Different Types of Exercise Mats

All exercise mats are not the same. Use mats that is appropriate in your exercise.


* Fitness Mats can be used for general fitness activities that take place on hard floors or carpet. They offer extra cushioning when sitting, lying, and supporting your body on hands, knees, or elbows. Less expensive exercise mats are made of foam, and they will compress over time and need to be replaced. Cheaper mats also lack traction, which may be important if you use your mat on the carpet, but can also cause your body to slip and slide while on the mat, which increases your risk for injury. Mats with better cushioning (using air pockets that don't deteriorate) and more traction are usually more expensive but last longer. Generic fitness mats are too thick for activities like yoga and Pilates and don't offer the traction that is necessary for those exercises.

* Yoga Mats or ("sticky" mats) provide a thinly-cushioned, non-slip surface for yoga practices. They provide a thinly-cushioned, non-slip surface for yoga, and are best when used on a smooth floor. While they offer slightly more padding than a hard floor, yoga mats will not cushion your body well enough for the general fitness activities mentioned above. Their sticky surface can be easily cleaned, and they roll up for easy storage and toting. Yoga mats are now available in extra-thick varieties as well.

* Pilates Mats are much thicker than yoga mats. Thickness is important because it helps cushion your body (and spine) during movements that involve rocking and rolling up from a supine position. Like yoga mats, they have non-slip surfaces that are easily cleaned, and roll up for storage and easy carrying.

source: babycenter.com