Best/Worst Yoga Mats for Hot Yoga

classycouture
classycouture Posts: 888 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have been doing hot vinyasa flow yoga classes for the past 2 months now, and have realized that the mat I have just isn't going to cut it anymore. It's a cheapo one from Walmart, which is great for regular yoga, but during hot yoga, I am slipping and sliding all over it. I am finally ready to spend the money on a nice, non-slip yoga mat, since I have a feeling I will be sticking with this for a long while! (seriously, I can't get enough of it!)

What brands do you recommend? What brands should I stay away from? Do you prefer a non-slip towel to throw over your mat?

Enlighten me with your yoga mat knowledge!

Replies

  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    It's not the mat, get a yoga towel for over it. That's the only way I don't slide around.
  • classycouture
    classycouture Posts: 888 Member
    Thanks Aileen! I found this one called Aurorae Yoga Mat / Towel, "Synergy" - it's a map and a towel combined, I'm a little curious to try it. Looks like it has good reviews! I might take a risk and try it. It's around the same price as the towels (at least on Amazon it is!)
  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    Oh, that's cool!
  • themutineer
    themutineer Posts: 117 Member
    Manduka, Jade, and Lululemon mats are great, though a bit pricey. You can keep replacing a $10-20 mat or invest in one of these that come with lifetime guarantees... if you do decide to keep using a lower quality mat, invest in a good skidless yoga towel to keep from slipping.
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    Goes to google hot yoga
  • palmerar
    palmerar Posts: 489 Member
    I use a chep-o yoga mat with a bath towel on top and also bring a hand towel. In the beginning of class I find that the mat is just fine and I fold the towel so my hands are on the mat. Once I'm into practice I need the towel so my hands don't slip. There, now you don't have to spend anything!
  • elleryjones
    elleryjones Posts: 88 Member
    I love the yogitoes stuff. I have one of these skidless towels that I place on top of my yoga mat (I have a cheap one and a pricey one). It's perfect for what you're looking for...

    http://yogitoes.com/ryoga-collection/storm-rskidless-138
  • CMay16
    CMay16 Posts: 144 Member
    You need a Yogitoe mat to put on top of your yoga mat. Little grippies on it and sticks to your mat and prevents slippage. They're ah-maaazing!!
  • Balanvita
    Balanvita Posts: 187 Member
    Skid-less yoga towel, for sure. Know that you may have to mist it with a water bottle at the beginning of practice. They are still a bit slippery unless you mist them or until you're really sweating.
  • Linda916
    Linda916 Posts: 124 Member
    It's all about the towel you put over the mat. And good yoga mats have 'care instructions' for the best way to clean them that keeps their integrity and tackiness. Good Luck!

    I love Bikram Hot Yoga!! :love: ooooohhhhheeeeeee it's a hurt-so-good workout!

    and 'thank you' to CMay16 for the tip on Ygitoe Mat... googling now! :flowerforyou:
  • classycouture
    classycouture Posts: 888 Member
    Thanks everyone! I'm looking into all your suggestions! All this yoga talk makes me want to skip work and go straight to a class right now!
  • mdcoug
    mdcoug Posts: 397 Member
    Bump. If I can manage to keep going to the Sunday Hot Yoga class, I will be upgrading my yoga mat to this one!
  • CMay16
    CMay16 Posts: 144 Member
    Thanks everyone! I'm looking into all your suggestions! All this yoga talk makes me want to skip work and go straight to a class right now!

    I'm thinking a class is in order for today too!!
  • classycouture
    classycouture Posts: 888 Member
    I ended up going with the hybrid mat/towel. It had great reviews.. I'll let you all know how it is when I get it!!

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZBGY1C/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  • cici1028
    cici1028 Posts: 799 Member
    Two options from a mat fanatic:

    http://www.amazon.com/Yogitoes-Skidless-Size-Towel-Teal/dp/B005L0LIEQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1365687695&sr=8-5&keywords=yogitoes

    Pros: Easy to throw in the wash and have dry by the morning
    Cons: Sometimes bunches a little teensy bit

    My FAVORITE:
    http://www.amazon.com/Aurorae-Absorbent-Microfiber-Slipping-Protected/dp/B006ZBGY80/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1365687731&sr=1-3&keywords=aurorae+yoga+mat

    The Synergy mat. Towel top. Amazing. You can wash it in the washing machine.

    Pros: One mat, all good!
    Cons: Takes a few days to dry after a wash
  • cici1028
    cici1028 Posts: 799 Member
    I ended up going with the hybrid mat/towel. It had great reviews.. I'll let you all know how it is when I get it!!

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZBGY1C/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    You are going to LOVE it! No more slipping.
  • Silvara_11
    Silvara_11 Posts: 133 Member
    I use a grip dot yoga towel on a regular yoga mat, you can get them on Amazon for less than $30. But even just a regular beach towel over yoga mat will prevent you from slipping in a hot yoga class.
  • Silvara_11
    Silvara_11 Posts: 133 Member
    I ended up going with the hybrid mat/towel. It had great reviews.. I'll let you all know how it is when I get it!!

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZBGY1C/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Ooh sounds interesting let me know how you get on - I'm off to Hot yoga in 1 hr :happy:
  • eag264
    eag264 Posts: 116
    great advice! I was looking to find hot yoga in my area.
  • classycouture
    classycouture Posts: 888 Member
    I ended up going with the hybrid mat/towel. It had great reviews.. I'll let you all know how it is when I get it!!

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZBGY1C/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    You are going to LOVE it! No more slipping.

    Yes!! This makes me very excited! Thank you! :flowerforyou:
  • beaglelover81
    beaglelover81 Posts: 1
    I have tried using a regular towel but I must get really sweaty in my feet because sometimes when I lift my feet the towel comes with it, then I have to stop and readjust the towel... do the yoga towels help with this?
  • norafoster1
    norafoster1 Posts: 2
    I highly recommend the Sequence Stillmotion. Grip zones embedded in the mat hold a regular towel in place for hot yoga. Saves you from buying an expensive yoga towel, and stops the slipping. Check our their funny video http://youtu.be/sXKqtATp1vc
  • gaskinsem
    gaskinsem Posts: 1
    I am still searching... I have they Synergy Mat/Towel combination and find myself sliding all over the place. I have tried wetting it before practice and still have problems with sliding. I've heard Luluemon is a good mat. Any reviews for that?
  • JoshBarlow2
    JoshBarlow2 Posts: 1 Member
    I have the Lululemon "The Mat," and I absolutely love it! I do not slide at all, and this mat is a little sweat magnet! I am very boney, and this mat protects me from the hard floor. It does have a strong odor at first, but just give it a little time and loving and it will go away. I actually really liked the smell haha! I've heard it does get sweat stains, but I have not run into that. Also, DISCLAIMER: I have not taken a full on Bikram yoga class, but all of my classes get pretty hot and the mat holds up! I'm curious to see which is better, the Yogitoes or the Synergy mat!
  • HealthystyleNY
    HealthystyleNY Posts: 1
    A good mat is definitely worth the investment (take it from a girl who has gone through several Marshall's cheapies before realizing! :smile: ) These are some of my favorite great, durable, slip-free mats. http://www.healthystyleny.com/2014/07/get-grippy-best-slip-free-yoga-mats-out-there/
  • swertyqwerty
    swertyqwerty Posts: 81 Member
    I think any mat works as long as you have one of those microfibre yoga towels. You can get them anywhere.
  • WalkingAlong
    WalkingAlong Posts: 4,926 Member
    I think any mat works as long as you have one of those microfibre yoga towels. You can get them anywhere.
    I agree, for hot yoga. The cheaper, thinner mats are actually better for balance poses.
  • avoidtheclapp107
    avoidtheclapp107 Posts: 49 Member
    I love my jade mat. Even with the yoga towel I get slippery but the jade mat is nice and grippy. Sometimes I just keep my little hand towel for under my hands. They also make a powder (probably essentially baby powder) which helps too!
  • sistrsprkl
    sistrsprkl Posts: 1,010 Member
    Don't love hot yoga but I DO love my yoga towel. It's a no-name one I got from Amazon a few yrs ago for $20 and it's holding up great. I use it twice a week. It's so nice to just bring a towel and not a whole mat, I just use the ones there since I put the towel over it.
  • VegasFit
    VegasFit Posts: 1,232 Member
    When I was taking Hot classes I bought my mats and grippy towels at Marshalls or TJ Maxx. The towel made all the difference. I think the towels were about $13.

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