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The Best Yoga Mats for Carpeted Floors: Enhance Stability and Comfort

Some may think carpets provide extra cushioning for better joint protection during yoga. Granted, their soft and thick surface is comfortable to lay on, but not necessarily to practice on. Unlike hard floors, carpets can be uneven and too unstable for some practitioners. 

If you use the wrong mat, you’ll feel like you're practicing on top of a pillow and risk hurting yourself. Other issues associated with yoga on carpets include slipping and sliding while trying to hold your pose due to a lack of grip.

So, how can you benefit from more cushion while maintaining stability on carpeted surfaces? Choose the best yoga mat for carpets and follow our tips and tricks below. Follow our instructions to worry less about carpets and focus more on improving! 

The Best Yoga Mat for Carpet: Our Expert Recommendation

1. Best Yoga Mat for Carpet Overall: Sensu Large Yoga Mat 

The Sensu Large Yoga Mat

Best for

All levels, people with joint issues

Thickness

9mm

Dimension

6’x4’ (Large) or 7’x5’ (Extra Large)

Material

16P-ECO 

Price

US$99.99 (Sale)

Features

Non-toxic and free of phthalates

Odorless

Sticky grip

Textured surface 

Joint supportive thickness

Durable anti-tear mesh layer

Free carry bag and towel


This yoga mat provides adequate cushion, proper balance, and hygienic practice. Check out the Sensu Large Yoga Mat, which allows you to take up space with more thickness and excellent grip.

The Sensu Large Yoga Mat has an anti-slip and textured surface, which provides more traction even on slippery carpets. The four sticky mat grips also keep the mat in place, allowing you to focus more on your poses. Lastly, you’ll appreciate its non-toxic, odorless material, which is easy to clean during sweatier sessions. 

Users who gave it 4.9 stars out of 5 highlighted its steady, non-slip surface and no-move corners. It offers excellent stability with ample cushioning, something no other mats on the market can achieve. 

The Sensu Large Yoga Mat and Sensu Large Exercise Mat are top recommendations for practicing yoga on carpeted surfaces due to their thoughtful design and features:

  • Optimal Thickness and Cushioning: Both mats offer substantial thickness (9mm for the Yoga Mat and 8.5mm for the Exercise Mat), providing excellent joint support and comfort, which is particularly beneficial on softer, uneven carpeted floors.

  • Enhanced Grip and Stability: Equipped with anti-slip, textured surfaces and sticky grip features, these mats ensure stability during poses, reducing the risk of slipping on carpeted surfaces.

  • Durability and Hygiene: Made from non-toxic, odorless materials, the mats are easy to clean and maintain, ensuring a hygienic practice environment.

  • User Satisfaction: With high user ratings (4.9 out of 5 stars), practitioners appreciate the mats' stability, cushioning, and non-slip properties, making them reliable choices for yoga on carpets.

These features collectively make the Sensu Large Yoga Mat and Sensu Large Exercise Mat ideal for maintaining stability and comfort during yoga sessions on carpeted floors.

2. Best Versatile Yoga Mat for Carpet Workout: The Sensu Large Exercise Mat

Sensu Large Exercise Mat

Best for

Versatile use

Thickness

8.5mm

Dimension

6’x4’ (Large) or 7’x5’ (Extra Large)

Material

16P-ECO 

Price

US$129.99

Features

Non-toxic and free of phthalates

Odorless

Sticky grip

Textured surface 

Joint supportive thickness

Durability for various workout

Free carry bag and towel


The Sensu Large Exercise Mat can serve as your personal workout station if you want to diversify your carpet workout. This mat allows you to do various workouts while still providing enough traction on carpets and all surfaces. 

With a non-toxic, odorless, and anti-bacterial material, this mat can withstand any type of exercise. It’s the perfect match for versatile yogis with different interests. 

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars, users love its stability and how it holds up for vigorous workouts and yoga. It’s a great mat that can provide cushion and stability in a dedicated spot in the home gym on top of carpets or rubber flooring.  

Why You Need the Right Yoga Mat for Carpet

Practicing Directly on Carpets can be Slippery and Scratchy

Yoga practice can be a very tactile experience, forcing you to interact closely with the floor’s surface. People with joint issues may find this intimidating, so they compensate by using an extra layer, such as carpets. 

Sometimes, you have no choice because your living space only has carpeted areas. Whatever the reason, practicing yoga on a carpet has its own challenges. 

For one, expect to have less stability during your poses. That’s because carpets are soft and highly pliable, so holding your balance is more brutal. We’re talking about regular carpets here. Imagine if you do it on an embossed carpet with textured patterns! 

Another challenge in carpet yoga is slippage and reduced grip. Carpet surfaces can be very slippery, as regular mats won’t be able to “stick” to them. It’s like putting a suction cup on a hardwood floor versus carpets. Due to the numerous air pockets, it’s almost impossible to expect your mat to grip.

Now imagine you’re practicing on an uneven surface with no grip whatsoever. That’s an accident waiting to happen. Most yoga practitioners advise against using a carpet as an extra layer.

But don’t worry, we’re flexible. If you are still considering using carpeted areas, read on to find out the best type of mat and some tips to keep you safe. 

Key Features to Look for in a Yoga Mat for Carpet

How do you choose the right yoga mat to practice on carpets? Here are key features to look for to support your performance and get the most out of your sessions. 

Thickness and Cushioning

Pay close attention to thickness and cushioning. A carpet can provide more cushion, but that doesn’t mean you can opt for the thinnest mat in the game. On the contrary, you should get a thicker mat to have an adequate barrier between you and the carpet. Try to choose a mat between 6mm to 9mm in thickness.

Thicker mats can also provide more support than you look for when practicing on carpets. The thicker the mat, the more steady cushioning you’ll get. 

Ultimately, opting for a thicker mat will counteract the carpet’s unsteady nature. The good news is that even when you ditch the carpet, thicker mats still support your joints properly. 

Material and Grip

Another issue associated with carpets and yoga is grip. Due to the air pockets in carpets, the risk of sliding is much higher than on regular surfaces. That's why we recommend getting a yoga mat made of the right materials for carpets. 

Opt for stickier materials, such as PVC, TPE, or rubber, that provide more grip. To secure your mat correctly, you can also choose ones with additional grip corners. 

Stability and Anti-Slip Features

Because stability can be a problem when you’re doing yoga on carpets, an anti-slip feature is another key aspect to look for. Balancing on a carpeted surface is hard; adding a slippery surface to that equation will worsen it.

Opt for mats with an anti-slip feature, such as an additional layer on the material or a textured mat surface.

Durability and Maintenance

The constant contact between your mat and the carpet can increase wear and tear on both surfaces, so make sure you have a durable mat. That way, you won’t have to change mats occasionally and will save on costs

Try to get a material that’s easy to clean, non-toxic, and odorless to make your life easier. Don’t forget to sanitize and deep-clean your mats regularly to prolong their lifetime.  

Tips for Using a Yoga Mat on Carpet

Ready to start your practice? Here are practical tips to maximize your practice sessions, such as mat positioning and more engaged poses. 

Mat Positioning Is Important

Look at your carpet and find the area where the pile is lowest. The pile is how thick your carpet is; the thinner the carpet, the better for stability. Thinner carpets provide a firmer foundation, decreasing the risks of accidents.

Another positioning issue is the actual location of your carpet and practice area. Because carpets are so easy to drag when someone passes,  for places with low traffic areas.

You don’t want to fall off your pose when your family member accidentally changes the rug's position. Passersby can also be a huge distraction, which means less mental clarity. 

Can Yoga Mats Be Used on Shag Carpets? 

Opt for Thinner Carpets for Better Foundations

What kind of mats are ideal for yoga practice? The more even the surface and thinner the carpets, the better. Shag carpets, on the other hand, have a deep and thick pile which gives the carpet its shaggy appearance. 

High-pile carpets like shag carpets are more challenging to practice on. If you’re forced to practice on shag carpets, opt for a denser mat with more thickness to overcome it.  

Adjust Your Poses During Carpet Yoga Practice

Some of the benefits of yoga on carpets are deeper muscle contractions and more challenges in balancing. Once you’ve practiced on carpets, other surfaces would seem like a cakewalk. That’s why we suggest you utilize this and try to practice as hard as possible. 

Engage your core for more muscle involvement and to improve your stability. Spread your fingers and toes for more traction between you and the surface. Lastly, be mindful of your body positioning when balancing. 

Props to Help Stabilize or Support Your Practice

Another cheat code is to use props to help support your practice. For example, you can use a block for a more grounded triangle pose and better balance. You can also place it underneath your hips if you’re not as flexible. 

A tension band is another great prop to help you keep your posture in check. Check out Sensu’s 9-in-1 foam roller set that can help relieve fatigue and support your sessions during carpet yoga. 

FAQs

Do I Need a Yoga Mat on Carpets? 

Yes, you definitely need a yoga mat when you’re practicing on carpets. First of all, carpets are scratchy and can injure you. They’re also unstable, so you need a dense mat to compensate. Carpets are also unhygienic and can trap moisture or bacteria, which mats can counteract. 

How Thick Should My Yoga Mat Be on Carpets? 

Generally, try to opt for thicker mats so it can give you a steadier surface and more cushion you need for your joints. For example, the Sensu Extra Large Mat is 9mm in thickness, which gives you enough cushion along with stability.

What’s the Best Yoga Mat for Hot Yoga on Carpets? 

For hot yoga on carpets, you need a yoga mat that can handle sweat and moisture well. You can use a yoga towel as a barrier between you and the mat, which is included for free in the Sensu Large Yoga Mat package.

Can I Use Any Yoga Mat on Carpets? 

No, you can’t use any yoga mat on carpets. For example, thinner yoga mats may become too pliable and give you uneven surfaces when practicing yoga on carpets. Some materials can also be too slippery, which increases the risks of injuries. Go for thicker ones with sticky grips for the best support. 

How to Keep Yoga Mat from Slipping on Carpets

One way to keep a yoga mat from slipping on carpets is to use an extra non-slip underlay pad beneath the mat. Another way is to get yoga mats with anti-slip features, such as the Sensu mat’s four sticky mat grips. 

Final Take

Practicing on a carpet has its own pros and cons. On one hand, it’s more slippery, unstable, and imbalanced, but it can also give you a more engaged core and muscles due to the challenge. 

But don’t worry, you can easily overcome this by choosing the right yoga mats. The best yoga mat for carpets should be thick, have grip, have anti-slip features, and be durable. The Sensu Large Yoga Mat is the perfect example of this and can make your sessions safer.