Looking for the right mat for an at-home exercise program like P90X®? That's another question we get on a daily basis and we're pleased to offer a variety of high-density anti-fatigue mats that stand up well to the rigors of personal fitness.
In any workout environment, you want your flooring surface to deliver the right balance of shock absorption and stability. Too much of one, and you might sacrifice the other! That's what makes EVA Foam anti-fatigue mats an ideal flooring surface for for high-intensity and high-impact workouts like P90X®.
Shock absorption is important because while you push your body to excel you also need to protect your joints. A vigorous workout can put a lot of stress on your knees and ankles, so having an appropriate amount of padding on the floor is crucial to absorbing some of that stress and giving your joints some relief. When it comes to fitness flooring, we strongly recommend at least 1/2" (14mm) or 3/4" (20mm) foam.
Stability is just as important as shock absorption, because trips and slips while your body is under stress can often result in injury. Where EVA foam is concerned, a thicker, high-density foam will be the most stable. The other thing that you need to take into consideration is the surface on which you're going to install your mats. We strongly recommend against installing your mats on carpet, even if it's low-pile. When mats are placed on a hard interior surface such as wood or cement, their large surface area in contact with the floor is able to produce plenty of friction to remain stable underneath all your fancy flying push-ups and lunges. When the mats are installed on carpeted surfaces, they may not be able to produce enough friction to avoid slipping as a result of sudden impact.
And there you have it! When shopping for the right flooring surface for your workout, be it P90X® or otherwise, look for a thicker, high-density EVA foam mat and install it on a hard surface such as wood or concrete. Need a few suggestions? We've got some right here!
What is the difference between Martial Arts and the regular EVA tiles? Is there a difference in traction?
Great question, there are two primary differences between our Martial Arts product line and our standard foam product line. First, the martial arts mats are available in up to 3/4" thickness whereas the standard foam is currently only available in up to 1/2". Thicker foam provides more padding and greater stability. Second, as far the texture is concerned, standard foam comes in a herringbone-patterned surface texture, and the martial arts mats are finished with a traditional tatami-patterned surface texture. Martial Arts studios prefer the tatami finish for its traditional appearance, but both textures are designed to enhance traction and neither is particularly superior in that regard.
Good article. Having a good mat is important to get the best workout.