Yoga is a great practice, with many benefits stocked on the table. But, sometimes, it may be a painful experience, especially if you have knee problems. Now, you don’t want to just increase the discomfort with an unsuitable yoga mat, do you? That’s why it’s essential to find an answer to what is the best yoga mat for bad knees!
Even if you have bad knees, you can still enjoy the benefits of yoga practice, with a bit of research. In the next sections, we will guide you through what you need to look out for when investing in a yoga mat for bad knees, and what are some of the best yoga mats for that prerequisite on the market!
Things To Look In A Yoga Mat For Bad Knees
Of course, as with all other yoga mats, there are some specific criteria to look out for when you decide to buy a yoga mat for bad knees. Primarily, you should go for a thick cushioned yoga mat, but here are some criteria that you should pay attention to:
Premium Thickness
An average yoga mat is 3mm thick, which isn’t enough if you have knee problems. We advise that you look for 5mm thick yoga mats if you want to protect your vulnerable knees. Thickness is essential in knee protection, so don’t ignore this criterion.
Cushioned Material
This is another criterion that you shouldn’t ignore, as the material of your yoga mat can decrease its thickness. For example, too much cushioning can considerably complicate some yoga poses (mainly standing balances and inversions). Your best bet is to look for natural rubber or PVC yoga mats, as these materials won’t tamper with your balance that much.
Smooth Texture
Look for a yoga mat that has no bumpy textures (used to increase their stickiness), as they can damage your knee joints. Rather, look for a yoga mat that features a smooth texture and is soft to the touch.
5 Best Yoga Mats For Bad Knees
Now, here are our best pics for all the criteria mentioned above!
1. Sivan Health and Fitness Yoga Mat
2. Manduka Pro Yoga Mat
3. Gaiam Essentials Thick Yoga Mat
4. Incline Yoga Mat
5. My Eco Yoga Mat
Sivan Health and Fitness Yoga Mat
Takes the Crown For: Best Budget Yoga Mat For Bad Knees
Price: 20$
Size: 24” x 71”
Thickness: 12mm
Weight: 1,75lbs
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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- Fit for every kind of budget
- Comes in a package with a carrying strap
- Made with 1/2-inch memory foam that protects your knees
- Tons of padding
- Very easy to clean
- Slip-free surface
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- The soft material will tamper with your balance
- Stretches when you put your weight in opposing directions
- Not the best yoga mat for taller practitioners
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Manduka Pro Yoga Mat
Takes the Crown For: Best Overall Yoga Mat For Bad Knees
Price: 120$
Size: 26” x 71” (Standard), 26” x 85” (Long)
Thickness: 6mm
Weight: 7,5lbs
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Awesome for taller practitioners
- The closed-cell surface is easily cleanable
- Toxin and latex-free
- Many color variants
- Offers a lot of yoga practice space
- Very stable and comfortable
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- Very heavy yoga mat
- Quite expensive
- PVC material is less eco-friendly
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Gaiam Essentials Thick Yoga Mat
Takes the Crown For: Best Yoga Mat For Beginners
Price: 17$
Size: 24” x 72”
Thickness: 12mm
Weight: 3,11lbs
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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- Extremely cheap
- Comes in several color variants
- Non-toxic surface
- Comes with a carrying strap
- 1/2 thick cushioning is great for your knees
- Offers a lot of support, especially for extensive body stretches
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- Can be quite slippery during certain poses
- Not the most durable yoga mat out there
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Incline Yoga Mat
Takes the Crown For: Best Convenient Yoga Mat For Bad Knees
Price: 35$
Size: 24” x 71”
Thickness: 25mm
Weight: 4,5lbs
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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- Great for taller practitioners
- Exceptional for knee joints thanks to its 25mm thick padding
- Non-slip surface
- Resistant to moisture
- Ribbed patterns will keep you stable during the longest of stretches
- Comes with a carrying strap
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- Balance problems due to its extra thickness
- Can be quite smelly
- Hard to roll back up
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My Eco Yoga Mat
Takes the Crown For: Best Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat For Bad Knees
Price: 55$
Size: 30” x 74”
Thickness: 8mm
Weight: 1,75lbs
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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- Long and wide enough for taller practitioners along with providing decent space
- Easy to transport due to lightweight TPE material
- Non-slip surface
- Comes with a carrying strap
- No latex and PVC additives which make it extremely eco-friendly
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- Material feels cheap
- Not the densest yoga mat in this price range
- Curly ends
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We hope that now you know what is the best yoga mat for bad knees! Just to let you know, we can design a custom yoga mat for you, free of charge!
If you have any more questions or concerns about yoga mats, feel free to contact us via email or live chat!
