The Best Pilates Mat for Your Home Practice
Introduction
A mat is the only piece of equipment you truly need to start your home Pilates practice. Having a great one makes a real difference. This third post in my accessible Pilates series links to the best mats for different needs. You’ll learn:
The qualities you need in a Pilates mat
Why investing in a premium one is worth it
The twelve best mats on the market today (including four mats in the $35-70 range)
How to shop around to get the best deal
Pilates Mat Requirements: Stability, Density & 6-10mm of Cushion
A mat for your home Pilates practice must offer cushion, stability, and a minimum of 4mm thickness. Ideally, something 6mm to 10mm is best. Some populations may require more. Because Pilates involves movements on your back and stomach, having suitable cushion is critical to protect your vertebrae. When you’re rolling like a ball, you need superior padding to protect those discs and keep any bony prominences feeling happy and protected! If you get something super plush and thick but not stable enough, you may run into balance issues. Like a memory foam mattress, if the cushion does not have enough density the foam will simply imprint and you’ll lack steadiness in your poses. You need a “goldilocks” blend of cushiony comfort with serious density and stability. It can hard to find a mat that offers both. I created this post to save you time and stress while shopping.
Why I’m Recommending Premium Products
I’m focused on making fitness more affordable and accessible. Why are most mats on this list $100 or more? Well, if you’re purchasing this mat specifically for Pilates, you need thick cushion to protect your bones and joints without your mat turning into a foam balance pit that causes instability. Unfortunately, most mats that are budget friendly do not offer both thick cushion and dense stability. (Believe me, I have looked!)
If you’re serious about practicing Pilates multiple times a week it’s imperative you purchase a thickly cushioned mat that also offers stability. In most Pilates movements you are either prone or supine (translation: lying on your back or on your stomach). Mats that are thick enough are very important to protect your long-term bone and joint health. Pilates mats also need to be stable enough so that the cushiony surface doesn’t add unnecessary instability. Mats that are denser and heavier offer better stability to retain balance.
For certain populations, thick cushion and dense stability from these premium mats are critical. If you have balance issues, arthritis, osteopenia, or if you are recovering from injury, older, or pregnant, you really need to find a mat that will cushion your joints without causing instability for safety reasons.
I have gathered together 4 budget mats ($35-$70) that are excellent quality that offer anywhere from 4-6mm of cushion that are actually worth owning. Apart from these 4 mats, most others on the market are sub-par for Pilates and you’re better off just biting the bullet, buying a premium product, and owning one mat forever.
How These Mats Were Chosen & Ranked
Before I became a personal trainer, I was a woman who simply loved mat-based movement. Over the last ten years I have used, bought, and collected many a mat. Through experience and experimentation I have learned what makes my favorite mats great for different practices and populations. I have used all of the twelve mats listed in this round-up, and I personally own 5 of the models listed. (I don’t even want to tell you how many yoga mats I have here in our apartment.) Every product has been road-tested and personal trainer approved by ME someone who is obsessive about quality, value, and performance.
Each mat was chosen for a specific use-case or population. Personally, my three favorites that tend to work well for most Pilates practitioners are the Manduka Pro, the Power Systems Grippy Yoga Mat, the Bala Play 8mm and the Stakt Mat. Some people need more cushion, others want something lighter weight, and some will want something super grippy for heated mat Pilates classes, so I have included options for these popular needs too.
Top 4 Best Mats
The Manduka Pro 6mm has a closed-cell construction, meaning it doesn’t absorb sweat, dirt, or moisture. It has a thick cushion that offers a solid sense of stability and durability. When bought new and direct from the manufacturer all Manduka Pros come with a lifetime warranty making it a smart investment.As you practice on it, you will wear it in like a leather baseball glove. Out the box it is not very grippy, but as you use it daily, it becomes more trustworthy, getting grippier with every use. If you can’t wait that long for the grip to settle in like a personal patina, there is a salt scrub break-in process they recommend. I have never done and don’t plan to use the salt scrub process, as the amount of grip it offers out the box works for me and I like the organic process of wearing my mat in.
The Manduka Pro is a versatile daily-driver for any other movement practice, not just Pilates. It’s classic, dependable, hard-wearing, and comfortable. The Pro wipes clean, with water, sweat, and stains easily wiped away with cleanser and a cloth. The closed-cell technology makes it hygienic so if you’re a neat freak this is the product to choose. The closed-cell technology makes the Pro a little less grippy than the other options fresh out the box, but what you get in exchange is a mat that will look brand new for years to come. The Manduka Pro is the Toyota Landcruiser of fitness mats. Hardy, sturdy, durable, and handsome, it’s great for a home practice with a plush ride and is my #1 pick. [Shop]
2. Best Manduka Pro Dupe - Power Systems Premium Yoga Sticky Mat (6mm, $35)
These are THE BEST fitness mats I have found at a budget price. Hands down. No competition. The feel and texture is very similar to the Manduka Po, perhaps a little stickier and tackier which is fun. They are not really sold in big-box stores and have very little digital marketing presence to speak of as the majority of their business is B2B equipment sales, but you can purchase direct on their website. I didn’t know this was a D2C brand until last summer when I was working out at the fancy schmancy Minneapolis YMCA Gaviidae Common rooftop and was blown away by the quality, thickness, grippiness, and comfort of this one random black yoga mat I found in their studio pile. They are offered in two thicknesses. For Pilates, choose the thicker ¼ inch option, which is equivalent to around 6mm. They come three colors: black, gray, sage, or navy. The price, quality, and grippiness of these mats cannot be bested. And for one-fifth the price of a Manduka Pro at under $40 they are an exceptional value. [Shop]
3. Best for Extra Cushion + Portable Lightweight Convenience - Stakt Mat (12mm, $94)
The Stakt mat is the best option for those who want more cushion at 12 mm thick. Its foldable form factor is a great benefit offering travel convenience and joint comfort. This mat is genius because you can fold it to offer extra padding beneath your joints while holding a plank, or even use it as a platform or yoga block. When folded it’s compact and easy to toss into a tote or gym bag. They also make some adorable carrying cases that are offered at a competitive price point and work super slick. It’s very lightweight, great for travel, and easy to lug around town to class. The Stakt mat is perfect for older adult clients who don’t want to carry something too heavy and who appreciate the additional cushion for their joints! I like that the Stakt Mat can be folded into a prop for pose modifications as well with more elevation or even more cushion. The Stakt Mat is both intelligently designed and CUTE! The material wipes clean and holds up well over time. Like the Manduka Pro it doesn’t attract stains or absorb moisture. [Shop]
4. Best for Stability + Comfort with an Instagrammable Style - Bala Play Mat (8mm, $129)
Although this mat comes in a lighter 5mm thickness, the 8mm option is my favorite and best for Pilates. Stupidly, they only offer the 8mm in 2 colorways, black and peach (lame!) They have a branded collab with Free People Movement offering four different pink, coral, orange, and black colorways if you’re not opposed to rocking some serious branding. It’s made of polyurethane, which makes it great for sweaty sessions as moisture is absorbed into the core of the mat so you don’t slip around as much. However, PU is less great if you’re particular about your mat showing wear over time as oil, dirt, water, and sweat stains are going to be absorbed along with moisture and stains will show up right away unless you’re exceedingly precious with it. (This is the same for the Alo Warrior, Manduka GRP, WeGym, and Retrospec mats listed later in this post.) There’s a matching towel you can purchase for more stain protection and sweat resistance but that does add to the total cost. (Boo.) What I like about the Bala Play mat is the unique 8mm cushion that’s on the more plush side and the beautiful arched form factor that feels modern and feminine.
These are excellent, clinical and hospitality-grade mats that I would recommend to any client who needs superior comfort and padding for their joints. It’s super cushioned and comfortable but ultra dense so it provides excellent stability. It is more similar to a giant anti-fatigue mat found in commercial kitchens and retail than a traditional yoga mat. If you’ve ever worked out at a modern Planet Fitness and used their mats, congratulations you got the WellnessMats experience. This mat is best for those with a home gym set-up or who will leave their mat out on the floor as many of their models do not roll up. (They do offer a folding mat option which looks like it only folds in half so I don’t know how much more convenient that is but it’s out there.)
WellnessMats are heavy and they are expensive, so I would only recommend this mat to special populations who need the comfort and stability for health reasons and have the space for it in their home and their budget. The other downside of the WellnessMats is you really can only buy them in one color: black. For the right client, the WellnessMat is an exceptional piece of equipment for joint comfort that gives premium stability—a truly difficult find at this level of thickness. If the space, color, and price is prohibitive for you but you still want a more cushioned ride, go with the Stakt mat instead. Once my mom gets her hip replacement surgery done and can move a bit easier this is the mat I would like to get for her! [Shop]
6 & 7: Best for Hot Pilates + Sweaty Sessions TIE: Alo Yoga Warrior Mat (5mm, $148) or Manduka GRP Adapt 2.0 (5mm, $128)
If you get sweaty during sessions or plan on doing heated Pilates, a mat made of polyurethane is the best choice as the absorbent material draws sweat and moisture into the mat, keeping the surface sticky even without a towel. (See also: Bala Play 8mm). What you get in grip with PU, you will give up in aesthetics as these mats show wear quickly because of their absorption properties. If you want to keep either mat looking fresher longer, use with a yoga towel on top each time. Oil from your hands and feet and makeup from your face will also transfer and stain so be aware of that too. Both the Alo Warrior and Manduka GRP are the same in terms of thickness, feel, and performance so the one you choose depends more on looks and price than anything else.
The Alo mat is more expensive, heavier, and slightly longer with rounded corners as opposed to the Manduka GRP’s square corners if you care about that. There is a perfectly color-matched towel for the Alo Warrior, which I consider a must if you go with this mat, but obviously that adds to the cost. If you buy the Manduka GRP they offer a range of towels as well, but you won’t get a matchy-matchy aesthetic. I own both the Manduka GRP and the Alo Warrior. Both are nearly identical in terms of specs and performance so which one you choose is going to come down to brand love, color preference, and price.
[Shop Alo Warrior] [Shop Manduka GRP Adapt]
8 & 9. Best Alo Warrior/Manduka GRP Dupe - TIE WeGym Grip Mat (4mm, $70) or Retrospec Laguna Mat (5mm, $50)
I bought the Alo Yoga Warrior Mat a couple years ago because I fell for the hype and wanted to rock the branding, I’ll admit it. A car mechanic once told me that the only people who buy Audis are people who enjoy being poor and babysitting due to all the time and money spent repairing these notoriously fussy vehicles. His logic applies to the Alo Warrior Yoga Mat as well.
The branding is beautiful if that’s you’re thing, but from a performance perspective it is no better than any mat on this list and keeping it looking nice and new is a pain in the ass because this bitch shows every stain, sweat mark, water droplet, makeup smear, and fleck of dirt imaginable, I swear to God.
Therefore, because of the stupidly high price and lack of dependability from a stain resistant perspective, these two mats, at 1/3 and ½ the price of the Warrior respectively are EXCELLENT. They do the exact same thing from a grippiness perspective in heated classes. The WeGym in particular offers the most similar aesthetic as they literally offer the same neutral colors as the Alo (Black, Green, Rose Quartz). That way, when your mat inevitably stains on the corners or starts showing wear where your back, hands, and feet tend to rest you won’t feel all stressy and depressy.
[Shop weGym Grip Mat] [Shop Retrospec Laguna Mat]
10, 11, and 12: Best Lightweight Pilates Mat TIE - Manduka PRO Lite (4.7mm, $112), Manduka Eko Lite (4mm, $96) or Manduka Begin (5mm, $62)
These mats are my go-to’s for when I want something a bit lighter for taking with me to gym or studio that still offers decent cushion. The Pro Lite comes with a Lifetime Guarantee, which makes it a smart purchase despite being on the more expensive side. While I don’t own it, the Manduka Begin mat is another excellent choice if you want something more affordable. Which mat you choose really depends on your preference when it comes to the material and texture beneath your fingers and the price you want to spend. The Manduka Pro Lite is made from the same PVC as the closed-cell Manduka Pro. It feels sturdy, firm, and smooth. As you use it the mat gets grippier, or you can follow the break-in process to get it grippy fast.
The Manduka Eko Lite is made of natural tree rubber, with a trademarked surface texture and middle layer that keeps it feeling grippy, springy, and responsive. Some of the colors are made with recycled rubber, which is cool if you’re into that. If you have latex allergies or don’t want to deal with a strong rubbery smell the first couple weeks after opening, the Eko Lite is not recommended. Personally, I’m a freak and love that new mat smell. It’s like a new car, new book, some freshly sharpened pencils, or freshly cut grass—a definable scent that speaks to new beginnings and fresh starts.
Both the Pro Lite, Eko Lite, and Begin are closed-cell, so they never absorb moisture. This makes them easy to clean and ultra hygienic, and they don’t show wear as quick as the Alo or Bala mats. They are more slippery in heated classes, so use a towel if you plan on taking them there. At 5mm, 4.7mm, and 4mm these are as thin as I ever go for a Pilates mat, but I have rarely if ever felt uncomfortable on them, especially if I roll them out on a carpeted surface as opposed to hardwood. The Manduka Begin is reversible, which is a fun benefit if you care about that. Before I bought my Manduka Pro mat, the Eko Lite was my one and only yoga mat. I bought it 10 years ago when I first started getting into mat-based movement and I still own that same mat and love it. Really, anything by Manduka you will own for DECADES and it could wind up being the first and only yoga mat you ever buy.
[Shop Manduka PRO Lite] [Shop Manduka Eko Lite] [Shop Manduka Begin]
Shopping Tips to Get a Deal
Some of the mats I recommended are not cheap, but they are all worth it. Here are tips for getting the best deal if you go with a more premium model.
Marshalls and TJ Maxx are Your New Go-To’s
These stores are by far and away my favorite places to go for affordable fitness equipment. My local stores always have a healthy stock of Bala Mats, Bala Bangles, and Bala Beams. In the past I have seen some Manduka mats but it’s been awhile. Worth a spin around the fitness aisle the next time you’re in the neighborhood.
Shop During Black Friday or Seasonal Sales
Alo only offers sales on Black Friday and Singles Day, so plan ahead and take advantage. Brands like Bala and Stakt usually have some sort of promo or launch during this time too. Manduka tends to put certain seasonal colors on markdown after a bit of time before they launch the next crop, and they always have some product at a discount, either due to seasonal colors being phased out or their “almost perfect” shop, which includes mats with slight imperfections that are still good for sale but may not be blemish-free for the store display shelf. I bought an Almost Perfect Pro mat from them recently and couldn’t find the imperfection. (Worth noting that the Lifetime Guarantee does not apply to Almost Perfect mats.)
Take Advantage of Discount Programs
Manduka offers an awesome Mat Recycling program. You can send them an old yoga mat, pay a $10 recycling deposit, and get a coupon code for 20% off your next mat purchase via email. Once you buy your Manduka mat, the $10 recycling credit will be refunded to you. I love this program, powered by Supercircle, a tech-forward reverse logistics company that is helping the world’s biggest brands divert products away from landfills. it’s a great way to save money on your next Manduka mat purchase while lessening your environmental impact.
Many of these brands also offer first-time discounts when you sign up to receive emails and texts and some offer discounts to military, teachers, and first responders. Do some research, sign up for marketing messages, and see what kind of new customer offers you can get.
Utilize Secondhand Marketplaces
Depends on how you feel about buying a used mat, but Ebay, Poshmark, Mercari, and Facebook Marketplace are great for finding a deal or limited-edition colorways. I personally wouldn’t go this route for open-cell mats like Bala or Alo but that’s just me. I’ve bought mats online from Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, and Ebay and had excellent results each time. Set up alerts so you can be notified when people resell the mat you’re on the hunt for.
Your Mat is a Foundational Piece of Equipment You’ll Use Everyday. It Should Elevate Your Practice
When I started cross country running in high school, my dad was excited that I had tried something new and made the team. Foot health is critical, and he wanted me to have shoes that were comfortable and tailored to my pronation style to prevent injury. The associate measured my foot, looked at my arches, watched me walk, observed my posture, and recommended a few models that could work best. Even back then, I remember there was no shoe in that store that was under $100. It was an expensive purchase for us, but it was the only thing I really needed so the money was spent as an investment and framed as a special treat. My dad wanted me to take my sport and my health seriously. The new shoes demanded that. Putting them on the first time, I felt like a runner. I wanted to do my best because my family had invested in this sport for me. Looking at my shoes by the door, I would feel guilty if I didn’t lace them up and run the daily 5k’s required for basic conditioning.
Your first mat purchase is going to do for your Pilates practice what those running shoes did for my cross country game. Those shoes, and now your first mat are foundational pieces of equipment you will use every day. Having a good mat is going to ensure your joints are protected, you feel comfortable, and you remain stable. This is critical for health and safety. Most of the mats on this list are also beautiful and functional pieces of equipment. When you invest in something tailored to your needs that you’re excited about using, I promise it makes it easier to roll out your mat and get some movement in.
What Am I Currently Using?
I have a collection of mats, and my daily driver for Pilates is my Manduka Pro. It’s cushy, comfortable, dependable, and easy to keep clean. I simply adore using it. My only gripe is I wish they offered the Pro in more trend-forward colors like they used to, but limited edition mats and seasonal drops tend to be offered in more aesthetically pleasing colors.
When I’m going to the gym or studio and don’t want to lug my 8 pound Manduka Pro I bring either the Manduka Eko Lite or Manduka Pro Lite. Both are closed-cell, so they don’t absorb dirt, oil, and moisture. Because of this, they are much easier to keep clean, wipe down, and keep looking brand new, even when bringing to dirty gyms.
While I own two PU mats – the Manduka GRP and Alo Warrior, I never take them out of the house and I always use them on a hard surface with a towel so that they stay fresh and new looking. If I take a heated mat Pilates class it’s usually at my local Hotworx and you have to use specific mats there so the plastic doesn’t melt or off-gas in the saunas.
Conclusion
In summary, when looking for a Pilates mat, you need comfort, stability, and cushion. Do not purchase a mat thinner than 4mm as you will be uncomfortable and your spine won’t be happy. Look for mats in the 6mm to 10mm range for best results. 12mm and up is best for special populations that need additional cushion. Closed-cell mats will be more slippery in heated practices so use a towel with them if you plan to sweat. Polyurethane mats are grippier overall straight-out the box, but they will show stains much faster and easier than other materials. There are excellent budget mats available (linked in this post) and if you go the premium mat route, there are still ways to get a deal. Shop sales, utilize discount programs, haunt your local Marshall’s, and purchase during Black Friday.
