Setting Up A Home Gym? Cover Your Hardwood Floors With These Mats
byYoona Wagener
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Whether you exercise in your living room or bedroom, the best exercise mats for hardwood floors can make your home workout routine much more comfortable. Top-rated mats designed for vigorous movement should have anti-slip properties so they won't slide around, and mats for any type of exercise should be a bit on the thicker side in order to provide proper cushioning from the hard floor. Different preferences and exercise routines may require thicker mats in bigger or smaller sizes, so be sure to consider what makes sense for your lifestyle and exercise of choice before you buy.
Because hardwood floors are, well, hard, it makes sense to cover them with thicker mats. For general exercise, an exercise mat should be at least 0.5-inches thick in order to provide good cushioning. This is sort of a middle ground when it comes to mat thickness; if you require extra support for sensitive joints or like higher impact workouts, look for a mat that's at least an inch thick. For yoga, on the other hand, you may want a mat that's thin enough to ground you but thick enough to cushion your knees, so consider a mat that's thicker than an average 0.125-inch thick yoga mat — but not too much cushier.
The amount of coverage your mat provides matters, but so does the space it takes up when not in use. Some larger mats don't stow super easily, but can be left in place if you have a dedicated gym area with equipment. Other mats roll or fold between workouts. Good mats should be hardy enough to stand up to the stress of repetitive exercise as well as regular storage, though a good warranty is also nice.
Whether you’re looking for a solid budget yoga mat or an extra-plush all-purpose exercise mat for hardwood floors, these options will support you while you sweat.
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