WHICH MAT DO I NEED?

There’s so much choice when it comes to mats that it can be hard to know where to start.

The correct choice will in large part depend on how the mat will be used. Is it for yoga or Pilates? HIIT? Stretching?

For Pilates and Yoga, a tactile surface for maximum hand and foot grip is a great feature to look for, as are a textured underside to grip the floor and just the right level of cushioning: enough to protect the spine, not so much that you lose connection with the floor. That tends to be around 4.5mm–6mm for yoga mats, around 8mm–15mm for Pilates.

HIIT requires a durable mat with a good level of cushioning to protect the joints and spine from impact during dynamic movements, but not so much that you lose your balance. Somewhere around 10–12mm is generally spot on.

Meanwhile, for stretching, you’re looking for maximum cushioning and – where relevant and possible within social distancing guidelines – a large enough mat to allow for partner work. Physical can help with all of this.

So… are you ready to find your perfect mat?