Best exercise mat

Here's a roundup of the best exercise mats to relieve pressure on your joints while you break a sweat.

Best exercise mat
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Exercise mats keep your joints supported during workouts to prevent discomfort. They are typically cushioned, textured, and easy to clean so you can work hard without unnecessary pain, stability issues, and upkeep woes. Padding varies from mat to mat, so you'll have to choose the perfect thickness for your regime. For example, a mat used for yoga will be different from a mat used for weight lifting. To help with your search, we've found the best ones on the market. Take a peek at the list below. 

Staff pick

KG Physio yoga mat

(Image credit: Amazon)

KG Physio yoga mat

Roll out the versatility

This non-slip exercise mat is made from high-density foam, making it a perfect choice for any workout.

Pros:

  • Non-slip
  • Multiple colours available
  • Sweat-proof
  • Impact-absorbing

Cons:

  • May squash a bit thin
  • A bit bouncy

Whether you're looking to practice yoga poses or dive into a full, high-intensity workout, this exercise mat is ideal. It's soft and forgiving enough to accommodate weight and slip-proof, so you can make quick and fast movements without falling. The mat performs so well because it's made from strong, high-density foam, so you can move and jump without causing damage. With this mat, you can push yourself with confidence.

Best padded

JLL Fitness yoga mat

(Image credit: JLL Fitness Ltd.)

JLL Fitness yoga mat

Supports you and your exercises

Comfort will never be in question with this supremely padded mat by JLL Fitness. The thick padding will remove the pressure and stress from your body as you move.

Pros:

  • 15-millimeters thick
  • Non-slip grip
  • Antibacterial coating
  • Great for stretching

Cons:

  • Not great for high-intensity workouts
  • May have a chemical odour

Meditation and light stretching are in this mat's wheelhouse. It's decently padded, measuring 15-millimetres thick, so you can move with ease and comfort without causing unnecessary stress as you reach into those deep stretches. The mat is ridged on both sides so feet and hands remain balanced while on smooth surfaces. There's also an antibacterial coating, so your mat will stay clean for longer.

Best for hot yoga

best exercise mat

(Image credit: Amazon)

Yogi Bare Wild Paws yoga mat

Sweat and stretch with ease

Rising temperatures and the perspiration that accompanies them won't be a problem for this Yogi Bare exercise mat.

Pros:

  • Made from eco-friendly rubber
  • Extra-firm and perforated
  • Body position guidelines
  • 4-millimetres thick

Cons:

  • Grip can fade with use
  • Dust sticks to rubber

Whether you're in a Bikram yoga class or practising a flow in your backyard, this mat is exactly what you need. It is carefully marked with guidelines that help you position your body correctly while posing and stretching. It's made from extra-firm rubber that's perforated, giving you great grip, even when you're feeling hot and sweaty. You can sweat it out as you pose by adding this mat to your yoga routine.

Best for kids

Myga yoga mat

(Image credit: MYGA)

Myga yoga mat

So many fun prints

This brightly-coloured exercise mat is available in several cheery patterns that your kids will love. 

Pros:

  • Vibrant and patterned
  • Multiple patterns available
  • Anti-slip grip
  • Easy to clean

Cons:

  • Surface may crack with use
  • Chemical smell when first unpackaged

Your child can enjoy yummy doughnuts and ice cream, roaring dinosaurs, and more as they channel their energy into yoga poses and stretches. Each of these patterns is double-sided, and the mat is textured so so your kids can exercise without toppling or falling. The best part is that this mat needs just a little soap and water to clean so it's always ready to go.

Best large

Karma Fitness large exercise mat

(Image credit: Amazon)

Karma Fitness large exercise mat

Sizeable to accommodate every exercise

This super-sized exercise mat has got you covered when it comes to high-intensity workouts. 

Pros:

  • 10-millimeters thick
  • Made from tough TPE
  • Non-slip grip

Cons:

  • Can scuff when used with trainers
  • Might have a chemical smell when unpackaged

This mat, measuring 183-by-80 centimetres, is broad enough to fit any fitness routine. So, you have the room to work out freely. It's made for high-intensity interval training with this mat because it's made for movement. The tough TPE material and built-in non-slip grip make this mat especially great for fast and quick transitions from one circuit to the next. You won't slide, even when you break a sweat.

The bottom line

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The best exercise mat is designed to let your body move while reducing stress on muscles and joints. The KG Physio yoga mat does just that. This selection is brilliantly versatile. It can be used for HIIT workouts, slow and calming yoga, and even for weight lifting. The non-slip grip keeps your body secure so you can focus on your movements. Plus, it's impact-absorbing so you can jump and drop weights without damaging your floors. 

If you're looking for a mat for your littles, the Myga yoga mat is the one. This double-sided option comes in many patterns that your kid will love, from doughnuts to dinos. They'll love exercising and stretching on their new vibrant and soft mat. Bonus: it's easy to clean.

Why trust us?

At Fit&Well, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Camille Sanghera is a UX writer and copywriter for global brands as well as an author of self-help books. Although she has lived and traveled internationally, Camille is originally from British Columbia, Canada. She merges over 10 years of writing experience with a love of words to bring authenticity and human connection to every project. When not writing, Camille can be found exploring nature with her dog, sketching to music, or laughing with loved ones.

You can chat with Camille on Instagram at @projectpvo.