If there’s one piece of exercise equipment that we’d recommend, it’s the exercise mat. You can use them for an array of workouts, and they provide you a soft place to fall.

The best exercise mats can be used for strength training, Yoga, MMA and so much more. However, you should know that not all are made to the same level of quality.

That’s why we’ve gone ahead and done the research for you, coming up with the top exercise mats currently available.

Best Exercise Mats

	RitFit Upgraded Tri-Fold Exercise Mat	SPRI Hanging Exercise Mat	CAMBIVO Extra Thick Mat
Dimensions:	36" W x 72" L	23" W x 56" L	48" W x 72" L
Thickness:	2"	3/8" or 5/8"	8 mm
Material:	PU Leather	Closed-Cell Foam	Foam
Portability:	8/10	8/10	9/10

For more of my workout gear recommendations, have a look through these popular Women’s Workout guide links: Kettlebells, Medicine Balls, Adjustable Dumbbells.

Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Exercise Mats For 2024

1. RitFit Upgraded Tri-Fold Exercise Mat
2. SPRI Hanging Exercise Mat
3. CABIVO Extra Thick, Large Yoga Mat
4. Yes4All Interlocking Exercise Foam Tiles
5. Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Equipment Mat
6. BalanceFrom Thick Tri-Fold Folding Exercise Mat
7. Giantex Folding Gymnastics Mat

We’ve reviewed the top rated exercise mats, followed by a comparison table and buying guide to help you decide on mat that will work best for you.

Exercise Mat Reviews

#1 RitFit Upgraded Tri-Fold Exercise Mat

The RitFit Tri-Fold is our Editor’s Choice for the best exercise mat and is perfect for any type of exercise where you may require a bit of extra cushioning. A whole 2″ of cushioning.

The thick cushion gives a supremely supportive surface ideal for stretching, martial arts, or just general workouts on hard surfaces like concrete. The durable PU leather cover creates additional comfort during workouts.

For example, if you’re doing some bodyweight exercises like leg-lifts or push-ups, you’re probably not going to want to be doing that on cement or hardwood floors.

Add this between you and the ground, and you’ll receive excellent protection where you need it the most.

Our joints are the parts of our body that are most injury-prone, so protect your knees/wrists/elbows with this pad. In addition, it’s quite durable thanks to the vinyl surface that’s tear and stretch-resistant. If that weren’t enough, it’s very easy to clean.

If you’re a personal trainer or gym teacher that has multiple people using your mat, that’s a huge plus. The biggest “con” for us was the lack of portability. The mat does fold up and includes handles, but it is still quite bulky and a bit awkward to carry around.

Still, if you need size and supportive cushion, you can’t go wrong with the RitFit Tri-Fold Mat.

#2 SPRI Hanging Exercise Mat

If you want extra thickness in your workout mat, but want something a bit more portable than the last item on our list, then check out the SPRI Hanging Exercise Mat.

We should note that it is thinner than the RitFit Tri-Fold, but it is still quite cushy, thanks to the dense, high-quality foam it’s made of.

When we say “cushy”, it is thicker than your normal yoga mat, by far. It also lays flat, as it’s designed to be hung on the wall or from a hanging rack so it’s not rolled up when not in use.

A definite plus to this mat is that you’ll find it in two different lengths. Your standard 56″ length is great for most people and uses. However, if you are taller or move around more on your mat, the 71″ length might work better.

Despite being so thick, it’s still quite lightweight. If you want the best workout mat that is thick, comfortable, and portable all packed into one package, then the SPRI is an excellent option.

No matter if you want to use it for yoga, Pilates, stretches, or bodyweight exercises, you’ll find that this mat does an excellent job of keeping your body protected from hard surfaces, while adding cushiness.

The moisture-resistant skin doesn’t pull at bare skin, and is also quite easy to clean once you’re finished.

#3 CAMBIVO Extra Thick, Large Yoga Mat

Perhaps you’re having trouble finding an exercise mat that’s big enough for you, or the routines you do. Sure, you could purchase multiple mats but that never works out the way it should.

If you need an all-encompassing cardio mat, check out the Cambivo Large Yoga Mat. It one of the best mats for a home gym where your workouts involve cardio and you require more space.

However, it can also be used for yoga, Pilates, and stretching. Any activities that require more movement side to side and not just forward and back can be much easier on a larger mat like this.

This mat is not the thickest out there but it definitely gets the job done. It’s made of foam that’s non-slip on both sides, tear resistant, and waterproof. These are all safety features that also make the mat longer lasting.

Due to its size, we were a bit worried about how portable it was. We soon realized this wouldn’t be an issue, thanks to the inclusion of the handy travel bag. You also receive two carry straps if those are easier for you, as well as a towel to wipe down the mat.

If you don’t need something this large, though, do yourself a favor and opt for a smaller one. The size is great, but you don’t want to carry around something larger than you need.

#4 Yes4All Interlocking Exercise Foam Tiles

These interlocking tiles aren’t your standard exercise mat. Each tile is 2-feet square and they fit together like puzzle pieces to fit the exact space you have. Just 30 tiles could cover your entire gym floor!

Yes4All has created these tiles to be thick and durable which means they don’t just stand up to everyday use for floor exercises, they can also be placed under your home gym equipment to help protect the flooring underneath.

And as if you didn’t already think these are the best exercise mats for small- to medium-sized home gyms? They are both waterproof and noise reducing. If your gym is above another room in your home, you can make it just a little quieter for others.

The price is pretty affordable when you consider that just 30 tiles will cover approximately 120 square feet. This is generous considering the size of most home gyms.

They are also a breeze to lay down in any configuration you need. Just start at one corner of the space you wish to cover and keep adding pieces. Line up the interlocking edge and press one down onto the other until the top is smooth and you’ll barely notice a seam.

If you ever want to move your gym? Reconfigure it? Or perhaps you need the space for something else for awhile? Just pick up all the tiles, stack them up, and store them away until you need them again.

#5 Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Equipment Mat

If you’re looking for the best gym mat that can help protect your floors from your equipment while also giving you a safe, non-slip surface on which to exercise, the Exercise Equipment Mat from Sunny Health & Fitness is a great choice.

The largest size available, over 7 feet long and over 3 feet wide, might not seem very thick at just 6mm. However, this lightweight mat can still reduce the noise and vibration caused by many types of gym equipment and also by some more intense cardio workouts.

If it gets dirty or wet? Simply wipe it down to clean it and get back to your workout!

There is a small and medium sized mat available in addition to the largest size. No matter how big your gym is, or how much space you need at your Pilates class at the gym, you’ll find something the appropriate size for your needs.

Sunny Health & Fitness is a well-known and well-respected name in exercise and when you feel this mat for yourself you’ll understand why right away.

Give it a try and see for yourself!

#6 YOGA DESIGN LAB Exercise Yoga Mat

If you’re into hot yoga, or just find yourself sweating a lot, you know how slippery and uncomfortable it can be to have the wrong exercise mat.

What you need is a stable, supportive mat that can offer that extra grip. Thanks to the unique design of the The Combo Mat from Yoga Design lab, you’ll essentially get a mat and towel all in one.

In fact, you can even toss it in the washing machine once you’re done.

Coming in an array of gorgeous colors and artistic patterns, you won’t need to worry about yours getting lost or mistaken for someone else’s.

The mat is the most eco-friendly we’ve come across as it’s made of sueded microfiber (of plastic bottles), bonded to a natural tree rubber base. It’s incredibly absorbent and luxurious-feeling, thanks to the substantial cushioning.

While it is quite durable, we’d really recommend it for exercises that don’t require your shoes to be on it heavily.

It’s one of the best fitness mats that’s also easy to take anywhere and comes with user-friendly straps so all you have to do is roll it up and go.

Finally, it washes quite easily as it is machine-washable. Just make sure not to put it in the dryer.

#7 Giantex Folding Gymnastics Mat

This Giantex offering is another ultra-thick fitness mat, much like the first item on our list. If you need one for various activities like MMA, other martial arts, Pilates, and more intense activities, then don’t skip this one.

This mat is one of the few that provides an exceptional amount of resistance. It allows you to keep your balance well, while also keeping your body properly guarded against the cold, hard flooring.

The exterior is made with ecofriendly PU cloth that can be removed for washing. The thick, durable foam ensures this mat can stand up to your most intense workouts.

This mat folds into fours instead of three sections. This helps make it less awkward to carry and it can also be packed into or stored in areas where other folding mats may not fit as well.

Giantex has designed these folding gymnastics mats so that multiple mats can be attached to cover a much larger area. If you have a larger gym or you like to exercise with a group, these mats could be the answer.

You also have eight amazing colors or color combinations to choose from ranging from black or blue to pinks, purples, and even the primary colors.

Exercise Mat Comparison Table

Exercise Mat		Dimensions	Thickness	Material	Rating
RitFit Upgraded Tri-Fold Exercise Mat		36" W x 72" L	2"	PU Leather	4.4 / 5.0
SPRI Hanging Exercise Mat		23" W x 72" L	3/8" or 5/8"	Closed-Cell Foam	4.8 / 5.0
CAMBIVO Extra Thick, Large Yoga Mat		48" W x 72" L	8 mm	Foam	4.4 / 5.0
Yes4All Interlocking Exercise Foam Tiles		24" W x 24" L (per tile)	7/16"	EVA Foam	4.5 / 5.0
Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Mat		39.5" W x 90.5" L	6 mm	EVA Foam	4.5 / 5.0
YOGA DESIGN LAB Exercise Mat		24" W x 70" L	3/8"	Microfiber/Natural Tree Rubber	4.4 / 5.0
Giantex Gymnastics Mat		48" W x 96" L	2"	PU Cloth	4.8 / 5.0

How to Choose the Best Exercise Mat – Buying Guide

Now that you’ve had a look at each of the workout mats, there’s a good chance you still haven’t decided on one. Perhaps you have some more questions, or aren’t quite certain which would work well enough for your needs. Whatever the case may be, we’re here to help with our buying guide, below.

Type of Use

What do you intend to use your new mat for? Yoga and stretching? High intensity body weight exercises? Martial arts? This is the first thing you must figure out, as not every mat is made to facilitate every activity.

Typically (but not always), the smaller, thinner mats are going to be designed for more low-intensity activity, such as stretching or even yoga. They’re also more lightweight, but often have a solid grip.

The thickest mats are the most resilient and are made for the highest level of activity, such as martial arts, wrestling, weightlifting, and so on. They must be thick to protect you during the types of moves you’ll perform on them.

Also think about if you intend to wear weightlifting shoes on your mat. As you probably saw above, not every product is made to hold up against shoes. If they’re thinner yoga/stretching mats, you can be almost certain that they’re not made for this.

Equipment

Can your mat be used with equipment on it? Not all mats are made to be able to withstand the weight of bulky machines, such as benches or spinning bikes.

In fact, they can even do more damage to your flooring if improperly used. The most obvious indicator of this is going to be the thickness of the mat in question. If it measures in at half-an-inch or less, you can bet it’s not going to work with heavy equipment.

Material

This kind of goes in conjunction with the first point, but what types of material is your mat made out of? If it’s a soft foam mat, you’re going to want to be gentle with it.

While some types of foam hold up better than others, most of the typical mats you see are going to tear somewhat easily. In contrast, if you need a sturdy product, you could have one made with foam. Just make sure that it has some type of covering, like vinyl.

Vinyl is often tear-resistant and stretch-resistant so it keeps its integrity well and can handle high-intensity activities. These are often used in schools and gym classes, because it can handle various users per day without ever wearing down.

In addition, you’ll want to ideally go with a product that’s non-toxic. If you want to take that a step further, go with an eco-friendly product like the Yoga Design Lab mat.

It’s made up of natural tree rubber and a microfiber made with recycled plastic bottles. You’ll feel better about your purchase, and you’ll know where the product actually came from.

Ease of Portability

What are you planning on doing with your workout mat? Or rather, where do you plan on taking it? If you’re just going to be using it in your home gym, or for practicing your routine at home, this won’t be very important.

However, if you’re intending on taking it to classes or to the gym, then you’ll want to take into consideration how easy it is to pack along. The 3-panel, thicker mats do fold down and have handles, but they’re a bit more bulky and may not fit into your car easily.

However, a fitness mat that easily rolls up and has straps or a bag with it is convenient as it doesn’t take up much room and you can sling it over your shoulder.

In addition, think about the weight and size of the product. If it’s heavy and bulky, you’re not going to feel as motivated to take it with you as a more compact, lightweight one.

Safety

Whenever it’s regarding any type of exercise, safety should be placed first. That’s why you must look at how stable your mat will be for you and your intended use.

If you’re going to be jumping and running over it, you want to have absolute confidence that it’s not going to move on you. If you’re just going to be sedentary or using it for slower motions, this won’t be quite as crucial for you. If you can, select a mat that features both sides with a kind of grip.

That way you don’t have to worry about which side to put it down on.

Ease of Cleaning

You’re definitely going to want to clean your fitness mat before and after each use – especially if you’re using it in a public setting. Some mats can only be cleaned with certain substances, while others just require the classic soap-and-water combo.

Others, such as the Yoga Design Lab mat, can be tossed into the washing machine without a thought and be ready to go once it dries out.

Price

How much are you willing to spend on your new exercise buddy? Think about how rough you’re going to be on it, and how often you’ll use it. If it’s going to be a daily use, then consider investing a bit more into a high-quality mat.

Your body and your wallet, ultimately, will thank you. By putting out just a bit more cash, you’ll actually end up saving money due to the more durable materials you’ll receive.

FAQs For Exercise Mats

Q: How can I benefit from an exercise mat?

First, your body won’t have as much pressure on it. If you’re jumping around, your joints are absorbing impact. On hard flooring, your joints are essentially absorbing all of that impact.

Once you place a mat in-between you and that flooring, the mat will now take the brunt of it. Of course, this depends on the thickness of the mat, and the materials it’s made up with.

It also serves as protection from your home flooring, if you’re using it as a barrier between you and your floors, or heavy exercise equipment and your floors. Finally, it keeps things more hygienic. No one wants to share mats with a bunch of strangers, not knowing when they were last cleaned or what germs the mat is housing.

Q: Where should I store my mat?

Ideally, you’ll want to keep it stored in an area that’s neither too warm, nor cold, nor humid. Keeping it in the corner of your bedroom or under your bed is usually a pretty good location. Keeping it in the garage, basement, or attic could cause it to crack due to the temperature.

Q: How often should I clean my mat?

Daily, if you use it daily. Every time you use your mat, we recommend giving it a wipe-down when you’re done. If it’s a shared mat, before and after each use.

Q: How thick should an exercise mat be?

The thickness of your mat depends on several things. If you will be doing yoga, you may need to keep your balance in standing poses and a thicker mat will make it more difficult. However, a thicker mat might be perfect for floor cardio exercises.

You may choose a mat that is in-between, not too thick and not too thin, that you can use for many workouts. Or, you may choose to have two: a traditional yoga mat that’s thinner and a thicker exercise mat for everything else.

Q: What’s the difference between a yoga mat and an exercise mat?

Well, the first major difference is thickness, which we mentioned above. However, an exercise mat may also be more durable and more tear resistant as they are designed for higher impact and more intense workouts. Some are also more waterproof than yoga mats or yoga towels.

Q: Which side of the mat goes on the floor?

This is a good question and one we hear a lot! Each mat is different. Some are reversible so it doesn’t matter which side is placed on the floor, but you may want to choose a side and stick with it. You could mark the side you put on the floor. That side may become damaged by dust and dirt on the floor and might also become damaged differently than the side you use.

If your mat has a specific side to place on the floor, it’s important to follow that guideline. Be sure to look at each side of the mat and then any information that came with it to determine the correct side to place against the floor. That side is usually designed to be more slip-resistant on smooth surfaces than the side you will use.

Tips For Using Your Exercise Mat

#1: Try not to wear shoes on your mat unless it has a vinyl skin

This is because exposed foam can break down quickly when workout shoes are worn on it, and even cause some little rips and tears.

#2: If you’re storing it in a cold environment, try to store it completely flat

This will avoid possible cracking that can happen if you store it rolled up.

#3: Try to keep your mat out of the sun as much as you can

Unless the mat is one of the 3-ply products which can take more abuse, keep your mats out of the way of UV rays, which can speed up the breakdown process and even fade the colors.

Final Thoughts

So now that we have given you some of the top exercise mats available, which will be making its way to your doorstep? Whichever one you select, just know that these are the cream of the crop. They’re comfortable, durable, and definitely worth it. We hope that this guide has helped you select the perfect product for you. We’ll see you again soon!

How We Researched

To come up with the top exercise mats, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as Best Buy, Walmart, Target and Sears along with our own personal experience.

The authors consulted sources such as online magazines for research and reviews unbiased information.

By using Fakespot.com we tried to eliminate fake reviews and use only genuine ones.

With so many options available, the authors narrowed down the selections by using products they felt were the best value for the money.

The staff authors have a wide and varied background as fitness trainers, yoga instructors and runners. The authors have decades of experience and are eager to share their knowledge with readers.

In order to narrow down the options, we used personal experiences plus recommendations from other trainers and instructors.

Sources