5 Best Yoga Mats for Sensitive Joints: Complete Review

Key Takeaways

Discover the seven best yoga mats designed specifically for sensitive joints, ensuring comfort and support.

The best yoga mats for sensitive joints provide additional features that ensure you’re getting plenty of impact absorption. These mats have thick, cushy foam or layered padding. This thoughtful design alleviates pressure on sensitive knees, wrists, and hips when holding poses for longer periods or while working on the floor.

The quality of surface you practice on really shapes your daily practice, whether you’re doing a vinyasa flow or gentle stretching. Here we’ve rounded up detailed reviews of the best yoga mats that provide extra support for sensitive joints.

High Density Non-Slip Anti-Tear 5mm Thick Exercise Mat with Carrying Strap

When choosing the right mat, it’s important to achieve the perfect balance between comfort and grip. This anti-slip mat comes in a durable 5mm thickness. It protects your sensitive joints like your knees and elbows, leaving you feeling refreshed even after a deep-rooted unrolling yoga flow or a hardcore HIIT class.

Non-slip grip on both sides sticks to hardwood, tile, and even the lawn. Users will appreciate how this non-slip feature prevents movement of the mat during stretches or core workouts. Designed with EVA, it’ll be easy to carry at around 7 pounds.

It’s simple to toss in the car or carry on the bus with the included carrying strap. I prefer to roll it out for workouts at home and on the go outdoors. Plus, the EVA prevents odors from sticking around, while it removes dirt and grime easily.

For those who, like us, love this earth, it’s recyclable as well. The warranty lasts almost a whole year, plus you get 30 days to return if you’re unsatisfied. It’s the perfect choice for anyone looking for a convenient, durable mat.

Gaiam Essentials Thick Yoga Mat Fitness & Exercise Mat with Easy-Cinch Yoga Mat Carrier Strap

Out of all the favorite products featured on this list, the Gaiam Essentials Thick Yoga Mat is our favorite overall. It provides excellent cushioning comfort and is super convenient to use.

This product is made with a calibrated extra-thick Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Foam. With a thickness of 5/8 inch, it helps to keep your feet, knees, and elbows protected during extensive floor exercises.

If you’re a larger individual or simply enjoy having more space to stretch and flow, relaxing on this wide 6-foot mat will cater to your every move. The beautiful vibrant teal color stands out in any home or studio environment.

The 2.1-pound mat is easy to tote around and surprisingly thin for such an extra-thick mat. It’s super easy to grab and go with the included easy-cinch strap.

Padded foam is grippy and cushiony. It is perfect for Pilates and all-around stretching. Even with years of heavy abuse, the surface is still smooth to the touch.

Cleaning is fast and easy with a damp cloth, so you’ll keep your mat looking and feeling new with very little effort.

Yoga Knee Pad Cushion by Hoghaki

My first pick goes to Yoga Knee Pad Cushion by Hoghaki. Its first strength is giving amazing support & fabulous long-lasting comfort. Constructed using environmentally friendly NBR, this pad avoids PVC, latex and phthalates.

The EVA closed-cell foam can withstand vigorous use while maintaining its structure, effortlessly repelling sweat and other spills. That means that you won’t have to find yourself with a damp pad! High-density foam as much as 0.6 inches thick.

This knee pillow for yoga is designed to perform—and it’s even a funny gag gift. Compact size 11.4 x 7.5 inch easy fit in gym bag or suitcase. Whether doing floor stretches or kneeling chores in the kitchen, yoga mat pad produces less noise and is waterproof.

Cleaning is as easy as a simple wipe or rinse, because the material wipes clean from dirt and debris. Yogis use this to cushion their sensitive joints on a yoga mat or hardwood floor. It’s lightweight, which means you can easily carry it wherever you go!

ProsourceFit Extra Thick Yoga Knee Pad and Elbow Cushion 15mm (5/8”)

Now, let’s discuss the ProsourceFit Extra Thick Yoga Knee Pad and Elbow Cushion. This extra thick pad formed from NBR foam provides comfortable kneeling, elbow resting, and other surface protection.

It delivers both additional comfort and protection for longer yoga or Pilates classes. At 24 inches long and 10 inches wide, it’s the ideal accessory to a regular size yoga mat. Experience comfortable protection that connects exactly when and where you’d like it to!

Boasting a ribbed, non-slip design, this cushion stays securely in place, allowing you to move freely. This added stability becomes invaluable during floorwork and getting in and out of poses.

I’m a big fan that it is latex and phthalate free so it is safe for people with sensitive skin. Cleaning requires virtually no effort because it’s waterproof. Plus I don’t only use mine for yoga.

I’ve used it as a seat cushion or kneeling pad when working around the house. Light weight and easy to carry, it packs up quickly for travel or studio days.

When exercising on the Step Small Exercise Mat, I experience an excellent combination of comfort and support. It’s true! The half-inch polyurethane foam matters. The rich black color makes the entire setup look so clean and professional.

The mat’s non-slip surface means my hands and knees are safe and stable when doing floor sets or using it as a kneeling pad. At 36 inches long and 13 inches wide, it conveniently fits into small workout areas. Best of all, I can store it in a closet or gym bag without using up precious space.

The mat holds up even when adding weights and high-intensity moves, with no sagging or slipping. Cleaning’s a breeze, as sweat won’t absorb into the material, and a quick hand-wash will do the trick in keeping your mat looking brand-new.

Whether it’s yoga, pilates, or simply stretching after a vigorous day, I’m able to comfortably do so on this mat. Children can get in on the action as well, utilizing it for their yoga poses or imaginative adventures.

Because the Step exercise mat is designed to be used with Step aerobic steps, it’s even more versatile and helpful in my home gym.

Gaiam Solid Color Yoga Mat

Whether you’re taller or need more space for your practice, a longer yoga mat is necessary for a comfortable and focused practice. Where the Gaiam Solid Color Yoga Mat really shines is in offering space, measuring 78×26-inches.

Having this ample space, I don’t feel cramped in sun salutations or deep lunges. The 5mm thickness provides a stable, cushy surface, allowing your knees and elbows to remain comfortable even in extended poses. The lightly textured, ‘sticky’ surface helps to keep hands and feet in place.

This important feature significantly improves grip, ensuring stability in even the most difficult postures. We know that this mat is made from PVC. It’s a perfect choice if you’re looking to steer clear of latex and its drawbacks.

Durable, reversible, and phthalate-free, it stands up to daily sweat and packs two color options into one. Regular cleaning with a natural mat wash or a water/vinegar solution will help maintain the mat’s tacky, protective grip. For the long-legged among us, each pose fits perfectly.

Buyer’s Guide

Picking out a good yoga mat or knee pad can make a big difference in how you move through stretches or long holds. The High Density Non-Slip 5mm mat ensures a comfortable cushion between the ground and your hands and feet. This special design minimizes stress on your knees and hips.

All Gaiam mats, from the Essentials line to the Solid Color line, include convenient straps to ease transport. They make them easy to roll up and provide an excellent grip.

If you have sensitive knees or elbows, you may want to invest in additional pads, such as the ProsourceFit Extra Thick 15mm knee pad. The Hoghaki Yoga Knee Pad Cushion also gives you extra cushioning where you need it most.

Conclusion

Choose the best yoga mat for sensitive joints to help sore joints feel comfortable on every pose. Thick mats like the ProsourceFit pad or Gaiam Essentials mat add real cushion, so knees and elbows get less sore. For poses that put a little more pressure on the joints, soft knee pads—such as the Hoghaki pad—are more effective. For mats that protect sensitive joints, such as the High Density Non-Slip mat, mats with grip help to keep you grounded.

Small mats suit snug spaces or pack away quickly for class. I’m never disappointed when choosing mats that ensure I stay on the mat and don’t slack. Test them out, choose the ones that make your joints feel happy, and back to your practice you go. Look no further than the mats listed above, and let your joints enjoy a little rest for a change.

Frequently Asked Questions