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Yoga is a popular sport that many people of all ages, fitness levels, and spiritual beliefs practice.
It can be used to strengthen your core, help you become more flexible, and reach a new form of self.
Hot yoga takes things to the next level by incorporating high temperatures.
Whether you’re just starting out or you consider yourself a professional yogi, it’s important to use the right mat when you practice.
To make it as easy as possible for you to find the best yoga mat for hot yoga, we’ve found five amazing options to choose from.
You don’t want to be slipping and sliding around in your own sweat, especially when you're doing a yoga challenge.
Not only is that unhygienic, but it could also be dangerous!
We'll tell you all about what makes a hot yoga mat amazing later on, but first, you’ve got to check out these five awesome products!
Here's a quick look at our favorite hot yoga mats!
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Best value-for-money yoga mat: Heathyoga Synergy Yoga Mat | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Most Durable: Jade Harmony Yoga Mat | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best Non-Slip Mat for Hot Yoga: TOPLUS Yoga Mat | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best Unisex Mat: Gruper Yoga Mat | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best Eco-Friendly Mat: IUGA Pro Non Slip Yoga Mat | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
Best Yoga Mat for Hot Yoga: A Review
1. Heathyoga Synergy Yoga Mat: Best Value-for-Money Yoga Mat
The Heathyoga Synergy yoga mat has several features that make this item a value-for-money purchase.
First off, the top part of the mat comes with highly absorbent crystal coated microfibers, wicking away sweat from your palms to give stable support when you’re holding your poses. Furthermore, the bottom part is textured TPE, so that you’re confident that your mat won’t slip and slide on the studio floor.
The eye-catching pattern provides extra motivation for you during practice. This mat is versatile. Aside from yoga, it can be used for other types of workouts such as Pilates or core-strengthening exercises.
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2. Jade Harmony Yoga Mat: Most Durable Yoga Mat
Available in 13 different colors and four different sizes, the Jade Harmony Yoga Mat is perfect for you if you need something a bit more durable.
With a natural rubber base, this mat can grip to the floor and your feet much better than a mat that uses synthetic rubber.
Not only does it provide amazing traction, it’s 3/16 inches thick, giving you plenty of cushions.
This is one of the best mats for hot yoga because it’s made out of sustainable materials.
Jade Harmony also focuses on planting trees for every mat that they sell, planting over one million trees to date.
Thanks to the high-quality materials it is made of, you won’t have to worry about being gentle with it.
You can use it for power yoga, stretching, stationary bikes, or anything else.
It’s durable, and the chances of it becoming damaged are very low.
Another great thing about this mat is that it is created in the USA.
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3. TOPLUS Yoga Mat: Best Non-Slip Mat for Hot Yoga
TOPLUS makes an appearance with one of their yoga mats.
It has been upgraded with an anti-skid design that prevents you from slipping on the mat.
There is also a double layer construction that provides you with optimal grip without being uncomfortable.
You can also choose from several different color options, many of the mats being double sided with reversible colors.
If you don’t like solid colors, there are a few with unique designs on them, as well.
This yoga mat is made with an eco-friendly material called TPE, which is better for the environment compared to PVC or EVA.
It is just under ¼ inch thick, providing you with plenty of cushion.
This protects your joints and makes it more comfortable to perform yoga for extended periods.
This mat weighs less than 2.5 pounds and has a convenient carry strap that allows you to throw it over your shoulder and head out the door.
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4. Gruper Yoga Mat: Best Unisex Mat for Hot Yoga
This Gruper yoga mat is the ideal stable, slip-resistant surface for yoga practitioners.
At 72” X 32”, this mat is larger and longer than standard yoga mats, accommodating all users of any size or height.
Aside from being larger than standard mats, it is also thicker. It is made of high-density materials, so the mat is durable and protects users from injuries during high-impact exercises.
The mat is moisture-resistant, preventing mold growth and bacterial buildup due to dampness.
There are seven colors to choose from. It is also easy to clean and comes with a carry bag and strap.
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5. IUGA Pro Non Slip Yoga Mat: Best Eco-Friendly Mat for Hot Yoga
The IUGA Pro Non Slip Yoga Mat is created from sustainably harvested tree rubber, ensuring that it is biodegradable and ecologically friendly.
The mat is slip-resistant, offering a strong grip on any surface. So, even if you’re sweating buckets in your hot yoga session you are assured of safety as you practice your poses.
There is also no problem transporting your mat from home to the studio and back. It is super lightweight at 2.5 lbs. The mat is designed to be your stable support as you work your way to fitness.
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Do You Need a Special Mat for Hot Yoga?
Yes and no. You do not need to go out and buy a mat specifically for hot yoga.
What you do need is to make sure that the mat you do have or are planning to buy is suitable for hot yoga.
This means that it must be thick enough, has an abundance of traction, and is easy to clean.
What Do I Wear in Hot Yoga?
You may think that just because you’ll be sweating a bunch, loose-fitting clothing is the way to go.
Strangely enough, that’s not the case with hot yoga.
You want something that fits your body but isn’t so tight that you’re gasping for air.
Loose clothing can get in the way and does more interrupting than anything else.
It’s also harder for sweat to escape from tighter clothing, keeping your mat a bit drier.
What You Need to Know About Buying a Mat for Hot Yoga
1. Padding
One of the first things that you want to look for when trying to find the best yoga mat for hot yoga is one that has plenty of padding.
The last thing we want is for you to buy a yoga mat that isn’t thick, and you’re starting in a downward dog, and you start experiencing pain.
Let’s skip that and opt for a product that has enough padding that makes you forget you have joint pain in the first place.
Yoga is a great practice that can relieve aches and pains all over your body, so it’s best not to cause anymore in the process.
Look for something that’s around ¼-inch thick or more!
You also want to avoid anything that’s too padded, as it will likely be hard to grip.
2. Traction
Speaking of grip, the number one thing you want to pay attention to when it comes to finding the best mat for hot yoga is one that has plenty of traction.
You’ll want one that has traction on both sides since it will grip the floor, and your feet will stay in place while you use the mat.
Traction is the main thing that will avoid falls and accidents while performing hot yoga.
With that said, make sure you bring a sweat towel to your next hot yoga class to clean up any spots on your mat.
3. Weight
Believe it or not, the weight of a yoga mat also matters.
It’s not a make or break feature, but it is something worth paying attention to.
You want something lightweight enough that you can throw it around your shoulder without any strain or a yoga mat that you can keep in your car for when it’s time to workout.
Look for something that’s less than four pounds, and you’ve found yourself a winner!
Benefits of Using a Yoga Mat
There are plenty of amazing benefits to using a yoga mat; in fact, we wouldn’t suggest taking part in any sort of yoga without a mat.
If you decide to do that, don’t be too upset when you inevitably get injured.
Yoga mats give you the stability that a surface such as a hardwood floor, carpet, or tile can’t provide you.
In addition, the padding in a yoga mat helps to reduce any strain on your muscles or joints.
Yoga is an amazing thing to practice to find relief from those chronic aches, but not using a yoga mat can make matters worse.
You’ll also be encouraged to work out when you spend money on materials.
Whether you buy a mat for less than $20 or you spend $150 on a mat, you’re more likely to use it.
This is a great way to get yourself to workout or get in some meditation!
Disadvantages of Using a Yoga Mat
One disadvantage of using a yoga mat is that they cost money!
Not everything in life is free, and that’s okay.
Just like most other things that you spend your money on, you get what you pay for in a yoga mat.
Try to find an option that’s in the middle of your price range, so you know you’re getting a high-quality product.
While you may be able to snag a free yoga mat from Facebook Marketplace, you never really know what you’re getting or who used it.
The only other negative thing to mention is that most yoga mats come with a smell when you first unbox them.
This does require a couple of days of airing out to get rid of the smell, but after that, you should be good to go!
Conclusion
If we had to choose an overall winner, we'd have to go with the Manduka eKO Yoga Mat.
While it is a tad bit more expensive than a couple of the other options, it’s made of high-quality materials, provides plenty of traction and cushion, all while being great for the Earth!
Remember to keep in mind things like the weight, what materials it’s made out of, and if it requires an airing out period.
Finally, if you're looking for some yoga inspiration, check out our favorite yoga quotes.
