Is a 9mm Yoga Mat Thickness Good Enough? Answered By Experts

December 11, 2024

Is a 9-mm yoga mat good for you? The answer will depend on your practice style and preferences. Mat thickness can affect your comfort and performance during yoga sessions.

While an ultra-thin mat might leave your joints feeling a bit tender, a thick 9-mm mat provides a notable balance of cushioning and stability that can help reduce discomfort and enhance alignment

In this post, we’ll talk about how to make the most of a 9-mm yoga mat and explore why it just might be the sweet spot for you if you are seeking both comfort and control in your yoga practice.

Key Takeaways

A 9mm yoga mat is considered a thick mat, which can provide cushion and joint protection.
A 9mm yoga mat is suitable for beginners who need extra cushion, practitioners who have joint sensitivity, and people who practice at home
A 9mm yoga mat is great for styles that require you to hold poses for a long time, such as Hatha, Yin, and Restorative Yoga.
Sensu’s Large Yoga Mat and Large Exercise Mat are great options for those looking for thicker mats with stability thanks to their compact materials and non-slip surfaces

9mm Yoga Mat Characteristics and Intended Users

Thicker Mats for Seniors with Joint Issues

A yoga mat has become an essential part of a person’s practice. It provides the protection needed for joints and serves as a symbolic space during meditation.

One of the most important aspects when choosing a yoga mat is its thickness. And when it comes to yoga mat thickness, there are three different classifications:

Thin yoga mats, between 1 and 3 mm
Standard yoga mats, between 4 and 5 mm
Thick yoga mats, 8mm and up

As you can see, a 9-mm mat is considered thick, which means it has more cushion than thin mats. Thick mats are a fantastic choice for protecting your joints, especially compared to standard or thin mats.

Here are some people who may benefit from using a thick mat:

Beginners who need extra comfort and are starting with gentle yoga classes
Practitioners with sensitive joints who still want a level of versatility
Restorative and gentle yoga practitioners
Home practitioners, as a thick 9mm mat is quite heavy to carry for travelers

Is a 9mm Yoga Mat Good for Your Yoga Style?

Are you an experienced yogi looking for a new mat? Or are you a beginner who’s exploring different practices? Whichever you are, here’s a guideline that can help you decide whether or not a 9mm yoga mat is suitable for your yoga style:

Yoga Style	Description	Suitability for 9mm Mat
Hatha Yoga	A gentle yoga practice that focuses on breathing and poses	Suitable, the mat will give enough support for longer holds
Iyengar	A beginner class focusing on alignment and slow movements	Suitable, the mat will give enough support for simple poses
Restorative	A practice that focuses on relaxation and sitting poses	Suitable, the mat will give enough support for long sitting and reclining poses
Yin	A slow-paced yoga focusing on stretching and holding poses for a longer time	Suitable, the mat will give enough support for long sitting and reclining poses

So if you’re interested in Hatha, Iyengar, Restorative and Yin yoga, a thicker mat that's 9 mm and up is suitable for you

Pros and Cons of a 9mm Yoga Mat

Now that we know how a 9mm yoga mat compares, here’s a summary of its pros and cons:

Pros

Cons

Provides ample cushion for your joints or people with joint issues

Support beginners who are starting with gentler yoga

A versatile option, it can be suitable for gentle or meditative yoga, such as Hatha, Restorative, and Yin Yoga

Heavy and bulky for travel

As you can see, issues with thicker mats are their lack of stability, flexibility, and travel friendliness. To counteract this, you’ll need a mat that can perfectly balance joint support with all the other factors. Read on and find out our recommendation below.

Other Factors to Consider

Before you write off the 9mm yoga mat, there are other factors to consider besides thickness:

Surface texture. There are smooth yoga mats and textured yoga mats. Smooth mats are ideal for flow yoga, while textured ones give more grip to hold poses. A 9mm yoga mat with a textured surface may be used for Bikram yoga, which requires adequate grip.
Material. Yoga mat materials can affect its grip and portability. For example, a TPE mat is much lighter than a natural rubber mat, making it more portable. On the other hand, natural rubber provides more traction and grip.

Alternative Options to 9mm Yoga Mats

If the 9mm yoga mat not the right choice for you? We have an 8.5mm alternative for those seeking more joint support without sacrificing stability.

Sensu Large Exercise Mat

Thickness	8.5mm
Price	US$129.99
Material	19P-ECO Material with Anti-tear Mesh Layer
Durability	Very Good
Non-slip Performance	Very Good

Another versatile mat option is the Sensu Large Exercise Mat. This amazing 8.5mm mat not only comes with a premium carry bag and exercise towel but also has durable anti-tear material.

The large exercise mat is a good choice for those who want a mat that can serve a myriad of workout options, both with and without shoes. So, if you’re a gym enthusiast who wants better balance, grip, and extra comfort in your workout, this should be your choice.

Comparing 9mm Yoga Mats to Other Thicknesses

There are lots of options when it comes to yoga mat thickness. To see how a regular 9mm mat measures up with others, let’s compare it with our 8.5mm Large Exercise Mat and 9mm Large Yoga Mat mats:

Aspects	8.5mm Large Exercise Mat	9mm Large Yoga Mat
Best yoga mat for	Gym enthusiasts interested in different workouts	Yoga and pilates enthusiasts
Stability	Stable	Stable
Cushion	Very Good	Very Good
Portability	Improved portability with dedicated travel bag	Improved portability with dedicated travel bag

9mm vs 8.5mm Large Exercise Mat

When you compare a regular 9mm yoga mat with the 8.5mm large exercise mat, you’ll see that the 8.5mm Sensu Mat has better versatility, stability, and portability due to its premium materials. You can use it for different workouts and bring it during travel with a dedicated bag.

FAQs

Is 9mm Good for Yoga Beginners?

Yes, a 9-mm yoga mat may benefit beginners looking for more comfort and cushion during flow practices. But if you’re after stability and more grounded mats, consider thinner options or opt for a thick mat with compact materials, such as the Sensu Large Yoga Mat.

Which Yoga Mat is Better: 9mm or 8mm?

The answer will depend on your needs. If you require a yoga mat with more cushion and joint protection, an 8-mm mat will be better.

Are 9-mm yoga mats portable?

A 9mm yoga mat can be quite heavy and bulky, making it difficult to carry, especially for yoga practitioners who travel or commute often. To handle this, you can try using a dedicated bag that lets you get travel-ready without a fuss.

Final Take

A 9-mm yoga mat is considered a thicker mat, providing cushion and joint protection. It is also versatile because it can still be used for yoga styles that need stability. A 9mm yoga mat may benefit beginners who need extra cushion, people with sensitive joints, and those who practice at home.

For those who want thicker mats with better stability and versatility, you can opt for mats with premium material from Sensu. People who want more workout options can go for the Large Exercise Mat, while those who focus more on yoga and pilates should try the Large Yoga Mat

Select a mat that aligns with your yoga style, physical requirements, and personal preferences, as there is no universal fit.