Is There a Difference Between a Yoga Mat and an Exercise Mat?

When you're in the market for new exercise gear and equipment, it can be daunting. There are so many different types of weights, machines, and mats. How do you know what you need? What is the difference between them all?

In this article, we're going to focus on solving one of the biggest questions about mats. Continue reading to learn about yoga and exercise mats and find out if there is actually a difference.

What is an Exercise Mat?

Exercise mats, also known as gym mats, are used for many exercising activities. They are especially great for common floor exercises such as crunches, planks, and leg lifts. That's because of its thick foam nature - it provides comfort to the muscles, back, and joints when performing floor exercises. But they also prevent slipping and injury for standing exercises as well - this is because of the durable non-slip foam/rubber material. Many people consider them essential for any home workout routine. 

This type of mat comes in a variety of styles and shapes. You can even get a large square gym mat that offers more space than the traditional body length mats.

What is a Yoga Mat?

A yoga mat can be summed up with its own title - it's a type of mat most commonly used for yoga-related exercises. They provide yoga practitioners a non-slip surface to perform their specific exercises safely. Yoga mats typically cling to the surface you lay them on, offering extra stability to the yogi.

Yoga mats are made from a variety of materials, but the most common and preferred is PVC. Yogi's often prefer this material because of its stickier and softer feel.

What's The Biggest Difference

Now, you're probably thinking after reading those first two sections that there really isn't much of a difference. They both offer the user close to the same benefits. But at the end of the day, there is one major difference and a few smaller ones.

The major difference between a gym mat and a yoga mat are their thickness and materials.

The main difference between our exercise mat and a yoga mat is that our mats have a thick vinyl coating on top so you can wear shoes on our mats for intense cardio workouts and they won't rip or tear like a foam yoga mat would. 

Gym mats typically provide more cushion to the user. That is due to that they are often thicker (about one to three inches) and made from materials such as vinyl, TPE, EVA, and other various foams. Their deeper nature is why they are great for floor-based exercises - they provide the most comfort.

And you guessed it - yoga mats are typically thinner (about half an inch). Although, you can find some that come in one-inch thickness. And as previously stated, they are commonly made from PVC.

Check Out The S/36 Mat 

If you're on the market for a new exercise mat, you need to check out the S/36 Mat. It's the world's best large square gym mat.

It provides comfort, space, and protection for all of your home workout exercises. The S/36 Mat is perfect for home and garage gyms as well as your daily living room workout routines.

You can't go wrong with the S/36.