5 signs it's time to replace your yoga mat

Any experienced yogi can tell you the importance of agood yoga mat—it supports your every move and is arguably the one thing you need to practice yoga.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of finding thatjust right垫。但是不幸的是，无论您有多爱自己，它都不会永远持续下去。在旧的，破旧的表面上练习可能会感到不舒服，并在关节上施加不适当的压力。如果您使用相同的垫子的时间长于您想要承认的时间，请范围范围，该迹象是该更换它的时候了。

1. The material starts to pill

Because of sweat and friction, your yoga mat’s surface may eventually wear away. If you notice bits of mat on the floor or on your hands after class, it’s time for a replacement.

“垫子在其寿命中穿着的最大迹象是材料药或崩溃的时候。”YogaSix. “For years early in my yoga practice I used a simple 'starter mat’—the kind that you can find anywhere for $15 to $20. And all things considered, it got the job done. But after a while, the areas where I would have my hands and feet started to wear down.”

Longer-lasting mats are likely to cost more than “starter mats,” which tend to be thinner and made of polyurethane foam (identifiable by the slight waffle-like texture). Mats made of recycled materials may also wear out more quickly, according toCorePowersenior yoga trainer Emily Schmookler, so if you’re looking for something that will stand the test of time, you may want to stick with regular old PVC (also known as vinyl) or rubber.

If you’re a regular yogi, a better mat is worth investing in because it’scrucialfor support and comfort throughout your practice. When selecting a new mat, you’ll want to consider thickness, stickiness, and overall feel, says Michelle Baldino, a yoga instructor forBulldog Online.

“It’s really important to consider what style of yoga you mainly practice when purchasing a new mat,” she says. “You want to feel supported physically while you are flowing from pose to pose, but also while you are holding poses for an extended amount of time.”

The gold standard per ouryoga mat testis theLululemon Reversible 5MM, which combines a denser type of polyurethane that better withstands friction with a natural rubber base for supportive cushioning.

2. Your mat is feeling thinner

Your yoga mat should be the same thickness throughout, but as you use it, certain areas where you place more pressure—like near the ends where you stand or press your hands more often—may become compacted.

“It’s common for the material of your yoga mat to compress over time,” Turner says. “Think of a mattress that wears down where you sleep. It can lessen the cushion under sensitive parts of your body, like your knees or frontal hip bones.”

Less cushioning is going to make plenty of poses uncomfortable and could lead to pain or discomfort after class. When areas of your mat start to feel thinner and less supportive, you should invest in a new one.

3. Your mat loses its grip

The grippiness of a yoga mat is important to keep you upright and stable during your flow. A slickening surface means your hands and feet won’t hold firm, which could be annoying or even dangerous, should your foot or hand slide during a more challenging pose.

特纳说：“就像鞋子上的胎面上一样，有些垫子的质地有些质地。”特纳说：“就像鞋子上的胎面一样，它可能会因过度使用而磨损，从而使您容易滑动。“

If you’re a fan of hot yoga or get particularly sweaty during your practice, a软木瑜伽垫can be a great investment because the material absorbs moisture and can feel stickier when wet. TheGaiam 5mm performance cork yoga matimpressed our writer with its absorbency, springy consistency, and noticeable lack of the rubbery smell that typically accompanies new yoga mats.

You could also try a yoga towel. Typically made of microfiber, this mat-sized fabric can go over any type of mat and will absorb your sweat to give you some extra grip even if your mat no longer provides it. One with great reviews is thePefi yoga towel, which happy customers say stays firmly in place during hot yoga and makes sweaty classes much more comfortable.

4. It starts to smell

If yourmat starts to smell, it’s time for it to go. Aside from making face-down child’s pose unpleasant, a funky odor can be a sign of lingering mildew, bacteria, or fungi, which could make you sick.

有时一个气味只是一个可以washe嗅觉和d away. But once bacteria starts to grow on your mat, it can be difficult to remove. If your flow of choice is a sweaty hot yoga session (or if you’re known to skimp on the sanitization), you have another reason to consider a软木瑜伽垫. Cork isnaturally antimicrobial并可以将细菌避开。

In order to avoid a germy surface, clean your mat every time you use it. Most studios offer sanitizing wipes after class for you to use, but you can alsowash your yoga matwith some soapy water and a spray bottle, or a designatedyoga mat cleaner. Some mats are machine-washable, just check the washing instructions to ensure the material won’t get damaged in the washer or dryer.

Many brands advise against rolling up your yoga mat while it’s still damp to avoid any bacteria growth. This is especially important if you do hot yoga (or other activities) where you’re likely to sweat a lot. You may also want to avoid leaving your yoga mat in the car, as the changes in temperature can contribute to a smelly mat, according to Baldino.

No matter what your mat is made of, if no amount of cleaning diffuses the funk, it’s time to replace.

5. Your mat has rips or tears

If your mat starts to rip or tear, say goodbye. The rips will only get worse, and you could injure yourself in class if it fully splits underneath you.

巴尔迪诺说：“瑜伽练习涉及许多站立和平衡的姿势，如果由于过度使用而导致撕裂，眼泪和垫子脱落，我们可能无法站立并保持平衡。”

In certain types of yoga where you find yourself moving more quickly or occasionally slipping in sweat, such as vinyasa or bikram, your mat may be more prone to tears. If you use your mat for exercise that has you moving around a lot, be sure to thoroughly check your mat for damage before practicing.

How long will a yoga mat last?

There's no exact timeline for how long you can keep using a yoga mat. Most will last about one year, but this can change depending on the quality of your mat, how frequently you use it, and how you take care of it. No matter what type of yoga mat you prefer, keeping yours in tip-top shape by cleaning and storing it properly can help prolong its life and let you get your flow on comfortably.

“优质的瑜伽垫是为您在瑜伽练习中取得成功的至关重要的。它不仅可以帮助您保持平衡并在姿势中保持正确的姿势，而且还可以确保您的关节和肌肉安全，以便您可以在未来几年内维持实践。” Baldino说。“好消息是，那里有很多很棒的瑜伽垫，找到合适的瑜伽垫应该像朝下的狗一样容易。”

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.