6 of the Best Workout Floor Mats for Every Kind of Sweat Sesh

One of the many long-term effects of the pandemic is being felt by the fitness community right now: Nine out of 10 Americans who say that they exercise regularly, also say that they plan to continue working out at home rather than return to gyms and studios, according to a survey conducted by Beachbody, a California-based health and fitness company.

As a result, people are stocking up on home gym equipment—the sales of which doubled to more than $2.3 billion between March 2020 and October 2020, according to NPD retail data. And while items like dumbbells and resistance bands where hard to keep in stock during this time period, any fitness pro will tell you that one of the best workout floor mats is arguably a more important purchase.

Whether you gravitate toward yoga, Pilates, HIIT, a casual stretch session, or bodyweight workouts, a mat is often the only piece of equipment you need—and what you’re looking for in one will likely differ depending on your type of workout and lifestyle. Floor mats come in various levels of cushioning, different degrees of grip, sizes, and materials. So it can be hard to know where to start. It’s also supremely frustrating when you find a cute mat and then realize months later that it’s nearly impossible to clean, starts to smell after a few sweat sessions, or that the color or pattern begins to flake off.

To save yourself the buyer’s remorse, scroll down to shop the best workout floor mats sure to make your humble abode, your new favorite gym.

6 best workout floor mats for every kind of activity

Most versatile: Gaiam Essentials Premium Yoga Mat — $19.00

Hate slipping and sliding mid yoga sesh? This textured mat is great for maintaining form while you’re holding a downward dog or tree pose without any toe gripping and strain. It also comes in six different shades, and comes with a carrier sling for easy transport.

Best for outdoor workouts: ProsourceFit Tri-Fold Folding Thick Exercise Mat — $38.00

If you’re looking for a thick, durable mat that is kind on your joints, but also easy to fold away and stash under the bed or behind the couch, this foam mat is the one for you. With over 7,500 five-star reviews on Amazon, it’s great for both indoor and outdoor use, and is fitted with handles for easy carry. It’s perfect for stretching, core exercises, tumbling, and martial arts, but is not very grippy so may cause during sweaty workouts.

Best for travel: Jade Yoga Voyager Mat — $40.00

Sometimes rolling up your yoga mat at the end of a class and actually getting it tight and even can feel like a fool’s errand. This lightweight, foldable mat is thin enough to pack in your suitcase without taking up all of the space and very grippy for all surfaces.

Best for HIIT: BEAUTYOVO Large Yoga Mat — $80.00

Whether you’re working out with a friend or just doing a higher intensity session that needs a touch more space, this large workout mat is just the ticket. At 24-square-feet, you can do nearly anything on this mat and feel supported, cushioned, and still have room to spare. The double sided grip is also great for added stability.

Best for yoga: BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Exercise Yoga Mat — $19.00

With over 50,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this versatile yoga mat is simple, no-frills, just does the job, and does it well. The thick padding is kind on your knees, back, and shoulders, and the moisture-resilient surface makes it easy to clean and prevents any dried sweat smelliness.

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