Pilates Mats

The Quality Of The Mat Matters

Whether it’s a Pilates mat or a Yoga mat, the quality of the exercise mat that is purchased for workouts matters a lot. It can be tempting to try and save money by buying a discount Yoga or Pilates mat for exercising but think about it another way. Anyone who does Yoga or Pilates regularly will be using that mat as a cushion between their body and the floor for an extended period of time. Isn’t it worth a few extra dollars to have a comfortable mat? If cost is really a concern, as it is for some people on a tight budget, look for a home dvd Pilates course that offeres a free Pilates mat with the exercises. Pilates and Yoga mats should be thick enough to provide a cushion between the body and the floor but shouldn’t be too thick or too slippery. For people whose feet sweat a lot during barefoot workouts there are Yoga and Pilates socks that are thin but have tread on the bottom so that the feet will grip the mat and not slide off, providing a stable point of contact for the body on the mat. Yoga socks can be expensive, but there are also mats that have special tread on them to prevent slipping which can be less expensive than Yoga socks.

Materials Matter Too

One of the hottest trends in Yoga and Pilates equipment is to buy Yoga and Pilates mats made from natural fibers like organic cotton or unbleached cotton fibers. These mats are usually very strong, very thick, and very expensive. Cotton is a great fabric for workouts though, and will absorb sweat and wick it away from feet and the body, making a cotton Yoga or Pilates mat ideal for Yoga and Pilates teachers or students who spend hours every day working on a Yoga or Pilates practice. Some of the most popular natural fiber Yoga and Pilates mats are Utopian Pilates and Yoga mats and Gaiam Yoga and Pilates mats. Cheaper Pilates mats are made from flexible rubber in a wide variety of thicknesses although people also use heavy blankets as Pilates and Yoga mats sometimes. Pilates mat routines are still the most popular type of Pilates workout so the quality of the mat that is purchased for Pilates workout will directly impact the quality of the workout. On a budget when it comes to fitness equipment? Skip the fancy all natural cotton tote to hold the mat, and spend that money on a higher quality mat instead.