Pilates Mat for Your Practice

Once you make the commitment to your Pilates Mat classes, and you decide to purchase a Mat, choose one that is comfortable and best suits your specific needs. Here we share pros and cons of five different mats, including comfort, price, weight, storage and special considerations.

Currently Pilates Anytime uses Ecowise Flat Mats in our classes, a comparable Mat is the Airex Fitline Mat.

Airex Fitline 180 Mat

Price approximately US $75
Dimensions: 72 x 23 x 0.4 inches
Weight: 3.6 pounds

Pros
Very comfortable when performing rolling exercises.
Rolls up for storage easily.
Relatively lightweight

Cons
Mat uncurls if not stored against something.
Directed pressure on the mat allows the mat to stretch which can feel unstable.
Sweat makes the mat slippery for the hands.

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Gaiam Yoga Mat

Price approximately US $20
Dimensions: 24 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches
Weight: 2.0 pounds

Pros
Inexpensive.
Very light; easy to transport and store.
If you also take Yoga you can use in both classes.
Pretty design.

Cons
It is thin so it can be uncomfortable when performing rolling exercises.

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Manduka Black Mat PRO

Price approximately US $95
Dimensions: 71 x 26 x 0.25 inches
Weight: 7.0 pounds;

Pros
Thin yet still supportive enough for rolling exercises.
Sticks to the surface without feeling "sticky."
Durable and easy to wipe clean.

Cons
Expensive.
At about 8lbs it is heavy if you plan to travel with it.

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Crescent Moon Earth Friendly ECOmat

Price approximately US $35
Dimensions: 69 x 24 x 0.2 inches
Weight: 2.7 pounds

Pros
Cool design that prevents the floor side of mat from touching the part you lie on.
Stores easily without the possibility of unrolling.
This mat contains no PVC, latex or rubber, and uses no toxic materials in production.
Comfortable.

Cons
Accordion style can sometimes buckle during movement.

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Gratz High Mat

Price approximately US $450 + US $100 shipping
Dimensions: 80 x 24 x 5 inches
Weight: 65 pounds

Pros
Very comfortable when performing rolling exercises.
Very solid base when performing exercises.
Available in many colors.
Should last a lifetime.

Cons
Expensive.
Takes up a lot of space.
Heavy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of Mat should I get for Pilates?

Any soft, supportive mat will work for your Pilates practice. The most important thing is to cushion the spine, because much of the Pilates repertoire is performed lying on the back. If your Mat is too thin, you can move it to a carpeted surface or place a bath or beach towel under the mat for extra cushioning.

What is the thickness of a good Pilates Mat?

Around a half-inch is a good thickness. If it's much thicker, you may feel you are sinking into the mat. If it's much thinner (like a yoga mat), you may not be comfortable when performing the rolling exercises on your spine.

Is there a difference between a yoga Mat and a Pilates Mat?

Yes. A yoga Mat is designed to keep your feet from slipping in the poses. A Pilates Mat is designed to cushion the spine and other joints. For this reason, a Pilates Mat will be thicker and more supportive than a yoga Mat.

Can you do Pilates on a yoga Mat?

Yes, you can use a yoga Mat for your Pilates workout. You will be more comfortable, however, on a Mat that is designed for Pilates. You can double up your yoga Mat by folding it in half or by placing one yoga mat atop another, or add a towel or blanket beneath the yoga Mat to create additional padding, which will be more comfortable during rolling or supine exercises.

Do you need a Mat to practice Pilates?

Yes, a Mat is recommended for Pilates. Not only will it cushion the spine and joints (particularly important in the rolling exercises), but it also acts as a barrier between you and any dust, sweat, or dirt that may be on the floor of your exercise space.