How to Choose a Yoga Mat?

Yoga is a fitness exercise that many friends like, and a yoga mat as a necessary yoga exercise is essential. So how to choose a yoga mat? If you are not familiar with this, take a look at the following content.

Material

EVA Yoga Mat: EVA mat is a low-end product with a very low price. This kind of yoga mat has a heavy smell, poor elasticity, and poor anti-slip effect. It is not recommended to buy it. And Haiteng didn’t produce this kind of bad quality yoga mat.

PVC Yoga Mat:  PVC is a plastic-based material that is highly durable, easy to clean and offers excellent floor grip. However, PVC mats are non-absorbent and can become slippery when you sweat heavily. PVC is latex-free, a benefit to those with latex allergies, however, it is not biodegradable or as environmentally friendly as other options.

TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) is a man-made blend, an eco-friendly yoga mat that can be recycled for reuse. It is characterized by good elasticity, good anti-skid effect, easy cleaning and strong grip.

Eco / natural mats come from a variety of sources, including natural rubber, premium pu or natural cork material.  Compared to other options, eco mats are slightly less grippy on the floor, but their natural texture provides traction for your body. Eco mats lack the decade-long durability of PVC, yet they top the list if sustainability is your priority.

Thickness

Internationally, the thickness of yoga mats ranges from 1.5 mm to 8 mm, while the yoga mats sold in the domestic market are mostly 3.5 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm and 8 mm in thickness.For beginners, it is recommended to buy a thicker yoga mat, preferably about 6-8 mm, if it is too thick, it will easily lead to sagging feet during the practice process.

After gradually mastering the essentials, you can change to a 3.5mm to 5mm yoga mat. Generally, professional yoga practitioners will choose a thickness of 1.5-4 mm.

Ather aspects

1. No peculiar smell. You must know that when practicing yoga, the body and the yoga mat need to be in close contact. If the purchased yoga mat has an odor, I believe that mothers cannot learn yoga happily. Moreover, odorous yoga mats can also affect your health.

2. Pay attention to the flatness of the yoga mat. Generally, yoga mats with good texture are flat. If they are not flat, they will also cause discomfort during practice. Therefore, when purchasing, be sure to lay it flat on the ground and observe it carefully.

3. Pay attention to the surface of the yoga mat. Gently push the surface of the yoga mat with your hands, and your hands will feel dry. If you feel slippery, you will also be prone to slipping and falling while practicing. 

4. Before going out to buy, it is best to prepare an eraser in the bag. When buying, use the eraser to wipe the yoga mat to test the material of the yoga mat. If it broke, would you still buy it?

5. Pinch the yoga mat with your thumb and index finger to test the pressure resistance of the yoga mat.