How often do you have to get a new yoga mat?

[LauraMax]

I'm getting ready to buy my 4th in 3 years. Weird b/c my other equipment doesn't wear out that fast. I guess a step wouldn't b/c it's much more durable, but I've been using the same stability ball for years without so much as a pinhole.

So my latest is ragged around the edges & has little holes all over the place. WTH? It's barely over a year old.

Anyway, I'm now looking for one that's extra thick & extra large. Any suggestions?

 

[kathryn]

www.huggermugger.com has a wide selection of mats, including some bigger,thicker ones.

 

[LauraMax]

Golly they're expensive! And they're all 1/4 inch thick, except the cotton one which looks really nice but I don't think I'm ready to drop $100 on a yoga mat.

Do they just not come more than 1/4 inch thick? That's all I've found in my search & I was hoping for something more like 1/2 inch.

 

[4fitNphun]

Hi LauraMAx

Here is one I found.. 1/2" thickness. I saw Keli Roberts using one of those Aeromats in one of her workout DVDS.

http://www.pilates-exercise-direct....ats_20_inch_Aeromat_Workout_Exercise_Yoga_Mat

Penny

 

[kathryn]

>Golly they're expensive! And they're all 1/4 inch thick,
>except the cotton one which looks really nice but I don't
>think I'm ready to drop $100 on a yoga mat.


The Mandara Max mat is only 1/4" thick, but it looks very sturdy, and like it would be long-lasting (I have a similar type I bought from www.beachbody.com that I use as a plyo mat and a yoga mat).

>Do they just not come more than 1/4 inch thick? That's all
>I've found in my search & I was hoping for something more like
>1/2 inch.

I'm pretty sure I've seen them thicker than 1/4", but obviously it wasn't Hugger Mugger (some other yoga catalog I got). Seems like most places consider 1/4" thick to be 'thick'! This mat on sale) is 1/4" thick as well, and they call it "Extra thick": http://www.karatedepot.com/yo-ma-30.html

 

[6Swans4me]

Harmony Mats sells a 5/16" extra long mat. I have a mat in this thickness, but not in the extra long size. I bought mine at a local yoga studio for less than sold online. They are made in Conshohocken, PA. If you're interested, contact the company to find a local dealer. These are rubber mats. You don't put them in the washer. Just wipe them down or soak them in the tub. If you soak them in the tub, it'll take about 4-5 days to fully dry.

I use this mat for power heated yoga ::read sweat::. I haven't had any problems with it bunching up or slipping. I also drape a regular cotten towel over it when I start dripping puddles of sweat. The towel does not slide around on it either.

http://www.yogasite.com/yoga_store/mat-03l516.html

Company's website:
http://www.jadeyoga.com/

 

[Stebby]

I've had my Manduka Black Mat for 7 years and it looks pretty much the same as it did when I first bought it. I think I paid about $75 (Canadian) for it at the time but my teacher said it was a good investment -- he was right.

http://www.manduka.com

 

[kathryn]

>I've had my Manduka Black Mat for 7 years and it looks pretty
>much the same as it did when I first bought it. I think I
>paid about $75 (Canadian) for it at the time but my teacher
>said it was a good investment -- he was right.

I have that mat as well, and I agree that it is very sturdy. Unless your yoga practice involves a steam roller, I don't see how it would fray or get holes in.

By the way, I think the reason most yoga mats aren't that thick is because with thicker mats, you can lose proprioception in the feet, and with yoga, you want to be able to ground through the feet in standing poses and use the small muscles in your feet to help with balance (same reason one doesn't wear shoes for yoga).