So, you're on the hunt for the best exercise mats and want to invest in an option that won't slip all over the shop and fall apart within the year?
Lucky for you, I'm a Health Editor who gets to test fit kit for a living, so know a thing or two about the best home gym equipment. I also enlisted the help of Marie Claire UK's Junior Shopping Editor Valeza, who loves a home workout more than any other, so has tested plenty of exercise mats in her time. We've been putting mats through their paces for you and can confirm that the below five are the best exercise mats you can currently buy.
That's right - every mat in this round-up has been tested and come personally recommended by the MC UK Editors. Why are they so great, you ask? Well, they're slip-free, grippy, and don't come with that awful gym mat smell, not to mention most are affordable, too.
On the fence about whether you need a mat at all? Well, while you might have the best intentions of heading to the gym most mornings, schedules sometimes don't allow it. That's why having a few basic bits of kit at home can come in seriously handy, allowing you to get just as good a sweat on from the comfort of your own home.
If you're part of the small army of people who now prefer a home workout and want to kit yourself out - keep scrolling for our top picks.
Don't miss our round-up of the best yoga mats, or if you're after kit to see you through your workouts, check out our guides to the best gym leggings, best sports bras, and best gym trainers, while you're at it. Keen to purchase a Reformer Pilates machine for at home? Lucky for you, we've rounded up the best of those, too.
Testing process for the best exercise mats
Good question. As someone who runs marathons for fun, I personally test all of the sports bras, workout leggings, running shorts, and general fit kit that ends up in these round-ups.
With exercise mats, the ones that made the edit had adequate cushioning, didn't move mid-workout, and didn't cost the earth, either. Spoiler alert: I don't think something you stand on to workout should cost a bomb, so do recommend the lower price point options (Decathlon and Adidas) if you're on a tight budget.
The above didn't stain, get too sweaty or slip, all essentials when spending your hard-earned £££ on kit. We tested for the following:
- Did they provide adequate cushioning?
- Were they grippy and slip-free?
- Did they come largely smell-free, and did they wipe clean easily?
- Were they easy to roll up and store post-workout?
- Were they an affordable price point?
Best exercise mats: 5 to buy
Do note here: the below aren't the interlocking exercise mats you see in actual gyms or Crossfit boxes, rather the sort of mats perfect for Joe Wicks workouts or weight training at home.
So how are they different to yoga mats? Short answer: some of them aren't but the ones that do differ are slightly thicker and more cushioned to support your joints during any high-intensity jumps and so on.
1. Best luxury gym mat
"If you really want to treat yourself, I highly recommend The Workout Mat from Lululemon. It is the brand's first-ever mat designed specifically for high-intensity workouts and can withstand workouts with both shoes and weights.
It's a best-seller for a reason - after trying it out for a series of very sweaty HIIT sessions, I can confirm that it does just that. It is also engineered with a textured grip which meant that the mat didn't move an inch. The only downside? Because it's so grippy I found that it did pick up fluff from the floor, but after a quick wipe, you're good to go." - Ally Head, Senior Health Editor
2. Best gym mat for low intensity
"This workout mat comes so highly reviewed that I simply had to try it out for myself. Firstly, how stunning is the colour selection? And just like all Alo Yoga products, its performance is just as impressive as its aesthetics. It's nicely cushioned and has a grippy surface, making it perfect for low-impact workouts like Pilates and yoga. I found that it was great for sweatier sessions too, thanks to the anti-odour, dry-wicking material - no slippery surface here. Yes, it's on the pricier side, but trust me, this is the only exercise mat you'll ever need. Oh, and it's made from ethically-sourced rubber which is non-toxic and PVC-free. Lovely." - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor
3. Best affordable gym mat
"Gaiam have been making yoga mats for a long time, and so know a thing or two about designing a mat that'll support you through any sweat session. I've used this Gaiam mat for years and as a no-frills, affordable mat, you really can't go wrong. It's made without phthalates and latex and provides a non-slip and easy to use surface for yoga, Pilates and more. I will say that it's on the thinner side, so won't be great for high intensity workouts where you might require more cushioning." - Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor
4. Best portable gym mat
"This adidas training mat is reasonably thick, has incredible grip and non-slip qualities for exercises like lunges, Bulgarian split squats, and so on. It comes with a handy strap, meaning you can take it to and from classes easily. Thanks to its waterproof outer, it's wipe clean, too, meaning I found that it stays cleaner for longer than other alternatives." - Ally Head, Senior Health Editor
5. Most cushioned workout mat
"If you want my honest opinion, this is one of the best exercise mats out there. Sure, it's not 100% slip-proof, but it's so cushioned, it makes up for it.
At 15mm thick, it cushions the joints well, so I find it the perfect companion for both low and high-intensity workouts. I've even used it as a camping mat... that's how thick it is. Do note, though: I wouldn't recommend it as a mat to carry to and from classes, for this same reason. Opt for a thinner, lighter option, instead." - Ally Head, Senior Health Editor
What to look for when buying an exercise mat?
Thickness, grip and a non-stain material. These three factors differentiate a gym mat from a yoga mat - with a gym mat, you'll likely be after something that'll cushion your landing and protect your joints for moves like star jumps, high knees and so on, whereas with a yoga mat, you'll likely want something thinner but with better grip, like the Yogi Bear option above.
That said if your kind of workout is a yoga flow or Pilates routine, a yoga mat could work. Just work out what you prioritise, pre-buying.
While grip is most important for workouts like yoga where you're flowing between yoga poses, there's nothing more annoying than losing your footing mid-plank and having to start all over again. We tested the above for their grip, too, as I believe all good gym and yoga mats should have a certain level of grip before you invest in them.
Lastly, no-one wants to buy a gym mat that'll mark the second you put your dumbbell down on it, or that'll stain if you sweat on it. The ones above are easy to clean and have never marked, despite 2+ years of me dumping kettlebells, dumbbells, and other workout gear on them.
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