Beginners are facing yoga mats of different thicknesses, which one is the most suitable? If you choose according to the material.
TPE pads are the most environmentally friendly
TPE is the most high-grade products of yoga mat products, chloride-free, metal-free, antistatic, each mat is about 1200 grams, about 300 grams lighter than PVC foam mat, more suitable for carrying out. Typical thickness 6mm-8mm
Features: soft, fit, strong grip - it is more reliable on any ground. Compared with the yoga mat made of PVC, it weighs about 300 grams lighter, making it more convenient to carry around.
Reminder: The price of yoga mats in TPE material is on the high side.
The advantages of TPE mat are light weight, easy to carry, easy to clean, excellent slip resistance in dry and wet conditions, and no odor if the TPE material of the mat is high. Most PVC foamed mats still have some flavor due to process and cost reasons, which cannot be removed. Even if some products have no taste, it does not mean that their composition has changed or that some harmful substances are not present, unless they have been tested according to the standards of export products.
PVC is cheap and good
PVC foam (PVC content 96% yoga mat weight is about 1500 grams) PVC is a chemical raw material name, is a raw material. But PVC without foaming before is not soft and play non-slip. The role of cushioning, only after foaming it, can produce finished products like yoga mats, non-slip mats.
Features: PVC material is affordable, can be bought everywhere, the quality is also guaranteed, and the cost performance is high.
Reminder: Avoid buying inferior yoga mats made from secondary ingredients.
Cloth mats are hard to come by
Sometimes, we see people in yoga classes using a brightly colored yoga mat that resembles an Arabian flying carpet, which is said to be an Indian yoga mat. This cloth mat is imported from India, hand-woven and dyed, and can be used on ordinary plastic yoga mats. The reason for this is that the plastic yoga mat is not in good contact with the skin, and the cloth mat is softer, and it can be carried around to isolate when using public yoga mats. But I don't know if the anti-slip effect of the cloth pad is ideal?
Choose according to "thick and thin needs"
Regarding the thickness of yoga mats, there are 3.5 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm and 8 mm thicknesses of the common yoga mat on the market. One of the most basic suggestions is that beginners can use thicker yoga mats, such as 6mm thick, with the aim of preventing sports injuries. After having a certain foundation and experience, a yoga mat with a thickness of 3.5 mm to 5 mm can be used instead. Of course, if you are very afraid of "pain", you can always use a relatively thick yoga mat to practice.
Choose according to the "type of yoga" you are learning
If you practice yoga that focuses on soft training, you will often encounter the movement of sitting on a mat, and a thicker, softer yoga mat will make you more comfortable. But if you practice a relatively dynamic type of yoga such as Power Yoga, Flow Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga, then you need a thinner and harder mat, and a too soft yoga mat is not very convenient for movements. Some people who are more particular will also feel that too thick yoga mats hinder their contact with the ground, etc., in fact, the thickness of yoga mats mainly depends on personal preferences.
If the movements you do are not so static and do not sweat as much as running, which mat should you use? I would answer "better choose a thinner one". Thick mats (more than 5 mm) lose the feeling of contact with the ground, and there is a feeling of "distortion" when doing many movements. In foreign countries, the vast majority of yoga practitioners love to use thin mats, this is the truth. If you feel that the thin cushion is uncomfortable on your knees when doing some kneeling movements, you can put a towel under your knees.
