Yoga mats

[Phteven]

I think the time has come that I need to buy my own yoga mat.
Pretty much my only criticism of my gym is that our yoga mats are waaay past their use by dates and they gross me out. Using the carpet is giving me housemaids knee on my knees and elbows.

Is there any difference between the cheap and the expensive yoga mats?

[LuluHB]

The cheap ones aren't usually as cushioned, but if you're putting them on a carpet surface then that's probably not an issue for you. I got one more top end because the floor where I go is wood so very hard through the cheaper, thinner ones.

I can't use the gym/studio ones either = ewwwww

[Sopdet]

Onyx - I'm going to be talking to my yoga instructor about the best one next weekend when I'm visiting her, will give you feedback on what she suggests. I won't be using mine at the gym (not a gym member) but will be taking mine to outdoor training plus indoor training.

I've also got the recipe for a great mat cleaner which I'll post when I get home from work.

[boomba]

My yoga mat is wai lana. It does it's job lol

But just saw you can get Eco ones too!

[luna moth]

Mine is a reject shop one I got from Freecycle. It's better than nothing...

[Jennifer13]

I asked for one for my bday to go with my Wii Fit. A lovely friend bought it for me, so not sure of price, but it was the Wii Fit one. Fine so far.

Maybe try some out at Rebel Sport?

[Phteven]

Thanks. I grabbed a mid-priced one from Rebel on the way to they gym. It claims to be fair trade and made from recycled materials. I guess I could have looked about more but my elbows hurt and the thought of another hover without my own mat was making me cringe.

I would love to hear your cleaning mix Sopdet because they get pretty feral although the one I got has a pattern so at least I know which side is covered in my sweat and which side is covered in floor germs.

[Sopdet]

ok found it (had it on my iPhone)

Grab a spray bottle from the cheap shop (also grab a travel sized one to carry with the mat if you wish).

For a travel sized container use:
1 cup of distilled water
vinegar or witch-hazel (optional)
Tea tree oil
Eucalyptus oil (or lavender)

Use a 2:1 ratio for the tea tree/eucalyptus - I use the cheap double d stuff from the supermarket. Approx 10 drops of Tea Tree to 5 drops of Eucalyptus. Both of these are antibacterial oils.

Either saturate your mat & let it air dry (great to do at home), or spray the mat and wipe it down (great after a sweaty class).

I'm out of mine, will have to make some more for the mat at home, plus for when I get my new mat in a couple of weeks time.

[Sopdet]

I got an exercise mat at big w today for $13, thicker than a yoga mat.

[Glen222]

off course the costly mats are more cushioned, comfortable, easy, and light, so they don't give you any hesitation during yoga. Cheap ones are also do the same but quality differs a lot. And for yoga clean, noise free and comfortable environment is necessary.

Fitness Cary