Yoga mat thickness

nicehormones
nicehormones Posts: 503 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
When it comes to yoga mats, what do you prefer and why- the thin 3mm ones or the thicker mats? I have a super thick mat that makes it difficult to do any kind of balance poses and hurts my wrists during downward dog. I bought a 3mm one and haven't tried it yet. Now I am wondering if that is going to be too thin and if I should find one that is somewhere more in the middle for more support? Just looking for some pros and cons. Thanks :)

Replies

  • nicehormones
    nicehormones Posts: 503 Member
    Nooobody?
  • skinnierjeans
    skinnierjeans Posts: 21 Member
    I feel like my super thin mat makes me slide more, but then again it was about $10... I don't like the 1/8 inch mats, however, because it feels like I'm doing my practice on a tempur pedic. The mat I use the most is Gaiam's green tea mat, and I'm not sure of the thickness, but the quality makes it the perfect medium.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Probably depends on your weight and maybe even the type of yoga you do. My thin mat was okay, but I much prefer the super thick monstrosity that I use now. But as a 260+ lb guy, my hands and heels bury themselves. Thinner probably offers smaller people more control.
  • gxm17
    gxm17 Posts: 374
    I love my Manduka black mat. It's thick but sturdy, not squishy. (Pricey, yes, but I asked for it as a Mother's Day gift.) I don't have a problem doing balance poses or, more accurately, any balance issues are not due to the mat. :)
  • yoginimary
    yoginimary Posts: 6,789 Member
    Agreed that the Manduka mats are the best, but they are $100 or so and are quite heavy. The other disadvantage is if you ever have to fold them for certain uses in yoga, you can't (most styles do not ask you to do this though)

    The thick mats used for floor exercise are horrible for yoga. My favorite all around mat are the cheap ones. I prefer hugger mugger:

    http://www.amazon.com/Hugger-Mugger-Nature-Collection-68-Inch/dp/B000C9NX9E/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1345209870&sr=8-5&keywords=hugger+mugger+yoga+mat

    but any of the cheap plastic ones from Target should be fine, 1/8 inch is the standard.
  • marsviolet
    marsviolet Posts: 79 Member
    I much prefer 3mm, I always felt like I was going to fall over on thicker mats. :)

Categories