All that you need to know about Gymnastics Mats

Exercise has a variety of benefits both for our body and mind. According to NHS, 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes of high-intensity workout per week is recommended for health benefits. Speaking of which, many of us have different choices when it comes to workout. Some of us like to meditate in yoga, whereas some others love to strength train in order to challenge their physical limitations. But regardless of what model of physical training you are into, you need the right fitness equipment to perform your workout properly.

Source: WHO

If we talk about gym equipment, it won't be hard to admit that the fitness industry has witnessed a boom because a lot has been introduced in the market for gym training. There was a time when yogis performed extreme yoga postures without any props. But now search for the yoga props, and you'll come across yoga blocks and other accessories to help you with performing them with ease.

In fact, it will be more appropriate to say that we all are spoilt with a variety of training equipment to choose from. Reasons being, to perform different types of workouts or to complement our diverse tastes and styles. Sometimes, it does confuse us to decide which gym equipment will be the right fit for our workout. Take mats as an example. It often irks people as to purchase a yoga mat or a tri-fold gymnastics mat? Because it is imperative to choose the right mat to ensure our safety while performing altering moves and to gain maximum benefits from the exercise.

This especially hits home for the gymnasts, who may have just started training for this intense sport. This blog aims to clear out those confusions by letting them know of those gymnastics mats that will suit their fitness needs and preferences.

What is a Gymnastics Mat?

A gymnastics mat is typically made from PE foam (polyethylene) and comes with the covering of lamina hide leather or vinyl. The PE foam makes sure to guard your elbows and knees against scraping or any such possible injuries. With the durable covering, the gymnastics mat is easy to clean and won't tear apart, no matter how much training one does on it.

As the name suggests, gymnastics mats are most commonly used by the gymnasts for their training, but this does not mean that it serves no purpose to others. In fact, the gymnastics mat is also commonly referred to as an exercise mat and is being used by other professional athletes and fitness freaks as well. They use this exercise mat to make their floor-based workout experience such as push-ups, lunges, and planks smooth and injury-free.

Gymnastics mat thickness varies from 2 cm to around 6 cm. It is designed in such a manner that it absorbs shocks and blocks the possibility of injury, which can be caused by jumping or landing too strongly. This may be one of the reasons that mostly gymnastics mats are used for high-intensity training.

These gymnastics mats come with sturdy handles and are easily foldable, which make them portable and easy to carry and store even if you are traveling. These mats have a non-slippery surface, so they won’t slip on the floor, and you’ll be performing the exercises with ease.

Why Gymnastics Mats Are Useful?

With so many different types of mats available, it must be overwhelming for you to pick one that fits right to your needs. It is true that the properties of one mat vary from the other, so why not understand what really suits you.

If you chose a traditional yoga mat, you'll have a better connection with the ground, but if you consider the design of it, you'll know that it is more suitable for low-impact workouts. This one feature stands yoga mats apart from the gymnastics mats because, as we said, the latter is highly appropriate for HIIT.

Totally opposite to what yoga mats offer, gymnastics mats are an excellent gym accessory if you are into high-impact training. The added cushioning, thickness and PE foam constituting the gymnastics mat will keep you relaxed and focused even while doing the most difficult exercise stunt. Due to the thickness, these mats are specifically safe and prevent the occurrence of injury to your knees or elbows. These features, you’ll agree, are compelling and enough for you to pick this beauty for your workout routine.

Safety comes first in your mind when you think of gymnastics mats because, isn't that what it is offering? And if you are strictly practicing gymnastics, then this folding mat is a must. But this does not outlaw the people who want to perform a workout from the comfort of their homes. It is an exercise mat and is perfectly capable for you to do crunches, yoga, or any exercise.

What more? The material of the gymnastics mats is another reason to choose them. The PU leather covering of them have the following competencies;

• Sturdiness
• Impact absorbent
• Mould resistance
• Washable
• Fire retardant
• Non-slippery

And if you are specifically looking for overall features of a standard gymnastics mat, then here are some;

• Higher density
• Eco-friendly PE foam
• PU leather covering
• Sturdy Handles
• Facility to attach extra mat via Velcro
• Portable and compact design

What we really want to highlight is the significance of physical activity healthy and active life. This is in your own favour to take only a few minutes out of your busy schedule to fuel your body with the exercise moves. Don't get caught in the stress to look out for high-quality gymnastics mats because the Xn8 Sports gymnastics tri-fold mat is there to help you. It has been made with utmost care and expertise to give customers a hassle-free experience of the workouts. 

Use and Durability

You may be thinking that where you can use a gymnastics mat for practice? Its length and high density make you wonder if you can keep it at home or not. Absolutely, you can. These gymnastics mats are either tri-fold or four-fold, and they come with handles. This means you can fold them, which makes their storage effortlessly simple. Now, let's answer the questions that may be popping into your mind right now.

Can I use it at home?

Why not. Tri-fold gymnastics mats are portable and are adroitly designed for you to use at home. Fold this gym mat and tuck it in the corner of your room or anywhere you want to store it.  And when you want to practice, just roll it away in a spacious room, and here you go. Using a gymnastic mat is not rocket science. You just need a little bit of space to unfold it, and you are all set to carry a physical activity with enhanced comfort and confidence.

Can I use it outdoors?

Do you know another name for gymnastic mat? Travel mat. This answers the question itself; you can use it outdoors. The covering of these gymnastics mats is of vinyl or leather that makes them waterproof, so if you want to leave them in your garden, you have nothing to worry about. The covering will protect the mat from harsh weather and rains. Other mats lacking this covering, if left outdoors permanently, are likely to succumb to mildew growth. Therefore, for other kinds of mats, it is advisable to take them out temporarily for practice, and then bring them back inside after using them.

Conclusion

Today, the online market is flooded with a variety of fitness equipment, and with so many options available in the workout mats, it is often confusing to choose the right exercise mat that fits your needs. Now that you know everything you require in an exercise mat, we think it’s time for a celebratory cartwheel. In this blog, we tried to cover almost everything that you must know before ordering an exercise mat for you. It mostly depends on the type of workout you choose for yourself as well as your experience level. If you want to perform yoga, go for a yoga mat, but if it is gymnastics or MMA that you want to train for, a tri-fold gymnastics mat is a right choice for you.  With this information, it is easy for you to make an informed decision, no matter if you are a gymnast, boxer, performer, or combat sports aficionado. Whether you need it or not, exercise mats are useful for many reasons, and that’s why people think of them as a necessary workout accessory.