Exercise Mat vs Yoga Mat: Which Gorilla Mat is Right for You?

June 20, 2018

You may be wondering, what's the difference between Gorilla Mats Premium Large Exercise Mats and the Premium Large Yoga Mats.

You're not the first one to ask.

Gorilla Mats come in two styles, so you can have a premium large mat that perfectly suits your workout.

 

Let's take a look at the similarities and differences between the two to help you choose your ideal mat.

Shoes or No Shoes?

Perhaps the biggest difference between our exercise and yoga mats is that our exercise mats are designed to be used with shoes.

They feature a ultra high-density top layer that is made for heavy use.

They’re a little firmer which makes them more suitable for high impact and high intensity exercises.

Our yoga mats are designed with a softer, "stickier" top layer, which makes them more comfortable for stretches and mat-based moves while you’re in your bare feet.

Popular Workouts for our Exercise Mats:

• P90X
• Insanity
• T25
• HIIT
• Cardio
• Kettlebell
• Kickboxing
• Weightlifting
• Jump Rope
• Under a Punching Bag
• Plyometrics
• Dance workouts
• Any other High Intensity app or DVD Workout with shoes

Popular Uses for our Yoga Mats:

• Yoga
• Pilates
• Stretching
• Foam Rolling
• PiYo
• Barefoot exercises - (situps, pushups, calisthenics)
• Power Yoga
• Barre
• Meditation
• Baby Playmat
• Tai Chi

 

Eco-Friendly and Non-Toxic

Both types of Gorilla Mats are made of eco-friendly, high-density foam. These non-toxic materials are our material of choice because it is both safer for you and the environment.

We test extensively for elements such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and Phthalates among many others.

With either of our mats, you won’t have to worry about that mysterious chemical smell that many other yoga and fitness mats have.

 

Anti-Slip Top and Bottom

Whether you choose an exercise or yoga mat, your mat will have a special circular, non-slip backing that prevents your mat from sliding on the floor during your workout.

The top layer of both mat styles are also slip-resistant to help you maintain balance and stability for any and every workout.

 

Weighing In

Another significant difference between our exercise and yoga mats is their weight.

Although Gorilla Mats yoga mats are wider and thicker, they are generally lighter which makes them easier to roll up and pick up for storage.

For our poplar 6 x 4' size, Gorilla Mats exercise mats are about two pounds heavier when compared to the same same yoga mat.

Keep in mind, heavier can be better.  If you do a lot of high intensity exercises, heavier mats will be less likely to want to move.

Our mats all include an anti-slip bottom, but it doesn't hurt to have a few more pounds to resist your kicking and jumping.

 

Noise Reduction

Because of their durability, our exercise mats are capable of taking a tough beating from your workouts. The thickness of our mats helps reduce noise in your workout space, which is great if your home happens to be an apartment or you work out while your kids are sleeping.

In fact, they’re so tough that they’ve become popular mats for home workout equipment, such as kettle bells, stationary bikes or elliptical machines.

Our yoga mats are softer and made for comfort and more gentle exercises that involve less impact.

 

What Size Do You Need?

While Gorilla Mats yoga and exercise mats come in several different sizes, and even our smallest mats are about 2x larger than your average yoga mat.

Even our 6 x 4' mats give you the freedom to move comfortably throughout your workout.

To determine which size you need, measure the space where you’ll be using your mat and choose the yoga or exercise Gorilla Mat closest to that size.

Want to cover you entire room, basement, or garage?  We have many amazing customers who have used Gorilla Mats to create their dream home gym or studio.

 

Made for Comfort

Both our yoga and exercise are made to be thicker and more comfortable than most every other mat on the market.

Our yoga mats are 8mm thick, which provides lots of cushion for your joints in even the most challenging yoga poses.

Our exercise mats are 6mm (1/4") thick, and this thickness is one of the numerous features that makes them durable yet comfortable.

With our high-density foam, thickness and comfort does not sacrifice stability.  Unlike some thick exercise mats, you won't feel like your working out on a foam sponge.

 

Which Mat Fits Your Needs?

So if you’ve been wondering which Gorilla Mat is right for you, keep these features in mind.

The most important thing to remember is that if you like to keep your shoes on, then our exercise mat is the mat for you.

But if you like to feel your mat with your toes off while working out, then you’ll probably want the extra comfort of our yoga mat.

If you have any questions about our mats, please contact us today. We want you to choose the mat that fits you and your workout best!

Check out our full selection of Top Rated and Best Selling Gorilla Mats today!

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