As lifestyles have become advanced, physical fitness has become all the more important. With our previously calm lifestyle just running and drinking water was enough to keep one fit. But as lifestyles have become advanced, people get less and less physical activity and hence it has become necessary to actively work-out. This physical fitness translates to going to the gym or doing active yoga.
With lives becoming complex, people have found new ways of staying fit. One of the most common ways is by performing aerial yoga which helps in building strength. This is a form of yoga where you are suspended above the ground and are asked to do anti-gravity poses. Aerial yoga can be really challenging, therefore it is necessary to practice these poses with some caution. This means you should be aware of the poses you are doing, make sure you have all the accessories needed, and wear clothes that provide you extra protection. It is impossible to eradicate the chance of falling down when performing yoga. So, the next best thing you can do is make sure you are protected even if you do fall. For this, aerial yoga crash mats are extremely important.
See Also:
- Ceiling Hooks for Yoga Trapezes
- Yoga Trapeze Extension Straps
- Aerial Rigging Equipments
- Rotational Devices for Aerial Yoga
Crash mats are mats you use while performing aerial yoga, so if you fall you fall on the mat and not on the ground. It is a necessary thing when doing swings, drops, tumbles, flips, etc. These mats provide you with the necessary protection as well as the surety that if you fall, your body will be protected by the mat.
Selecting A Crash Mats
Before selecting a crash mat, make sure you are aware of your needs, space availability, budget, and portability requirements. Awareness of your needs is the first step towards getting the right crash mat for yourself.
There are different types of mats available:
- Landing mats- these are crash mats that are used in activities where you are above the ground. They provide you support when you fall on the floor hence they need to have a nice density to them.
- Foam mats- these are used when you don’t need a high level of cushioning. They prevent you from injuries and are generally used for aerial dance or martial arts.
- Non-folding mats- Usually used for large areas. These are generally made of thicker materials.
Here are the Best Folding Crash Mats
These are many crash mat options available in the market. These provide different levels of support and cushioning. We have mentioned some of the best crash mats available out there:
BalanceForm Tri-Fold Folding Gymnastic Mat
This is a great value-for-money mat that has a triple fold design. It comes in multiple colors including purple, pink, black, and blue. The mat has a two-inch-thick foam. The foldable design makes it easy to transport and fold, it is also lightweight and comes with handles on the side. It is moisture resistant. When open, the mat is 6 feet long 2 feet wide.
Aduro Sport Folding Gymnastics Mat
This is a 6 feet long and 2 feet wide mat with 1.5″ thickness. It comes with a high-density EPE foam and weighs just 4 lbs. This mat is extremely lightweight and can be triple folded. It also has handles on the sides making it easy to carry. This mat is great for yoga, aerobics, and pilates. It also comes with a zipper for each panel which allows you to wash the covers separately and keeps your mat clean for long.
Giantex Giant Folding Mat
This is a large mat that can be easily folded into four parts. It is a lightweight indoor as well as an outdoor mat that can be transported easily. It has a two-inch thick EPE foam that provides high levels of safety. It is abrasion-resistant. It also has sewn handles on both ends making it easy to hold. The best part of this mat is the outer PU leather material that makes it waterproof.
Z Athletic Gymnastics Mat
This triple fold mat comes with a 2” thickness and 2ft X 6ft size. This is a standard size that will support your entire body while still being compact enough to fit in a small space. It is made of polyethylene foam interior and a heavy-duty vinyl exterior which makes it durable.
Juperbsky Balance Beam for Kids Gymnastics Practice
This is a great product for kids who are interested in aerial yoga or gymnastics. The foldable style makes it easy to pack and carry this to classes. It comes with a velcro bottom to keep the mat fixed at its place. It also comes with a waterproof covering.
Polar Aurora Thick Folding Gymnastics Mat
This High-density eco-friendly EPE Foam mat comes with a multi-folding system making this mat compact. It is made of 4 panels, with each panel 4′ x 2.5′ x 2″. One con is that the mat is half a foot shorter than what is advertised.
Best Choice Products Exercise Tri-Fold Gym Mat
This Tri-fold foam mat is designed with two carrying handles. It can handle multiple exercises and is 6ft by 2ft long. It has a 2 inch foam that can easily handle your weight and will absorb all shock. It comes with a PU leather outer covering which makes it easy to clean.
Thing To Consider Before Ordering A Crash Mat
Please consider the following things before buying a crash mat:
- Width of the mat- Different exercises requires a different width. If you are doing aerial yoga, you might need a mat wide enough to cover the area whereas if you are using a pull-up bar, you need a mat that is compact enough to fit where the door was.
- The thickness of the mat- If you are practicing aerial yoga and fall from a height, you need one with enough padding to bear the shock.
- Portability- If you are buying one for your home, portability is an important factor. Make sure you can store the mat easily.
- Material- Make sure you are not allergic to the material used on the mat. Certain materials get dirty easily, be aware of what you are buying.
- Price of the product.
It is common to fall while doing any type of workout. Your motive should not be to reduce the chances of falling, but to make sure that if you do you fall on a surface that can bear your weight. Having a crash mat is necessary as it provides you with extra protection while also making sure that you don’t injure yourself. These mats make you comfortable while doing those weird aerial yoga poses. They make sure that you know you will be well protected if you ever fall while exercising. These give you the added confidence to practice poses without any hesitation of hurting yourself.
