What Are the Differences Between Yoga Mat and Fitness Mat?

Staying fit is the new trend; after all, millions of researchers focus on highlighting the importance of a healthy workout routine. Despite having tough routines, long work hours, and not having enough time to hit the gyms, there is not a single study that supports a person not adding physical activity to their daily routine. Even if you don’t have time to step out of your home and attend a workout class, having the right kind of home gym equipment is encouraged.

This is because the health wonders of working out and having an active lifestyle cannot be ruled out, especially for office workers; having a suitable active routine is a must. From yoga for office workers to chair yoga for back pain, under desk elliptical to having a proper treadmill before or after work hours, adding some kind of physical activity is essential if one wants to live long and healthy.

But while we curate the list of perfect home workout accessories, we tend to forget the most important one, the yoga mat. Yoga mats aid practitioners in maintaining a firm grip on the ground. Additionally, it acts as a kind of insulation between the body and the earth. This creates a thermo-insulation by preventing any loss of heat, charge, or energy from the body to the ground.

For these reasons, every yoga practitioner needs a yoga mat. The ideal mat would be porous and absorb sweat. But as you pick out the best yoga mat, it is normal to get confused between different types and choices. This article will cover different types of workout mats and help you choose the right one for you.

What is a Yoga Mat?

Yoga mats are made-to-order mats that are specifically intended for low-impact training. In general, yoga mats are thinner. They have a non-slip surface and are between 0.4 and 0.5 inches thick. They are made to provide yogis with a secure, non-slip surface on which to perform their poses. Thanks to the great grip and strong adhesion that yoga mats offer to most surfaces, you may concentrate more on your balance and less on your mat.

What is an Exercise Mat?

Exercise mats may be available in most sporting goods stores and are primarily used for general fitness exercises. They are also known as gym mats by certain individuals. They range in thickness from one to three inches and are thicker than yoga mats.

The mat's thickness protects your body and the floor, making it perfect for bodyweight exercises and floor-based activities. Additionally, this gives you more padding to support your body when sitting, lying down, or lying on your side. These mats also aid in avoiding any injuries brought on by high-impact exercises. The flooring used in gyms is high-density rubber. However, these are typically varied.

What is Pilates Mat?

A Pilates mat is different from a yoga mat in terms of density as well. Yoga mats are denser and often half an inch thicker. Pilates mats are made to offer more cushioning hence the support offered is also greater as you move through the workout because it involves a lot more floor movement than yoga.

Yoga Mat Vs. Pilates Mat

A yoga mat and a Pilate mat are different kinds of mats, even though they might look the same. Here are some ways a yoga mat differs from a Pilates mat.

Thickness

The thickness is the first category that helps differentiate the two types of mats. For a Pilates mat, you must have a mat with a substantial amount of thickness because pilates involves lots of rolling on the back. A pilates mat is 0.5 inches thick, whereas a yoga mat is half of this thickness. However, some yoga mats like the Bellabeat yoga mat and similar collections from the Bellabeat flagship suffice both features. This is why these mats are expensive too, but you can use the employee purchase program for a decent price.

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Density

Another factor in differentiating between different kinds of mats is the thickness. A Pilates mat's density helps it grip the wooden floor firmly and support the spine better. When you lie down on a less dense yoga mat, it could feel soft, but it will offer less support, making it harder to balance.

Size

A yoga mat, on average, is 68-70 inches long and around 25 inches wide. At the same time, the pilates mat is around 74-75 inches long and a bit wider too. This difference in width and length allows different variations of pilates poses to be practiced easily.

Yoga Mat Vs. Exercise Mat

Secondly, a yoga mat vs. exercise mat or a yoga mat vs. fitness mat is often interchanged for the same type of mat, but the truth is otherwise. There are multiple differences between the two types, which makes their application also very unique from one another. Here are some ways a yoga mat differs from a fitness or exercise mat.

Thickness

If we talk about the thickness of a yoga mat vs. workout mat, you will observe a clear difference. A fitness mat is much thicker than a yoga mat. A yoga mat usually has a thickness of 5 to 6 millimeters, whereas, for a fitness or workout mat, 8 to 10 millimeters of thickness is average.

This is because, with a workout mat, you might need to perform exercises like jumping, skipping, or other high-intensity workouts that increase your impact on the floor. With a thicker mat, you are less likely to feel the impact of the ground against your feet, preventing knee or serious ankle injuries. Moreover, yoga mats are also made lightweight, so they are easier to carry, whereas fitness or workout mats are usually installed on the floor where one practices their routine workout.

Density

When it comes to yoga mats, density is also a concern. Mats with higher density tend to give more stability and better grip when working out. Moreover, you will also feel less pressure on your knees when planting your grip on a denser mat.

Texture

A yoga mat has a better surface structure than a fitness mat. With yoga, you frequently need to maintain specific poses requiring extra mat grip. Thus, the mat's structure is rougher. A fitness mat is smoother and easier to clean because you typically sweat a little more when exercising.