Best Pilates Mats: How Thick Is Thick Enough?

In a reformer class, the machine's padded carriage does the cushioning. On a mat, it's all on you: mat Pilates has you lying on your back, rolling along your spine and balancing on your tailbone, and a thin yoga mat on a wooden floor can make that uncomfortable fast.

These picks are based on the listings, ratings and number of verified reviews, not a hands-on test.

Pilates mat vs yoga mat

Pilates mats are usually thicker. Merrithew, the company behind STOTT PILATES, puts it this way in its mat guide: "Pilates mats need to be the best combination of thick for cushioning, while still firm enough to provide support." Its own Pilates mats run from 10 to 15 mm, while its yoga mat is 3 mm.

Balanced Body, another big studio brand, sells Pilates mats from 1/4" (about 6 mm) to 5/8" (about 16 mm), and describes the trade-off clearly: the thinner mat "offers more 'feel' and less cushion", while the 3/8" mat "offers a balance of cushioning with floor 'feel.'"

How thick should you go?

About 10 mm (3/8") for mostly mat Pilates. It's thick enough for rolling exercises on a hard floor and still firm enough to feel stable. 1/2" (about 13 mm) if your floor is hard and your back is sensitive. More cushion, a little less stability. 6 mm if you also do standing work or yoga on the same mat: you'll feel more grounded when you balance on one foot.

Density matters as much as the number: a soft foam mat that flattens under your hips won't protect your spine like a firmer one of the same thickness.

Best overall: Gaiam Essentials 10mm

At 10 mm, the Gaiam Essentials mat sits right in the range Merrithew uses for its own Pilates mats, for about $19. It's made of NBR foam, comes with a carry strap, and is rated 4.6 stars from more than 46,000 reviews on Amazon.

Extra thick: two 1/2" mats

If your floor is hard or your back is sensitive, a 1/2" mat gives the most cushion. The Fitvids all-purpose mat (sold under the BalanceFrom GoYoga name on some listings) is about $21 and rated 4.6 stars from more than 38,000 reviews. The Retrospec Solana is the same thickness, comes with a nylon strap, and is rated 4.4 stars from more than 9,000 reviews.

At this thickness, standing balance work can feel a little wobbly. That's the trade-off.

One mat for Pilates and yoga: Gaiam Premium 6mm

If you split your time between Pilates, yoga and wall Pilates, a 6 mm mat is the compromise: cushioned enough to lie on, firm enough to stand on. The Gaiam Premium is rated 4.7 stars from more than 22,000 reviews.

The splurge: Manduka PRO

The Manduka PRO is a 6 mm mat described on its listing as ultra-dense and closed-cell, and it costs about $112. It's rated 4.5 stars from more than 9,000 reviews. Worth it if you want one premium mat for Pilates and yoga; overkill if you're just starting.

What about studio Pilates mats?

Studio brands like Balanced Body and STOTT PILATES make thick, firm mats designed for the full Pilates mat repertoire. They're mostly sold on the brands' own sites and cost more, but if you practice on the mat several times a week, they're worth a look.

Whatever you choose, add grip socks if your mat slides on the floor or your feet slip on it.

For mat Pilates, a thin yoga mat isn't enough. Go for about 10 mm, firm rather than squishy, and your spine will thank you.