Sit ups are a basic and effective exercise that can be done by virtually anyone. However, proper support is crucial. The truth is that when we’re performing sit ups, we’re putting our spine in a vulnerable position. Your standard exercise mats may not provide the amount of cushioning needed to protect your lower back. If you want to go about things the right way, you’ll want one of the best exercise mats for sit ups. They will vary in size, thickness, and design, but will all protect your core and spine while enabling you to progress your abs and core training.
There are countless models out there, but what you need is a high-quality mat that can provide comfort and allow for a full range of motion. On top of that, your spine/tailbone should be completely protected against the hard floor. Today we’re going to take a look at our top selections for the best exercise mats for sit ups available today that possess all of these important characteristics.
Best Exercise Mat for Sit Ups At a Glance
 Best Exercise Mat for Sit Ups Overall Rogue Wise Crack AbmatThe Rogue Wise Crack’s patented design reigns supreme in comfort and protection. The cushioned model works to isolate abs while allowing them to fully extend, offering a greater range of motion than most. |
 Next Rogue Abmat ProAs is consistent with the Rogue brand, their Abmat Pro is made to take a beating while retaining its signature high level of quality. Contoured to the lower back, your spine will be safe while you perform more efficient sit-ups. This works to better target the abs, lower back muscles, and obliques. |
 Best Budget Sit Up Exercise Mat / Abmat Rep Fitness Ab Support MatIt’s difficult to get quality on a budget these days, but the Rep Fitness Ab Support Mat offers both. Coming with a Tailbone Protector, the stress placed on your lower back will be reduced while helping you to better isolate your abs. |
Best Exercise Mat for Sit Ups Overall
Rogue Wise Crack Abmat
The Rogue Wise Crack’s patented design reigns supreme in comfort and protection. The cushioned model works to isolate abs while allowing them to fully extend, offering a greater range of motion than most.
Next Best Abmat
Rogue Abmat Pro
As is consistent with the Rogue brand, their Abmat Pro is made to take a beating while retaining its signature high level of quality. Contoured to the lower back, your spine will be safe while you perform more efficient sit-ups. This works to better target the abs, lower back muscles, and obliques.
Best Budget Sit Up Exercise Mat / Abmat
Rep Fitness Ab Support Mat
It’s difficult to get quality on a budget these days, but the Rep Fitness Ab Support Mat offers both. Coming with a Tailbone Protector, the stress placed on your lower back will be reduced while helping you to better isolate your abs.
Best Exercise Mats for Sit Ups
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Rogue Wise Crack Abmat |
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Rogue Abmat Pro |
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Rep Fitness Ab Support Mat |
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Athlos Fitness Ab Mat with Tailbone Protector |
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Abdominal Trainer by Fringe Sport |
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| Rogue Wise Crack Abmat | |
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| Rogue Abmat Pro | |
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| Rep Fitness Ab Support Mat | |
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| Athlos Fitness Ab Mat with Tailbone Protector | |
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| Abdominal Trainer by Fringe Sport | |
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1. Rogue Wise Crack Abmat
While there are many ab mats on the market today, if we were to select just one it would be the Rogue Wise Crack Abmat. Matching quality and durability, it’s the best mat currently available.
The model features two separate rectangular sections at the end of the mat, leaving a channel in between them where your tailbone will lie all through the sit up. This essentially leaves it suspended in air, free from pressure from the ground. This eliminates bruising and general.
Comprised of durable, low compression set foam and covered in non-slip vinyl, you will love working out on it. You can use it without inhibitions as it will never slip around and stays sturdy for years of consistent use without ripping or tearing. The design is contoured to slightly tilt your spine. This allows for a complete extension of your abs, boosting efficiency and more effectively isolating them.
The US-made, CrossFit-originating model is patented for a reason and no other seems to match it in protection and quality.
The Good
- Very easy to transport
- Perfect for isolating abdominals
- Protects tailbone
- Incredibly durable
- Non-slip
The Not So Good
- Higher price tag than most
Check Current Price at Rogue Fitness
2. Rogue Abmat Pro
As with all of Rogue’s products, the Abmat Pro is made with the best quality out there and will make your sit ups safer and more effective. It may not look like much, but your mind will soon change after a few reps with it placed under your lower back!
Working to create the ideal environment for full range of motion (ROM), the Abmat Pro offers your abdominals elongation and forceful contraction which will help to strengthen and build the muscle.
The thermoformed molded design comes with anti-microbial vinyl as well. This means you’ll get durability that will outlast most others, while still keeping things sanitary. The vinyl also keeps a tight grip on whatever flooring you have it placed on, including hardwood, tile, and carpet so you don’t have to focus on keeping the mat still.
With an all-black design, this mat will undoubtedly look great in any home gym. It’s also light and small enough to easily take with you anywhere you need to go.
The Good
- Very easy to transport
- Perfect for isolating abdominals
- Attractive design
- Incredibly durable
- Non-slip
The Not So Good
- Higher price tag than most
Check Current Price at Rogue Fitness
3. Rep Fitness Ab Support Mat
If you’re looking to add some cushion to your workout and keep your wallet padded too, check out the Rep Fitness Ab Support Mat. When it comes to budget-friendly models, there is no competition. On its own, it offers generous support, taking the strain off of your lower back throughout the duration of the exercise. However, you can also opt for the additional ab support and a Tailbone Protector.
Made up of strong, high-density foam padding, it is highly durable and can withstand heavy and regular use just like the more expensive models. Instead of a vinyl like most others out there, this one comes with an antimicrobial PVC leather. Not only is it made to feel nice to the touch, but it is resistant against tears and holes. On the underside, you’ll find it covered with a non-slip rubber which ensures it stays in place the entire time.
The Good
- Very easy to transport
- Protects spine
- Comes in array of color options
- Suitably durable for long-term home use
The Not So Good
- Extra Tailbone Protector isn’t very useful
Check Current Price at REP Fitness
4. Athlos Fitness Ab Mat with Tailbone Protector
The Athlos Fitness Ab Mat with Tailbone Protector offers a solid amount of quality while still being relatively inexpensive. It’s not quite as affordable as the Rep Fitness model we just covered, but it’s close.
The model comes with two “sections” that are connected through a thick piece of material. The flat mat section can be extended out to help stop abrasion against your tailbone. It also prevents the ab trainer from moving around while you’re using it. However, if you don’t need to use the extra mat, you can simply fold it underneath! The foldable design is compact, lightweight, and easy to transport as well.
The high-density foam mat is contoured perfectly to support your lower back, taking stress off of it so you can do your sit ups comfortably. If you’re for some reason unsatisfied, it also comes with a generous 1-year warranty where you can either get a complete refund or replacement.
The Good
- Very easy to transport and store
- Protects spine
- Versatile
- Incredibly durable
The Not So Good
- Extra Tailbone Protector may not be needed
5. Abdominal Trainer by Fringe Sport
In terms of design quality, the Abdominal Trainer by Fringe Sport is comparable to Rogue mats. Made of a thick foam material, it offers just the right balance of cushion and sturdiness. The contoured design works to completely isolate your upper abs, lower abs, lower back muscles, and obliques. Overall, this mat offers a great amount of support to keep stress off of your lower back.
Covered in soft vinyl, it will hold up against regular use and it won’t move around while you use it. The one-size-fits all model is also easy to stow away and transport when you’re done, making it ideal for at-home use or taking with you on the road or to the gym. The sleek, smooth black mat makes a visually appealing addition to any home gym
All in all, if you want a great blend of durability and support all while saving some cash, the Abdominal Trainer by Fringe Sport is definitely worth considering.
The Good
- Very easy to transport and store
- Protects spine
- Visually attractive
- Nicely durable and cushioned
The Not So Good
- Slightly more expensive than some others on our guide
Check Current Price at Fringe Sport
Should You Get a Sit Up Mat / Abmat?
As impressive and robust as the human body is, it needs to be taken care of properly. Sit ups may not be particularly challenging, but if you’re repeatedly doing them on surfaces that don’t offer proper cushioning or support then you could end up damaging your spine.
Choice of exercise mat is important. While there are many that offer excellent padding and provide an ideal surface for working out on different flooring such as hardwood flooring and carpet, flat surfaces aren’t the best for supporting the spine. What you need is a mat that is specifically designed with sit ups in mind. Sit up mats / abmats are designed to not only cushion the spine/tailbone but also offer lumbar support. The lower back support will eliminate any chafing, bruising, and/or irritation it may otherwise be subject to. In addition, it is curved to allow for full range of motion of your abdominals. This will help to isolate your upper/lower abs and obliques.
The best ab mats will also be compact and lightweight, making storage and transportation easy. A good quality mat should last years, owing to high-quality materials and construction.
Choosing the Right Exercise Mat for Sit Ups
Narrowing down your options to find the perfect sit up mat can be difficult if you’re not already aware of the features you require. There are countless exercise mats out there that are well made but that means nothing if it doesn’t live up to what you need and want. We’re here to help you out, going through each aspect to consider when you’re hunting for the right mat for your abs!
Protection
Since a huge function of ab mats are to protect the spine, you must consider the kind of protection each model offers! The main variation that you’ll find here is whether or not the model includes tailbone protection. Some will come with attached foam pads that you can sit on. This will add extra cushioning while also helping to secure the mat in place. There are also unique cases, like the Rogue Wise Crack Mat which takes things a step further, offering a unique channel in the mat for your tailbone to sit suspended to completely eliminate any pressure on it.
Support
The other main function of exercise mats for sit ups is support. The lower back/lumbar spine is one of the most vulnerable parts of the body and has quite a bit of stress placed on it during sit ups. A good ab mat will fit nicely into the slight curvature of the lumbar spine, greatly reducing the chance of injury and discomfort.
Isolation
If you’re using an exercise mat for sit ups, chances are you’re looking to either improve the way your midsection looks, your athletic abilities, strength, or some mixture of the above. No matter what your motives are, properly isolating your abdominals and obliques can be a particularly effective way of developing their strength and size. The curvature of abmats allows for a greater range of motion which more effectively works the abs and core.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exercise Mats for Sit Ups & Abmats
How do abmats work?
The curvature of the mats offer support to your lower back and protection for your spine. In addition, they allow for a greater range of motion to be achieved, which better activates your abdominals, yielding better, quicker results.
Is it better to use a sit up mat / abmat or a regular exercise mat?
It’s better to use an abmat, as they’re specially made to support and protect your spine, and give you greater range of motion to more effectively work out and develop your abdominals. Regular exercise mats are designed purely to provide a cushioned barrier that protects you from your floor and your floor from you.
Well, there you have it: The best abmats and exercise mats for sit ups.
We’ve searched high and low while taking consumer reviews into consideration to deliver the best models currently available. We’ve included excellent options all across the budget spectrum to ensure there’s at least one great option for you and your needs.
You can rely on these ab mats to transform your abs and performance, while protecting your spine.
