There are so many people out there who don’t work out as much as they’d like due to a lack of proper protection and support. You may have sore joints, bruises, chafing and more. So, what’s the solution? A high quality, thick exercise mat, of course! Without them, you’re not only putting yourself at a greater risk of injury but also not allowing yourself to reap the full benefits you should from your workouts. Many make the mistake of using yoga mats, which simply won’t provide enough padding to be appropriate for working out. Stop putting your body in a vulnerable situation and instead opt for one of the best thick exercise mats out there.
Even if you’ve found a well-padded exercise mat, it still may not be to the level of quality that you need it to be. The 6 mats in this guide have been extensively reviewed and researched so you can rest assured that they’ll deliver. However, they do vary in terms of size, design, functionality and more so it’s important to select the one that suits you best. We know you’re eager to get started, so let’s not waste any time.
Best Thick Exercise Mat At a Glance
  Best Thick Exercise Mat Overall We Sell Mats
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  Best Thick Interlocking Mats IncStores
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  Best Large & Thick Exercise Mat BalanceFrom GoCloud Yoga & Exercise MatShould size be your top priority, the BalanceFrom GoCloud Yoga & Exercise Mat is hard to beat. It’s extra-thick as well as non-slip, so you can do HIIT with confidence and also be comfortable during floorwork. Keep it as a permanent fixture in your home gym, or quickly roll it up when done – they’re both feasible options. |
Best Thick Exercise Mat Overall
We Sell Mats Folding Exercise Gym Mats
Featuring 2 inches of high-density foam, shock absorption isn’t even a question here. Use it for just about any kind of workout, from HIIT, stretching, dancing, martial arts and more. Coming in 4 different sizes, there’s something for everyone and every space.
Best Thick Interlocking Mats
IncStores Tatami Foam Tiles
The IncStores Tatami Foam Tiles are perfect for more permanent applications, coming in detachable pieces made from non-recycled, non-toxic EVA foam. Often used for MMA, they’re perfect in absorbing impact while simultaneously protecting you and your floors. The reversible pieces look great in just about any environment, too.
Best Large & Thick Exercise Mat
BalanceFrom GoCloud Yoga & Exercise Mat
Should size be your top priority, the BalanceFrom GoCloud Yoga & Exercise Mat is hard to beat. It’s extra-thick as well as non-slip, so you can do HIIT with confidence and also be comfortable during floorwork. Keep it as a permanent fixture in your home gym, or quickly roll it up when done – they’re both feasible options.
The Best Thick Exercise Mats
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We Sell Mats Folding Exercise Gym Mats |
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IncStores Tatami Foam Tiles |
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BalanceFrom GoCloud Yoga & Exercise Mat |
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Gorilla Mats Premium Large Yoga Mat |
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Incline Fit Exercise Mat |
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Prosource Fit Extra Thick Puzzle Exercise Mat |
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| We Sell Mats Folding Exercise Gym Mats | |
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| IncStores Tatami Foam Tiles | |
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| BalanceFrom GoCloud Yoga & Exercise Mat | |
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| Gorilla Mats Premium Large Yoga Mat | |
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| Incline Fit Exercise Mat | |
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| Prosource Fit Extra Thick Puzzle Exercise Mat | |
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1. We Sell Mats Folding Exercise Gym Mats
With so many options to choose from, it’s rare that one really stands out. However, the We Sell Mats Folding Exercise Gym Mats are a welcome exception. The ultra-thick model should be your go-to if you’re looking for the optimal mat for protection from hard flooring and shock.
Coming in a wide array of colors, you can choose from schemes like: Black/Blue, Solid Black, Solid Blue, Lime Green/Blue, Multi-Color, Pink, Purple and Purple/Pink. Needless to say, you have the ability to choose the one that suits your personality or home gym perfectly.
Composed of Crosslink Polyethylene High-Density foam, it offers a kind of luxurious feeling, molding to the shape of your body. Not only that, but it provides a great deal of protection and support to keep risk of injury low. In fact, it even works well on particularly hard materials like cement!
Setting it out and folding it back up is a breeze, thanks to how lightweight it is. Featuring 4 different sections, it easily folds back into a compact size that makes it super simple to store. However, if you’re looking to transport it, it’s also easy with the inclusion of 2 extra-strength loop handles. If you’re a personal trainer or just enjoy working out in different environments, this is one of the best options.
The Good
- Very easy to transport
- Folds up for easy storage
- Incredible amount of protection and cushion
- Very durable
The Not So Good
- Higher price tag than most
2. IncStores Tatami Foam Tiles
If you’re looking to tie your home gym together or just a more permanent mat that you don’t have to worry about rolling up and putting away at the end of the day, there’s the IncStores Tatami Foam Tiles. Coming in two reversible colorways, you can choose from either Black/Grey or Red/Blue. The former looks more clean and serious while the other is nice for spicing up an otherwise boring room.
Undoubtedly one of the most versatile models out there, you have the ability to move the square pieces around however you feel like. This is wonderful as you can change up the size depending on the room you’re working out in, and can cover oddly shaped areas, too.
The thick foam is less squishy or forgiving as the former model, though it is hard to compete with in terms of durability and strength. So strong, in fact, that it will easily hold up for years to come with regular and rough use. With supreme shock absorbency, your joints, spine and more will be protected with no soreness to speak of.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, we highly recommend taking a look at the IncStores Tatami Foam Tiles.
The Good
- Very versatile
- Can add or subtract as you wish
- Incredible amount of protection and cushion
- Very durable
The Not So Good
- Not the most cushioned / most forgiving
3. BalanceFrom GoCloud Yoga & Exercise Mat
It’s not the easiest thing to go shopping for high quality, thick exercise mats when you’re on a budget. However, if you’re looking to keep your workouts and your wallet padded, then the BalanceFrom GoCloud Yoga & Exercise Mat may be just right for you.
Coming in a wide selection of shades, you can choose from colors like light Blue, Gray, Red, Pink, Green, and more. Comprised of 1 inch thick, high-density foam material, it allows for proper spinal cushioning as well as protection for your hips, knees, elbows and more.
It’s not the thickest out there, but it’s a good option if you’re someone who isn’t planning to do high intensity workout activities. If you’re someone who will also be using it for yoga or stretching, this one is a wise choice.
Despite being soft and smooth to the touch, it comes with double-sided non-slip surfaces so you can work out with reckless abandon without worrying about losing your balance.
Once you’re done using it, you’ll appreciate the ease of transportation. It rolls up easily without losing its flat form and comes with Velcro straps along with a convenient carry handle to take it anywhere you need to go.
The Good
- Very easy to transport
- Soft and smooth to the touch
- Velcro straps and carry handle
- Double-sided non-slip surfaces
The Not So Good
- Most likely too thin for high intensity exercise
4. Gorilla Mats Premium Large Yoga Mat
If your workouts require ample space that most mats don’t facilitate, you can’t go past the Gorilla Mats Premium Large Yoga Mat. This mat is huge and enables you to workout with 100% confidence. Dancing, Zumba, stretching, p90x and more can be done with this top product while still leaving you extra room for weights, bands and other workout accessories.
You can even use it to transform any space in your home into an instant studio – simply roll it out and you’re ready! The material itself is quite sticky and textured, which provides excellent grip, even on the smoothest of flooring like hardwood and tile. This is due to the unique circular bottom grips.
The comfortable padding will keep sensitive joints and bones well protected while also absorbing some of the shock that comes from activities like plyometrics.
It’s important to note that this mat cannot and should not be used with shoes on, as while it provides ample cushion it’s still thinner and more susceptible to ripping than others on our guide. If you want extra ground connection, however, this is perfect for you.
The Good
- Can be used to make an instant home studio
- Soft and smooth to the touch
- Large size is perfect for floor work, stretching, dancing and more
- Double-sided grippy surfaces
The Not So Good
- Cannot be used with shoes on
5. Incline Fit Exercise Mat
While the Incline Fit Exercise Mat is one of the most visually aesthetic models out there, it has so much more to offer. You’ll find unique colors like Neon Green, Midnight Blue, Orchid, Teal and more. No matter which one you select, you can feel confident that it will be easy to spot and will look great in any home or gym.
The 1-inch thick mat helps to relieve stress and discomfort on areas like joints, hips, the spine, hands and more which will help with any exercise you may be performing. As it’s completely free of Phthalates, heavy metals, BPA and latex, it’s completely safe to use around children and pets. It’s also one of the most durable out there, so if you’ll be using it frequently you can count on it lasting you for a long time.
With double non-slip surfaces you can use it while doing pushups, TRX, plyometrics and much more without worry of it sliding around on you. Cleaning is quick and easy: this mat will never absorb sweat so you don’t have to worry about bacterial growth. When you’re done for the day, you’ll be able to wrap things up fast with the convenient Velcro straps.
The Good
- Non-slip surfaces
- Soft and smooth to the touch
- Great for an array of exercise types
- Comes in wide selection of beautiful colors
The Not So Good
- May have a slight odor to it at first
6. Prosource Fit Extra Thick Puzzle Exercise Mat
Last but not least, we have the Prosource Fit Extra Thick Puzzle Exercise Mat. While quite similar to the Tatami Foam Tiles, it’s a slightly thicker option. Not only that, but it comes in more color options: Black, Blue and Gray.
They’re not all that soft to the touch, but they offer a great amount of sturdiness and support perfect for high-intensity workouts such as martial arts, dancing, plyometrics, p90x and so on. Each tile measures 24” x 24” x 1” which is also a bit larger than the others.
As you have the freedom to arrange them any way you’d like, they are incredibly portable yet perfect for a semi-permanent studio or home gym situation. Assembly and disassembly are both quick and easy. The tiles are not only perfect for absorbing shock, but also protect flooring better than most. As it’s completely non-toxic you can feel safe using it, as well as have it in the presence of children and pets without worry.
The water-resistance design is the easiest out there to clean, never absorbing sweat or promoting the growth of bacteria. The non-textured surface allows for excellent grip both for you and the flooring, while simultaneously reducing noise so you can workout whenever you’d like.
The Good
- Surfaces have great traction
- Very durable and tough
- Can be shaped however you like
- Comes in wide selection of beautiful colors
The Not So Good
- Not the most portable
Should You Get a Thick Exercise Mat?
As much as our bodies can handle, if we can avoid putting extra stress on them, we should. Doing any kind of exercise on hard surfaces takes its toll on us, and often it just gets worse once you notice joint or bone pain. The most convenient and efficient way to avoid this is by using a thick exercise mat. However, there are many mats out there that look great but just don’t do the job well enough.
You need a model that will offer the perfect balance of cushiness and support, so that you’re comfortable and you and your flooring are well-protected. Of course, the exact mat you choose will be dependent on your personal preferences, the types of workouts you’ll be doing, and more.
They come in a wide variety of prices and with differing warranties, but we’re sure there is at least one product here that will fit exactly what you’re looking for.
Choosing the Right Thick Exercise Mat
Narrowing down selections to discover the ideal thick exercise mat can be confusing if you’re not already aware of the characteristics you’ll want. That’s why we’ve taken it upon ourselves to write up this guide, going through each aspect to consider while you’re looking for the right mat for your workouts!
Protection
If a mat can’t protect your body from impact and your flooring from scuffs and dents, then what’s the point? However, the level of protection a mat offers varies widely. Some will be softer or thinner which can offer you more of a “connection” to the ground, but won’t give you as much cushion, nor your flooring. For example, if you’re using a yoga mat and accidentally drop a dumbbell, your flooring could become damaged. Thick exercise mats should feel nice and cushy and create a barrier between you and the ground.
Support
While cushion and protection is crucial, you also need your mat to support your body. If you just sink through to the ground, this isn’t going to absorb shock like it should, and could still be hard on your joints and sensitive places like the hips and spine. The puzzle exercise mats reign supreme in this category, as it’s essentially impossible to feel the floor through them – even during plyometrics/HIIT.
Portability
What kind of lifestyle do you have or what will you be using your mat for? If you need something that you can take traveling or just to the gym, then it should be easy to roll up, come with straps and ideally a carry handle. If you need something more permanent, opt for a larger mat that can kind of create an “instant studio”, or once again, the puzzle mats that you can change up as you please.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thick Exercise Mats
How do thick exercise mats work?
They’re typically composed of a high-quality foam material that works to absorb shock, so you can get the benefits of working out without the stress and pain of doing it on a hard surface. These exercise mats vary in size and function, with some being portable and others permanent fixtures in home or garage gyms.
Is it better to use a thick exercise mat or a regular exercise mat?
That depends on what type of training you’re doing. Thicker isn’t always better. It is better to use a thicker model if you’re spending a lot of time on the floor (e.g., abdominal exercises, other calisthenics, and / or martial arts), as they’ll provide more cushioning and be more comfortable. In many instances, a thicker exercise mat will even lower the risk of injury, which means you can workout harder without worry.
If, however, you’re doing aerobics, high intensity / explosive exercises, or other types of exercise where you’re mostly on your feet, then a thicker exercise mat may not be necessary or desirable.
Well, there you have it: The Best Thick Exercise Mats.
With an array of mats that will suit any budget, we can assure you there’s at least one excellent pick for you in the list above. You can count on these thick exercise mats to offer both protection and support while making your workouts easier and more comfortable.
