It may not seem difficult to comprehend a yoga mat. After all, it’s just a piece of cloth. When you find one you like, you’re done. These days, a lot of technology is used to make yoga mats. New yoga mats are said to be very thick, non-slip, long-lasting, and have excellent grip. We decided to write about it on our blog for that reason. This will assist you in selecting the appropriate thickness.
- 1.5mm – Thin, lightweight, and suitable for portability.
- 3mm – Medium thickness, the balance of cushioning and stability.
- 5mm – Thickness provides more cushioning for joints.
- 6.6mm – Recommended thickness for balance and support.
- 8mm – It is extra thick and offers maximum cushioning and support.
How Thick Is Your Yoga Mat?
The thickness of the yoga mat determines this. Like most things, it comes down to personal preference. During active, moving yoga, a thin yoga mat that remains in contact with the floor aids in support and balance. However, they offer no protection, making your knees, elbows, and arms more vulnerable to injury.
On the plus side, thin mats are lightweight and easy to fold up, making them portable. Thick ones are more supportive, feel softer, and better protect your joints. However, you will sink into them if they are too thick, which will slow you down and make you feel less supported.
For slower healing exercises like yin yoga, wider mats are usually preferable. Additionally, they are beneficial if you experience joint or knee pain, particularly when performing arm or knee poses. However, because extra-thick mats are heavy to carry, they are not always able to be folded up and placed in a bag.
What Is The Right Yoga Mat Thickness?
Here are some considerations to make when purchasing a new yoga mat:
Type Of Practice
The kind of mat you require will vary depending on the style of yoga you practice if you plan to spend a lot of time on your mat, as in yin or restorative yoga, get a larger mat. You won’t feel the ground that way. If you move around a lot in class, some overly thick mats may make it difficult for you to stay in one spot. Below are a few ways that the class you are enrolled in can alter the mat you prefer.
Injuries
To better support aching areas of your body while you recover, you might want to look for a thicker mat if you are injured. Try not to put too much weight on your knee if it hurts easily.
There should be no sensation of hard ground beneath that knee. In this situation, you would need a larger mat to prevent hitting the ground. You should always consider your problems before beginning a yoga practice in order to get the most out of it. Your mat is no different.
Home Practice Versus Studio
You should also consider where you work out. Having a large mat that you can spread out at home is preferable. However, you have to go farther if you train in a class, and thicker mats are typically heavier. Purchasing a less thick mat could make it easier to find a smaller one if you don’t want to carry around a heavy one.
You can bring lighter mats with you when you move. Although there are a lot of travel mats available, you should consider whether or not they will make you feel more at ease when you arrive at class. It’s also a bad idea to get the thinnest mat because you might not want the lightest one.
The Floor Material
Decide on a location for your workout. Do you use hard floors or rugs for your workouts? You should look at the floor if you train at the same institution. This implies that you may require a completely different type of mat. If the floor is wet and hard, you will need a larger mat with good grip and non-slip properties. The workout will suffer if you have to move your mat around to prevent it from falling.
Conclusion
A mat with a thickness of roughly 6.6 mm would be useful. This keeps the mat from becoming too slippery while still providing the ideal amount of traction. If you practice yoga frequently and stand and sit on it, you should purchase a mat this thick. A thin mat may harm your joints. An excessively thick mat will make it difficult to balance, particularly for novices, and your feet will hurt more as you attempt to get steady. Many people will pick the mat that is the cheapest or most stylish.