Manduka Mat - an honest review

Manduka mats are the most popular, highly acclaimed and widely usedmats on the market. Is this product worth its high price? Is it a goodidea to haul this chunky piece of natural rubber that weighs like asmall tire to class? Together with the staff of Yoga Mat Reviews we performed a detailed analysis of theBlackMat Pro (the top of the line Manduka product) to assist people whoare hesitant to part with almost $90 for a yoga mat.

An honest review of possibly the best yoga mat - the Manduka Mat

Mandukamats are the most popular, highly acclaimed and widely used mats on themarket. Is this product worth its high price? Is it a good idea tohaul this chunky piece of natural rubber that weighs like a small tireto class?YogaMatReviews performed a detailed analysis of the BlackMatPro (the top of the line Manduka product) to assist people who arehesitant to part with almost $90 for a yoga mat.

Manufacturer's claim.
Forthe past 10 years Manduka Black Mat Pro has been the world's mostpopular mat. BlackMat Pro deserves such passion and dedication from itsloyal users. This mat's dense form, thick material, unsurpassedcushioning and comfort in addition to special non-slip fabric andclassic design is going to have a great effect on your practice. Notethat the mat now comes with a lifetime warranty . If you are seriousabout your practice and care about the planet, choose what the world'best yoga teachers call their first choice in yoga mats - a MandukaMat..

Specifications.
- No waste, green material
- Extreme longevity
- Comfortable cushioning for spine, hips, knees, and elbows on hard floors
- Resist slipping but does not stick even when wet
- Hold floors and surfaces firmly
- Manufactured without harmful emissions, Oeko-Tex certified
- Longer 71" and extra-longer 85" than most mats
- Backed by a Lifetime Guarantee

How we reviewed this product.
TheManduka Mat was tested in beginners, advanced and hot (Bikram-style)yoga classes. We asked students and teachers of all levels to help uswith the review. In order to stay as objective as possible we surveyeda few beginners (though owners of manduka mats were hard to find amongregular beginners).
The testing of the mat was conducted forabout 6 months. A studio owner who stock various manduka mats allowedto use the mats and collect information from the students.

The review.
We've concluded that this mat is almost perfect but may not fit absolutely everyone.

The longer version is as follows-

The mat's grip.
Thesuper high-quality natural rubber composition of the manduka mat allowsit to stick to virtually any surface. The majority of yoga mats todaycan be used on both sides (this adds to their value) - this means theirsurface is optimized for skin and not for floors. Manduka mats featuresa special floor surface that can only be facing the floor and shouldnot be practiced on. The floor side of the mat is very sticky while theother side has a more relaxed grip more suitable for practice. Therewere almost no occassions where the mat would bunch up or curl duringpractice.

A true Heavyweight.
The density and thickness ofmaterial used in the 71" Manduka mat were awesome for durability,stability and cushioning but not for convenience. Carrying this 7-poundchunk of rubber to class may be troublesome for lighter yogis..
We think this mat is perfect for keeping at home or at a studio, but not for hauling around.
Mandukapeople listened to this complain and created lighter travel versions,which are less expensive and definitely less durable.

The thickness factor.
TheManduka mat is 1/4" thick, which is perfect for almost anybody. Thisthickness is considered to be above average, adding to the weight. Somepeople, however, may prefer a thicker mat for extra cushioning.Absolute beginners and pilates practitioners may require an additionalregular mat underneath. Members of our review team found the 1/4" ofmaterial to be perfectly suitable for most levels of practice.

Resistance to slipping.
Mostpeople are used to not getting their mat too wet, as traction is lostand their practice becomes a lot more difficult. The actuality of thisproblem is very apparent in hot and steamy yoga classes where a lotsweat is poured down on the mats. Wiping your mat frequently or layinga special yoga towel on top are some of the ways to prevent slippingand sliding.. Manduka Mats feature a special fabric surface thatabsorbs and evaporates most of the perspiration. However, in a steamyand sweaty hot yoga class we found the absorption limit of this mat canbe reached eventually, turning the mat into an uncomfortable slippysurface. This was especially a problem for heavy sweaters.. We can'tname any mats that are sweat-proof. The Manduka Mat we tested in sweatyconditions did a pretty good job, but it wasn't able to absorb 100% ofthe moisture. The mat's pores, while perfect for accumulating moistureweren't so good in releasing it. We were concerned that withoutcleaning this mat could become a home for germs and bacteria.. Like anypremium product this mat requires monthly maintenance.

Mat's aesthetics and more.
TheBlack Mat Pro is nothing but black. The look is classic, but may notattract many customers.On the other hand, we don't know any other matsin this category that have the same appearance, so your mat isguaranteed to stand out.The Company have recently released a limitededition Cherry version of their popular Manduka Mat at the same price.Most of our reviewers were very satisfied with the classic black.
Thenatural rubber smell of a brand new Manduka Mat can be unplesant tosome users. Even after washing the mat as the manual suggested thesmell remained. In just a few weeks the brand new mat stops smelling,and the problem never returns. We found this to be an issue with everysingle rubber mat we ever tested.. You can rest assured the smell willgo away and will never return.

Our conclusion.
This isthe Cadillac of yoga mats, it's elegant, long, heavy, durable andextremely reliable. Those who are serious about their practice willdefinitely be happy with this investment. This mat is almost perfectwhen it comes to cushioning, support, slipping, and gripping the floor.Our reviewers were only somewhat unhappy with the mat's weight andsize. This product is perfect for home practice or to keep in a studio,carrying around may be a bit difficult.
You can read real customer comments and user feedback for the Manduka mat here.

Article Tags: Honest Review, Natural Rubber, Yoga Mats, Manduka Mats

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Yoga Diet To Keep Your Body And Soul Healthy

Yoga diet not only caters to your healthy body requirements but alsohelps in keeping your mind and spirit afresh. It helps in elevating theconsciousness of human being and mainly comprises of whole grains,fruits and vegetables. Basically a Yoga Diet is a totally vegetarian diet. The spiritualreason behind it is the fact that people who practice yoga gain someconsciousness of mind which does not allow them to eat meat of livingbeings. They practice kindness to all animals and lay emphasis on thebenefits of vegetarian diet. Yoga Diet has been able to stand the test of time and has been aroundfor a number of years. It primarily consists of whole grains, cereals,fresh vegetables and fruits. Practicing it not only takes care of yourhealth but also helps in rejuvenating your soul and spirit. Also ithelps you to lose weight and remain healthy, thus making you feelbetter. The main contents of a Yoga diet and the ways and means in which youcan stay healthy with a yoga centered diet are discuss...
Read more

Join yoga classes online and feel the change

Stress, headache, backache and work-pressure are some ofthe terms which have become very common in our day to day lives. We are tryingto do so much that we end up with stress or body-ache. And then there are awhole lot of other physical and mental problems causing due to todays lifestyle. And this is where, Yoga comes to rescue. You feel fresh and energeticthroughout the day. However, it is the non-availability of sufficient time thatkeeps many of us away from joining these yoga classes. But now there is no need to worry any longer. For allthose people who dont have sufficient time, it is the online yoga classes thatcome as the smart way to remain healthy. These online portals offer best Yogaservices to their customers. And since these sites hire highly experienced Yogaexperts, you see great results in your body in a very short period of time.Now, what is stopping you to go for these Yoga classes online? When it comes to Yoga benefits, the list is simplyendless. You only need to spend...
Read more

Take a Break from Daily Stress with a Yoga Retreat Getaway

Yoga retreats are becoming increasingly popular among tourists. The growing number of retreats specifically dedicated to yoga is clear evidence of this. Around the world you can find many such centers... Yoga retreats are becoming increasingly popular among tourists. The growing number of retreats specifically dedicated to yoga is clear evidence of this. Around the world you can find many such centers. These centers are typically located in some of the most tranquil and beautiful locations in the world, including Oaxaca, Mexico. Dedicated to providing organic cuisine, exceptional yoga instruction and comfortable accommodations, these centers are ideal for both novice yoga practitioners as well as those who are more advanced. A yoga retreat or retiro in Mexico will provide you with the unique opportunity to truly experience serenity, peace of mind and solitude by being removed from the everyday stresses and tensions of daily life. At such a center you can practise both basic and advanc...
Read more