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I still remember how excited I was to mark my first Lululemon yoga mat. It was thick and soft and smooth; however, every time I practiced with it, I slipped. He got so bad that I spent many yoga classes dreading the moment he would eventually hit the ground. Public humiliation aside, I was annoyed that my fancy new gear would interfere with my workout, so I decided to search Amazon for a new mat. After going through hundreds of customer reviews, I came to one Gaiam yoga mat (Buy it, starting at $18, amazon.com), with which users reported experiencing “absolutely no slippage.” Plus, it was almost $50 less than my Lulu splurge, and if it also turned out to be a slip, at least it would only cost me the price of an indulgent New York lunch.
After receiving my new mat, I put on my favorite tights, opened a Alo Moves Vinyasa Class, and hoped for the best. Although slightly thinner and less padded than my Lululemon mat, the gaiam model It still provided support for my hands in downward facing dog and my knees in poses that required kneeling. standing in warrior two, my feet were held firmly in place by the traction of the mat, and for the first time in months, I was certain I wouldn’t slip or take a dramatic and embarrassing fall during class. I even felt comfortable enough to do handstands on the Gaiam mat, sure my heels wouldn’t slide back on landing. (See even more fitness apps for exercising at home or for workouts on the go.)
So what exactly gives this mat an edge over its more expensive counterparts? The Gaiam Classic Solid Color Yoga Mat It has 5 millimeters of soft, joint-friendly cushioning that’s lightweight and durable. In addition to 15 color combinations, it also comes in two lengths and two widths to fit a variety of body types and needs. But, the feature that really stood out to me was the “sticky” and non-slip texture that allowed me to transition into different poses during my flow, such as from upward facing dog to downward facing dog, without falling on my face and causing a scene in class. . . (By the way, if you love especially comfortable yoga mats, this could become your new favorite.)
Between yoga at home, cardio and weight training, I have used this mat at least once a day for over a year and can say that it has improved my practice and supports my workouts. I don’t know what I’d do without it, and I’m not the only fan: Gaiam’s name is constantly appearing in buying guides for mats loved by yoga instructors, and even Jessica Biel has collaborated with the wellness brand in an athleisure line. Plus, over 1,200 Amazon buyers have given this mat a perfect rating.
A five-star reviewer wrote: “I got this mat for exercise and yoga at home. I have a fancy mat for hot yoga classes, but wanted something more discreet for other days of the week. This mat provides great cushion and is not slippery! I was amazed It felt just as good as some of my more expensive mats. I would totally recommend it!”
“This mat has been frankly perfect,” delirious to another. “My hands don’t slip, my toes don’t slip, it’s just the right thickness. Love it! My old rug finally went in the trash yesterday. No regrets!”
“Now that I do virtual yoga classes from home, I needed a better, thicker mat to use on my hardwood floors. I have an old Gaiam mat that is almost 20 years old and [I] I knew they were of high quality, so I wanted to stick with the brand. I also needed a longer rug, a wider rug. This rug is perfect. I used it in my class today. I didn’t realize how much better new carpet would be. Much better grip, the thickness helps a lot with my knees, and the wider and longer size is just what I needed. Completely satisfied!” added another happy customer.
One thing I did notice is that after unwrapping this mat for the first time, it smells a bit odd (some buyers describe it as a chemical smell), which is normal for any new mat. But, after letting mine air out, the smell completely disappeared. And if the mat starts to lose grip, just wash it with soap and water and it’ll be sticky again.
