3 Things To Look For In A Yoga Mat
Not all calories are created equal and the same goes for yoga mats. If you're on the hunt for a new yoga mat, allow us to highlight 3 important things to look for and consider. Here we'll break it down to - Thickness, Material and Texture.
Thickness
If you're just starting out a 4mm yoga mat is ideal for balance work when you're looking for a strong connection to the floor. The downside is less cushioned support. A 6mm yoga mat is considered thick and may be more ideal for back support during inversions, core work and postures that cause the bony parts of your body to dig into the ground.
Material
Texture, stickiness and sponginess are all determined by the type of material your yoga mat is made of. The other thing to consider when it comes to your mat is how eco-friendly the material is. Lot's of yoga mats are made of either vinyl or rubber. Vinyl mats last a long time and can endure many yoga classes. Rubber mats typically have jute and cotton in them making them more eco-friendly but less spongy. Recently TPE's have become more widely used for yoga mat production. TPEs are a family of rubber like materials that combine the characteristics of rubber with the recyclability and processing advantages of plastics. Which means they can be recycled.
Texture
Texture is important when it comes to yoga mats because it will control the amount of traction it has. Therefore, if you sweat a lot in your yoga class, a grippy mat is most likely the best option for you as this will keep you from slipping around. Grippier mats tend to have a more bumpy texture which can bother some users. If this is an issue be sure that the smoother mat you choose has a moisture control mechanism, for example cork mats.
Xpeed Soul Yoga Mat
Suggestions:
Starting out - Try the 4mm Spirit Yoga Mat if you're just starting out as a weekend warrior.
Regular yogi - The 6mm Soul Yoga Mat is for the regular yoga enthusiast. It will handle repeated use and provide the perfect amount of cushioning for your higher level moves.
Eco-friendly & Grip - The 6mm Harmony Cork Yoga mat is for the experienced user looking for that grippier feel. It is also made from a fushion of and cork upper layer and TPE bottom meaning it is eco-friendly and fully recycable at the end of its life cycle.
General Fitness - If you're on the hunt for a thicker fitness mat the Xpeed 10mm Fitness Mat is definitely for you.
Summary:
If you're really stuck on making your decision it's always good to ask your yoga instructors opinion, they're always taking it the mat just like one of our favourite Yogi's Sarah Piotrowski.