Nothing slips, nothing pinches: Yoga or Pilates are more fun on a good mat. But which sports documents can really convince? Stiftung Warentest has the answers.
If you can no longer find any grip on the mat with sweaty hands, even the best yoga class is no longer fun. Or if your knees hurt over time because the pad isn't cushioning properly. Which mats do you not have to worry about?
Stiftung Warentest has the answers to this question. Because the testers examined a total of 16 mats - 8 yoga and 8 gymnastics mats ("Test" issue 2/23). Are they non-slip, stable, handy and comfortable? An overview:
Yoga mats are thinner than gymnastics mats because you should be able to stand stably in a standing position. The testers are satisfied with most of the mats: seven come out of the test with the grade "good". One model scored "sufficient". The reason for the point deduction: latex proteins, which can cause a skin rash.
Test winner is the "Jade Harmony" mat from JadeYoga (grade 2.1). "Particularly non-slip and dimensionally stable even with intensive use," judge the testers. But the winner isn't perfect either: the mat smells intensely of rubber and, at over two kilograms, is heavier than other mats in the test, write the testers.
With a price of around 90 euros, the jade mat is one of the more expensive mats. There are cheaper underlays from Amazon ("Eono Multifunctional Yoga Mat", around 30 euros), Decathlon ("Kimjaly Light Yoga Mat", around 30 euros) and Yogistar ("Yogimat Pro", around 42.50 euros). They all come out of the test with a grade of 2.2 and thus share second place.
The product testers are far less satisfied with the exercise mats. Five of the eight mats are deducted because they contain too many pollutants. For example plasticizers, which can impair fertility in excessive amounts. With two models, the load is even so high that they fail the test with "inadequate" ("Adidas Training Mat ADMT - 12235", "Basic gymnastics mat from Powrx").
Only two gymnastics mats get the grade "good": the "Alex gymnastics mat Air-Pro" from Galeria (around 50 euros) and the model "Fitline 180" from Airex (around 70 euros).
How do you find a mat that suits you? According to Stiftung Warentest, it is best to check in advance whether the mat can be transported easily. Some models come with a lanyard or pouch, some don't. The dimensions should also fit, which is an issue especially for taller people. The Warentest advice: "Choose a model that is at least shoulder-width and body-length."
And as far as the material is concerned: Whether mats made of natural rubber are actually more environmentally friendly than petroleum-based plastics is controversial. According to the Federal Environment Agency, rubber tree plantations contribute to the clearing of tropical forest and the loss of species.
