Consider yourself a yogi? Love aerial yoga? Or are you a complete beginner to yoga? Well did you know that while PVC yoga mats are often cheap to buy, they’re not so great for the environment? This is because they typically take hundreds of years to decompose and release toxic chemicals when incinerated.
Thankfully, there are now a variety of ethical alternatives that are just as pretty and effective as they are sustainable – so you can clear your eco-conscious with yoga practice and add an eco yoga mat to your yoga equipment. After all, it’s just as important to be kind to our bodies as it is to the environment.
But rather than tossing out your non-eco yoga mat in disgust, we would suggest finding another use for it or simply waiting until it's too worn to use anymore. After all, you've already bought it now! Could it make a nice resting place for your pet? Or what about using it as insulation?
Environmentally friendly or not, a yoga mat provides not only a thin cushion for you to exercise on but a personal space that signifies dedicated me-time and self-care. They're an essential for long yoga sessions as well as yoga stretches after a run – this is why it's so important to get your hands on a good one.
And while you're keen to grab yourself an eco-friendly yoga mat, there's still plenty of other qualities you're likely to want to look for in your mat including organic materials, good grip, thickness, support, and texture.
Related: Yoga for elderly: the benefits and how to get started
What is an eco-yoga mat?
But what exactly makes a yoga mat eco-friendly, you may ask? Well, it's actually pretty simple. The yoga mat needs to have been made from natural materials to qualify it as an eco-friendly yoga mat. We especially love eco yoga mats that are sustainably sourced and also come in recyclable packaging.
We caught up with Fi Clark, Head of Yoga at FLY LDN to find out more about finding the ideal yoga mat for you.
Related: How to get rid of bingo wings
What should I look for in an eco yoga mat?
There are lots of different types of eco yoga mats available, made from a variety of sustainable materials such as eco-friendly foam, natural rubber, cork, jute, and cloth. But what else should you look for?
"Resilience, high-quality materials, and durability. It needs to be grippy enough to ensure your hands and feet won't slide or slip in dynamic practices but it's also not too thick for standing balances," explains Fi. "There's a whole array of choice and if you practice somewhere regularly where you can't store your mat, I suggest a good quality travel mat that you can lay over a regular studio mat."
Do different exercises suit different types of mats?
"Practices such as Vinyasa Flow, Rocket, and Ashtanga yoga that are pre-dominantly standing and of a dynamic nature where you need to stay stable when holding a posture or transitioning into another will need a medium thickness of mat that has a good grip. The most popular are rubber topped mats as they are non-slip. More mat-based practices such as Pilates, Hatha, and YIN need less grip but more padding as you will be either seated or lying down for the majority (if not all) of the class."
Related: The best yoga apps for beginners
What are the benefits of eco yoga mats?
"Sustainability and ethics are usually the reason behind choosing an eco-mat over a non-eco mat. They also tend to be antibacterial and contain far fewer synthetic toxins than non-eco competitors."
Should I go for a mat with a textured surface or one that is smooth?
"The surface texture is completely personal, if the mat is good quality then the pattern or texture should not make too much difference to the performance. Some people like to use mats such as YogiBare and Liforme as they have markings on the mats that help with alignment with some postures, but it has little effect on the experience of grip."
What thickness should I choose?
According to DIYogi, "Pick a mat that's too thin and you may experience a lot of discomfort in your knees, wrists, and ankles when you hold poses for a long time. At the other end of the spectrum, one that is just too thick for you can slow down your movement and keep you from feeling 100 per cent supported – you’ll just hopelessly sink into it."
So what thickness should you go for then? Unhelpfully, it's completely down to you as an individual. If your joints need more support, a thicker mat is naturally going to provide that support compared to a thin one. Just don't go too thick so you can't properly perform your yoga poses.
A thin yoga mat is ideal if you like to travel with a yoga mat as it's much lighter to take with you. We'd recommend using a thinner yoga mat on top of carpet while you practice.
Related: Garage gym ideas: everything you need for an at-home gym
What else should I think about?
"It is worth researching and asking friends on their recommendations. Generally, you get what you pay for as far as mats are concerned, similar with running trainers for their functionality and technology. Most mats I've owned are still in great condition after years of use so although it may feel expensive initially, it's definitely an investment to make sure your yoga practice is safe, and you're supported by your mat. It makes a massive difference!"
To help you out, we've rounded up the best eco yoga mats on the market right now.
The best eco-friendly yoga mats
Best eco yoga mats in the UK
1 of 12TOPLUS Yoga Mat
You can expect no latex, no PVC, and no toxic or harmful chemicals in this mat. The double-layer structure and embossed nonslip texture not only look great, but they also provide optimal grip for sweaty soles and palms and excellent cushioning for many forms of yoga, whether you're practising your poses on wood, tiled or clement flooring. Thanks to its 6mm thickness, it's particularly gentle on the knees, elbows and hips, making it an ideal choice for those prone to joint pain. You also get a 12-month warranty thrown in, too!
Key features:
0.6cm thick
183 x 61 x 0.6cm
Weighs 1kg
No latex, no PVC, non-toxic or any harmful chemicals
2 of 12Yogamatters Eco Everyday Rise Yoga Mat
As the name suggests, these 3mm yoga mats are designed for everyday use. Despite their appearance, they are free from toxic chemicals and dyes and are actually made from sustainably harvested natural tree rubber and recycled materials – which are also recyclable when it eventually comes to the end of its life. They feature a lovely wood-like textured surface, which provides stability and good grip and are available in five attractive bold colours, including dark navy, flame orange, purple and slate grey.
Key features:
3mm thick
183 x 61cm
Made from sustainably harvested natural tree rubber
Made in Taiwan
3 of 12Kintsugi - Pro Round Mat
Always assumed yoga mats were rectangular? Whilst slightly unconventional, large circular mats like this one allow you to enhance your practice, since you don't have to keep turning it around or confine yourself to a narrow space. The geometric form grid also helps with alignment and the recycled natural rubber material grips really well to the floor to prevent slipping. Best of all, it's free from any PVC, silicone, glue, toxic chemicals or carcinogen and is machine washable, so you can keep it smelling fresh. Available in several pretty landscape and marble designs, you needn't choose between attractiveness or sustainability.
Key features:
3mm thick
Made from recycled natural rubber and recycled plastic bottles
4 of 12Proworks Eco Friendly Yoga Mat
Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, these durable yoga mats are easy to set up, quick to unroll, and most importantly, stay flat on the floor with no curling of the edges. A convenient strap holder is also included to ensure your mat is kept tightly wrapped up.
Key features:
183 x 60cm
10mm thick
Non-slip and anti-tearPortable carry strap included
5 of 12Liforme Yoga Mat
At the higher end of the spectrum, Liforme's mats have been specially designed using eco-polyurethane (an eco-friendly foam) making them fully biodegradable and able to decompose within one to five years in landfill. To avoid the use of toxic inks, the clever design features etching, and the layers have been stuck together using a special heat-bonding process as a substitution for glue. As if this wasn't enough, the mats also offer great grip, are fully recyclable and are delivered to your door without unnecessary plastic packaging. If you're seeking an all-round sustainable yoga mat to invest in, this one ticks the boxes.
Key features:
4.2mm thick
185 x 68cm
Comes with free yoga bag
Engineered with Patented Alignment System Marks
£114.95
6 of 12Auzest Cork Yoga Mat
With a natural cork material mat surface and eco TPE underside, this cork yoga mat is non-toxic, odour-free with no harsh chemicals. It comfortably cushions your spine, hips, knees and elbows on hard floors, to give you a comfortable feeling and a great experience.
Key features:
183 x 61cm
5mm thick
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use with anti-fungal material
7 of 12M Life Eco Beginners Mat
If you're just starting out the first time and don't want to spend too much on a mat, this one from John Lewis is an affordable option for beginners. It offers comfortable grounding for all styles of yoga and is developed from non-toxic, non-ozone depleting materials that won't harm the environment – or you! Better still, it also passes all European RoHS regulations. At only £20, we'd say that's pretty good value for money!
Key features:
4mm thick
60 x 173cm
Developed from non-toxic, non-ozone depleting materials
8 of 12KAIZENLY Pro Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat
With its natural and non-slip cork surface, this mat gives you excellent grip when you need it the most, while the TPE underside stops the mat from moving around during high-intensity sessions. It is water and sweat-resistant, as the cork provides an even stronger grip when slightly wet, and the mat doesn't stick to your skin when sweating.
Key features:
183 x 61cm
Natural and non-slip cork surface
Alignment marks to aid posture and form
Double-layered and tear-resistant
9 of 12Elephant Yoga Organic Cotton Yoga Rug
This organic cotton yoga mat is best for Ashtanga Yoga and practicing pilates, hot yoga, and power yoga. There are no toxic materials used and the lightweight mat can be rolled up for easy transportation.
Key features:
1.2kg in weight
198 x 67cm
Made from sustainably sourced cotton
3mm thickness
£39.95
10 of 12Sweaty Betty Eco Yoga Mat
This Sweaty Betty yoga mat will make a welcome addition to your yoga equipment. Made from soft eco-friendly TPE fabric with amazing grip to ensure you don't slip, offering a different pattern on each side.
Key features:
6mm thickness
Weighs just 2kg
183 x 61cm
Different on each side
11 of 12Wild Hemp Yoga Mat
This yoga mat is made of an eco-friendly wild hemp-cotton canvas with pure wild nettle fabric. As well as making this hard wearing, the hemp-cotton mix provides a grippy surface which is idea for when you're practising your downward dog.
Key features:
7-8mm thick
Weight 1.8 kg (approx.)
180cm x 66cm (approx.)
12 of 12Yoga Studio Organic Cotton Yoga Blanket
Whether you're meditating or stretching, the Yoga Studio Organic Cotton Yoga Blanket is the perfect tool. Best used for '-yoga' where there is perspiration involved.
Key features:
Weight 1kg
42cm x 205cm
Handmade in India with care and love
Our verdict
Of all the products listed in this piece, our top eco yoga mat pick would be the Liforme Yoga Mat. Although pricey, we reckon it's worth it as it's fully biodegradable with a clever “AlignForMe” system to help yogis align. It also offers incredible grip, helping you improve your yoga practice.
Related: 7 of the best fitness DVDs to keep you exercising at home
Eco-friendly yoga mat FAQs
How to clean a yoga mat.
As with everything in life, your eco yoga mat will need a clean from time to time. To do this, simply add warm water and a few drops of washing up liquid into a spray bottle. Then spritz both sides of your mat with and firmly scrub with a cloth. Ideally you want to do this at least once a month.
Are expensive yoga mats worth it?
We say yes. Usually the higher price point of eco yoga mats will come from the materials which have been sustainably sourced to make the mat. The way we look at it, it is far better to invest in a high-quality yoga mat that is a better choice for the planet rather than constantly replacing cheaper yoga mats which are then sent to landfill. Remember, quality over quantity.
What about second-hand eco yoga mats?
Admittedly, eco yoga mats can be expensive so don't forget to check out Ebay or other selling sites to browse second-hand yoga mats that other users no longer have a need for. Just make sure you disinfect the mat when you receive it.
Related: Yoga over 50 - four Yoga poses for every fitness level
Are yoga mats biodegradable?
Not all of them - this completely depends on what they are made from and if those materials are biodegradable. Materials that are biodegradable includes the likes of natural tree rubber and cork. It will usually be made obvious from the product description which mats are biodegradable or not.
Now you've got your yoga mat (and don't forget your yoga mat bag!), try out some yogaat home with our recommendation of vlogger Adriene. Adriene has been vlogging her yoga videos on YouTube for over 10 years, now enjoy her videos starting with the one below.
Video: Yoga with Adriene
If you're interested in trying something else, here's how to stay fit at home.