Online workouts are very popular, and not just because of the situation. But which yoga mat or mat thickness is best for practising on the floor at home? A comparison of three models.
"Ouch, that hurts," I think to myself as the fastening of my sports bra digs into my back. I remain steadfast and push through the workout. In my mind, I curse myself for giving away my unused yoga mat during my last move. "Gone is gone", I thought to myself, because I only train at the gym anyway. There are mats available for course participants.
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Product test
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But no way. If someone had told me back then that I would soon have to train on my living room floor and would therefore be reliant on a fitness mat, I would have thought twice about it. With the help of YouTube videos and my barre trainer, who now also offers her classes online, I've had to use my parquet floor for the last few weeks. But because it's too hard and my deep-pile carpet is too soft, I need a new sports mat. To find out which mat thickness is the most comfortable, I put three models of different thicknesses (not just for yoga) through their paces. [[image:34354400]]
The brand Jade Yoga is a visual favourite of mine. But I can't let myself be dazzled by the design today. However, I can be positively dazzled by the fact that the yoga label's mats are made from sustainable rubber, a natural product. This means that, unlike competing products on the market, they are free from PVC and synthetic rubber. I think that's a good thing. When I open the package, I notice that there is no carrying handle on this product. I wonder if the brand is trying to push sales of its yoga mat bags with this? Alternatively, there are also yoga straps from other brands. Anyway, but the mat doesn't roll up by itself when it's rolled up in the corner. [[image:34361124 "The dimensions of this model are: Width: 61 cm, Length: 180 cm, Weight: 2.3 kg"]]
I spread out the slightly sticky yoga mat in front of me and start the warm-up. I feel the first aches and pains during the core bends. Is it because I'm no longer the youngest, or is the mat too thin for my liking? My coccyx pinches and my knees hurt when I do push-ups. On the other hand, I like the grip. Exercises such as planks and the "downward facing dog" prove to be unproblematic in terms of slipperiness. Finally a mat that gives me enough grip on my hands and feet. While I normally slip on certain sports mats with forearm supports, it's not my stability that dwindles on this one, but my strength. Because I only lose my balance on this mat when I start to lose strength.
During the workout, I notice an unpleasant rubber odour. According to the manufacturer, this is "an assurance that the mat is made from sustainable rubber". For this reason, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone with a sensitive nose. However, I am impressed by the length of the mat. As a rule, gym mats are too short for my legs. For once, I don't have to decide whether I want to support my hands or my feet on it when doing planks. When I roll up the mat after training, I realise that dust and other things stick to it. The supposedly beautiful yoga mat has lost its lustre within 60 minutes. What a shame.
The mat from Perform was the last one I tested. That's why I was particularly excited about this mat. The "plus 0.5 centimetre" thickness is visually noticeable. In contrast to the first model, it looks bulky. Nevertheless, it is a flyweight. As I can't find any weight information in the manufacturer's description, I simply put it on the scales: just under one kilogramme. The yoga mat can be transported like a shoulder bag using the carrying handle included in the scope of delivery. This holder is also useful for home use, as the mat otherwise rolls up again by itself. [[image:34354383 "The dimensions of this model are: Width: 60 cm, Length: 172 cm, Weight: approx. 1 kg"]]
I stand curiously on the mat at the start of training. I don't feel like I'm sinking in. Nevertheless, I have good padding under my feet, which is an advantage with my sensitive knees. "I can do jumping jacks on it without any problems because I don't have to keep my balance as I do on the third model. Even the "downward facing dog" doesn't upset me as the mat offers good support. Even the feel of the yoga mat is impressive: it is the least sticky in direct comparison with the other models. On the contrary: the material is so supple that I can slide on it. I do this when I stand up and lie down on the mat to do a plank, then stand up again and repeat the sequence. Apart from the 0815 design, I'm delighted with this model.
The yoga mat from TecTake is massive. After all, it only weighs one and a half kilograms. Thanks to the carrying handle supplied, it is easy to transport despite its dimensions. I wouldn't take this bulky thing on public transport, especially at rush hour. Unless you're out to get nasty looks. Here, too, I need the loop to secure the mat so that it stays rolled up in place. [[image:34361518 "The dimensions of this model are: Width: 60 cm, Length: 180 cm, Weight: 1.5 kg"]]
Torso bends and simplified push-ups on your knees are no problem thanks to this mat. Nothing pinches or hurts. On the contrary: I'm almost too comfortable. 😉 This comfort is my downfall with other exercises because when I stand on it, I literally sink in. That's why I can hardly keep my balance. My friend, on the other hand, sees this 'weak point' as an advantage or a kind of challenge: because you have to constantly maintain your balance, your workout becomes more strenuous. Speaking of balance: I start to slide when I do the "downward facing dog". My hands and feet slip on the rather sticky surface. A no-go for me. Then there's the rather boring design.
If you want to protect your joints during your workout or challenge yourself even more, I recommend a 1.5 cm fitness mat. This will allow you to get the most out of your training without pain. My favourite is the 1-centimetre model, as I need support during my (barre) workout. I often shift my body weight onto one leg and need a stable base so that I don't lose my balance. I was not convinced by the thinnest mat. The pain (especially on my knee and coccyx) was simply too intense. If you are insensitive to pain and only need a good grip for your daily yoga session, the handy model is worth considering. However, the thinnest mat in this test is also the heaviest.
