Yoga is the ultimate mind-body exercise. You can get all three components of fitness using only your body weight. More importantly, your time on the mat trains your mind.
However, you need the right surface — otherwise, you could find yourself slipping and sliding your way to an injury that leaves you on the disabled list. Fortunately, you have tons of options. Here are nine of the best yoga mats under $50.
When you spend time on your mat, you don’t want to inhale tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This term refers to gasses emitted by solids or liquids that can have adverse effects on human health. They can trigger anything from headaches to reproductive problems. One of the most pesky is formaldehyde.
The Alo Warrior Yoga mat features a top layer of 100% polyurethane leather with a 100% rubber bottom. The top park whisks moisture away, keeping you safe and dry — no slipping and sliding. Best of all, these mats are formaldehyde and PVC-free.
Do you need a super-squishy mat that provides superior grip strength for holding tricky balance poses like crow? If so, turn to the Yogi Bare Paws Extreme Grip yoga mat. It has a shocking 4 millimeters of thickness to provide plenty of padding for your head when you do inversions.
This company takes their commitment to sustainability and workers rights seriously. Employees enjoy fair pay and work in a healthy environment. Third-party audits take place regularly to promote welfare and safety.
Intense practices such as Ashtanga and Bikram produce a lot of sweat. The Yoga Zeal Moon Phases printed yoga mat was designed to become stickier the more you perspire, keeping you safe when you finally work up the nerve to try that flying tittibhasana pose.
Most yoga mats use rubber as one of the primary materials. While the natural stuff made from trees is more sustainable than the synthetic kinds, you do have other options. Jute is one of them.
What makes this substance so magical? It grows without the use of fertilizers and pesticides, keeping soils pure from agricultural runoff. The plant reaches maturity quickly, making it an efficient source of renewable material. You can also recycle it when it reaches the end of its lifespan in this incarnation.
You don’t have to leave your practice behind when you hit the road. This innovative mat is extremely lightweight, making it a snap to throw over your shoulder with your carryon bag, no backache required.
This yoga mat uses natural rubber, so there’s no ozone-depleting chemicals involved. Furthermore, Jade Yoga plants a tree for every mat you buy. You can feel good about doing your part to nurture your health and protect the planet.
If you’re a yogi on a budget, the DB Method’s the Dream Mat should top your list of yoga gear you need. It’s one of the most affordable versions on this list, ringing in with a price tag of only $29.
You can turn your living room into your studio with this tool. It features superior durability and traction, making it appropriate for use as a mat to support heavier equipment without damaging your floors.
You might notice more cork products over the coming months, and this mat is no exception. What makes this material so sustainable? Although the raw material comes from trees, there’s no need to cut them down to harvest the requisite stuff. After the first 25 years of life, these trees produce plenty of cork for the peeling every nine years.
Another advantage of this material when it comes to yoga is the way your grip increases as it gets wetter. Feel free to practice hot yoga to your heart’s content. All you have to do is wipe the surface down after each session to keep it smelling fresh.
Manduka has a mat for every taste and style. Their thickness levels vary from six millimeters down to 2.5 in their lightweight travel version.
The Prolite mat still offers an impressive 4.7 millimeters of protection to keep your head comfortable during inversions. It comes in several colors, letting you showcase your signature style.
Gaiam has been a well-known name in yoga circles for years. This budget-friendly mat sets you back less than $30, while providing a 6-millimeter thick practice surface for your toughest moves and inversions.
The many color choices let you match your mat to your personality. Each one is reversible, letting you pick the shade that suits your mood on any given day.
You need the best gear to elevate your practice. Find your zen with one of these best yoga mats under $50.
