How To Buy The Right Yoga Mat

Whether you are new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, there is one thing you should know and that is just how important having the right yoga mat is. There are so many different yoga mats, it can get a bit confusing to know just which one is right for you. They are available almost everywhere these days in almost any fitness store as well as the huge range of yoga mat online. There are a few different things you should consider before you go and buy one, all of which we will cover below.

Material

The first thing you should consider is the type of material the mat you are looking at is made from. They come in many different materials including PVC, recycled rubber, jute, cotton, bamboo, and much more. PVC is the cheapest material, but it also comes with some risks, it is not very environmentally friendly and it has also considered pretty toxic. You should consider whether buying a more expensive material is something you can afford.

Length

Most yoga mats are about 172 centimetres long but you can find mats that are longer if you are someone who is tall. You really should decide if it will be long enough based on your height, some positions really need a mat so get one that is the right fit for you.

Price

There are plenty of things that can affect the price of your yoga mat. They usually start around the $20 mark and can go all the way up to $100! It really varies on all the qualities that put the mat together, like the materials used to make it and how well it was made. While you should probably spend more on a yoga mat don’t go over your budget.

Thickness

You should also consider how thick of a yoga mat you will need. You need the mat to support you, but you should still be able to feel the ground. If you are someone who travels a lot or is experienced then you probably don’t need much support and can opt for something thinner. If you are a beginner who falls a lot or someone who needs extra support on your joints then you should probably consider getting a thicker mat. If you are planning to buy a yoga mat online you should look for the specifications so you know what you are buying.

Grip

Grip is super important to look at when you want to buy a yoga mat as it is what stops you from sliding all over the place. PVC are usually the best when it comes to grip, but PVC is known to be toxic. So if you are looking for something with a natural material and grip you can easily find that as well. There are plenty of mats that have a raised texture to help you grip better or you can just opt for a naturally slip resistant rubber.

Extras

You should also consider any extra items that might make your yoga experience more enjoyable. You can find no slip mat towels that go on top of your mat which is really great for hot yoga. You might also want to consider some straps and harnesses that make transporting your mat a lot easier. Don’t forget to clean your mat with cleaning spray which you can also purchase or you can just wash it yourself.