And the best mat is...

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MANDUKA MATS

One of the things I love about Yoga and Pilates is that all you really need for your practice is a mat.

Where to start

When I first started practicing I bought myself a dark navy sticky mat, the kind that you can find in any of the sports shops, supermarkets, or (as a self confessed life long bargain hunter) my favourite TK MAXX. It cost about €15 and I was very happy with it and it served me well for a long time, a mat like this is a really great starting point, it will serve you well it can be cleaned easily and even though you're probably not supposed to machine wash your mat, both the mat and my washing machine survived after a couple of spins.

However, over time I noticed that little bits started to peel away under the area where my feet and hands would be placed, maybe something to do with the machine wash 🤔 but as it was localised to the high use areas I think it was likely that it was more to do with wear. Also I felt it needed a wash as sticky mats tend to be absorbent so if you get a bit sweaty, well then so does your mat and a surface clean might not do the job as thoroughly as you'd like it to.

So I jumped from mat to mat, choosing my mats mainly based on colours, I have lots of favourite colours! I found that I pretty quickly gathered a rather large collection of mats - of course there was always a favourite, maybe for the colour or for what I was planning to do...

• If it was Yoga - the sticker the better

• If it was Pilates - the more cushioned the better

• If it was Weights - something to protect the floor

And so I dreamed of the perfect mat 😍

A mat that would allow me to do all of these things.

A grippy one that didn't make me slip and slide when I was practicing Yoga - those single leg balances can be tricky and no one wants their hands to slide in down dog.

A cushioned one that made the Pilates C Curve and Roll Up a little softer.

A thick dense one that could take the impact of my barbell, without damaging the floor.

And one that wouldn't absorb the things that I didn't want it to absorb, so that I could simply wipe it clean rather than feel like I had to use the washing machine.

I decided to check out some of the Premium branded mats - there are a LOT of them out there and they make fantastic claims but they are expensive. So before diving in I did some research, talked to my teacher buddies, read the reviews online, checked out the materials, all in my search to discover the perfect mat.

And the best mat is...

oh if if only it was that simple 😔

So as with many things it depends! On what? Well personal preference mostly.

So to help you make the decision on finding your perfect mat here's my top picks.

Best Grip

The best grip is without a doubt the Jade Harmony Mat

Pros

It's a 4.7mm thick natural rubber mat (so it's not completely latex free for anyone with a latex allergy) so it's super grippy and absorbent so you will not budge in down dog.

Cons

However as a result of the super grip it can be tricky to manage transitions, think of moving from dog to a lunge, if your foot touches the mat on the way through you can get a bit stuck.

And it's absorbent - in order to maintain that great grip the mat has to absorb any moisture that lands on the mat - so not so easy to clean and you definitely shouldn't put this one in your washing machine.

Best for Alignment Lovers

Not something I mentioned above but I can't do a mat review and not mention the Lifeform mat.

This mat is really popular with Yoga teachers - particular those who love alignment, as it has markings on it to help you to stay on track, a central line and various other lines to for hand and feet placement. Honestly if you love it, go for it, they are really pretty mats and if you like those lines and they make you happy when you roll out your mat then it's for you.

Pros

They are so pretty!

It's a 4.2mm thick natural rubber mat (so it's not completely latex free for anyone with a latex allergy)

Also has a top anti absorbent layer to prevent the moisture getting to the rubber layer but bear in mind that this takes away the super grip. However, a little breaking in and you'll get a great grip in time.

Cons

It's hard to find a con with this one but on a personal note I feel like the lines are unnecessary and maybe in some cases even misleading, as we are not symmetrical and we don't all line up the same way.

Also 4.2mm is a little thinner than I like for my mats as for me the cushion is as important as the grip

The BEST all rounder and my personal favourite

Just when I was about to give up, I decided to try the Manduka Pro,

I have to be honest the breaking in period everyone talks about was putting me off. I didn't want to be sliding about for a couple of weeks until the mat got some wear, I wanted it to be all the things I wanted instantly! However, I was running out of options so I gave it a go.

Pros

It's a 6mm thick OEKO-TEX®️ with dense cushioning so it's super comfortable and durable. There's no chance of this mat sliding around in Yoga transitions, it's dense cushioning is perfect for Pilates and my barbell doesn't even leave a dent.

It has a lifetime guarantee

It has a closed-cell surface, which will never absorb moisture so you can just wipe it clean, no need for the washing machine!

Cons

Because of the closed cell surface any moisture will sit on top of the mat so if you get super sweaty or are a fan of Hot Yoga you'll need a grippy towel to avoid slipping.

The break in period - but you can speed this up with a salt rub, it's like an exfoliation for your mat, a pain to do but it's worth it.

There are so many lovely colours and sizes that I'd love more but with their durability and lifetime guarantee I might never need to buy another mat 😊

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