Best Exercise Mat for HIIT: Protect Your Joints & Enhance Your Workout

Ever tried doing burpees on a thin yoga mat? Ouch! Your poor knees probably still haven't forgiven you for that experiment. If your HIIT sessions leave you with more floor-related pain than actual muscle soreness, your mat might be the secret saboteur of your fitness journey!

Those high knees, jump squats, and mountain climbers deserve way better than that sad, flimsy rectangle you've been using. After countless bruised tailbones and apologetic texts to downstairs neighbors, it's time for a serious upgrade to your workout foundation. The game-changer? An extra-thick, extra-large exercise mat that actually stays put while you're crushing those plyometrics!

Sensu's Large Exercise Mats have completely revolutionized the home HIIT experience with their perfect balance of cushion and stability. At 8.5mm thick, they provide that sweet spot where your joints feel protected without your feet sinking in during balance work.

Plus, with sizes up to 7'×5', you'll never accidentally land half-off your mat during those explosive movements again! 

Ready to discover why these mats might just be the missing piece in your fitness puzzle? Let's jump right in! 💪✨

Exercise Mat for HIIT: Sensu Large Exercise Mat Overview

Depending on the HIIT program you’re following, your burst-intense workout will most likely feature jumping rope, high knees, Plyometrics, like box jumps or burpees, weight lifting circuits, and other bodyweight exercises.

Three things make the Sensu Exercise Large Mat stand out for these activities. After using it for five months now, I notice that it’s great with:

• Shock absorption that guaranteed joint protection at all my HIIT workouts

• Stability and grip, which prevented slipping.

• Floor protection from intense movements especially if you use carpeted floors.

This informed my decision to recommend it as the best mat I’ve tried so far. But when in the market I considered some factors which is what you should always have in mind before choosing 

Full Review of the Top Choice Mat for HIIT from Sensu.co

I reviewed the mat based on its size, material, comfort, stability and grip, ease of cleaning, price, and even warranty. 

These are areas you’d want to prioritize when buying mats for HIIT, and the Sensu’s Large Exercise Mat shines in these areas based on my experience. Here’s how; 

The Size

For your HIIT workouts, you generally want to avoid mats that are too short or narrow, leaving you with no room to move comfortably. 

Unless crunches are your only focus, a larger exercise mat is a much better choice—this is where the Sensu Gym Mat shines with its large and extra-large sizes.

The Sensu 7 x 5-foot exercise mat gives you plenty of space for all your cardio drills without risking stepping off the mat. It provides excellent cushioning, making high-impact exercises much easier on your joints.

Even the smallest Sensu Mat, at 6 x 4 feet, offers plenty of room to move—and you might even have enough space to include your kids in your workouts!

What about Material and Comfort?

I’ve used thin workout mats before, so the difference was immediately noticeable when I switched to Sensu Exercise and Gym Mats. These mats are extra thick and incredibly dense, offering a superior experience.

Made from 8.5mm high-density material, they provide excellent cushioning for your joints without compromising stability. 

I like it because it’s not too thick and not too thin. For HIIT workouts, you want to find a good balance between 6mm and 9mm thickness for your workout mat.

You’ll feel ultra-comfortable while still having the firm support needed for challenging balance exercises like side planks.

The mats are designed with what I call the “sensitive body areas” of a HIIT workout in mind—your knees, elbows, tailbone, and other joints. 

Also, it is made with kid-safe materials that don’t include rubber, latex, phthalates, dioxins, furans, or heavy metals.

Another cool thing is that you won’t even perceive those smelly, unhealthy PVCs. It’s an odorless, non-toxic 16P-ECO!

Stability and Grip are on Point!

The Sensu Exercise Mats for home gyms feature non-slip surfaces on both the top AND bottom. 

Even though you’re moving around during your HIIT workout, you want your mat to stay in place. Thanks to the unique circular design on the bottom of each Sensu mat, it stays put, no matter how much you jump or twist.  

The mats grip hard surfaces like glue, and their weight helps keep them securely anchored to the floor—even on carpets.

Many other workout mats don’t offer this kind of non-slip backing.

Ah, Ease of Cleaning 

When you think about how many fitness mats are made from porous materials, you realize they absorb bacteria and odors, leading to an unpleasant smell over time. 

Sensu Exercise Mats, however, are designed with a protective layer on top and made from high-density foam, making them much easier to clean.  

For a deep clean, you can:

• STEP 1: Add warm water and a few drops of bleach-free dish soap to a spray bottle.

• STEP 2: Spray your mat with the solution, then wipe it with a microfiber towel.

• STEP 3: Let it dry completely before rolling it up or using it again.

Great Value for Money

The 7’ x 5’ Sensu Exercise mat size option is priced at $190 on the Sensu website, discounted from the original $280.

The smaller 6’ x 4’ size costs $130.

Plenty of cheaper mats are available, some costing just a third of this price. But considering the size and thickness, it offers great value for your money.

Plus, it comes with extras such as:

1. Towel

2. Carry bag

These would typically cost you more if bought separately.

QUICK TIP: 

• Sensu also offers a 9-in-1 Foam Roller Set. This is something I hope to get real soon because it adds to the value for money especially if you want to build a decent home gym. 

• At only $40, the set comes with a lacrosse, a spiky peanut ball, a foam roller, and three resistance bands of varying strength levels. 

What about a Warranty? 

Sensu Mats come with a lifetime warranty—something most other HIIT mats don’t offer. 

This makes the brand stand out from the competition. 

Plus, the product comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can buy with confidence.

How to Care for Your HIIT Mat

The protective layer on top of the Sensu exercise mats make them easy to clean and maintain. Plus, they are made from high-density foam. 

However, to retain the top condition of your mat (especially since you invested over a hundred bucks on it), you should consider the following maintenance tips: 

ROLL IT, DON’T FOLD IT

Always roll your mat instead of folding it. Folding can cause creases and weaken the material over time.

AVOID DIRECT SUNLIGHT IF POSSIBLE 

Avoid leaving your mat in direct sunlight, hot areas, or damp spaces. Heat can make it brittle, and moisture can cause mold or bad smells.

USE THE SENSU MAT BAG

If you move your mat often, keep it in a bag or use a strap to protect it from dust and damage.