More often than not, some of our favorite buys are small, how-didn't-I-know-about-this products that solve an everyday problem. That's what we're highlighting in our Little Lifesavers series: cheap, simple purchases that you'll use on the daily. Hit "Add to Cart" and thank us later!
Problem: I need to stretch and a place to comfortably do lunges and pushups, but my joints say no to most floor work.
Solution: The Gaiam Essentials Extra Thick Yoga Mat is like working out on a shock-absorbing yoga cushion.
I am a runner. I run every.single.day. (Shoutout to Runner's World #RWRunStreak) I am also in my mid-30s, so you can probably see where this is going. I have a very good relationship with my physical therapist and physiatrist because when it comes to my joints — they are haggard. As are my brains. You see, I've been diagnosed with pretty extreme ADHD and OCD, and more than a few of my therapists and doctors tell me that I need to do yoga and meditate if I ever want to stop taking Ambien to get some sleep. But, like most things, if I'm not comfortable, I'm not doing it — and before I found the Gaiam Essentials Extra Thick Yoga Mat, I just wasn't comfortable.
Sitting on my home's hardwood floors on a standard yoga mat felt like torture. It was especially bad on any poses where I was on my knees, my wrists, or seated on my tailbone. The standard 1/8th inch mat just wasn't cutting it. Beyond that, when I use it for weights, it doesn't really dampen the sound, either — which is less than ideal given I live in an apartment building and have neighbors in all directions.
I found the extra-thick yoga mat by Gaiam on a lark. I started looking for gym mats and “cushy yoga stuff” on Amazon hoping to find a solution to my woes. Up popped this green goddess with over 25 thousand positive reviews. The reviews were full of countless people raving about how spongy the texture is, how easy it rolls up, how much damage it can take. I surely thought, “This is too good to be true.” But seeing as how it was under $30 and gym mats were over $100, I decided to go for it.
The mat itself is standard dimensions — 72 inches by 24 inches. It's the 2/5-inch thickness that makes it different. But even though it's thicker than a Snicker, it's not hard to roll up, and the strap it comes with could not be easier to use. It's also PVC-, DEHP-, DBP-, BBP-, DINP-, DIDP-, and DNOP-free. Translation? It leaves all the questionable (and outright nasty) chemicals out of the mix. Instead, it's made of nitrile butadiene rubber foam, a synthetic rubber made from petroleum.
It’s no surprise to yoga fans that Gaiam would make a wonderful, thick yoga mat. They’ve been making yoga products for years, leading with the mission of being “a lifestyle brand that makes yoga, fitness, and wellness accessible to all.” Accessibility is crucial in this instance. Not only is this mat accessible in price, but because it's designed for people with differing needs, it's accessible, as well. They've taken their years of innovation in the yoga sphere to create a mat that's as comfortable as it is affordable and also extremely durable, making it a great investment.
But is it as good as the reviews would lead you to believe? It might actually be better. The first time I unrolled it, I was surprised that it didn’t have a strong “new yoga mat” smell. Yes, it definitely had a bit of that, but it wasn’t overwhelming like other mats I’ve owned. And while it could definitely be longer (I am the exact length of the mat), it’s not undersized by any means.
I've used it for my very reluctant yoga practice, and for the first time in a long time, bhekasana didn't make my knees scream in pain. And when I sat in sukhasana, my butt didn't bother me, either. Did it make yoga enjoyable? Of course not. I am not made for quiet contemplation and stretching. But did it make it more comfortable? Yes, indeed.
The Gaiam essentials extra-thick yoga mat is also a killer lifting mat. If you live in an apartment or a house with sleeping babies, you know that the sound of weights hitting the floor are a nightmare. This mat is thick enough to absorb that sound and the shaking floor that happens if you're a little too anxious to drop that weight. And when it gets a little dirty? I just wipe it clean with a sponge, and it's good to go.
Best of all, this mat is highly versatile, making it a product worth investing in for a plethora of workout preferences. It can be for yoga, pilates, weights, or even tummy time for your baby. It’s thick, it’s luxurious, it’s affordable, and darn it, it’s just dang comfy.
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