Be it for beginners or advanced-level yogis, yoga mats have become a basic necessity for all. Non-slippery and injury-proof, they define your space to attain the utmost level of comfort and relaxation.
But you can’t just pick one and go about your stretching routine. There’s a lot to consider when buying the right yoga mat.
Your height, body structure, yoga poses, place, etc., play a vital role in determining the size of the mat. The ideal approach is to choose a mat that’s 15 cm or 6 inches longer than your height and around 0.1 inches thick to provide sufficient padding.
However, the list doesn’t end here. The following blog provides an in-depth yoga mat size guide to finding the mat of your dreams!
Yoga Mat - Length vs. Width
Measuring the length, as well as the width of the yoga mat, is crucial since both factors serve different purposes. Here’s how:
1. Length for Height
Having a yoga mat with the right length prevents accidents and misalignments. A few inches short and you’ll have your feet hanging off the mat on the floor. On the contrary, a very long mat might pose an inconvenience for your surroundings.
2. Width for Body Structure
Proper width ensures additional room for safe stretching. There’s no golden rule of one-size-fits-all here. You must choose a mat depending on your body structure and yoga requirements.
If you have broad shoulders, you might want a couple of extra inches than the standard size. Or even reduce the width down, if need be.
What is the Standard Size of a Yoga Mat vs. a Large Size?
1. Height & Width
A standard-size yoga mat ranges between 68 and 71 inches in length and 24 and 26 inches in width. That’s 172-180 and 61-66 centimeters, respectively. This suits the average height range of 5’3” and 5’7”.
Small-size mats are suitable for people below 5’3”, preferably for kids and teenagers. They are generally 60 inches long and 24 inches wide.
For people taller than 5’7”, there are extra-long mats available in the market. These start from 74 inches and might even go up to 85 inches to provide a successful yoga session.
2. Weight & Thickness
a. Lightweight Mats
b. Standard Mats
c. Heavy Mats
Heavy mats come with one main purpose — to provide better cushioning and an out-and-out non-slippery space. These are highly suitable for the elderly since they can support your knees and hips in one position for a long time.
They start from 0.23” and can even go to 0.47” (extra-heavy)! As guessed, they are too bulky, and extra cushioning might even become an obstacle in your sessions.
Yoga Mats Dimensions of Top-rated Mats Available Online?
Given below is a detailed comparison of some of the top-selling yoga mattresses in the market for adults:
Brand | Length | Width | Thickness | Weight | Price (USD) |
JadeYoga Harmony (short) | 68” | 24” | 0.19” | 4.3lbs | $84.95 |
JadeYoga Harmony (standard) | 71” | 24” | 0.19” | 4.3lbs | $84.95 |
JadeYoga Harmony (long) | 74” | 24” | 0.19” | 4.6lbs | $89.95 |
Manduka Pro (standard) | 71” | 26” | 0.23” | 7.5lbs | $94.92 |
Manduka Pro (long) | 85” | 26” | 0.23” | 9.5lbs | $129 |
78” | 78” | 0.23” | 26lbs | – | |
79” | 52” | 0.23” | 22lbs | – | |
71” | 26” | 0.24” | 4.4lbs | $98 | |
84” | 28” | 0.19” | 7.05lbs | $124 | |
71” | 26” | 0.19” | 4.9lbs | $138 | |
72.83” | 26.77” | 0.17” | 5.5lbs | $149.95 |
Here are the best available yoga mattresses for kids:
Brand | Length | Width | Thickness | Weight | Price (USD) |
60” | 24” | 0.11” | 1.81lbs | $19 | |
59” | 23” | 0.11” | 4.4lbs | $68 | |
Jade Kids Natural Rubber | 44” | 19” | – | – | – |
Why Do You Need A Yoga Mat of the Correct Size?
1. Prevents Injuries
The contact points of your body — hand, feet, knees, and back are highly prone to stress when practicing yoga on the wrong mat. Too thin, and you’re welcoming backaches, sore feet, and knees. Too thick, and you might trip on the cushion.
A correct-sized yoga mat is thus inevitable for a successful yoga session.
2. Maintains Sanitation
3. Assists in Carrying Out Different Yoga Forms
Did you know that yoga mats come out in various shapes (yes, not just sizes) to perform different yoga techniques?
For example, a circular yoga mat aids in meditative cooldowns and provides better cushioning for yoga that requires continuous sitting. On the other hand, square yoga mats are perfect for parent-child yoga sessions since they offer much more room than your standard size.
Some mats are built specifically for restorative poses to maintain balance and stillness with protection. Similarly, there are mats to practice prenatal yoga, Kundalini yoga, etc., as well as hypoallergenic mattresses to avoid triggering latex or rubber allergies.
4. Complements Your Body Structure and Shape
Besides standard sizes, there are various mats available to suit a myriad of body requirements. For example, people with hourglass body shapes can go for hourglass mats. Pregnant women can choose extra-wide mats to guarantee protection and room for flexibility. Extra-thick or extra-foam mattresses are ideal for the elderly and people with physical disabilities.
Other Factors to Consider When Buying Yoga Mats Online
1. Location
There’s a striking difference between mats for indoor and outdoor yoga. If you’re practicing yoga at home on a carpeted floor, a thin mat might work. However, for hard and rough surfaces, you must have a slightly thicker mat.
In addition, you’ll also need to sort out mat requirements based on how far you are traveling. Lightweight mats are portable and hence more suitable than heavy mats for carrying.
2. Budget
3. Texture/Material
A variety of yoga mat materials have dominated the market including PVC, TPE, PER, rubber, and cork/jute on rubber.
PVC is cheap and good for beginners, but not ideal for high-intensity yoga workouts due to its slippery surface. TPE and cork on rubber are relatively better when it comes to grip, with the latter being antimicrobial. Mats made of natural rubber or latex provide excellent grip and are easy to clean.
Some mats also have acupuncture/acupressure surfaces to apply pressure on certain body parts and reduce pain.
4. Environment-Friendly
What’s better than a peaceful yoga workout that’s safe for you as well as the environment? Eco-friendly yoga mats are all the rage today and cork/jute on rubber are winners in biodegradability, recyclability, and renewability.
FAQs
Both the thickness and size of a yoga mat are equally important.
Yoga mats with a thickness of 4mm are ideal for traveling and Vinyasa yoga with quicker movements. While 6mm thickness suits at-home workouts and yoga poses which require longer sittings.
So, What Yoga Size Is the Best?
The only “best” size of a yoga mat is the one that suits your requirements. There are standard sizes available in the market based on height which you can compare your needs with. However, do not haste and settle for one without conducting proper research. Having a yoga mat with the right size, material and purpose will only contribute to elevating your experience.
Keep in mind the type of yoga you’re practicing, its material, location, and your body structure when buying a mat. You must also consider the number of people using the mat at the same time in case your children (or even pets) are going to participate.
Ensure you tick all these checkboxes in this yoga mat size guide and you’ll definitely end up with your perfect match!