Well, let me tell you, I’ve been doin’ yoga for a while now, though my old bones ain’t what they used to be. And the mat, oh the mat! That’s what holds you up, right? Makes a difference, that’s for sure. Nowadays, folks is askin’ about this 5mm yoga mat versus 3mm yoga mat. So, here’s what this old gal thinks about it.
First off, you gotta know what these numbers even mean. It’s how thick that mat is. Like how thick your quilt is, but for your body on the floor. A 5mm yoga mat, that’s a bit thicker, like a good, fluffy pancake. A 3mm yoga mat, that’s thinner, more like a crepe, you know? More common too, like everybody’s got one.
Now, if you’re just startin’ out, or if you’re doin’ those fancy poses where you’re movin’ around a lot, that 3mm yoga mat, that’s probably good enough. That’s 1/8-in thick, same thing. It’s like, you feel the floor more, but it’s still got some cushion. It won’t make your joints ache too much. Plus you can move about easier on that, this is what most folks get when they start doin’ yoga. A standard one, you see ’em everywhere.
But let me tell you, as you get older, or if you got some aches and pains, like me, that thicker mat, that 5mm yoga mat, that’s a godsend. It’s like layin’ down on a cloud, almost. It’s softer on your knees, your back, your hips. ‘Specially if you’re holdin’ those poses for a long time, you know? That extra padding, it makes a world of difference.
- 5mm yoga mat – good for old bones!
- 3mm yoga mat – good for when you’re young and spry!
I remember, I had this thin mat one time. Don’t even know how thin, felt like paper! Every time I got down on my knees, felt like I was kneelin’ on rocks. My poor old knees, they were screamin’ at me. Had to fold it over, and that was still no good. So I got me a thicker one, a 5mm one, and it was like heaven. Like I was doin’ yoga on a pile of cotton balls.
Now, these thicker mats, they can be a bit heavier. Like carryin’ around a big ol’ sack of potatoes. And they can be a bit bulky, take up more space. So if you’re walkin’ a long way to your yoga class, or if you got a small house like mine, you gotta think about that. But for me, the comfort is worth it. A 5mm one is good for me, don’t have to carry it too far anyway.
Also, if you doin’ them hot yoga classes where it’s like a sauna in there, you might want to look for a 5mm yoga mat that says “dry-grip.” That means it won’t get all slippery when you sweat. ‘Cause nobody wants to be slidin’ around like a greased pig on their mat, right? This is important! You don’t want to fall and hurt yourself.
Some folks, they even use those really thick mats, like 1cm or somethin’. That’s like a whole mattress! Good for your spine and hips they say. But for me, that’s a bit too much. I like to feel the floor a little bit, you know? Gives you some stability. A 5mm yoga mat is just right for me.
There’s other things too, like what the mat is made of. Some are made of that foamy stuff, some are like rubber. I don’t know all the fancy names. But you want somethin’ that’s gonna last, somethin’ that ain’t gonna fall apart after a few uses. And somethin’ that feels good on your skin. Some is better, but the thickness matters more to me.
So, 5mm yoga mat versus 3mm yoga mat? It depends on you, really. How old you are, how your body feels, what kind of yoga you’re doin’. But this old gal, I’m stickin’ with my 5mm yoga mat. It’s the best thing since sliced bread, I tell ya! Just remember to get one that’s good quality, and you’ll be doin’ yoga till you’re a hundred, just like me!
Don’t be shy, try ’em both out if you can. See which one feels better for you. You can probably find ’em at them big stores, or maybe even at the thrift store if you’re lucky. Though I always say, buyin’ new is better. It just ain’t right usin’ someone else’s sweaty old mat!
Just do what feels good, and don’t worry too much about what everyone else is doin’. Yoga’s about feelin’ good, not about havin’ the fanciest mat. But a good mat, it sure does help! Especially when you’re old and creaky like me! Now go on, get yourself a mat and get to stretchin’!
