he felt little to no support under him.
This is understandable seeing as though exercise mats are usually meant to be thick, so a ¼ inch thick exercise mat doesn’t seem to stand a chance against a HIIT workout routine.
In Conclusion:
Both yoga mats and exercise mats are awesome additions to any home gym. However, it’s important to know their differences so you don’t end up regretting your purchase.
Yoga mats are perfect for low-intensity workouts. They’re made to be used without sneakers, so they’re quite comfortable! However, they’re also excellent for balance and stretching, so yoga mats are going to be thin and lightweight!
Exercise mats are made for higher intensity workouts. Their thick, sturdy material is formed to absorb all of your high impact jumps and falls.
Since they’re harder, exercise mats are meant to be used while wearing sneakers. And because of their strong build, exercise mats are usually meant for your home gym, rather than for a travelling exerciser.
So, with all of that information, we know you’ll be able to choose which mat is right for you!
Happy Fitnessing!
