The buying guide to the best gymnastics mat of 2022
After pouring over all of the options on the market, I put this guide together to help anyone looking for the best gymnastics mats on the marketplace. Whether your little gymnast has just started tumbling or is an experienced tumbler, they will benefit from having the best gymnastic mats at home. Gymnastics mats are for more than just tumbling. They can help with rolls, walkovers, handstands, and cartwheels.
Many of the best gymnastic mats are panel mats and are not just for gymnasts. Cheerleaders, dancers wrestlers, and those who want to stretch on a soft surface will benefit from these mats. They work for sleepovers too! I have just updated this guide for 2022 so keep reading for everything you need to know before you invest in the best gymnastic mats on the market today!
Competition of the top 10 best gymnastics mats of 2022
What to consider and how to choose the best gymnastics mats for home use
If you are considering buying a gymnastics mat for use at home, you need to make several considerations before making a purchase. We have listed the most important features of home mats to consider to help you get the mat you need and want.
Type
Each type of mat suits different levels and activities. Consider what your child will do – if they’re serious about gymnastics or just want to have fun.
Size of the mat
Mats come in all sizes and shapes. Look at the space you have available and choose accordingly. For children who want to do cartwheels and tumbles, go bigger to ensure there’s room.
Mat Thickness
A mat that is too thin won’t provide cushioning and protection you want if your gymnast falls while tumbling on it. On the other hand, if the mat is too thick, your gymnast may not be able to practice stunts because their hands or feet will sink into the mat when they aren’t supposed to. Standard mat thickness is about 1 3/8″ thick.
The price
Mats gymnastics aren’t the cheapest investment. The price highly depends on the size and quality. Evaluate your needs and budget before making a decision- perhaps pick the one you can use too.
Types of different mats gymnastics for your home practice
Folding Mats or Panel Mats
One of the most popular gymnastics mats used in the gym and homes is paneled mats. They’re versatile, useful for an array of activities besides gymnastics.
Paneled mats come in all sizes, and many include hook and loop fasteners to connect several together. They’re also excellent for storing due to the ease with which they fold.
Pros
- Versatile
- Large selection of sizes available
- Many include hook and loop for connecting with others
- Easy to fold and store
Cons
- Not perfect for serious gymnasts since they can slip
Cartwheel Mats
As the name suggests, the purpose of these mats is for practicing cartwheels. Many of them also have a beamline on the flip side for balance training. The mats are usually either paneled or one-piece, with hands and footprints on each side. The mat can be used to practice handstands and handstand rolls.
Pros
- Perfect for cartwheels and balancing
- They can be used for other activities, too
- Many colors available
Cons
- Many are one-piece mats that are difficult to store
- Not a large variety in sizes
They come in different colors, but the sizes are generally the same. They normally don’t run as large as other mats.
Flexi Roll Mats
High-quality mats for serious users or Flexi-roll mat is made to look and feel like a competition floor.
Of course, it doesn’t offer exactly the same feel because it isn’t created with springs, but it is the best option for those that want to get comfortable with the feel of a competition area at home. The best additional feature about a carpeted mat is easy storage.
Pros
- High-quality mats for serious users
- Non-slip material
- Roll-up design
- They’re large, providing ample room
Cons
- High price
Incline Mats
An incline mat is perfect for young gymnasts that are learning how to do rolls backward or forwards. This type of mat can also be used for log rolls too. Also, the mat can be used for other activities.
The great thing about incline mats is they help a gymnast create body awareness and lessens stress on the body while learning.
Pros
- Perfect for practicing tumbles
- Good for playtime
- Child-friendly colors are available
- Can be used for other activities and exercises
Cons
- It can be challenging to find the right size
Puzzle Mats
Puzzle mats shouldn’t be your first choice if you want a thick mat for cushioning. However, if you need to make a surface more forgiving to falls and slips, then they’re great.
Puzzle mats come in bundles of several tiles that you click together. They’re a good pick as the flooring underneath fitness equipment, in playrooms, or outdoor spaces.
Pros
- Good for making the floor softer
- Usually available in big bundles with several tiles
- The overall size is adjustable by taking out or adding tiles
Cons
- Have no thickness
- Not perfect for tumbling or backflips
The Best Gymnastics Mats for the training of 2022
1. BestMassage Gymnastics Mat
Technical Info:
Size: 4″ x 10″ x 2″
Weight: 16.6 lbs
Thickness: 2 inches
This panel mat from BestMassage has received outstanding reviews from parents and users for its quality and size.
For the mat material, the manufacturer used high-density EPE, which provides a comfortable feel and good protection during impact. Covering the EPE is a layer of PU leather, which is effortless to wipe clean and acts as a non-slip surface.
The mat measures 2 inches in thickness, which is ample for gymnastics. Despite the material and thickness, the mat is relatively lightweight. It checks in at 16.6 pounds.
2. Dollamur Flexi-Roll Mat
Technical Info:
Size: 5 feet by 10 feet
Weight: 3 lbs
Thickness: 1 inch
If your child is serious about gymnastics, a Flexi-roll mat is a good choice for you. The Dollamur carpeted cheer and gymnastics mat measures 5 feet by 10 feet, giving the user plenty of wiggle room.
When producing the mat, Dollamur utilized a sports-grade polyethylene foam. This prevents it from shrinking or hardening over time. They covered it with a non-slip carpet surface made from polyolefin fibers and specialized latex, ensuring a snug fit. The materials offer superb shock-absorption and resilience, suited for high-performance sports.
3. We Sell Mats Incline Wedge Mat
Technical Info:
Size: 30″ x 17″ x 30″
Weight: 12 lbs
Thickness: 17 inches
Incline mats are amazing for practicing tumbles, and this one is designed by We Sell Mats has a large number of reviews backing it.
This perfect incline mat includes eco-friendly EPE foam that’s both durable and lightweight. For the surface, they used anti-tear vinyl, which is non-toxic and non-slip. Around the mat, you have reinforced stitching to minimize the chances of tearing and cracks further.
The mat is easy to fold for storage and sports various bright colors for a child-friendly look.
4. We Sell Mats Best Octagon-Shaped Mat
Technical Info:
Size: 50.8 x 50.8 x 60.96 cm.
Weight: 11 lbs.
Depends on the chosen size
If your little one needs assistance practicing tumbles and flips, an octagonal mat is a valuable tool. This mat is suitable for young children and up.
It will help the user learn new skills by acting as a safe and secure assistant. It’s available in four sizes, but the small and medium are best suited for children. It’s sturdy and solid, filled with a cross-link polyethylene foam core. Covering that is an anti-tear vinyl, non-slip surface material.
On the sides are carrying handles to pull it out of storage easily.
5. BalanceFrom 1 Best Puzzle Mat
Technical info:
Size: 72 Square Feet
Weight: 31 lbs
Thickness: 1 inch
The BalanceFrom puzzle mat has many reviews.
It is superb – it’s flexible, and when fully laid out, it measures 72 square feet. The package includes 18 tiles with a total of 36 end borders. Each tile is 24 inches by 24 inches in size. The foam tiles have a thickness of 1 inch and offer excellent cushioning from falls.
To provide protection for the user, BalanceFrom used EVA material with a non-slip surface, which is moisture-resistant for easy cleaning.
6. Z Athletic Cartwheel Practice Mat
Techical info:
Size: 72 x 24 x 1.5
Weight: 5 lbs
Thickness: 1.5 inches
As someone who’s never been able to do a cartwheel, this would’ve been good in kindergarten. Z Athletic has created a wonderful mat, stenciled with hand and feet designs indicating how to do cartwheels.
One side is for right or left-handed cartwheels and the flip side is for balancing.
Besides the good-to-have prints, the mat isn’t half bad. The material inside is open-cell polyethylene, which is gentler than closed-cell. The cover is a non-toxic vinyl that’s mildew and puncture-resistant.
7. ProsourceFit Tri-Fold Folding Thick Exercise Mat
Techical info:
Size: 24 x 1.5 x 72 inches
Weight: 4.75 lbs
Thickness: 1.5 inches
This inflatable gymnastics mat is a good product for those with less storage space or who travel often.
It utilizes first-class technology with double-wall drop stitch PVC laminated material, suitable for tumbles, martial
arts, and even good old kiddie fun.
The mat is easy to handle once it’s deflated, it folds into a compact size, ready for the included travel bag. Also in the bundle is an electric pump for quick inflation.
8. IncStores Home Cheer Carpet Top Mats
Technical info:
Size: 5 feet by 10 feet
Weight: 23 lbs
Thickness: 1.3 inches
For those with a tumbling cheerleader, we recommend this cheer mat from IncStores. It’s an at-home, foldable gymnastics mat, suitable for a backflip, tumbles training, and other skills and exercises.
The mat is a large segmented foam cushion, covered with carpet material to create a safe training area. It uses
shock-absorbing polyethylene foam, which provides a soft landing for the user.
On the sides are hook and loop fasteners so you can connect with other mats for more floor coverage.
9. BalanceFrom GoGym All-Purpose
Technical info:
Size: 120 x 48 x 2 inches
Weight: 9 lbs
Thickness: 2 inches
If you’re searching for a mat you can borrow for yoga or pilates, check out this one. This pick is a versatile panel mat, suitable for any activity.
It measures 10 feet by 4 feet and is 2 inches thick, other sizes and colors are available. The mat includes a high-quality PU leather surface that’s water-resistant and effortless to clean.
It’s easy to store and folds in four places. Once folded, you can carry it using the handle. Expanded dimension: 10′ x 4′ x 2″; folded dimensions: 48″ x 30″ x 8″.
10. We Sell Mats 4 Panel Mat Various Sizes
Techical info:
Size: 50 x 25 x 8 inches
Weight: 10.7 lbs
Thickness: 8 inches
We Sell Mats has panel mats in all sizes. If you are looking for rainbow color, pink or black, we sell mats that have the variety for you!
All of their mats have velcro on all 4 sides to make it easy to hook multiple mats together and are 2 thick. They are
made of 18 oz non-toxic vinyl and have carry handles to make moving them around a breeze!
If you are looking for the best gymnastics equipment to have at home, then this is it.
Final Review
Now, that you have a wide variety of choice of gymnastic mats for home, even blow-up mats for tumbling, you want to choose the best one for yourself or your family, students, or acquaintances.
When you’re searching, consider what type will suit your and their needs best and what will fit your available space. For serious tumblers, we recommend Flexi roll or incline mats. Look for a thickness of around 1-2 inches.
The gymnastic mat for home use you choose will help you to be the best they can be. Practice makes perfect.
We hope you find this guide helpful!