The Best Pilates Mats For Crushing Your New Year's Resolutions With

(Image credit: Amazon)

published 1 January 2021

You said you would start working out regularly in 2022. But with so many gyms and studios shuttered due to COVID-19 restrictions, it can be hard to get motivated. Enter: Pilates mats. (And no, you can't just use the yoga mat that you have lying around from last year.) Pilates mats differ from yoga mats because they're thicker—usually by about half an inch—and are more dense. Because Pilates utilizes a lot more floor work than yoga, its mats are designed to provide more support as you move through the workout. Yoga, on the other hand, requires a thinner mat to provide better balance during standing poses. So, yes, you need a Pilates-specific mat—and to help you out, we've listed our favorites.

Stott Pilates - Deluxe Pilates Mat

Best for Beginners

This mat is a cult favorite for a reason. It's made from closed-cell foam (a fancy way of saying that it won't dry out and crack after years of use) and offers professional-level quality at a relatively affordable price.

balanced body - Balanced Body Aeromat Workout Mat

Biggest Mat

This mat is larger than most, making it the most versatile option on this list. Although it's intended for Pilates, it can be used for basically any floor workout.

Aeromat - Aeromat Elite Workout Mat With Eyelets

Best All-Around Mat

With a durable nonslip surface, eyelets for easy hanging storage, this mat is ideal for both indoor and outdoor workouts. It's also super easy to clean and lightweight enough to carry when rolled up.

Gaiam - Reversible Dandelion Roar Mat

Best Reversible Mat

This pretty patterned mat is also latex free and non-toxic. Its textured pattern makes it good for beginners who might slip while trying new positions.

SPRI - Exercise Mat

Fan Favorite Mat

This option has over 900 5-star reviews. It comes in three colors and is both lightweight and thick, giving both beginners and Pilates pros the best of both worlds.

ProsourceFit - Extra Thick Yoga and Pilates Mat 1”

Thickest Pilates Mat

Most Pilates mats are half an inch thick. This one is double that. Choose this mat for extra support during your workout.

Manduka - PRO Yoga and Pilates Mat

Best if You're Tall

This mat is a little thinner than most other Pilates mats, which means it's easier for travel and can work for both Pilates and yoga. Its thinness also means that it absorbs less sweat than other mats, so it's less prone to grow bacteria over time.

Airex - Coronella Exercise Mat, Green

Best Pro Mat

For the ultimate at-home gym experience, consider splurging on this mat from Airex. It's similar to the ones you find at your local studio, so it's worth investing in if you can't leave the house.

Mind Reader - All Purpose 1/2 Extra Thick Mat

Best On-The-Go Mat

This mat checks all the boxes. It's well priced, is perfect for Pilates or yoga, and comes with a handy travel strap.

Retrospec - Retrospec Solana Mat

Best Color Selection

Want a new mat to match each of your gym looks? This mat from Retrospec comes in over 20 shades.

Sivan Health and Fitness - Extra Thick Comfort Foam Mat

Best Non-Slip Mat

This mat is designed with memory foam to support your body as you move through your workout. One side of the mat is ribbed while the other is smooth, ensuring that it won't slide around as you get into trickier positions.

Toplus - Pro Yoga Mat

Best Waterpoof Mat

This mat is perfect for those who love an outdoor Pilates session. It's moisture-resistant texture will keep you from slipping and sliding as you go.

HemingWeigh - Exercise Mat for Yoga and Pilates

Top-Rated on Amazon

With over 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this affordable mat should be your go-to. It even comes with a handy shoulder strap that makes commuting from the gym a breeze.

Khataland - YoFoMat

Best Folding Mat

This mat folds instead of rolls for easy transport. Stick in your bag after a workout and you're good to go in no time.

Julia Marzovilla is the Fashion E-Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she reviews the latest launches from fashion and beauty brands, finds the best on-sale items around the internet, and interviews experts to find the best products in any category to share with her readers. She also creates shopping guides that span every vertical on the site as an expert in everything from the best laptop bags to the best laser hair removal devices.

In her near decade of experience, Julia has both written for several top outlets in the E-Commerce space and worked at major fashion labels. Prior to joining the Marie Claire team, she contributed similar shopping stories to sites such as Bustle, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, and worked as the Trending Fashion and News Writer STYLECASTER. You can find her across the internet at @JuliaMarzovilla. In real life, you can find her creating shopping guides for her friends, cooking or baking in her too-small kitchen, or buying tickets for the next time Harry Styles is in town.

Julia has a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Journalism from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. She lives in New York City, her hometown.