What to Consider When Buying a New Yoga Mat and Yoga Accessories
Instead of basing your yoga equipment decision on your favourite colour, it’s best to consider the type of mat best suited for your personal yoga practise. Additionally, it’s important to take into account the yoga mat’s material, texture, and thickness. When you pick a yoga mat, you should consider the following features:
Texture: The texture of a yoga mat matters most in terms of traction when you are in motion and moving through asanas. If a yoga mat has a textured surface, it’ll affect how much sliding and slipping you do. In order to buy a yoga mat that prevents slipping, you should avoid PVC mats and opt for cotton, jute, or rubber mats with a tactile, raised pattern. If you are allergic to latex, you will also want to ensure that the yoga mat is latex free.Â
Thickness: If a yoga mat is too thin, certain yoga poses will be hard on your joints and knees, but if the yoga mat is too thick, it’ll be challenging to hold a pose and maintain your balance. The six millimetre yoga mat is the most popular mat–this size is the best for supportiveness and comfort. Yoga mat information pages on our site include how many millimeters thick each particular yoga mat is.
Choosing the Best Yoga Mat for Your Needs
If you love restorative yoga, which is characterised by fewer poses that are held for longer periods of time, a softer and more cushioned yoga mat would be perfect for you. In addition, thicker mats are more comfortable for kneeling and forearm poses, as well as for yogis with achy joints and tender knees. However, thicker mats aren’t great for standing exercises, as they may make it more challenging to maintain balance while moving or doing free standing poses.
If you’re often travelling to your yoga classes, be sure to choose a portable travel mat. Travel mats are very light and easy to carry, but remember that choosing a travel mat means you’ll be sacrificing some cushioning in your yoga mat.Â
When Should You Replace Your Old Mat?
If you only use your yoga mat once a month for some light yoga poses, it’ll last longer, and you won’t need to replace it as often as a yoga mat that’s used many times a week for strenuous workouts. Depending on the frequency and type of yoga workouts you’re doing, your yoga mat should last at least six to twelve months before needing replacing. A high-quality yoga mat should last at least a year without wearing down.Â
Past that, you’ll likely notice changes to your mat’s firmness, thickness, and texture, which are a sign you need to replace your yoga mat.
Shop New Arrivals and Top Brands for Yoga Mats at INTERSPORT
INTERSPORT offers a wide array of yoga mats to suit different needs and preferences. Discover new arrivals, designer brands, and personal favorites. You have the option to shop for yoga mats of various thicknesses and textures from popular brands like Gaiam and BAHE–our collection of yoga mats will give you the comfort and stability you need to do natural yoga poses like a pro.
