Why your exercise mat matters

I own a lot of exercise mats as I often get sent them for work. I am very grateful; over the past year we have used them for family workouts and they were brilliant for lining the tent when the kids slept in the garden last summer. However, the quality of some isn’t good enough for proper exercise.

When it comes to yoga, a mat lacking grip is useless. Yogis will sympathise that there is nothing worse than being in downward dog when your hands and feet slip away from each other and you start to face-plant. Worse still is the toe-gripping terror of standing in a wide-legged forward bend and finding your feet heading for opposite ends of the mat. Ouch!

Now, you’re probably thinking that many moons ago humans did yoga in India without even a rug beneath their feet, but today our practice is more dynamic. My yoga teacher Tass Cambitzi says: ‘A good quality mat is practice-changing on all levels – physical, mental and spiritual.’ She goes on to say that yoga is about feeling grounded, and if the mat isn’t secure we are reluctant to push against the earth, meaning we lose the pose and ‘become a puddle of skin and bones’. What’s more, a slippy mat can be dangerous: ‘If someone commits to a strong shape and the mat doesn’t push back, they could tear something,’ she warns.

So which mats are best? A firm favourite with yoga teachers, Liforme’s design is hard to beat. Longer and wider than most, it has a silky-smooth finish with a Velcro-like grip. It’s perfectly cushioned yet keeps you stable in tree pose, and has clever markings that help you align yourself as you

A SECURE GRIP MAKES YOUR WORKOUT EFFECTIVE

move. It also has an army of fans as it’s made of sustainable rubber that biodegrades in one to five years. At £100 (liforme.com), it’s expensive but, believe me, it is a yoga practice game-changer. However, recently, a newer, sexier, more ergonomic mat has arrived on the yoga block that might give Liforme a run for its money. Created by Lululemon, the Take Form mat (£108, lululemon.co.uk) is a very clever 3D design covered with subtle elevated ripples. These zones were tested rigorously and mapped out by yogis to help with alignment, positioning, focus and sensory perception. I have this mat and can confirm it really is something else. It brings a visible dimension to my practice, helping me align my hands and feet, while adding a sensorial element, helping me feel my way around.

For those who just want a mat for fitness, the Manduka Pro (£100, yogamatters.co.uk) has a vice-like grip, great cushioning and is much loved by fitness coaches. And when we are on the go again, or visiting yoga retreats in foreign lands (I dream!), Manduka’s super-thin Eko Superlite Travel mat (£40, yogamatters.com) is perfect as it folds to the size of a yoga block.

If pilates is your exercise, it’s recommended you choose a mat that is 8mm-15mm thick (Liforme mats are 4.2mm thick). Pilates teacher Chloe Hodgson says: ‘A lot of pilates is performed on your back or tummy, so cushioning is essential’. She recommends merrithew.com.

A great exercise mat won’t do your workout for you, but it can make your session more enjoyable and effective – which means we might just come back for more. @susannahtaylor_