Hot yoga is one of the more famous styles of yoga that is quickly gaining popularity amongst the general public. It refers to yoga that is practiced under hot and humid conditions, generally in a warm room. While hot yoga has a number of health benefits, it often leads to profuse sweating.
This means that your ordinary yoga equipment, especially your yoga mat, may not be fit to meet the needs of hot yoga.
So, why exactly do you need a special yoga mat? Well, in order to practice hot yoga in its true form, it is necessary to abide by the conditions associated with it. Surely, hot yoga mats are better suited for the general conditions required for heated styles of yoga including Bikram.
Your ordinary yoga mat may not be well equipped to deal with sweat, high temperatures, and slippery limbs. However, a hot yoga mat is designed to do exactly that! This makes it important to make sure you have the right mat before you can enjoy the benefits of hot yoga.
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What to Look for in Hot Yoga Mat
If you are engaging in hot yoga for the first time, you might be tempted to opt for a towel. Sure, towels are naturally absorbent and can turn any mat into a non-slippery surface where you can practice yoga. However, to enjoy the optimal conditions and make the best out of your experience, you need to invest in a hot yoga mat.
Before you head out to buy one for yourself, there a few things that you must know about them in order to make the right choice. It is important to know what you are looking for exactly. Here’s a list of features that you may want to look for in a mat if you are planning to practice hot yoga on it.
- Your mat should be non-slip
- Your mat should have an absorbent element, for example, open-cell materials or natural fibers
- Your mat should be easy to clean
- Your mat should be washable
- Your mat should be able to resist odors and prevent the growth of fungus
In order to make sure that you invest in only the best quality hot yoga mat, ensure it has most, if not all, all these factors!
Best Yoga Mats for Hot Yoga Practice
If you are looking for a good-quality hot yoga mat, scroll down and check out some of the best yoga mat options to take your hot yoga practice to the next level.
1. Aurorae Synergy Two-In-One Yoga Mat
Check PriceAs the name suggests, Aurorae Synergy Two-In-One Yoga Mat comes with a built-in towel. Most yoga mats require you to buy a towel in order to practice hot yoga on it. However, this mat offers a simple solution. By offering a built-in towel, it eliminates the need for an extra towel entirely!
Furthermore, the top side of the mat is made out of a non-slip microfiber material which allows you to have a firm grip while practicing all sorts of poses. It allows you to enjoy your practice without having to worry about slipping or getting injured due to slippery limbs. The best part about Aurorae Synergy Two-In-One Yoga Mat is that despite being able to absorb sweat and moisture, it does not bunch or slide, like an ordinary yoga towel.
In fact, it provides the yogi with the best balance and grip possible when it’s a little damp or moist! Due to this reason, this mat is the number one choice for all those who sweat a lot or are planning to practice vigorous yoga exercises.
The bottom of the mat is made out of non-toxic PER that works equally well for providing excellent grip and cushioning. It makes sure that you can safely practice every pose of your liking. Another commendable thing about Aurorae Synergy Two-In-One Yoga Mat is that it is machine washable.
This takes away all the hassle of cleaning the mat. All you have to do is stick it in the washing machine and your hot yoga mat will be clean and will smell great in just a few minutes!
Furthermore, drying the mat after washing it is equally easy. Just hang it on a line and let it air dry. However, keep in mind that it may take a long time to dry as it cannot be put in a dryer. If you think Aurorae Synergy Two-In-One Yoga Mat is right for you, you may be interested to know that it is available in a variety of colors including Amethyst, Lapis, Sapphire, Onyx, Emerald, and Tahiti Tide.
2. Heathyoga ProGrip Yoga Mat (3-Piece)
Check PriceFor just $50, you not only get a good quality hot yoga mat, but also a carrying bag and a built-in alignment chart. Surely, Heathyoga ProGrip Yoga Mat is a pretty good deal! The mat itself is made out of a Polyurethane (PU) material that makes it super slip-resistant.
PU material is famous for its non-slippery properties. You can rest assured that your hands and feet won’t slip, even when you are dripping wet with sweat. Here’s a list of qualities that this mat possesses.
- It is odorless; meaning despite absorbing sweat and moisture, the mat will remain odorless.
- It is eco-friendly.
- It has been designed to absorb sweat quickly and easily, enabling the yogi to practice hot yoga on an ideal surface.
- It comes with built-in alignment marking, which allows the yogis to ensure their best form and that they are practicing the postures correctly. The alignment lines can help you stay focused and properly adjust your feet and hands, keeping your body properly aligned.
- The 3-piece yoga set offers a carrying bag that allows you to carry your hot yoga mat wherever you go. With the carrying bag in the picture, you can enjoy your hot yoga practice anywhere you want!
- It comes with a Velcro strap that helps you keep your yoga mat rolled up when it is not used.
While Heathyoga ProGrip Yoga Mat is an excellent option for most yogis, you may want to consider other options if you are looking for wrist or knee cushioning. Keep in mind that it comes in a variety of colors including gray, purple, cherry, green, and sea blue Choose the one you like the most!
3. ARC Fitness Project Cork Yoga Mat
Check PriceArc fitness is all about innovation. Their Cork Yoga Mat has been designed and engineered by yoga experts, who were given the task to come up with an excellent product that can take hot yoga sessions to the next level! The distinctive thing about the ARC Fitness Project Cork Yoga Mat is that while most yoga mats are 5mm thick, this one has been designed with a thickness of only 4mm.
The yoga experts believe that cutting off 1mm from the total thickness of the mat can bring down its weight by around 25%! This means that this mat is not only functional and effective, but it is also thin and easy to carry. It is perfectly sized with just enough thickness to make sure it works splendidly.
Another innovation incorporated in the ARC Fitness Project Cork Yoga Mat is that it comes with a sling strap that doubles as a yoga strap! It has been designed in a way that leaves it up to the yogi to decide how they want to carry it.
Like every good-quality hot yoga mat, ARC Fitness Project Cork Yoga Mat is 100% non-slip. If you are using this mat to practice your hot yoga routine, you can certainly forget about having to worry about slipping again. It offers a superior grip that allows the yogis to practice any pose of their choice, irrespective of how sweaty they may be.
While all these qualities are good enough to order the ARC Fitness Project Cork Yoga Mat right away, there’s still more to this mat! It does not come as a surprise that this Cork Yoga Mat is naturally antimicrobial and possesses self-sanitizing properties.
In other words, despite having sweaty yoga sessions on your mat, it will remain fresh and odor-free. Furthermore, owing to its self-sanitizing properties, your mat can resist the growth of mold or fungus.
Another notable thing about ARC Fitness Project Cork Yoga Mat is that it is easy to clean. Due to its antimicrobial properties, constant cleaning is not required. However, if you wish to clean your mat, all you need is water and soap! It is advisable to use a mild organic soap to wipe any soiled area before laying it flat to air dry.
4. Ajna Natural Jute Yoga Mat
Check PriceDo you follow yogi practices beyond your exercise routine? If you follow a true yogi lifestyle, you must know that yogis do no harm. Ajna Natural Jute Yoga Mat has been engineered keeping this basic yogi principle in mind.
This mat makes sure that you do no harm to yourself and to the environment. It is interesting to know that the entire mat is recyclable and 100% biodegradable. It is made using only natural materials such as jute fiber. Even the carrying strap that comes free with the mat is made out of 100% cotton.
Furthermore, when you purchase an Ajna Natural Jute Yoga Mat, a part of its cost goes to support the One Tree Planted movement! Surely, this mat offers you an opportunity to play your part in helping the environment by buying environment-friendly products.
It does not come as a surprise that the mat is slip-resistant and allows you excellent grip throughout your hot yoga practice sessions. It is suitable for all levels of yoga. Whether you are an expert yogi or just starting out hot yoga, Ajna Natural Jute Yoga Mat can take care of all your needs.
It is also easy to clean and care for. You can use soap and water or a gentle disinfectant like eucalyptus to clean and disinfect your mat. With proper caring your Ajna Natural Jute Yoga Mat can last for years!
Remember, hot yoga is a serious business. Therefore, it is important to buy the proper equipment to enjoy the benefits that come alongside it. Also, it is advisable to know all your options before you invest in a hot yoga mat.
So, are you ready to upgrade your yoga routine? It’s time you make the right choices and adopt a true healthy yogi lifestyle.