Fitness mats: varieties and choices

For sports in the gym, outdoors or at home, in most cases, additional functional products are used. Among this list, it is worth highlighting the rugs, which today are presented in a wide variety of species.

Such specialized products stand out for their individual characteristics, thanks to which a person, when playing sports, manages to compensate for some inconveniences, to make training as productive as possible.

That is why it is worth highlighting a number of basic tasks that fitness mats perform.

• Almost all products are hygroscopic, due to which the products are able to absorb sweat from the human body placed on top. Such a feature requires compliance with special measures for the care of products, but in most cases it will be regarded as an advantage.
• The fundamental purpose of sports mats is to provide a softer surface under the human body on the floor, ground or other surfaces. This characteristic allows you to minimize discomfort in the knees, wrists, lower legs and other parts of the body during training.
• Sports mats will help avoid colds, as well as dangerous drafts that can seriously harm the health of athletes.
• A beautiful and functional thing for sports becomes an additional motivator for physical education.The range of modern products includes a large number of attractive products for women and men.

However, sports mats for gyms or individual activities are recommended to be used on a separate basis to avoid contact with foreign bacteria that can remain on the surface and multiply.

Today on sale you can find fitness mats made from a large number of different raw materials. Each species has its own individual advantages and disadvantages. So, the division of products by type of material provides for the presence of several categories of goods.

Synthetic products are notable for their high performance in terms of durability, in addition, these mats have a minimum weight.

Besides, among the disadvantages of exercise products, it is worth highlighting a slippery surface, in light of which they can become a source of various injuries during intense training.

Another option for products that are made from synthetic substances. It is notable for its hypoallergenic characteristics, the surface of the rugs is non-slip, the raw materials are quite soft and elastic. Products do not fade from exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the service life is on average 3-4 years, depending on the intensity of use.

Products with a rubber component differ in their thickness, but it is this characteristic that is the main advantage for playing sports at home or in the gym, since it will help to make the floor surface more comfortable for active exercise.

Among the disadvantages of the products, it is worth highlighting the large size and weight, which can add inconvenience during transportation.

Such products are made of lightweight foam, on one side the surface is covered with aluminum foil. They are called karematas.

Buyers note good grip of the limbs and body with the surface of the sports mat.

In the light of the active use of modern technologies for the production of certain products in sports stores or specialized departments, it will be possible to purchase polyurethane products containing a mesh of conductive raw materials with embedded software inside. Such products recognize when a person is in a horizontal or vertical position on the mat, and determines the weight and load on different parts of the body. All collected information is transmitted through a special application to a PC or other gadget, which has a positive effect on the effectiveness of training.

Convenient for transportation models of products for sports, a feature of which is the structure.

Such products are made from synthetic raw materials; in some cases, the surface of the rugs may consist of microfiber.

Another mobile type of sports mat, which also consists of several segments. However, the difference from the previous version is the presence of one or more handles, in light of which the sectional model turns into a small handbag. A similar model of a rug can consist of foam, rubber and other raw materials.

In addition to the above materials, the following can be used to make fitness mats:

• latex;
• wool;
• cotton;
• polyurethane foam and more.

Based on thickness and softness, there are several types of rugs.

Small products that stand out for their density and rigidity. Among the disadvantages, it is worth highlighting the fact that these products will be sliding. Its thickness can be more than 1 centimeter.

As a rule, such products for sports will be larger than the previous ones, but they are more soft. They are similar to jigsaw puzzles in that they are made up of multiple segments. They have a non-slip surface, good shock absorption, while the thickness can be less than 1 centimeter.

Products for professional sports that can be used not only in the gym, but also at home. It is used for fitness, gymnastics and yoga. Among the features of the product, it is worth highlighting its high cost, as well as the minimum thickness - 1 centimeter.

As for the size, the rugs are:

• long - from 200 centimeters;
• short - up to 140-150 centimeters.

The first option is recommended for practicing in a horizontal position for adults, the second model is most often purchased for children or exercising in a sitting position.

Wide products are less in demand for group training in fitness centers and gyms, as a rule, the average width of sports mats is 50-60 centimeters.

The products of this product line of several brands are most in demand.

A domestic manufacturer of sports products, which also includes fitness mats. The cost of products will directly depend on the type of raw materials used for the manufacture of rugs. Among the offered products you can find models of different lengths and widths for every need.

An Asian brand that makes fitness or yoga mats. All products have an anti-slip surface, are easy to care for, and dry quite quickly after contact with moisture. In comparison with the previous manufacturer, the Chinese brand produces thicker rugs.

The best and very popular sports brand with a worldwide reputation, whose products occupy leading positions in the quality ratings of sports equipment, clothing and footwear, as well as rugs made of various materials. The assortment is represented by products with different sizes, thicknesses and softness of products.

An equally popular brand among athletes, it specializes in the production of mats of different quality for fitness, Pilates and yoga. Products stand out for their visual appeal, various sizes, colors and thicknesses. Some products come with a case.

In addition to the above manufacturers of sports rugs, it is worth highlighting the following brands:

• Sklz;
• Airex;
• Starfit and others.

In order for the purchased products to please with their functionality and quality, in the process of choosing rugs, you should be guided by some important principles.

• If classes with a rug involve its frequent independent transportation to a gym, to fresh air or to another place on foot or by public transport, then before buying it is worth determining how convenient the product will be, and most importantly, easy to carry. And also an important point will be its folded dimensions. As for the mass, the products can weigh from 200-300 grams to 5-6 kilograms. Otherwise, the dimensions should be selected individually.

• It is worth trying out the grip of the mat with the body before buying. If it is too sliding, you should refuse to buy such a model in order to avoid injury. It is best to dwell on products with a rubberized surface.
• Another criterion to consider is moisture permeability.This is the name of the ability of raw materials to absorb moisture, removing it from the base, where the product contacts the athlete's body. Too wet a rug will become very slippery by the middle of classes, so it would be most correct to give preference to products with a porous structure of raw materials. In this matter, the leading positions are taken by latex and cotton.

• It is worth paying attention to the elasticity of the rugs. If the product you like is too stretchy, especially rubber mats, then their service life will be minimal. Especially if the product will be used frequently. The best option would be options with the addition of mylar fibers, which will significantly extend the service life of sports equipment.
• For many athletes, the color of the mat will be important. In this case, there are recommendations regarding the effect of color on the mood and psyche of a person, in the light of which it is recommended to refuse black or other dark and depressing shades. Suitable colors for sports are considered yellow variations of shades, blue, green, pink rugs.

• The selection of products will also be based on the purpose of the sports mat. Today, fitness classes are presented in various directions, so the manufacturers of this line of products recommend choosing segmented folding products for significant loads, for Pilates or stretching, you can choose the Mind body options.
• As for the preferences regarding the raw materials of fitness mats, budget PVC products can also be used for training, but professional athletes prefer to purchase TPE products. For active daily activities, you can purchase products from natural raw materials.

Like any other product that is used in direct contact with the human body, fitness mats will need some maintenance. We list general recommendations that are guaranteed to extend the operational life of the product.

• After the purchase, it is worthwhile to study in detail the manufacturers' advice on further care. Since products from different brands may differ in their composition, recommendations may also vary slightly.
• It is worth folding the rugs and tying them tightly with rubber bands or other elements only if the rug consists of segments or quickly restores its original shape.

• It is recommended to store the rugs unfolded whenever possible.
• Synthetic products must be rinsed without the use of aggressive chemicals and washing machines in warm water and soap. After wet processing, dry them upright. As for rugs made of natural materials, you need to take care of them with a damp cloth.
• After long-term storage or active training, the rugs should be hung out for ventilation in fresh air for several hours. This will avoid unpleasant odors.
• Kinks and peeling will indicate that the product has become unusable. It is not recommended to use such products in the future.

To do your own fitness at home, outdoors or in the gym, you can use alternative products that will become full-fledged substitutes for fitness mats. The following products can be substituted:

• bedspread with good density / plaids;
• thin mattress for an orthopedic or regular bed;
• wicker track;
• yoga mat;
• Bath towels;
• beach mat.

However, not all of the above options can be used for classes in the hall.

To do this, it will be enough to purchase a base made of natural or synthetic raw materials, as well as a filler if the material itself is too thin. Further, the base will need to be sewn with a filler, choosing the size of the rug according to the length of a person's height with an increase of 10-15 centimeters, the width of a homemade sports mat can be 60 or 80 centimeters. This option will save money, and will also allow you to use an exclusive, attractive and functional product in training.

You can watch the video below about the types of yoga, fitness mats and the selection features.