When taking a yoga or pilates class you might notice that the mats look similar.
Do i need a yoga mat for pilates.
For pilates it is imperative that the mat is thicker and or denser than a yoga mat.
That s because pilates means rolling on your back quite a lot which means that you need a mat that has plenty of cushioning to comfort and support you when doing so otherwise you would end up with terrible back pain.
These mats range from 1 4 to 1 2 inch thickness.
You can use the same mat in both types of classes but there are some differences to consider based on your comfort level and needs.
Yoga employs many more standing exercises which require a thin mat that supports better proprioception and balance.
Depending on your preferred style of yoga you might end up sweating quite a bit during your session.
The cushion of the mat will help protect your joints throughout practice.
You will need a yoga mat if you plan to do at home yoga or pilates and core portions of barre.
If you want to get a mat for both yoga and pilates you can get 1 4 inch yoga mat so you can do both activities and be comfortable at the same time.
Just like a mat s thickness the density of the mat must also be considered when getting a yoga and pilates mat.
Pilates on the other hand uses the mat for a larger volume of exercises on your back and your stomach.
Mat thickness and texture make a difference when it comes to balance poses in yoga whereas padding is more important in pilates when you re rolling lying on your side and putting.
Get one that is at least 6mm thick these shouldn t set you back more than 30.