Physical activity has become an important part of our lives today. In the fight against hypodynamia, more devote a lot of time to different areas of training. To exercise comfortably, safely and effectively, it’s necessary to choose the right equipment. The first thing you should buy is a fitness mat, which should take into account the peculiarities of the sport you are practicing.
There are 3 main materials that exercise mats are made of. Here are the most important things about each of them.
Rubber
The main property of this material is considered to be elasticity. What’s more, it’s inexpensive, letting you buy this mat with no need to hit a jackpot at National Casino. Such mats are resistant to deformation, so they will last a long time. For yoga, rubber mats are suitable only if they contain microfiber. Rubber is soft, and it makes the mats unstable while doing asanas. But rubber mats are perfect for intensive power workouts because it’s comfortable to lie on them, rest your knees and hands on them.
Microfiber
This material is not used in its pure form, but in combination with a second layer of rubber it is suitable for making yoga mats. Microfiber provides comfort – it’s pleasant to practice barefoot, and a layer of rubber keeps the mat from slipping on the floor and provides durability of the product. But you should bear in mind that such mats aren’t suitable for intensive workouts: sweat will accumulate in the fibers of microfiber and the product will quickly fall into disrepair.
PVC
It’s one of the most popular options because it has a number of useful properties and low cost compared to other materials. Here are the main advantages of mats made of PVC:
- Does not deteriorate in contact with water or sweat.
- Is immune to bacteria and fungus.
- Dries quickly if wet.
- Does not slip on the floor.
- Soft to the touch, pleasant to the feet.
- Has a light massaging effect.
- Low weight.
- Undemanding to care – simply wipe with a wet cloth.
These mats are great for intensive exercises, where you have to sweat. They are often used for yoga as an economical option: mats made of microfiber and rubber are much more expensive. PVC mats last much less because they are not as resistant to deformation and quickly crumble with heavy use.
How to consider size and thickness
Standard sizes of fitness mats: width – 61 cm, length – 173 cm or 183 cm. These sizes are universal. For strength training, you can use shorter mats – their length is 60-70 cm. This will be quite sufficient for strength training.
Thin mats 0.3-0.5 cm thick are used for yoga because for these activities, the contact of the support with the floor is important. For other activities, you can choose a thicker mat – it will smooth out the unevenness and rigidity of the floor well.
How to Take Care of a Mat
Store and carry the mat better in a curled up state – so it will be more resistant to deformation. There are also special bags with built-in ties. If you plan to carry the mat to the gym or exercise with it outdoors, this is a convenient option. Folding mats have also been developed that are easier to transport in the car and store at home.
The fitness mat should be wiped down with a cloth at least once a week. Rubber mats can be wiped down with a damp cloth and antibacterial cleaner. PVC mats can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Don’t rush to roll up microfiber fitness mats after wiping them with a damp cloth – they should always be dried.
