Exercises comes with discomfort which could result from strained muscle and joints or better still hard surfaces, this in turn poses threat to you and affect your continuity. For this reason, a good mat is going to help you in many ways than you can imagine.
If you are keen to know the disparity that exists between yoga mat vs exercise mat and which is better, this article is for you; read on to also learn more about how to pick the best mat for you.
About Yoga And Exercise Mats
Overtime, mats have proven useful in most gym centres, parlour exercises and personal stretching.
Now let’s look at how yoga and exercise mat work:
1. Yoga Mats
Humans have bony joints as seen in the elbows, lower back and knees. Usually, during yoga and stretching, these joints are put under pressure when on a hard floor, this hurts, and thus puts you at risk of injuring yourself. A yoga mat will help stabilize you by keeping you in position and to safeguard these body parts.
2. Exercise Mat
Just like the yoga mat, exercise mat helps prevent bruises that arise from abs stretching, aerobics and to help maintain position. If you do major activities such as abdominal exercises or lifting weights using an exercise mat at home will do you good.
Benefits of using each type of mat
There are various benefits for using each type of Mat for your routine exercises even though both protect you from injury and keep your floor from damages.
For instance, exercise Mats encompasses various exercise activities, yoga inclusive.
Yoga Mats on the other hand are meant to be specific i.e used strictly for yoga activities, although it can serve for a few other exercises.
Factors To Consider When Deciding Between The Two Mats
There are a few factors to consider when choosing between a yoga mat and exercise mat. Here are a few of them:
1. Durability
Here, you need to check for the durability of the mat in respect to routine activity you will be using it for. Most that are easy to maintain and clean can stand the test of time.
2. Materials use
The material used to make the mat is of utmost importance as Yoga and exercising requires a lightweight and compact mat to keep you in place. I’m sure you don’t want to go for a too slippery or grippy mat for your activities.
3. Cost-effectiveness
You need to first count your cost when deciding on the mat to go for. An exercise mat will do justice to all forms of exercises.
4. Reason for activity and maintenance
You know your scheduled duration or timing of activities, some might start gyming as a result of a health condition which within a week or two is all forgotten, others might want a routine activity to keep fit. Thus, knowing your WHY will help you decide better.
5. Prolonged use and type of exercise
Here you want to check for the mat that best fits your choice of exercise and how long you will do it, especially if you’re concerned about maintaining balance and emotional stability while you do.
Advantages of each type of mat
There are a few advantages of both mats and we will be listing them out.
Yoga mats –
- For Yoga Mat, a major advantage is durability.
- Yoga Mat is specific, hence making maintenance easier
- It helps you stay in place when stretched in an unstable position.
Exercise mats –
- Exercise mats aid mobility for all floor- based exercise and beyond
- It’s very versatile and easy to find
- Less expensive since it’s availability is without question.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages include:
Yoga mats –
- Most yoga mats are lightweight, hence, there can be a limitation while considering it for other activities.
Exercise mats –
- Maintenance is difficult as it’s used for different activities
- It’s very thick and some people find this to not be convenient
Difference between yoga mat and exercise mat
There’s a verse similarity between these two mats as they can be used interchangeably during exercises, although, differences exist between them.
- In terms of structure, Yoga mat has a rougher structure than an exercise mat since you have to hold some certain postures.
- An Exercise Mat is used for various fitness activities that require a lot of sweating thus, it’s smoother than a yoga mat.
- Yoga Mat lasts longer since it is rigid, and usually made of PVC unlike an exercise mat that is made of rubber or polymer having a low maintenance rate.
- Exercise Mat is thicker and softer since it accommodates strenuous activities unlike the yoga mat that is ideal for just yoga
Picking the right mat for different activities
It’s imperative to pick the right mat for your activities, like said earlier in this article, there are different mats for various activities. Understanding your routine workouts activities and the why behind your engagement in such will go a long way to guilde you on a better mat choice.
You might want to take a look at these considerations while picking a mat for your activities:
- Best sustainable
- Best lightweighted
- Grippiness
- Best durable
- Slipperiness
- Cost
- Best fit for your kind of exercise
- Instructors choice
- Reliability
Final Verdict: Yoga Or Exercise Mat?
The final verdict is based on priority and type of exercise, both mats are very good for floor activities and stretching although one should go for the best hence, prior to purchasing a mat, look out for the most affordable, durable and best fit for your kind of activities.
If you indulge in general body fitness exercise then an exercise mat would do while if your interest is in stability and balance, a yoga mat would do justice to that.
Conclusion
Between the two mats, you might want to go for what works for you in terms of cost and need for it. Not everyone can afford a yoga mat the same way others can do better on a lightweight mat.
