Picking the perfect yoga mat, whether you’re new to the world of yoga or a seasoned practitioner, can seem daunting. It isn’t hard to see why: The yoga industry earns over $9 billion annually, and that figure is only going to increase. With so many brands and mat styles on the market, your options are nearly endless and whittling them down to a few top contenders can seem impossible. Below is a list of five simple questions to ask yourself to help you find the yoga mat that’s meant for you.
What is your price point?
Mats can range anywhere from $10-$200, depending on brand, quality, and materials. Questions to ask yourself to help you figure this out are: Are you new to yoga? How often per week do you intend to practice? Do you intend for this to be a long-term wellness routine or are you unsure that you’ll stay committed? How long would you like the mat to last? (A good middle range mat, one that will last you several years and hold up in both heated and non-heated classes, typically runs from $60-120.) Here is an article by the NY Times on their choice of Best Yoga Mats.
What types of yoga/activity will you be doing?
From hatha to restorative, Kundalini to power vinyasa, there are an incredible number of yoga styles. Knowing how you will be using the mat can help you narrow down your options. Taking a heated class? Then you’re going to want something designed specifically for that, a mat that has grip or a non-slip surface. Into more vigorous practices like kundalini and power? You’ll want a mat that doesn’t absorb sweat and dries easily. Into restorative? A mat with an appropriate amount of cushion to protect your joints during long holds is a worthwhile choice. Mainly practicing outside? You’ll want something that can hold up to the elements and cleans off easily (hint: cork is great for outdoor yoga).
Another thing to consider is other activities. Will you doing core work, strength training, cardiovascular training? Then you may want to look for mats that are more durable and have non-slip features. If you haven’t already be sure to check out our guide on Why Strength Training is a Great Partner for Yoga Practice.
What does your specific body need?
If you’re on the taller side, you may want an extra-long mat to accommodate your lengthy frame. If you struggle with pain in your feet or hands, a thicker mat could be for you. Mats can range anywhere from 2.5-6mm thick (with travel mats being even thinner) and the thicker mats will offer a bit more support for your aches and pains.
What materials do you prefer?
Options like cork and rubber are great for the eco-friendly practitioner, and some mats are even crafted from recycled products to help minimize waste. Synthetic products like PVC and TPE lend themselves to durability, creating yoga mats that are built to last. Knowing what materials you like and don’t like can be a helpful tool.
Thoughts on style and design?
While this should definitely be the last question you ask yourself, it’s still one worth asking. Some yoga mats include markings for hand and foot placement for various poses (handy for both beginners and seasoned practitioners alike), while others might just have a design or color scheme that speaks to you. You’re (hopefully) going to be spending a lot of time on your mat so it’s important that you enjoy looking at it. This is the least important aspect of picking the perfect yoga mat in our opinion, but feeling confident and enjoying the space where you practice is extremely important, so make sure you like the look and feel!
Summary
Once you’ve asked yourself these questions, you should be able to pick a few top contenders from the sea of never-ending options. From there it’s a bit of trial and error to find your perfect match, but most major brands these days have return policies (double check these!) to help you from developing buyer’s remorse. Your dream mat is out there waiting for you, and your body and mind will be so very grateful that you’ve found it. Picking the perfect yoga mat isn’t as difficult as it may seem, but much like your overall yoga journey, it will vary from person to person!
Our Personal Yoga Mat and Why We Chose It
We chose this mat as our everyday go to mat for a few reasons:
- Price point (~$50 depending on sales/site)
- Lightweight
- Enhanced Grip
- Easy to clean
- Portable
We have been using this yoga mat for over a year now, every day (hence…Yoga By The Day) and while there are certainly some signs of wear and tear it still performs great and was easily worth the money. It’s been used in Birmingham, Nashville, Denver, Wyoming, and Virginia from beaches to mountains to hotel rooms and it still holds up.
This post will be updated as we purchase new mats as needed, but feel free to let us know about your yoga mat via our social media links on the left!
