The ideal mat for every physical activity –

Since the quarantine began, searches for home workouts grew exponentially. Some experts, however, have already warned about the need to carry out the movements properly and to look for professionals who are really trained in the area. Otherwise, the harm can be greater than the benefits: there are risks of pain and even injuries. The same thing goes for the equipment: you have to choose the ideal mat for every activity. To help with this issue, we consulted experts:

yoga

The mats suitable for the practice of yoga are known as mat. They serve to ensure more grip on slippery floors – using the towel in the session can be dangerous. “Those who use the towel to replace the rug or provide more comfort, be careful, as it does not adhere to the floor. Non-slip towels already exist, but they are used on top of the mat for greater hygiene”, explains Sandra Regina, yoga teacher at Cia Athetica Granja Vianna.

According to her, you should prioritize some features when buying yours. In addition to non-slip, the mat has to be longer than you. And why not align the choice of material with yoga’s proposal and opt for products that don’t harm the environmentsuch as natural rubber and cotton?

Regarding the thickness, it will depend on the strand chosen. For Hatha, Prenatal and Restorative, for example, a mat between 5 and 8 mm is recommended, which reduces the impact between the body and the ground, and thus protects the spine and joints. Practitioners of Ashtanga, Iyengar, Vinyasa and hot yoga, who work more resistance and balance, should favor objects that provide stability and grip — between 3 and 5 mm. The mat can be washed with water, neutral soap and vinegar and is individual (no sharing, see?).

Buy it here: Yogi Mat Black, Wai Lana, R$203.17.

Buy here: Yoga Mat Pilates PVC Mat With Print and Carry Bag, Yangfit, R$199.90.

Buy here: INSA ECO GRIP Reversible Yoga Mat (6mm), R$288.

Buy here: Yoga Mat 6mm With Pouch, Azuk, Yangfit, R$139.90.

Mats that do not harm the environment

– (Decathlon/Disclosure)

Buy it here: 4 mm Cotton Yoga Mat, Domyos, R$199.99.

– (Decathlon/Disclosure)

Buy it here: Travel Yoga Mat 1.5 mm in Natural Rubber, Domyos, R$399.99.

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Buy it here: Children’s Yoga Mat 5 mm, Domyos, R$109.99.

Functional, abs and HIIT

Former American football player and personal trainer Bruno Sapo (@brunorosa. sapo) states that the ideal mats vary a lot from case to case. “For abs workouts (with a lot of abs) there are already specific mats that fill the abdomen area. low back. And they are really cool because they prevent you from having that gap in your back, making the movement very anatomical.”

Now if you are going to perform an exercise that requires stability, avoid mattresses that are too padded and prefer the floor. “You can lose your balance. One squat, for example, must be performed with both feet on the ground”. The non-slip towel can be useful for those who haven’t invested in a mat yet. “She is better than the bare floor, but worse than the mat. It can be used in slippery environments (like the balcony) or if you sweat too much.”

Mats can be shared with the people in your household who are quarantined with you. But remember: every time someone uses it, they have to sanitize it with gel alcohol or wash it with soap and water.

Mats and equipment

– (Decathlon/Disclosure)

WBuy it here: Medium Density Mat, Domyos, R$59.99.

Buy it here: Professional Mat, Fitness Initiative, R$82.80.

Buy it here: Abdominal support, LiveUp, R$69.90.

Buy it here: Abdominal Cross Support, LiveUp, R$97.96.

fights

The workouts that generate the most impact (the fightsfor example) are made on top of the so-called mat — it relieves the falls that usually happen in practices like judo and jiu jitsu. “These modalities have a slightly harder mat because the athletes need stability to move. It’s not that it won’t hurt if you fall, but it will reduce the impact of falls a little bit”, says Bruno Sapo.

– (Decathlon/Disclosure)

Buy here: 22 mm EVA mat for Martial Arts and Combat, Domyos, R$349.99.

Buy here: 4-Piece EVA Tatames Kit, Original Tatamis, R$260.

Buy it here: Tatame Kit 9 Pieces, Original Tatamis, R$810.

– (Americanas/Disclosure)

Buy it here: Kit Home Professional Mat 40 mm, Yamamura, R$352.

pilates

O pilates also uses mat. “It’s a very important accessory, because it’s where all the exercises are done. With the use of the mat, there is a decrease in the impact of the body with the groundpreventing pain and possible injuries,” says physiotherapist Fernanda Giannella, from the studio live in balance.

The size of the mat for pilates follows the same rule as for yoga: has to be greater in length than your height. When you lie down, it must fit completely in the equipment. Thickness varies between 3 and 8 mm, but Fernanda recommends the 5 mm one — it’s more comfortable and very light.

one leg stretch, stretching two-legged, oblique, bridge and swimmer are some examples of pilates exercises done on the mat.

Buy it here: EVA rug, Muvin, R$54.90.

Buy it here: Simple EVA Mat, LiveUp, R$62.70.

– (Americanas/Disclosure)

Buy here: Mat Pilates PVC with Print and Bag, Yangfit, R$199.90.

– (Americanas/Disclosure)

Buy here: 4mm PVC Pilates Mat with Carry Bag, Yangfit, R$99.90.