Yoga Mats

When it comes to keeping your yoga mat clean, there are a few things to consider. Firstly you should always air your mat after practice; it is likely to be damp, and leaving a yoga class, we tend to just roll it up, which can trap moisture and bacteria, so be sure to unroll it when you get home and let it air. Secondly, keeping your yoga mat in a bag between classes and practice helps prevent it from getting dirty in the boot of the car. Generally, a damp cloth is enough for daily cleaning, but occasionally you need to give your yoga mat a deep clean. The method for deep cleaning depends on what your mat is made from.
Some mats, especially those with an open-cell design (usually the thick yoga mats), can be submerged in a bath of water and then hung out to dry, and some can even be machine washed, so again, check the care instructions for your exercise mat. Other mats cannot be submerged in water and should only ever be spot cleaned. If you are bathing your mat, avoid very hot water as this can cause damage; all you need is warm water and dish soap. Be sure that your mat is completely dry before you roll it up and put it away. Never tumble dry a yoga mat but hang on the line. Be aware that direct sunlight for a prolonged period could cause fading.

You need to wipe down your mat after every session, which can be done with a damp cloth and cleaning solution but do check the care instructions of your yoga mat, as some chemicals could damage it. It could also be done with cleaning wipes, but we would recommend more natural products over harsh chemicals. When you attend classes, it’s unlikely you will want to do this at the end of the lesson as most people are keen to leave, but when you get home, you need to let your exercise mat air, and this is the perfect time to give it a wipe over. Deep cleaning, whether you have a machine-washable mat or are planning to submerge it in a bath, should be done once a month if you use your mat regularly. A good cleaning routine is not only hygienic but helps keep your mat in tip-top condition and can extend its lifespan.

Choosing the best yoga mat depends a lot on the style and practice of yoga you plan to do. The best yoga mats are those that suit their purpose. There are a few things to consider, including how thick the mat is. A thick yoga mat is designed to offer good comfort and cushioning for restorative yoga practice, whereby you will hold poses for longer. A non-slip yoga mat might be thinner, and it's great if you are doing Bikram yoga because the extra heat in the room leads to sweating, and you will need to ensure a good grip. A thinner mat is excellent for portability, so if you are attending yoga classes and have to carry your mat, this might be easier. Yoga mats also come in many different designs and materials; some people prefer sustainable, environmentally natural products, whereas others are happy with PVC-style mats. PVC has the benefit of being incredibly durable and offering a good grip against any floor surface. However, they're not so suitable for hot yoga because they tend to become slippery when damp.

In all honesty, if you are trying out yoga to see if it is for you, cheap yoga mats could well be the best bet. In terms of thickness, a 4mm mat is considered the basic standard, and this will work well for most types of yoga, especially when you are just starting. You may also appreciate a thicker yoga mat as a beginner because the poses will seem unusual and potentially uncomfortable until you get used to them.

Our top yoga mats for beginners

Yoga Studio Designed Yoga Mat 6mm

Yoga Studio Sticky Yoga Mat 6mm

Yoga Studio Cork Yoga Mat

Yoga Studio Grip PU Yoga Mat

There is a hard and fast answer to this question because a lot depends on how much you use your yoga mat. If you leave your exercise mat rolled up in a cupboard and only practice yoga once or twice a month, it will last much longer than those who attend regular classes and practice at home.

The quality and material of the yoga mat will also play a part in how long it lasts, but if you are engaging in regular yoga practice, it is advisable to change your yoga mat after a year. Like anything used regularly, your mat will begin to show signs of wear and tear, it may go thinner in the middle as you spend a lot of time there, and you may notice bald spots in the areas you put your hands and feet. Sticky mats lose their grip after a while, and yoga mats can acquire unpleasant smells, even if you are conscientious with your cleaning routine. Any of these signs indicate that it is time to replace your mat.

The best thickness for a yoga mat, again, varies, depending on what you are looking to achieve with your yoga practice. A thick yoga mat is defined as being around 6mm or more, offering a lot of comfort and protection against the floor when you are holding poses. However, it also makes it harder when you try to balance as your feet sink into the mat. So for many people, this would be too thick. A workout mat between 4mm and 5mm is likely the most suitable mat for all levels of practice. It offers a comfortable nonslip base but provides the grip needed for certain poses. Extremely thin mats are between 2mm and 3 mm, and these are considered most suitable for travelling because they are extremely portable, but you need to bear in mind that they will not offer much of a layer between you and the floor.

You may wonder why we have such a vast range of mats on offer, we have our Yoga Studio mats, and we are incredibly proud of the development of these.
Other leading retailers include Liforme yoga mats, Lululemon yoga mats, Gaiam yoga mats and many others from companies we respect. Our yoga mats and all of the ones we have named have been well made and offer a more personal experience than some of the yoga mats on Amazon and other non-specialist stores that sell yoga equipment. Finding the best type of yoga mat depends on the style of yoga, the portability and thickness and many other factors. In addition, you need to consider your height and weight, as some people prefer wider or longer mats if they are very tall. It can be incredibly tricky to know which yoga mat is best, as there is also a range of materials to choose from, including PVC, natural or recycled rubber, organic cotton, natural cotton, and jute. There are thousands of yoga mats in the UK, all claiming to be the best, but as we are trying to highlight, it does depend a lot on your situation when it comes to finding the best yoga mat. The bottom line is that the best yoga mats in the UK are the one that best meets your personal and yoga goals.

The best grip is achieved using a nonslip yoga mat. There are several materials suitable, including PVC, and natural rubber, although this is not suitable if you have latex allergies, TPE, a material similar to rubber cork and jute. You are looking for a textured surface, as a very smooth mat is naturally going to be more slippery. Jute is a very coarse material and is naturally nonslip, making it a great choice for grip, but not everyone finds it comfortable and supportive in the same way as the rubber and PVC mats. This means that you will find excellent grip in mats of all price ranges, from beginner to more advanced.

Yoga mats come in many different shapes and sizes; a standard size mat is 24" x 68”, but you can get longer and wider mats if you prefer. Prices range from around £20 to over £100, depending on your need. Mats at the higher end of the price scale are likely to be of the highest quality and, therefore, will last longer than something on a budget. But if you're just starting out and don't know whether you're going to enjoy yoga or not, there is nothing wrong with trying out cheap yoga mats. There are also varying materials used in yoga mats; PVC is obviously man-made, not sustainable and not eco-friendly, but still a very popular choice for some yoga mats. Others are made with sustainable and environmentally friendly materials. Latex is used in some yoga mats and needs to be considered if you happen to be allergic. PVC mats are not biodegradable, but those made of rubber or TPE are. When it comes to portability, TPE is very lightweight, rubber is much heavier, and PVC creates thicker, bulkier mats. You need to consider all these factors, as well as the type of yoga you are going to be practising.

Some materials used in yoga mats potentially contain chemicals that could be harmful to health. Oeko-Tex Certified mats have been tested and achieved a standard of 100 to prove that they do not contain any harmful substances that may damage your health.

It means that every component of the mat, from the fabric to any threads or accessories used, has been tested rigorously using a list of 350 toxic chemicals and certified free from all of them; this means your yoga mat is health-friendly and very safe.

You can read more about Oeko-Tex by visiting our Oeko-Tex information page.

Standard yoga mat sizes tend to be around 24 inches wide and 68 inches long. If you are 5 foot eight or under, this would be a good size mat for you. If you are between 5’8 and 6’, then look for a mat that is 72 inches long. For those over 6 feet extra long, your yoga mats are available at a length of 84 inches. You can also get wider mats that some people find more comfortable; often, this is just 2 inches wider at 26 inches, but there are some irregular-size mats out there, so you should be able to find something that works for you. Finally, the last size consideration is thickness; a standard yoga mat is between 4 mm and 5 mm thick; anything over 6 mm is considered a thick yoga mat, and between 2 mm and 3 mm is a thin or travel yoga mat.

If you are travelling and want to take a yoga mat to continue your practice, you need to look for something that is durable but lightweight and easy to pack.

Many travel yoga mats are made from things like cotton, and this doesn't offer a lot of grip, so you may want to consider a sticky travel mat. Traditionally yoga mats are rolled for storage, but again, this might not be the best bet if you are travelling.
There are foldable travel yoga mats Like the Manduka Superlite and Jade Yoga Voyager (Pictured on the right), and these tend to be thinner mats, between 2mm and 3mm.

The other consideration for a yoga mat suitable to travel with is the weight. Rubber mats tend to be a lot heavier than some of the other materials.

There is nothing wrong with preferring the appearance or design of a certain yoga mat, but it should not be high up your list of priorities when it comes to selecting the best yoga mat for you. It is more important that you factor in the thickness and material from which it is made over aesthetic requirements. That said, most yoga mat providers, including ourselves, have a wide range of colours and patterns on offer, meaning that you should easily be able to find a mat that is fit for your purpose and still appeals to your aesthetic.