Caught the mat Pilates bug?
We have too!
The sweat, the funky positions, the burn! – mat Pilates puts new demands on your body in all the right ways.
It’s a challenge! And if you don’t have the right mat, it’s not an enjoyable one.
To do that, you need Pilates mat that offers the right balance of supportive, soft, and, of course, environmentally friendly too.
In this post, we’ll cover all you need to know to find the right eco Pilates mat for you!
What Makes a Good Pilates Mat?
Yoga and mat-based Pilates have many crossovers, but it’s the demands on your body that make this practice different.
A mat Pilates practice puts a lot of pressure on your knees, forearms, hips and lower back. You sweat more. There’s more body contact with the mat, and you still feel great after.
So, a good Pilates mat is cushioned yet firm, grippy, yet still soft on the skin, to offer support for your joints, and a grip that stays in place, and can still hold your mits, no matter how sweaty they get!
Here’s 3 Things to Think About Before You Buy an Eco Pilates Mat
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Does it support you?
To get the cushioning you need for Pilates, the mat needs to be thicker and grippier than your average yoga mat.
Too thin, your joints will ache as you practice. Too thick, the mat will move just as much as you do.
We recommend a 4mm thick mat to get that balance just right.
With this kind of support, your elbows, knees and any other boney parts will have a soft cushion, without compromising on your ability to balance easily.
A mat with good grip stays in place, and supports you as you move – so it’s grippy on both sides to prevent slipping.
At Downward Frog, our eco Pilates mats are topped with vegan suede that gets grippier as you sweat.
To support just how dynamic the practice can be, our natural rubber base not only sticks to the floor as you move, but it’s biodegradable too!
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What makes it an eco-friendly mat?
Environmentally friendly, first and foremost, should mean built to last – we’re talking years not months.
Have you ever bought a yoga mat and thought “wow, that smells like plastic?”
We have!
Cheaper mats are made of materials that aren’t just bad for the environment – as you inhale them, they are bad for you too.
To find a good eco-friendly mat for Pilates, pay attention to the materials used.
Look for natural rubber, coconut fibres, cork, or jute that offer high-quality alternatives that are gentle on the skin and durable.
These materials aren’t just natural and chemical-free – but they are really easy to wash. An eco friendly mat that you can pop in the washing machine is one you can really hold onto.
The final test?
Check what’s possible for your mat when it’s time to buy another. Will it go to the landfill? Or are the materials are biodegradable?
Brownie points if it can come back as a coaster.
3. Can you take your mat with you, wherever you go?
We know how it is.
As soon as you're on holiday – whether it’s a trip with the family, or a weekend getaway – the yoga mat is left at home, and your practice is out the window.
If you’re someone that is on-the-go often – a 2mm eco Pilates mat is the perfect companion that can go in any backpack or suitcase without adding too much weight.
Think:
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Having a mat topper you know is clean in new studios
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Folding your mat to practice in smaller spaces
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Mornings taking a mat to the beach
The key to the perfect Pilates travel mat is maintaining grip!
For this, we recommend choosing a natural rubber base; it’s kind to the environment, light, and super easy to fold.
An Eco Pilates Mat You Can Rely On
At Downward Frog, our collection of 4mm eco Pilates mats are supportive, stylish, and serious about grip!
Browse our range of vibrant designs to find a mat that matches you and your practice.