Lately, yoga has become an increasingly popular type of exercise. The reason is that to do yoga you don’t have to leave your house or go to the gym. Yoga exercises can be done independently at home. However, to make practicing yoga at home more comfortable, it is advisable to use a yoga mat.
Not only to make you more comfortable, it is also important to use an exercise mat during your yoga practice to keep your body balanced and reduce the risk of slipping and injuring yourself. However, the choice of a yoga mat should not be taken carelessly.
There are several things you need to pay attention to. yoga mat which you choose according to your needs, good quality and can be used for a long time. Want to know what to pay attention to? Let’s gosee below for tips on how to choose a yoga mat, OK!
Choosing a Good Yoga Mat for Beginners
Here are some tips you should consider when purchasing a yoga mat so that your yoga practice is safe and comfortable:
Choose based on mattress thickness
One factor to consider when choosing a yoga mat is the thickness of the mat. Mattress thickness that is too thin can cause pain in the knees and hands. On the other hand, a mat that is too thick can make it difficult to control your yoga movements.
If you prefer to do static yoga movements, you can choose a yoga mat with a thickness of 6-8 mm. This type of yoga mat is considered softer, so you won’t easily feel the cold and hard floor.
In the meantime, if you want to do training or dynamic yoga, it is recommended to choose a yoga mat with a thickness of 3 to 5 mm. This thickness is considered ideal to help the body not slip easily when doing a lot of movements.
In addition, mats with a thickness of 3 to 5 mm are also considered best for use in yoga exercises with many movements based on sharp joints such as knees and elbows.
The use of a mat with a thickness of 6 to 8 mm in this type of yoga facilitates the sinking of the elbows and knees, making it difficult for the body to balance.
Choose based on material or mattress material
In addition to the thickness of the mattress, you also need to pay attention to the material used. There are several types of materials commonly used in making yoga mats, including:
This PVC material is quite durable, not easily damaged, and the price is quite economical. However, this material has a characteristic smell, especially when we buy it. This can be your consideration because this smell is quite disturbing for some people. This material is also not biodegradable, so it can pollute the environment.
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TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)
This material has high elasticity, so a yoga mat made from this material will be more flexible and comfortable to use. This material is highly sought after by many people because it does not contain harmful chemicals, is lightweight and has good strength.
Thermoplastic Elastomer also does not contain latex, so it is considered the safest to use by those who are allergic to this material.
Overall, a yoga mat made from PU rubber is a good choice for anyone looking for a mat with the advantage of being easy to clean. This mattress also has a pretty durable shelf life.
Still, true to its name, this is eraser, this mattress contains latex or rubber. Therefore, this mattress material is not recommended for those who have a latex allergy.
So these are some tips you can apply when choosing a yoga mat. You can adjust the above tips according to your needs and preferences.