Hot yoga is yoga performed in a heated studio. This helps your muscles stretch and causes you to burn more calories. If you're planning on participating in a hot yoga class, you probably want to bring your own mat.
Classes involve a lot of sweat, which can soak into your mat and cause problems during your workout.
To participate in hot yoga, you need a mat that absorbs sweat and won't slide around. With so many options on the market, which one do you buy? To save you time, we've gathered a list of the best products available.
Top 5: Yoga Mats for Hot Yoga Review
Product Image & Rating (Out Of 10) | Product Name | Price |
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9.7 | ||
9.5 | ||
9.1 | ||
9.9 | ||
9.3 |
UGA's take on the non slip yoga mat is sleek and defined, with two separate layers that provide grip and stability. The upper layer is made of polyurethane, perfect for absorbing moisture. The more you sweat, the more the mat clings to your feet, which is exactly what you need in a hot yoga session.
The bottom layer of the mat is composed of TPE, or thermoplastic elastomer, which provides a cushioned and stable base that grips to the floor. Both of these materials are easy to clean and odor free, with a manufacturer promise that your mat won't crack or stretch.
As a bonus, the IUGA Mat is both wider and thinner than traditional mats. The mat is 72 inches long and 26 inches wide, has a thickness of 5 millimeters, and only weighs in at 2.5 pounds. You'll have plenty of space to practice and will barely notice the weight as you transport your mat to and from the studio.
Reviewers mention that IUGA's yoga mat is one of the few non slip options on the market - and it actually works.
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Heathyoga enters the game with an entirely different take on non slip mats. Both the bottom and top surfaces of this product are textured; the bottom has a tire tread pattern that clings to the floor, while the top contains gentle ridges that stick to your hands and feet. These two layers create a unique, dual colored design that really pops.
This mat is composed of TPE, or thermoplastic elastomer. This type of rubber is far more environmentally friendly than other common materials, like PVC, NBR, or EVA. It's also low odor, which is great for yogis with sensitive noses.
The cherry on top of the Heathyoga Mat is the body alignment system printed directly onto the mat surface. Subtle markings help you determine where to place your hands and feet. This keeps you on track as you move between poses and helps you get the most out of your practice session.
The Heathyoga mat is 6 millimeters thick, just a little thicker than the last product. It's also 72 inches long and 26 inches wide, providing plenty of room for your practice session.
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According to the manufacturer, the Premi-OM Yoga Mat is absorbent enough to eliminate the need for a yoga towel. The top is made of porous, antimicrobial material that's perfect for your hot yoga session. The bottom is composed of ridged TPE to keep you stable during practice.
Youphoria also mentions that their mat is odor free, unlike many on the market. A good trick for most of these products is to air them out before use; this removes any plastic or chemical smells. Youphoria mentions that you can use their mat out of the box, letting you get straight into that yoga practice session.
This one is also extremely lightweight compared to others on this list. At 6 millimeters thick, 72 inches long, and 24 inches wide, the mat somehow manages to weigh only 2 pounds.
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The Aurorae Synergy 2 in 1 Mat comes with a microfiber towel integrated directly into the mat surface. This means that, instead of the plastic surface of a standard option, you'll be exercising on a soft, fabric material that absorbs and removes sweat. Towels often slide around on top of a mat; but since this towel is built in, you'll have one of the most stable practice sessions ever.
This mat is designed specifically with the considerations of hot yoga in mind. The design is patented, so you won't find this kind of mat anywhere else. And according to reviewers, the non slip surface actually works, keeping you in place during your entire session.
The biggest benefit of this mat is how easy it is to clean. Unlike other mats, which need to be aired out and wiped down, the Synergy 2 in 1 can be washed in a front load washing machine and hung out to dry. Hot yoga makes your mat sweaty, so we think the ability to wash it is a definitive plus.
The Synergy 2 in 1 is 72 inches long and 24 inches wide. The microfiber surface is bonded to a 5 millimeter thick yoga mat underneath for a cushioned but balanced experience.
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A hot yoga mat needs to be both absorbent and non slip. Most mats handle the non slip factor just fine; but how do you soak up all that sweat?
The answer is a yoga towel. They are special, non slip towels that sit on top of your yoga mat during your session. Yoga Mate's Perfect Yoga Towel is 64 inches long and 24 inches wide, made to fit comfortably on top of most yoga mats. The towel is constructed from soft microfiber that can, after an initial wash, be thrown into your regular laundry cycle.
It is extremely absorbent, reducing the amount of sweat that reaches your mat. With no sweat, there's no slip; because of this, the towel doesn't have any additional grips on the bottom surface. Since the towel is sized for your mat, you shouldn't notice more than a little slipping and sliding.
Perfect Yoga Towels come in a wide variety of colors.
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hot yoga mat Buying Guide
Our list includes some of the best options on the market. The IUGA Pro Non Slip Yoga Mat is made of thin polyurethane and TPE, resulting in a sleek non slip surface that will cling perfectly to the studio floor.
The Heathyoga Eco Friendly Non Slip Yoga Mat uses textured surfaces to keep you stable and takes advantage of their body alignment system to guide you through your flow. Both of these innovative mats will keep you from sliding around.
Another way to prevent slipping is to soak up extra sweat. The Youphoria Yoga Premi-OM Yoga Mat has an absorbent antimicrobial surface that pulls sweat away while you work out. The Yoga Mate Perfect Yoga Towel can be added to one of these mats or to your existing mat for additional absorption and slip protection.
best hot yoga mat
Ultimately, we recommend the Aurorae Synergy 2 in 1 Yoga Mat. The unique combination of absorbent towel and stable mat creates a truly slip free experience that can't be matched. Check out the Synergy mat right away - it's exactly the tool your hot yoga practice needs.
Commonly Asked Questions
What Makes a Good Hot Yoga Mat?
It needs to be thick for comfort, but not too squishy, or it might interfere with your balance. It should be easy to clean, especially if you'll be participating in hot yoga, and it should be equally easy to transport to and from the studio. For hot yoga, you'll also need to consider two major elements:
Grip
Sweat makes things slippery, and slippery surfaces are terrible for yoga. Look for a yoga mat that will stick to the floor (and your feet) and keep you from sliding around.
Absorption
All of that sweat needs to go somewhere. When it comes to hot yoga mats, you have two choices: buy a non-slip mat and a yoga towel to go with it, or purchase an absorbent mat that has a towel built in. Most yoga towels have a grip surface that sticks to the mat underneath.
10 tips for yoga beginners
Lots of people are either already into yoga or looking to give it a try. Yoga is an exercise that unites your mind, body, and spirit to improve wellness.Yoga involves breathing techniques combined with poses that increases focus, flexibility, and inner tranquility. There’s a surplus of benefits associated with yoga, including:
• better cardiovascular health
• protects against injury
• balances metabolism
• encourages weight loss
In addition to the physical benefits, yoga improves mental and emotional wellness. For instance, yoga manages stress levels, which works as preventative care for numerous health ailments.
Getting into yoga may seem intimidating, especially for beginners. Luckily, there’s a number of ways to get into yoga, even if you’ve never tried before.
Tips for Yoga Beginners
1. Let go of all expectations.
One of the main reasons people shy away from yoga is personal expectations. For instance, you may assume you’ll do better with yoga being flexible. Simply trying to consider the time it’ll take to gain flexibility creates discouragement.
When you begin practicing yoga, you must let go of any preconceived notions. When you translate the word yoga, it means union. Therefore, the purpose of yoga is uniting with yourself, not becoming as flexible as a pretzel.
When you practice yoga, your focus should be on alignment, which should come easily. During yoga, your breath, body, and mind become one, so focus on that more than mastering poses. The longer you practice, the poses will become easier.
Another expectation among new yoga practitioners is you must start young. Oftentimes, people associate youth with greater ability. Like the old saying goes, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
This concept, however, doesn’t apply to achieving mental wellness. Even if you struggle a bit in the beginning, practicing yoga is a journey. Once you align your body and mind, your body can achieve anything you desire.
Most of all, don’t compare your yoga journey with others. It may be discouraging to see someone progressing seemingly faster than you. Don’t let that hinder your path.
If you consider your practice a journey rather than a competition, your motivation increases. If you commit, you’ll progress in your own time. If it helps, talk to your peers about their beginning and how they’ve progressed overtime.
2. Find a great teacher.
Although you can learn on your own, you’ll learn better with a qualified yoga teacher. Yoga teachers provide guidance on which poses are best for you to begin with and what works for your body.
Essentially, they make creating a blueprint for your yoga journey easier.
Nowadays, you can find a class or even learn from a yoga practitioner in the privacy of your home. With such a vast market of teachers, a little research will help you find a qualified teacher.
Teachers are also beneficial because they teach you how to prevent injuries. As a beginner, you’ll be excited to practice and may not consider some of the potential dangers. Your teacher will walk you through techniques and how to avoid injury.
If you have preexisting health conditions, it’s recommended you discuss them with your teacher as well as your doctor. Understanding your physical health history ensures your teacher can better create a regimen for you that won’t further your current injuries.
Eventually, you’ll begin learning your body and techniques well enough to practice yoga on your own. Over time, you’ll learn to use your intuition during your yoga sessions. Until then, take advantage of the insight a professional yoga practitioner provides.
3. Don’t worry about the clothes.
It’s okay to purchase yoga clothes, but your clothes don’t determine your ability to practice yoga. Therefore, don’t feel obligated to buy expensive yoga pants. As long as your clothes are comfortable and you avoid wearing jewelry, you’ll be fine.
When deciding what to wear, consider your surroundings as well as your routine poses. For example, you wouldn’t want your peers seeing your curves as you pose, so it’s wise to avoid form-fitting yoga clothes.
Make sure you have full coverage with enough room to move appropriately.
Instead of investing in expensive clothing, use that money and purchase your own equipment. Having your own mat makes yoga a lot more convenient, especially when practicing at home.
The ability to carry your own yoga gear allows you to pull it out anytime and find your zen.
4. Practice yoga early in the morning.
Yoga studies show that practicing before sunrise is best for optimal results. Practicing between four and six in the morning are peak cognitive functioning hours. Therefore, waking up a bit earlier helps mentally prepare you for the rest of the day.
This is especially great for parents. If you wake up early, you’ll have enough time to focus before your children wake up and start their routine. Depending on how early they wake up, you can practice as a family.
If you don’t have time in the morning, it’s important you make time during the day. You can even practice after work or before your nighttime routine. Doing it at your convenience is better than not practicing at all.
5. Practice yoga on an empty stomach.
One of the greatest reasons you should practice yoga during peak hours is you’ll have an empty stomach. If possible, avoid eating for two or three hours prior to doing yoga. If you drink water, drink minimal amounts before you begin.
The purpose of yoga is to find mental and physical peace. When you try doing yoga after eating, you’ll feel discomfort, especially if you’ve eaten a heavy meal. Practicing yoga on a full stomach also interferes with digestion.
When you do eat, be mindful of the type of foods you ingest. Yoga improves physical and mental wellness, so it’s important to eat foods that positively impact your body and mind.
Since yoga is considered physical activity, you’ll need to drink two to three liters of water daily to stay hydrated and help eliminate toxins. Your diet should consist of sattvic foods, including:
•fresh fruits and vegetables
•legumes
•mild spices
•protein-rich bars and shakes
•dairy products
6. Set an intention before every session.
Consider setting an intention before each yoga session. Setting an intention for a productive day or inner peace gives you time to meditate on your goals.
Remember, your body follows your thought pattern, so training your mind to achieve a goal creates success.
In addition to setting mental intentions for yourself, you can also set physical ones. For instance, if you feel tension in certain areas, your session intention can be to stretch those muscles for relief.
7. Take your time.
Obviously, you’ll want to see progression. Once you begin, momentum naturally causes you to push harder and harder. Nonetheless, make sure you listen to your body and work at a comfortable and safe pace.
Competition is everywhere, whether it’s with ourselves or others. Sometimes, we thrive with a bit of friendly competition. In yoga, however, haste is counterproductive. Overexerting yourself can cause bodily harm and actually set you back.
Traditionally, practicing yoga promotes steadiness, comfortability, and self-reflection. When you rush, you’re more likely to feel mental unrest. Mental anguish also increases cortisol levels, which further causes bodily harm.
To fully reap yoga’s benefits, work at your own pace. When posing, your muscles should be at ease. Start with what you’re comfortable doing and slowly increase intensity.
Use your breathing to measure your level of comfortability. For instance, longer, light breaths indicate ease and muscle relaxation while uneven breaths indicate overexertion. Pay attention to your breaths while posing and adjust accordingly.
8. Commit
As the saying goes, if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. When you put off practicing yoga, you’ll slowly lose both inner peace and flexibility. Therefore, you must make practicing yoga a habit to receive more benefits.
You don’t have to practice for hours every session. In fact, it’s better to do shorter sessions more often than periodically doing long sessions. Fifteen minutes sessions everyday provide greater benefits than an hour long session two to three times a week.
As your flexibility increases, you raise your body’s set point. This is based on muscle memory. Making a habit of posing even helps you regain flexibility after taking a break.
9. Do your research.
All poses aren’t created equal. Therefore, it’s best to find poses that work for you as an individual. Sure, there are popular poses everyone recommends as a beginner, but make sure you’re doing them to your benefit.
The best way to create your yoga routine is through research. Take your personal characteristics into consideration as you look for poses and techniques. A few things to research are:
• How will my underlying health conditions impact my yoga regimen?
• What are my fitness goals?
• How much free time do I have to achieve my goals?
• Do I prefer a physical or virtual yoga class?
Although practicing yoga is a journey, you don’t want to waste time, energy, or money. Focus on learning what you need to achieve results.
Research extends beyond surfing the web. If you want to take in-studio yoga classes, pay your potential studios a visit. Oftentimes, the employees as well as instructors love yoga and love helping newcomers find their home.
While you’re visiting studios, you may even get an opportunity to sit in on a class. This gives you an opportunity to meet other yogis and build relationships. If you’re lucky, you may find a studio with a free membership trial.
10. Enjoy yourself!
Of course, yoga keeps your physical and mental muscles in shape. Just because yoga is good for you doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. In fact, enjoyment should be a reason you decide to practice.
Think about the activities you enjoy doing most. Why do you participate in them? More than likely, enjoyment is one of the benefits.
When you practice yoga with a light heart and cheerful attitude, you’re at ease, minimizing your chance of injury. When you’re in a good mood, your mind is also in a better place to reap the benefits of working out.
If you enjoy your sessions, you’ll also make a habit of practicing. We’ve all been forced to do something we didn’t want to do. Once we had the opportunity to use free will, that dreadful pastime became a thing of the past.
Before you begin, set an intention to enjoy your sessions. After a while, you’ll learn the traditional and technical aspects well enough to discern which ones you like.
If it’ll help, find someone to do yoga with you. Just like any other workout, it’s always more fun with a buddy. If you have kids, yoga is a great and fun way to get your family together and in shape.
Yoga has a number of health benefits for your body, mind, and spirit. Even as a beginner, you can achieve total wellness and have a good time. Practicing yoga is also great for every generation.
Before you begin, it’s wise to take your health into consideration. If you have a health condition or you’re pregnant, speak to your doctor about necessary safety precautions.
In addition to practicing yoga, make sure you stay on top of your health. Be sure you eat a healthy, balanced diet and drink enough water. It’s also important you get adequate amounts of rest.
Even as a newbie, you can improve your health with patience, dedication, and a yoga mat.
