If you’re investing in an exercise mat, the most important question
to ask yourself is what will you be using this mat for? All mats are not
created equally and are intended for different purposes.
Thicker mats are normally designed for body weight exercises such as pushups
and crunches. The thicker material provides extra protection for your
body from the floor.
Very thin, rubber like mats are designed for yoga. These mats are ideal
for providing a non-slip surface and are extra thin to allow for proper
balance during yoga poses.
Somewhere between the thick body weight mat and the super thin yoga mat,
are mats designed for Pilates. These mats provide some cushioning as most
Pilates moves are done on the floor, but they also provide the same non-slip
surface as the yoga mat.