Exercise Mats FAQ

What are exercise mats made of?

Exercise mats are typically made of rubber, PVC, or some incarnation of vinyl. Rubber and EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) comprise the thicker, weightier exercise mats. The rubber is particularly great because it is usually recycled and always super-durable. For thinner, indestructible exercise mats, look for PVC. Blown PVC has a little more cushion, because it gets an injection of air. Solid PVC will be flatter and more suitable for use under an exercise machine. Roll-up exercise mats are made of all kinds of materials, but due to their portable nature, they do not last as long.

Does it really matter?

Of course, if you enjoy high-impact workout or have some weighty equipment, get a proper exercise mat. Protecting a floor from scrapes and dents is an easy value to calculate, but don't forget that sufficient padding will prevent unforeseen bodily injuries.

Will exercise mats make my waist smaller?

Exercise mats confer many benefits to the quality and safety of a home gym. They do not, however, contribute to your successes or failures in fitness. The usefulness of exercise mats, with regard to fitness goals, lies in augmenting the overall cost of your home gym, thereby motivating you to use it.

Will exercise mats make my home gym look better?

Absolutely. Think you're above a little aesthetic embellishment when it comes to your home and pastimes? Your kitchen could probably get by without the imported German knives displayed atop natural stone countertops. Likewise for your exercise room and 1/2 inch of recycled rubber. An exercise mat offers considerable function and untold credentials to your fitness commitment.

How do you clean an exercise mat?

It's easy. Exercise mats are usually porous, but coated with a layer of vinyl or some other water-resistant material. Any liquid disinfectant can be sprayed on and wiped off after every use. If you're thrifty and have the motivation, just use a solution of alcohol and aromatic liquids like jasmine or the like.