If you take a quick scroll through the #barre feed on Instagram, you will be able to see all kinds of people taking part in the exercise and fitness trend. But, not unlike many people, you may be wondering, what exactly is barre fitness and how does it work? To put it simply, it is a type of low-impact exercise that serves three exercise functions: it can combine the movement and grace of ballet, the strengthening that pilates provides, and the stretching you get in yoga. All of these things are achieved within just 45 minutes of class.
The actual “barre” you find in classes is used to help you use it as a prop for balancing purposes. This will leave you with a lot of headroom to focus on exercises of the isometric kind. The movements may not be too extravagant but trust us when we say this; there is no way you will not feel the burn.
Another significant advantage of this type of exercise is that you don’t need that much equipment to do the exercises. But one thing that you will most definitely need is a yoga mat that lends proper support and is comfortable to use for long periods. In this article, we will look at just that, the best yoga mat for Barre Fitness in the market.
Best Yoga Mats for Barre
1. Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
The Manduka PRO Yoga Mat is a professional quality yoga mat that is ultra-supportive and perfect for the serious yogi, Pilates, barre, or fitness aficionado. This mat is made with high performance in mind and is beloved by yoga teachers worldwide for nearly 20 years. It is made with quality material in a sustainable emissions-free facility and offers a lifetime warranty. The mat is 6mm thick and 71 x 26 inches. It is black in color.
- Suitable for people of all shapes and sizes
- It is certified as being eco-friendly
- The guarantee lasts a lifetime
- It Comes with a unique proprietary pattern that
- is non-slip
- It Comes in a wide variety of colors
- The material is not toxic
- It Weighs a lot more than most other mats of this kind
- It is expensive when compared to other mats in this category.
2. Gaiam Yoga Exercise & Fitness Mat
This is a 6 mm Gaiam print mat made for yoga, and it is probably the best known and best-selling yoga mat in the market. Almost anyone and everyone who is into yoga or home workout have one of these mats. The material it is made from is a kind of non-toxic PVC. It is very lightweight, and it provides a lot of decent cushioning. Another big advantage of this mat is that it is available in an extensive variety of color options.
There are several things that you will like about this particular mat. For one thing, it is very affordable. Also, the huge number of options available in the market will mean that everyone will find something that will suit their needs. One last thing to mention is that it is also thick enough for proper cushioning for even the joints that are more sensitive.
- Variety of Print Design Options
- Sticky non-slip texture
- Non-toxic
- Low price
- Low maintenance
- None
3. Sivan Yoga Mat for Exercise, Yoga, and Pilates
The Sivan Health and Fitness 1/2-InchExtra Thick 71-Inch Long NBR Comfort Foam Yoga Mat is perfect for people of all shapes and sizes. The mat is 71-inches wide and 24-inches long, making it ideal for yoga, Pilates, stretching, and toning workouts. The 1/2-inch ultra-thick mat is made with specially designed memory foam, which protects your knees and joints while still allowing you to grip the floor for balance. The ribbed surface on one side of the mat provides traction, while the smooth surface on the other side minimizes slipping. The mat is easy-to-clean, durable, and long-lasting. It also features an integrated carry strap for easy transport.
- Non-slip surface prevents injuries
- Extra thick mat protects knees and joints
- Ribbed surface for grip
- Easy-to-clean material
- Cannot be used for hot yoga
4. BalanceFrom GoYoga Anti-Tear Exercise Yoga Mat
This basic yoga mat is very thick and also very cushioned. Probably, one of the best barre mat out there. It is so thick that it almost feels like a pad, but it still has an amazing grip so that you can move along with it if you like. Once you start using it, you will not have to worry about your knees during particularly intense leg workouts. Your wrists will also be able to stay comfortably in place when you do planks, a thing that usually does not happen with just regular varieties of yoga mats. If you are really into doing serious yoga, then this mat might not be suitable for you as you may find it difficult to do the more challenging poses. You will probably need something that will give you better stability with regard to the floor.
On the other hand, if you want to get in a proper workout, this is the right mat for your needs. When you purchase this mat, you will not be buying just another yoga mat that starts to wear and tear after a bit of use- these last for a very long time.
- It is affordable
- The cushioning is thick
- It is easy to clean
- Satisfaction is guaranteed
- It may be too short for a lot of people
- It stretches and also squeaks
5. JADE YOGA – Harmony Yoga Mat
The Jade Yoga Harmony Mat is the perfect mat for every activity and every occasion! This mat is 3/16” thick and provides great traction, cushion, and stability for standing poses. The Jade Yoga Harmony Mat is also made in the United States and is designed to utilize only high-quality materials, ensuring outstanding performance and a long-lasting product.
- Available in more than a dozen colors
- It provides great traction and grip, so it’s excellent for tricky yoga and pilate poses
- It offers a firm bounce, so it’s comfortable
- Biodegradable at the end of its life
- It doesn’t break away in tiny pieces with each use
- Quite heavy, so it’s not suitable for travel
- Can’t spend a long time in the sun, as it will biodegrade.
Buying Guide: Getting the Best Yoga Mat for Barre
When you are trying to choose a yoga mat for barre, you need to consider a few things. There are certain aspects of a yoga mat that are really important to look into, and having a look at them will help you choose the best yoga mat for you. If you consider these aspects properly, you will easily be able to choose one for yourself. Let’s have a look at the things that you need to consider before buying a yoga mat for barre-
Thickness
The thickness of your yoga mat is one of the most important aspects that you need to look into while getting one. The comfort level of your yoga mat depends on its thickness of the yoga mat. If your mat is too thin, your knee can get banged up during crescent lunge. Again, if your yoga mat is too thick, you might not get properly connected with the floor. Thicker mats provide comfort with extra cushioning, but they’re much heavier and more difficult to travel with. Thinner mats are comparatively lightweight and easy to carry. The ideal thickness for yoga mats ranges from ⅛ inches to ¼ inches. You need to choose the thickness of your mat based on your need for comfort, portability, easy storage options, durability, connection with the ground, etc.
Materials
Even though most yoga mats are made of PVC, you can go for more eco-friendly options like natural and recycled rubber, natural cotton, jute, etc. If you want endurance stickiness and endurance, you should go for the PVC ones. Also, PVC-made yoga mats provide the best performance in general.
Texture
The texture of your yoga mat is also another important aspect to consider. Without a coarse texture, you’ll face difficulties in holding your yoga poses for a proper amount of time. On the other hand, if your yoga mat is too smooth, it can get slippery, and you might slip off while doing yoga.
Size
The size of your yoga mat will depend on your height. It’s important that you can lie on your mat without your feet or head getting spilled over the edge. Standard yoga mats for barre have a length of 68 inches, but you can go for extra-long ones too. It’s best if you use a yoga mat that’s at least 6 inches taller than your height.
Non-Slip Surface
If your mat is sticky, it will help you remain properly aligned and hold your positions properly. You won’t slide all over the place, and won’t slip during high-intensity sweaty workout sessions. Usually, rubber and PVC-made yoga mats are best for grip. Also, as said earlier, getting a yoga mat with a roper textured surface can prevent your sliding, as they come with raised ridges or bumps.
Portability
If you travel a lot and want to take your yoga mat with you wherever you go so that you don’t miss your sessions, portability is an important factor for you. In that case, you can get a lightweight mat or one that comes with a carrying bag.
Price Range
The price can vary depending on texture, size, material, thickness, etc. Make sure to get one that will suit your needs and preferences, and also affordable enough for you. Price can get high based on cool designs, patterns, premium thickness, beautiful textures, eco-friendly materials, antimicrobials treatments, etc.
Final Word
There are a lot of different yoga mats available on the market, but not all of them are suited for barre fitness. The best yoga mats for barre fitness are those that provide a stable, non-slip surface for you to grip onto while doing your exercises. In addition, a thicker yoga mat can provide extra cushioning to help absorb the impact of your movements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the ideal thickness for a barre mat?
Ans: Pick a mat for barre training at least 4mm thick. After that, you can determine if you want something more cushioned from there.
Q: Do you need a yoga mat for barre
Ans: Some barre studios provide mats for use during class, while others do not. If you are attending a class at a studio that does not provide mats, it is recommended that you bring your own.
