Best Yoga Mats in 2022

Last update: January 2, 2023

Can I use a towel as a yoga mat?

A towel can make a perfectly good yoga mat, especially if you are traveling and don't have your mat with you. A towel is also good for yoga practices that are done in hot yoga studios or outdoors on hot days.

Can yoga reduce tummy?

Yes, yoga can help to reduce tummy fat. There are certain yoga poses which help to target the abdominal area and help to tone the muscles. Regular practice of yoga can help to reduce the overall body fat, including the tummy fat.

Can you do yoga on a blanket?

Yes, you can do yoga on a blanket. It can provide a softer surface to practice on, and can be helpful if you are new to yoga or have sensitive joints. Be sure to choose a blanket that is not too thick or thin, and that will not slip around on the floor.

Do you need a yoga mat on carpet?

No, you don't need a yoga mat on carpet, but it can provide some extra cushioning and grip. If your carpet is thin or slippery, a yoga mat can help prevent you from slipping or sliding during your practice.


BalanceFrom GoYoga+ All-Purpose 1/2-Inch Extra Thick High Density Anti-Tear Exercise Yoga Mat and Knee Pad with Carrying Strap Review:


I've only recently resumed practicing yoga after a fifteen-year break (during which I royally messed up my knees and spent months in physical therapy). I purchased this mat because it appeared to be better for my knees and more durable than the thin mats. A second knee pad and a carry strap with easy velcro fasteners are included with the mat. The color is just as striking, radiant, and lovely as it is in the picture (I got turquoise). The knee pad is merely another thin piece of padding; even though I anticipated using it, I haven't yet due to the thickness of the mat.My yoga studio's tiled surface doesn't allow the mat to slip around. I did, however, start slipping and sliding through sweat pools on it the first time because I practice hot yoga. Bringing a towel along and covering the mat completely resolved the problem. Since the mat is slippery because it absorbs sweat and water poorly, I am almost certain that was my beginner mistake rather than the mat's. I can do kneeling exercises on this, even if it makes my sensitive knees a little sore when I kneel on it. However, I normally get extreme discomfort when I kneel. It's about the thickness of one of those thick knee pads you see people using in gardens. It really is supportive and cushiony. Plus, I actually love the fact that the cushiony nature of the pad makes balancing postures more difficult and hence more of a workout. One of my yoga instructors advised a thinner mat and mentioned that cushioned cushions can make some poses more difficult, but I'm sticking with this one. The comfort is great!The carry strap is also quite simple to put on and take off. Simply release the velcro on each side and pull the garment away to remove it. Simply hold the mat still and fasten one strap at a time to put it on. You don't need to be concerned that it will take forever to get set because it can still be grabbed and carried by it even if the strap is twisted.For the price, this really is an excellent product. Highly suggested.



Gaiam Essentials Premium Yoga Mat with Yoga Mat Carrier Sling (72"L x 24"W x 1/4 Inch Thick) Review:


I appreciate the extra-thick mat because I practice yoga, stretching, and workouts on my hardwood floors. When I unrolled it, the scent was terrible! I overcame it by placing it in my shower, saturating it with Dawn, then wiping it down with a sponge. I next used the hand-held shower sprayer to rinse both sides. That worked, and the odor was almost entirely gone! The mat stays in place and performs an extremely good job of protecting me from my hardwood floor. When I'm done, I roll it up, and it stays put. I haven't yet needed the strap. I don't practice vigorous yoga, but for my requirements it's a great value.



TOPLUS Yoga Mat - Classic 1/4 inch Pro Yoga Mat Eco Friendly Non Slip Fitness Exercise Mat with Carrying Strap-Workout Mat for Yoga, Pilates and Floor Exercises Review:


For nine years, I intermittently practiced Bikram yoga on a cheap 1/8" mat, and it was in need of replacement. I chose this one because I was seeking for something with extra padding. After four classes, the initial impressions are quite favorable. Beautiful, well-made, and quite comfortable. I can't really speak to slipperiness because I have a BREATHE mat/towel on top, but the combination works extremely well. I was a little concerned that my standing series stability might suffer due to the added thickness. I already have pretty bad balance, so I haven't observed any improvement. Where I've noticed a change is in how much better and more comfy the floor series is.One thing to keep in mind: the packaging has a tip that reads, "Tip: As an Eco feature, this mat will degrade over time. Dryness and cracking are typical stages of this process. Please stay away from extreme heat and direct sunlight exposure to increase the lifespan of the eco mat. If it requires frequent replacement rather than lifespan, it's not something I'd call a feature or environmentally friendly, but hopefully it won't happen for a very long time. Although I can stay out of the sun, Bikram is done at 104°F; I hope this isn't too hot. I'm giving it a five-star rating assuming I use it for at least 2-3 years (but ideally much longer) and considering its affordable pricing. I'll be returning to provide an update if it breaks down too soon.



Sivan Health and Fitness 1/2-InchExtra Thick 71-Inch Long NBR Comfort Foam Yoga Mat for Exercise, Yoga, and Pilates Review:


I bought this yoga mat since I've been suffering from excruciating back and knee pain, and I've signed up for a Pilates class to try and ease this agony. For my first course, I used a rental mat, and all I can say is OUCH! This mat is perfect for those who are particularly sensitive to their knee or tailbone joints. It's the ideal thickness and level of comfort, and if you have excruciatingly tight hamstrings like I do, you can roll it up on one end and use it as a pillow to sit on while doing forward folds. While I get to enjoy a comfortable yoga mat, other students in the class had to sit on their scarves and sweaters:) I would wholeheartedly suggest this to anyone looking for a new exercise mat, anyone who is a little bonier/skinnier (I don't have much tailbone padding anymore), or if they get regular joint pain that comes with aging, like my grandmother. She will receive one soon. As an added bonus, the color is lovely!



Gaiam Yoga Mat Premium Print Reversible Extra Thick Exercise & Fitness Mat for All Types of Yoga, Pilates & Floor Exercises Review:


Gaiam, a travel 3mm Nike, and a No Name 1/4" believe Yoga/Pilates combo mat are the only less costly mats I've used, so this may not hold up to folks hoping for results from a mat costing $100 or more, but I still adore my mat. Every time I use it, people praise how gorgeous it is. Although I've had it for two or so years, I've only used it consistently for about six months. I recently started practicing yoga again and considered buying a more expensive mat, but few are as attractive as this Gaiam model. It does have a fragrance when you first open the package, but the smell goes away after about a week. It may take a few washings/uses to get sticky, but mine only needed one major wash and a few minor wipe downs to be slip-free, and by the second class the smell was hardly noticeable, and by the third completely undetectable. Yes, it's slippery at first. Wash it with soap and water and scrub it down, not hard enough to ruin the design, but firmly. Then hang it up to dry/air out for a few days. Plastic is going to have these problems, and other brand mats with comparable prices have the same problems for me. Although I've heard that rubber smells even worse, since I'm making the switch to hot yoga, I might give a rubber mat a go.



ProsourceFit Extra Thick Yoga and Pilates Mat ½” (13mm) or 1" (25mm), 71-inch Long High Density Exercise Mat with Comfort Foam and Carrying Strap Review:


It's mainly OK for the purpose I intend to use this mat for, but it might not be ideal for others. I just use it on carpet at home. If I intended to use this mat somewhere or on a different surface, I wouldn't like it.It's been remarked that it's long enough, which is nice because no one loves to have their limbs dangling over the end of a mat, but it definitely feels a little too narrow to be comfortable. It might be about four inches wider.It just has one side that is ridged or ribbed, but I believe it should have ridges on both sides. You must decide if you want more grip between the mat and the floor or between you and the mat. On a smooth, hard surface, I imagine I would be sliding around and find it to be quite impossible to use.The mat has a strip of black material that is not attached that I suppose may be used to make a crude strap to keep it wrapped and moveable. I don't need a carrying mechanism or a strap because I solely use the mat at home. However, I don't think I'd have the patience to keep trying to attach a strap each time I was done wearing it. Finding another mat with an attached strap would be my recommendation if you intend to use your mat in a class or in a gym.I picked this mat because of its relative cheapness, length, and thickness. And for the most part, it serves my needs. Be wary, though, if your goals are different.



BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose 1/2-Inch Extra Thick High Density Anti-Tear Exercise Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap Review:


Update: 2/27/18: About six uses later, I've seen some dents where my feet and hands would typically be. I'm not sure if this indicates early wear. Additionally, it appears that this business gets a lot of reviews by giving away free samples in exchange for product reviews that are at least 100 words long. They sent me an email with a "gift claim form" so that I could essentially obtain something for free from them since I left a review after I received a brochure with my mat about their warranty and review process and wrote a review.Based on all the evaluations, I decided to buy it for yoga, and I've already used it three times in the past week. Based on prior reviews and how well it has so far worked, I have the following opinions:1) Squeakiness/noise: When I strike certain positions, it does indeed produce some noise. I do yoga at home, so that doesn't bother me, but I can understand how it may be an issue in a studio or in a crowd of people. It doesn't squeak all the time, but it does make some noise when I move my feet. The mat and the wooden floor it is on, in my opinion, are more responsible for the noise.2) Falling apart: According to some reports, it starts to fall apart right away. As I unroll it, I've seen a few rubber strands fall out, but it doesn't look too bad. If it keeps falling apart, as previous reviews had suggested, I'll update this.3) Smell: It has a faint rubbery or plastic scent that is somewhat reminiscent of a latex pillow. It's not very strong; I only became aware of it today when lying face down on it.4) Movement: I haven't seen any evidence of it moving. There are no issues with it sticking to my wooden floor because it does so well.5) Squishiness: According to some, the mat is overly thick and they sink into it. I haven't even noticed this. I was using a thin yoga mat before this one, and it was quite difficult to spend extended periods of time on my hands or knees. I can still perform the positions on this mat, but much more easily than previously.



AmazonBasics 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Exercise Mat Review:


This exercise mat is great! I use mats frequently since I like to work out. This one is unquestionably longer and thicker than most. I'm 5'9" and sometimes feel like mats are way too short for me when I'm lying down to do sit-ups or stretches, so that's a plus. In contrast to other reviewers, my yoga mat arrived with virtually no fragrance at all, even when I have my face on it. I chose the vivid and lovely red hue. Unlike some extremely inexpensive mats I've owned that ultimately stain my hands and knees when things become sweaty, the color does not transfer. I also adore combining jumps with this for cardio. It offers excellent landing padding that is gentle on the knees and feet. When performing yoga positions like cat/cow, I really love the added padding because otherwise my hardwood floors really hurt my knees. It does somewhat squish and briefly leave hand and foot dents, but it rapidly snaps back to its original shape. Some users complained that the extra cushioning was uncomfortable when performing difficult-to-balance yoga positions like the tree, but I have never had any issues and find that it feels nicer on my feet than the wooden floor or extra-thin mats. Even while barefoot, it has good grip and doesn't slide or slip. I especially appreciate that the mat's top ridges are parallel lines that travel in just one way, as opposed to being cross-hatched or rough. When dirt is embedded in the ridges of mats with similar patterns, it is considerably more difficult to wipe them clean. I particularly value the carrying strap that is provided for rolling it up and moving it around. Some reviews say that the mat is too large and clunky, but I actually prefer its thickness and length when using it, so when it's rolled up, it's naturally a little larger than the paper-thin mats. Duh! Overall, another another top-notch Amazon Basics item. So far, every item I've bought from Amazon has been of excellent quality for the money. See the image of this red mat next to my previous purple mat for an update. It is about three times as thick and a few inches longer than a typical mat.



Gaiam Essentials Thick Yoga Mat Fitness & Exercise Mat with Easy-Cinch Yoga Mat Carrier Strap (72"L x 24"W x 2/5 Inch Thick) Review:


This is the best mat I've yet found after testing four others with prices ranging from $13 to $25. It is plush and thick.



Gaiam Yoga Mat - Classic 4mm Print Exercise & Fitness Mat for All Types of Yoga, Pilates & Floor Exercises (68" x 24" x 4mm Thick) Review:


Summary:This is a straightforward PVC yoga mat that may be used at home or in a studio. It comes in a variety of colors, has a nice design, is lightweight, has an average grip, isn't sweat-proof, and will rapidly start to show signs of wear. You also get an additional free yoga exercise along with the mat (that you need to download).Before writing this review, I used this mat for a number of months. I've tried a number of yoga mats and currently practice Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and Power Yoga three to five times a week.The benefitsReasonably priced - I bought my first yoga mat for myself with money from this store. When I first started doing yoga, I wasn't sure if I would stick with it. I thought it would be better to start out small and upgrade later. And this particular GAIAM yoga mat model was among the least priced of the possible yoga mats that were readily accessible (in my case, on Amazon).nice prints and colors For this mat, there are numerous combinations of vibrant colors and paintings. Most of you, I think, will find at least one design worthy of your attention.Non-toxic and 6P-free - This latex-free mat is devoid of six of the most hazardous phthalates, according to the Amazon product page ("...PVC yoga mat is a healthier choice for you and the planet and free of DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP and DNOP").Since I lack the ability to vouch for those statements, I must rely on the GAIAM's assurances that this mat is environmentally friendly.Lightweight - The mat is perfect for travel because it is portable and light in weight.Doesn't stink – The mat hasn't yet developed any perspiration odor, which is a positive indicator.You receive a free extra downloaded yoga workout when you purchase the GAIAM yoga mat, which will help you get started.The drawbacksBasic mat: in the end, this serves as a basic mat for yoga and fitness. Similar mats will presumably be available at many different stores (on-line


Do you really need a yoga mat?

Most people believe that they need a yoga mat in order to practice yoga. However, this is not necessarily true. While a yoga mat can provide some benefits, such as cushioning and stability, it is not required for yoga practice. There are many ways to practice yoga without a mat, such as on a carpet or towel.

Does yoga help you lose weight?

Yes, yoga can help with weight loss. One of the key components to losing weight is burning more calories than you consume, and yoga can help with that. A typical yoga class can burn anywhere from 100-600 calories, depending on the intensity level. In addition to burning calories, yoga can also help to reduce stress levels, which can lead to overeating.

How do I wash my yoga mat?

To clean your yoga mat, start by wiping it down with a damp cloth to remove any sweat or dirt. If your mat is really dirty, you can clean it with a mild soap and water. Just be sure to rinse it well and dry it completely before using it again. You can also buy special yoga mat cleaners that are designed to clean and disinfect your mat without damaging it.

How do you know if a yoga mat is good?

To find a good yoga mat, you should look for one that is comfortable and has a good grip. The mat should also be thick enough to provide cushioning, but not so thick that it is difficult to balance on. You may also want to look for a mat that is easy to clean.

How much is an average yoga mat?

An average yoga mat costs between $30 and $60. The price depends on the quality of the mat and the brand.

Is 3mm yoga mat too thin?

A 3mm yoga mat is just the right thickness for most people. It provides enough cushioning to protect your joints and enough firmness to give you a stable foundation for your practice.