Everything You Need to Know About Gymnastic Mats

The right gymnastic mats are essential for developing skills and practice. But it helps only when the right type of mats are used. The pertinent question is how to choose the right gymnastic mats. There are service providers that deal in quality mats and upholstery services.

It is vital to have some information on the mats, as it helps in choosing the right ones for the requirements. Sports centres and Fitness facilities need to install good quality equipment to make their areas safe for people to practise and strengthen their skills. It is important to be aware that there are different types of gymnastic mats, as thickness and materials will vary.

What Are Gymnastic Mats?

Gymnastic mats are floor mats that are meant for placement in sports and fitness facilities. These mats offer shock absorption for gymnastics, martial arts, cheerleading, wrestling and any types of sporting activities that involve high impact. The mats offer cushion for landing and protection, so that the risk of injuries can be minimised or prevented.

Gymnastic mats are made of impact absorption material, such as cross-link polyethylene foam, which is covered by a vinyl casing. This material makes them durable, as well as easy to clean and sanitise. They also don’t get easily punctured or torn with repeated usage or high traffic. Some mats come with carpet tops for better traction and good quality products are slip-resistant, so they don’t move while practising or landing, ensuring safety is a priority.

Types of Gymnastic Mats

• Folding mats

Folding mats come with vinyl covered panels that can be easily folded for convenient storage. They are a popular option for gymnastics activities as they can be easily stored and transported. They are the perfect product for gymnasts from beginners through to pro level.

• Roll out mats

Roll-out mats are also easy to store and transport as they can be easily rolled when not in use, making them a good option when space is limited.

• Landing mats

These gymnastic mats are designed for optimum impact absorption. They are suitable for advanced martial arts and gymnastics practices. Landing mats are also known as crash mats. They are thicker when compared to other mats and come with mesh sides to allow the air to escape when there is an impact, this further enables a softer landing.

• Competition mats

These mats cover a larger area during a match or simple floor routine. They might have vinyl tops based on the sport being played. These mats can be rolled out easily, which makes them perfect for gyms and sports centres. They are available in a variety of customised colours to suit branding or team requirements.

When several mats are bought, they can be easily connected to each other via velcro strips to increase the size. This helps in creating a huge practice area.

How Thick Should Gymnastics Mats Be?

The appropriate thickness of the mats depends upon what they will be used for. Usually, thicker mats are recommended as they offer enhanced impact absorption, whereas thin mats cannot absorb as much shock.

• 1-3/8” – 2-1/2”

This is the perfect range of thickness for gymnastic and tumbling mats and are suitable for all sorts of activities.

• 8”- 12”

These are landing or crash mats and are at the thicker end of the spectrum. They make sure that injuries are prevented when speed or height become more extreme.

• 14”- 16”

These mats can be up to 16” tall. They are more about supporting beginners who are learning the basics and more likely to fall, ensuring a wider area of coverage to safely cushion those that need it.

Are Gymnastic Mats Waterproof?

Those that are covered with vinyl have a good level of waterproofing, however the quality will vary from product to product. Gymnastic mats that have a foam base with carpet covering may not offer much waterproofing, as the foam can easily absorb water.

How to Clean and Maintain Gymnastic Mats

Gymnastic mats are easy to clean, irrespective of carpeted or vinyl casing. Sports and fitness facilities can keep mats clean by sweeping or vacuuming any dust and dirt. For spot cleaning, wipe the mats with a damp cloth to remove marks.

Apart from cleaning, the mats will also require regular sanitisation. It is not just important to keep the mats looking good, but also to ensure that they are cleaned down for safe use by large numbers of people. Irrespective of the vinyl or carpet covering, they must be wiped to prevent any bacterial growth or transference of germs. It is a straightforward job to kill bacteria when the right products are chosen for the task.

Disinfectant wipes can make it easy and quick to clean the mats. If you don’t wish to invest in a specialised cleaner, these wipes are a good choice and will safely sanitise the items for their next use.