Martial Arts Mats: Everything You Need To Know

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
19 min read

For a martial arts mat, safety, durability, and ease of maintenance are likely priorities. Fortunately, we provide a wide selection of mats to choose from.

Our martial arts mats are designed to absorb the maximum amount of impact. For MMA, karate, or any other martial art, we offer a mat that can handle anything from the most basic moves to the most sophisticated techniques. Let’s start with the most important consideration: safety.

Safety

Different sports necessitate varying thicknesses of padding in order to maintain adequate safety. No, you wouldn’t use a yoga mat to perform that difficult MMA maneuver.

Dojo Flooring: Know Your Martial Arts and Their Matting

Choose a mat with adequate padding to keep you safe while training. Having trouble deciding? Check out this graph!

Durability

You definitely desire a long-lasting martial arts mat while making your purchase. When it comes to practice, those $30 Walmart mats just aren’t going to cut it.

Most of our mats include a vinyl cover to keep them safe from stains, rips, and other damage. For each practice section, it preserves the mat in the best form possible. Mold and mildew won’t grow on our mats because they’re non-porous. For years to come, these mats will be in excellent condition.

Maintenance

Every one of our mats is lightweight and portable. They don’t need to be installed and may be stowed conveniently when not in use.

Interlocking Foam Tiles For Martial Arts

MMA and karate studios are among the most frequent users of our interlocking tiles. It is simple to put these tiles together and create any size mat that you desire. It’s as simple as locking the pieces together like a puzzle.

The closed cell EVA foam used in the construction of interlocking foam tiles makes them an excellent shock absorber for beginning to intermediate wrestlers. Because EVA foam can be pierced, it’s recommended to avoid using heels or other sharp things on it.

The non-porous nature of these tiles makes them simple to maintain. They also come in a wide range of colors, sizes, and surface textures. Some of them can even be reversed! Your martial arts mat can be completely customized.

Martial Arts Folding Mats

When it comes to home martial arts mats and commercial gyms, folding mats are a terrific option. Installing these mats is also a snap. Open the mat, and you’re ready to begin practicing. Fold and store as needed when you’re done. Mat tape can be used to link numerous folding mats together, allowing you to create a bigger practice surface.

The foam core of these mats is protected by a thick layer of high-quality vinyl. The non-porous nature of these martial arts mats makes them incredibly simple to clean and maintain.

They come in a variety of colors and thicknesses and offer the best in shock absorption for martial arts folding mats.”

Martial Arts Roll Out Mats

For both home and commercial gyms, our roll-out mats are the most popular option for matting. Installing these karate mats is a breeze. When you’re done, all you have to do is roll them out. Because of this, they are also the most convenient to store. Roll-out martial arts mats are a great alternative if you’re on the go and need something portable.

With a strong crosslink polyethylene foam bottom and a vinyl top, these mats are both shock-absorbing and durable. With a non-porous vinyl top, roll-out mats are extremely easy to clean and sterilize.

If that wasn’t enough, roll-out mats can be linked together using tape to form larger mats.

Martial Arts Landing Mats

The thickness of our landing mats ranges from 8 to 12 inches, making them the best in martial arts mats. Built-in mesh that releases air upon landing provides the maximum level of stress absorption in this mat. This prevents the mat from becoming overly rigid when landing hard on it..

In the event that you fall hard, these mats will help you get back up. Using landing mats protects the joints and prevents injuries.

Martial Arts Mats Buying Guide

If you’re looking for the best martial arts mats, look no further than this comprehensive buying guide. Use this guide to discover the best martial arts mats for your application, whether you’re building a martial arts studio or just practicing at home.

While martial arts training necessitates careful planning, your floor mats don’t. In our opinion, the better the mat, the less stress it will put on your training! That’s why we’ve put together this buying guide to help you find the perfect floor padding so you can go back to practice.

In this buying guide for MMA mats, you’ll discover what to look for, what materials they’re constructed of, and how to install them.

What Martial Arts Mats are Made Of

Wrestling mats are only as good as their foam, so let’s talk about that! EVA foam and cross-linked polyethylene foam are two of the most commonly used materials for martial arts mats. Our variety of mats includes both types of foam, depending on what you’re searching for. However, what exactly are they? Just another way of saying “foam”? That isn’t precisely correct.

EVA Foam

The use of EVA foam in martial arts floor padding is vital. The combination of ethylene and vinyl acetate yields a polymer that is both soft and robust, making it ideal for use in sports and workouts that require a lot of contact. EVA foam provides a cushioned surface ideal for martial arts training.

Cross-linked Polyethylene Foam

Getting its name cross-linked from the grid-like material, this foam is flexible and ready for the heavy hitters; being extremely shock-absorbent this material can bear excessive pressure then return to its original shape.

Cross-linked foam is flexible and ready for the heavy hitters; being exceptionally shock-absorbent, this material can endure tremendous pressure and then return to its original shape.

Things to Look Out for Martial Art Mats | by Mats Kart | Medium

Rollout mats, folding mats, and landing mats made of cross-linked polyethylene foam

Types of Martial Arts Floor Padding

To keep you safe, the best martial arts mats should be long-lasting and shock-absorbing. Your feet, ankles, and knees are put under a lot of strain if you frequently conduct fast strikes and jumps and landings. Cheap floor padding may not be able to withstand the force of all that heavy contact.

Interlocking foam tiles, roll-out mats, folding mats, and landing mats are just some of the options for martial arts mats that may be found. Which of these mats will be most effective for you depends on where you intend to use them and what movements you intend to conduct on them.

Interlocking Foam Tiles

Dojos that practice mixed martial arts (MMA) or karate often use interlocking foam tiles as a floor padding option. In your martial arts studio or at-home gym, they can be easily customized to provide a certain design. Surface textures, sizes, and colors are all available for you to choose from.

Do you want to set up a practice area in your house? When it’s time to practice, simply order the number of tiles you need, lock the pieces together, and store them away when you’re finished. Yes, interlocking foam tiles are a great option for martial arts mats since they are easy to set up and take down.

Shock-absorbing EVA foam makes these tiles ideal for beginners and advanced martial artists. As a result of their non-porous nature, they are simple to maintain. It’s advisable to keep sharp items and animals away from the EVA foam because it can be pierced.

Pros of Interlocking Foam Tiles

  • The combination of softness and durability is ideal for beginners who frequently fall and have to get back up again.
  • These tiles are shock-absorbent, reducing the risk of harm when you land.
  • Take these portable tiles with you wherever you go and practice whenever the mood strikes.
  • You don’t have to be concerned about sweat staining your mat because it is water-resistant. Mold and mildew can’t grow on these tiles, making them a safe area for you to work.

Cons of Interlocking Foam Tiles

  • Can be punctured: Keep animals away from your mats if they have sharp nails.
  • Separation is possible: Tiles can be separated by more complex or advanced actions.

Roll Out Mats

Residential and commercial gyms both use roll-out mats. Installing and storing them is a breeze. Roll them out and you’re ready to go!

With a strong crosslink polyethylene foam bottom and a vinyl top, these mats are both shock-absorbing and durable. With their non-porous vinyl top, roll-out mats are easy to clean and disinfect.

Mat tape makes it possible to manufacture larger mats from roll-out mats, which is even better.

Roll-out mats are the best option if you’re seeking for wrestling mats. As a result of their thickness and durability, these mats are sure to stay in place during your practice sessions. Of course, they’re still great for karate, jiu-jitsu, and mixed martial arts.

Pros of Roll Out Mats

  • These mats are shock-absorbent, reducing the risk of harm during landings.
  • It’s a simple process: Your mat can be rolled out and placed in any desired location. Done!
  • A quick wipe with a towel or even a light sweep is all that is needed to keep the vinyl surface clean and free of dust and debris.
  • Suitable for a wide range of workouts, skills, and degrees of experience: Wrestling, martial arts, bodyweight training, and other high-impact exercises can all be done on these mats.
  • The vinyl top is non-slip. This mat is completely non-slip. Get your heart rate up!

Cons of Roll Out Mats

  • Weights can destroy a foam mat when used with them.

Folding Mats

It’s a good idea to use folding mats for home martial arts mats, gyms, and studios. They’re simple to use; just unfold and place where you want them. Fold them back up and stow them when you’re done with them.

Folding mats make it simple to personalize your living environment. Mat tape can be used to link multiple mats together for a bigger practice space. Lay out as many folding mats as necessary to cover the area.

These mats are also available in an array of vibrant hues. The colors of your school may be a good choice if you’re trying to show your school spirit. It’s possible that your martial arts studio is looking for a special theme, and folding mats give you several alternatives for a creative design.

Pros of Folding Mats

  • Folding mats are incredibly adaptable, as they come in a variety of colors and sizes and may be used just about anyplace.
  • Folding mats are easy to clean and maintain because they are made of closed vinyl fabric. As a result, the folding mat will be impenetrable to liquids, and it will also be incredibly durable.
  • To cover a bigger area, simply join numerous mats together.

Cons of Folding Mats

  • For one person, this may be too much to handle.
  • When performing advanced movements or using many mats simultaneously, you may notice some separation.

Landing Mats

Landing mats, which are between 8 and 12 inches thick, are the best option for martial arts mats. These mats include a built-in mesh that releases air when you land, providing the best level of shock absorption. This implies that when you fall, only your ego is injured (but don’t let that stop you from picking yourself back up!).

Landing mats are ideal for people who wish to master more advanced skills that can cause you to fall over more often than normal. Landing mats protect your joints by cushioning them with compression foam and encasing them in durable vinyl. If you have a good landing mat, you can practice without worrying about tripping and injuring yourself.

Pros of Landing Mats

  • This material is resistant to mildew and mold, so go ahead and sweat all you want!
  • Shock absorption to the max: These mats will cushion your landings and keep you healthy.
  • A soft landing is made possible by the mat’s built-in mesh, which dissipates air when you land.

Cons of Landing Mats

  • Difficult to transport: Landing mats are much heavier and more difficult to transport alone. To move these mats, you’ll need aid.

Martial Arts Mats Sizing and Thickness

Different sports necessitate varying thicknesses of padding in order to maintain adequate safety. You wouldn’t use a yoga mat to practice MMA maneuvers, would you?

You should be adequately cushioned on your martial arts mat.

Where to Use Martial Arts Mats

Wrestling, gymnastics, cheer, high-impact training, and many more sports and routines can be supported on martial arts mats. To mention a few possible applications, these mats can be found in a home or commercial gym, a dojo or a dojang for martial arts, or a boxing gym.

You may set up a martial arts practice area anywhere and at any time because martial arts mats are often light and portable. What’s the purpose of your trip? Take your yoga mats with you to your hotel room for an extra practice session.

For those who aren’t sure whether a mat can manage their martial arts practice or not, you’ll be pleased to know that martial arts mats can handle any form of MMA, such as:

  • Karate
  • Jujitsu
  • Judo
  • The martial art of kung fu
  • Krav maga is a martial art form.
  • The martial art of Tae kwon do
  • The martial art of tai chi

Maintaining Martial Arts Mats

It couldn’t be easier to clean your martial arts mat! Each mat’s vinyl tops and casings make it easy to clean up dirt and sweat with a simple sweep and damp towel. You don’t have to worry about sweat or spills ruining your mats because the vinyl fabric is impermeable to liquids.

In addition to removing the dirt off your mat, you should disinfect your martial arts gear on a regular basis. The EVA foam and crosslink polyethylene foam in these mats provide excellent resistance to moisture and spills, but the presence of bacteria must still be treated with a disinfectant. To make things even easier for you, there is an all-purpose sanitizer created specifically for exercise equipment. You’ll thank yourself later if you stock up on mat sanitizer when you get your new mat!

Which Martial Art Mat should I buy? - British Martial Arts Mats

Martial Arts Mats FAQ

Frequently asked concerns about everything from martial arts mat cleaning and maintenance to how to get the most out of your martial arts mats are answered here.

What are martial arts mats made of?

Closed-cell EVA foam rubber is the primary material used in martial arts mats. The combination of ethylene and vinyl acetate yields a polymer that is both soft and robust, making it ideal for use in sports and workouts that require a lot of contact. EVA foam provides a cushioned surface ideal for martial arts training. Shock-absorbing mats consisting of EVA foam and cross-linked polyethylene foam are currently available in our assortment of martial arts mats.

How do you clean martial arts mats?

Because water cannot flow through the surface of a martial arts mat, cleaning it is a breeze. In order to remove stubborn stains and huge debris from your mat, use a rag or synthetic mop dampened with a moderate soap and water solution. After every use, whether it’s practice or a game, it’s highly recommended that you clean your mat. There is no set amount of times to do this. Maintaining your mat for an extended period of time necessitates removing all dirt and bacteria from it.

Are foam tile martial arts mats a good choice for a home gym that will be used for cardio equipment, light weights, yoga and aerobics?

You can use interlocking foam tile mats in your home gym for weightlifting, yoga, and aerobics. You may see some indentations if you use foam under bulky equipment, but furniture sliders can help alleviate these. You may be able to get some movement out of some aerobic workouts. Double-sided tape, which prevents the tiles from sliding, is a good solution to this problem.

Will martial arts mats slide on hardwood floors?

All martial arts mats have the potential to slip on hardwood floors if they are not put in the entire room. Double-sided tape or a rug pad can help keep them from shifting.

Can these mats be used outdoors?

They can be used in the garden, on the beach, or in the park. Make sure to keep in mind that the foam material will degrade with time in outdoor environments. Your mats may also fade in direct sunlight due to the fact that foam is not UV-resistant. If a tile is damaged, it can be replaced easily with a new one thanks to interlocking tiles.

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

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