How To Choose the Right Martial Mats for Your Training Needs

Imagine setting up your ultimate martial arts space at your home or a new gym you have opened.

You have finally found the right space and finalized every other detail, but there is one more thing you need to decide on: the right martial arts mat for your needs.

Great martial arts mats can elevate training through comfort, stability, or safety. It also comes with great designs that fit your needs. However, since there are so many types of martial mats, choosing the most suitable and perfect mat is a matter of concern.

So, be sure to consider your discipline and where you will be training so you can make an informed decision before deciding on a mat.

Need more help?

In this article, we will discuss how you can choose the right martial mats for your training needs.

1. Careful Selection of Material Type

The material your martial arts mats will be made from will contribute greatly to comfort, support, and durability when training. However, you have to choose the material carefully among the various types.

Some common materials are-

EVA Foam: Most common martial arts mats are made from Ethylene Vinyl Acetate. It is a light material that can absorb shock well. Most EVA martial arts mats have interlocking jigsaw patterns that allow you to move on them easily. These are useful for medium-impact training, such as Taekwondo and Karate.

XPE Foam-cross-linked Polyethylene: With XPE foam, mats become more durable and resilient than other options. They are very dense and provide a substantial amount of shock absorption during high-impact activities, like grappling arts, among others.

Compressed Foam with Vinyl Covering: This material has a base impact-absorbing material of compressed foam with a heavy-duty vinyl covering. This construction gives an extremely high level of impact absorption, and they are ideal for very high-contact martial arts involving throws and takedowns like Judo, BJJ, and wrestling.

You should also be careful to always buy from trusted vendors for assured material quality. For example, if you are in the UK, search for trustworthy bands for martial arts mats in the UK and select the mat material most suitable for your needs.

2. Analyze Thickness

The thickness of a martial arts mat will determine the amount of cushion and support you get from it during training.

Thicker Mats: Suited for martial arts that involve much groundwork, such as jiu-jitsu or wrestling. These mats provide ample cushioning for falls and help prevent injuries due to their shock-absorbing efficiency.

Medium Thickness: These mats can fit several disciplines of martial arts. They can provide adequate cushioning while retaining enough firmness to perform standing techniques easily. These mats are ideal for multi-discipline training areas and will be a good solution when your training covers both standing and groundwork.

Thin mats: These are generally used in sports, such as karate, taekwondo, or kickboxing, where stability is more necessary. While they may not have the effect of absorbing shock quite like thicker mats do, they can surely provide better traction and support for techniques that involve jumping, kicking, or quick footwork.

3. Determine Size and Coverage

Before investing in any martial arts mat, a good idea is to measure the training space to get a perfect mat that covers the entire floor.

Most martial arts mats are available as interlocking tiles that can be fitted in any required configuration, whether permanent or temporary, depending on your training space.

Mat Size: The standard martial arts mats are quite decent-sized, but for spacious areas, you will need bigger mats. So, you should find out the overall square feet of your training area and then decide how long your mat should be. You may also wish to keep extra mats to cover the edges and corners or leave space around the outside.

Edge and Corner Mats: When you are deciding on your mat design, do not forget to order edge and corner mats when needed. These mats have a finished edge to give you a beautiful, safe transition from mat to floor without any tripping hazard, adding value and elegance to your training facility.

4. Ensure Suitable Surface Texture

The texture of your martial arts mats is another critical determinant of the product for your training. This is because, depending on the martial art you are training, the grip and traction may be more or less important.

Smooth-surfaced Mats: These have a generally flat surface, normal for use in striking arts, like boxing or kickboxing. It provides an even, stable surface against which quick footwork and fast pivoting are possible.

Textured Mats: These have a raised surface or pattern and provide increased grip. The extra traction ensures no slipping during sweeps, submissions, and any other floor techniques that one engages in. Such a type of textured surface is usually sported by tatami-style mats.

5. Consider Maintenance Level

Closed-cell foam mats can be quite good for training and working-out rooms where quick or low-maintenance flooring is important.

By nature and design, they cannot become water-saturated, which helps prevent the buildup of mold and bacteria. Their cleaning is also relatively easy since, in most cases, a simple wipe-down with a mild cleaner keeps them fresh and hygienic.

This ease of upkeep makes them a sensible and reliable option in settings with expected high activity levels.

Conclusion

The proper selection of martial arts mats is connected with safety and efficiency in training.

Note the material considerations for the mattress, the thickness of the mats, the right size for coverage, and surface texture for ease of maintenance, as all these come into vital play to provide the best environment for your practice. You can even explore short stories of martial arts enthusiasts to inspire your journey.

Therefore, if you choose your mat based on these qualities, you will feel improvement in your training performance.

So, do not wait anymore; purchase your martial mats now to achieve your athletic goals.