A Pilates exercise mat is your most basic piece of Pilates equipment. Having a workout mat that you like will go a long way toward insuring a consistant home workout program. If you need to take one to your studio, it becomes important to have a mat that travels well. The Pilat mat reviews below will help you get a sense of the variety of portable workout mats that are available.
You might also want to read Before You Buy a Pilates Mat.
The Real Alignment Mat
(c)Alycea Ungaro
A roll up Pilates mat created by Alycea Ungaro, author of Pilates Body in Motion and owner of Real Pilates NYC, the Real Alignment mat has an illustration printed on it that is designed to help you keep good alignment as you do Pilates or yoga exercises. I think it's attractive and useful, though a little thin for some Pilates exercises.
24" x 72" x 1/4" $35.00
The Reversible Eco Conscious Mat
pricegrabber
This reversible, latex free, non-toxic Pilates or yoga mat is made by Gaiam. The eco-concious factor is the selling point, along with the price which is good for an eco mat. On the other hand, it is thin and it is not the sturdiest workout mat on the studio floor.
34"W x 68"L x .157" $39.98
The Aeromat from Balanced Body
(c)Balanced Body
This is currently my favorite portable Pilates mat. It's a nice, thick mat that offers good protection for rolling exercises even on a hard floor, yet isn't too squishy. This mat has basic closed cell workout mat construction, however, I did not a have any fumes issue with this mat. It aired out as quickly as an eco mat.
72" x 23" x 5/8" $50.00
The Pilates Express Mat
pricegrabber
A plus for this mat is that the velcro straps are part of the mat so you can roll it up and take it anywhere easily. It is a thick mat, similar to the Aeromat above, but maybe a little less dense. For me, the downside of this mat is that it produced toxic smelling fumes for two months after I bought it. I kept it in the garage. Now it has aired out completely and is a fine, medium-grade thick mat.
70" x 21.75" x .375" $32.95
Compare More Pilates Mats
pricegrabber
You can compare prices and styles of many different Pilates and yoga mats at pricegrabber.com. They often offer choices of more than one vendor with competing prices. Some of the mats above may be available at a lesser price on pricegrabber.
The Stott Pilates Eco-Friendly Mat (great colors) at pricegrabber is pictured here.
Also see: Tips on Rolling Mats - Keep them Clean
