Practicing yoga has various health benefits, and after rapid progress, the practice becomes addictive. The most important, and crucial, the equipment you'll need to successfully perform your yoga practice is a high-quality yoga mat. After hours and hours of performing all kind of yoga poses on your mat, you'll need to replace your yoga mat.
People usually replace their yoga mats every six to twelve months, depending on the intensity of their sessions. Performing yoga on a worn yoga mat can negatively impact your body and lead to serious injuries. Never work out on a worn yoga mat and learn when it's a time to replace your yoga mat with a new one.
Here are 9 signs that tell it's a time for a new yoga mat:
#1 Uneven Padding
Due to some yoga positions, it's possible that you will use one side of your yoga mat more than the other one. Whenever you practice yoga, your yoga mat is slowly losing the level of padding.
To check if it's time to replace your yoga mat, simply put your mat on the floor and see if the padding is even on the corners of the mat. Make sure that the thickness and level of padding are the same all over the mat.
Training on an uneven yoga mat can cause balance problems and hurt your joints. We all know how long it takes for joints to recover. What could be better than getting your own printed yoga mat? We help you in designing personalized or branded yoga mats.
#2 Yoga Mat Starts to Tear Apart
If you're practicing yoga in a studio, then you know the importance of cleaning the space after the session. Noticing small pieces of your yoga mat around is a sign that it's time for changing to a new mat. This will usually happen after 6 months of heavy practicing and it's totally normal.
Never continue working out on that yoga mat since the level of thickness won't be even and it can cause various wrist injuries. Also, you probably don't want to spend a lot of time cleaning the studio after you're done with your session, right?
#3 Your Yoga Mat Became Extremely Slippery
We all know the importance of having a non-slippery yoga mat. There is nothing more annoying than slipping in the middle of a challenging pose. You've been training for a while and finally, you've got the pose, but due to the level of slipperiness, you lose the balance. It's not only frustrating but also very dangerous since it's very easy to injure yourself.
You can check out how to make your yoga mat less slippery, but if nothing works, then it's evident that you'll have to invest in a new yoga mat.
The best way to check if it's time to replace your yoga mat is by doing a triangle or downward dog pose. If you experience any level of traction during these poses, then you know what you have to do.
#4 Weird Smell
Can you smell a strong odor even after cleaning your yoga mat? If that's the case, then it's a warning sign to replace your yoga mat.
Sometimes, you can endure the smell and train, but it's definitely not the most comfortable environment to practice yoga. Also, the smell can be an indicator of bacteria or chemicals and you probably don't want to get a disease while doing yoga.
#5 It's Hard to Keep a Balance
Once the padding levels recline you'll experience a hard time keeping the balance. For instance, you've mastered the pose a long ago and when you try it now, you have a hard time holding the pose due to imbalance.
Usually, the thickness levels recline around the corners, where you place hands and legs. Check it out and see if you can find any unevenness in the padding of your yoga mat.
The last thing you want to experience is getting injured due to balance problems.
#6 Joint Pain
Some yoga poses will definitely put the intensity on your joints. There is no need for worry as yoga mats, even the thinnest ones, are designed with a proper level of cushion to prevent joint injuries.
Once you start to experience joint pains during or after a yoga session, it's time to check your yoga mat. There is a huge possibility that the padding is worn off.
#7 Type of Yoga Practice
The thickness of your yoga mat definitely depends on the type of yoga you practice. For instance, 6 mm yoga mats are the most used among yoga practitioners. It provides enough cushion so you won't have an uncomfortable time practicing, but at the same time, it has a level of portability.
If you travel a lot, the last thing you want to do is transporting a heavy yoga mat. You should think of getting 2 mm yoga mat and replace your old one.
The level of thickness totally depends on the type of yoga you practice and it's important that your yoga mat matches it as you want to avoid injuries.
#8 Check Out Bald Spots
Getting bald spots is completely normal and it happens due to constant practice. Bald spots usually manifest as holes or slippery parts on your yoga mat. It's most likely you'll notice bald spots around legs or arms.
Once you notice bald spots, you will probably experience imbalance and slipperiness and it's definitely a time to replace your yoga mat.
If you have any questions related to yoga mats, feel free to send us an email or talk with one of us through live chat. Be sure to check out these 7 crucial things before buying a yoga mat and get some design ideas for your personal yoga mat.