One of the most common forms of exercise these days is yoga. It is a very relieving yet strenuous exercise that has many benefits. Now that the majority of the people are entering the fitness era, fitness accessories are also increasing in the market. For yoga, one such important accessory is having a yoga mat. Without a mat, it can be very difficult to complete the poses. Therefore, you have to make sure that you get the perfect yoga mat for your use. Here are some tips that will help you make an informed choice.
The Thickness of The Mat:
Yoga mats range from ultra-thin, compact travel styles of just 2 pounds. To comfort a 1/4 inch beast that weighs up to 7 pounds. If you don’t know where to start, choose a mat of about 1/8 inch of thickness (or 3.175 mm), which is the standard thickness for a yoga mat.
As the pose gets more intense, look for a mat with a textured surface to provide a better grip. The thick mat provides additional cushioning and is ideal for more treatments. If you enjoy restorative yoga, a style with fewer poses that you hold longer, for example, you may prefer a softer, more cushioned mat. Thicker mats are also more comfortable for forearm and kneeling poses and for yogis with tender knees or achy joints but are increasingly difficult to balance for long-duration poses. If your yoga plans include air travel, look for a travel yoga mat that`s specifically designed for portability.
Price:
These days with the popularity of practicing yoga, companies have started to come up with expensive options for the mats. However, there is no need to make heavy investments in a yoga mat. You can easily find good options at affordable prices. However, if you prefer branded ones, you should choose homegrown brands which offer more discounts and a reasonable price.
For beginners, you can always buy a standard sticky mat online to get started. However, if it’s time for an upgrade, Gaiam yoga mats have received a number of good reviews and are quite affordable. You can get one for as low as $25.
Kulae mats are another good brand for yoga mats although not as popular. They’re more expensive with prices starting at $58.
If you want a “forever mat” and are willing to invest in the premium brands, Jade and Manduka are yoga mats and accessories brands at the top of their game. They’re two of the most well-loved yoga mat brands out there because they’re the best in terms of quality.
They both have mats that cost around the $40 range but their most popular and high-quality mats are at the $100+ range. You can easily find a mat that fits your level of expertise and your budget too with their products.
Style:
With fitness freaks taking over social media it is only common that there is some style factor in yoga mats as well. No one wants to buy a plain boring mat. You can look for stylish options that will allow you to enhance your entire fitness experience. Fitness is not only about doing the exercise it also requires you to have a healthy mindset. If you feel having a stylish yoga mat will help you focus more, you should choose to ignore it.
Material:
You also must carefully choose the material for your yoga mat. You can choose from PVC, rubber, cotton, or jute. All these materials offer different types of sturdiness, and the choice should also be made based on your level of practice.
Stickiness:
This is one of the major factors of a yoga mat. While doing the yoga, if your mat slips a lot, it will be very irritating and you will be easily distracted. So, while buying, make sure that it sticks to the surface.
Eco-Friendly:
It is a hard time, and we are doing the least for the environment. Therefore, try to go as green as possible. Buy something that is eco-friendly.
Texture:
While performing the daily yoga, whether you will be slipping a lot or not is completely dependent on the texture of the yoga mat. Therefore, be careful when you buy one. Jute mats provide a roughness that prevents slipping usually.
Therefore, these are some important things to consider when choosing your perfect yoga mat. Keeping in mind these factors will help you in making an informed decision. However, if you still feel you cannot reach a conclusion you can look towards sales personnel to help you in making the choice.