Customer Reviews

Natural Fitness Professional Natural Rubber Yoga Mat (Ocean / Night)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've been practicing yoga seriously for eight years, and have never had a mat I loved more. Between the mats I've personally owned (including two Mandukas) and the mats that have cycled through the yoga studio I have attended for years (including Lululemon and Gaiam among others) I've seen me some mats, and this one is about as perfect as a mat can get.

For starters, it's incredibly durable. One of the reasons I decided to pick one up was that the studio I attend replaced all their mats with Natural Fitness mats last year. These mats get used for several classes a day (people are on them for 6 or more hours a day, every day!) and have been in use at my studio for a year. So far there is no breakdown whatsoever! Unbelievable. The mats we've had in the past would start to shed pieces or develop holes within weeks or months. Not this mat! The studio mats look pretty much like they did when we first got 'em.

Second, the surface is amazingly non-slip, even when your hands get sweaty! There are varying degrees of slip factor to almost any mat, but apparently not this one (unless you're wearing lotion, and then, that's not really the mat). Not even my Manduka (which is also incredibly durable, though not as comfy) is as non-slip as the N.F. mat.

Third, it's very pliable and lightweight, making it easy to lug around and even travel with. It doesn't hold creases after being folded, though I do generally roll mine, the mats at the studio are always folded in piles and never seem to suffer for it, even the one or two that sit on the bottom of the pile for a while.

Now...about the smell. Yeah, the natural rubber is stinky when you first get it. I hung mine outside for a few days, but you could also hang it in a little-used room with good ventilation. It takes a little while, but the smell does fade, and the mat is so worth the wait!

A kickass mat at a decent price. Go for it!

Update: I've been using this mat for a year, and as I hoped, it's holding up great. A little wear is starting in the places where I always put my hands and feet, but I use it 3+ times a week and never flip it, so I'm not surprised.

I don't understand the reviews about slipping. All I can think is these people are wearing lotion or something, or maybe I'm just not a huge sweater? I still have no problems with slipping on this mat, and as for the smell, yes I notice it--when my nose is right down in the mat.

Very happy with this purchase, and about to buy another one (that's why I'm revisiting this review to update). This one's for my husband. :)

I am a beginner at yoga and just got this as my first mat. I love it--it's comfortable and sticky enough so I don't slip. The only complaint I have is that it might be TOO sticky, but I think this might wear off a bit over time. The rubber smell isn't overly strong to the point where it bothers me.

It's eco-friendly, and it's more comfortable on my spine than other mats I've tried. I recommend it.

This mat reeks for like a week. However, it's really a good mat! It's thick but not overly cushy and the rubber provides a super sticky surface for standing poses and down dogs. I think it was completely worth the money, and it will give me a lot of use before it wears out.

I bought this mat hoping to find a solution for slipping when sweaty during hot yoga class. Turns out this mat is very slippy when even slightly sweaty, worse than my cheapo sports authority yoga mat. And yes it does have a natural rubber smell which I didn't find to be a big deal after airing out. But TERRIBLE for hot yoga.

I also wanted to love this mat but it is heavy, much heavier than the average yoga mat, and it smells. The smell has not faded. If you don't have to carry your mat around on public transportation, maybe you have a home practice, this mat may work for you. But again the smell is off-putting. Gaiam makes a biodegradable mat that I prefer.

I requested this yoga mat as a Christmas present and I am happy to find that it met all my expectations. Due to chronic Lyme disease, I have multiple chemical sensitivity and the toxic smell released by a PVC yoga mat really bothers me. I used to hold my breath when my face is on the mat in child's pose or preparing for cobra. But no one is supposed to hold their breath when practicing yoga! After receiving this mat, problem is solved. I can now take breaths freely when practicing yoga. And contrary to what other reviewers said, I find this mat to have an earthy and even slightly fragrant scent, which is so much better than the PVC smell emits from a regular yoga mat.

The traction of this mat is superior and while using this mat, I feel more in harmony with nature. A must have for anyone who is an eco-conscious yogi!

This mat comes in several attractive colors, and it's extra long so you don't come off the edges. The grip is incredible, makes me feel like spiderman. I highly recommend it.

Love the mat..hate the smell. I had to leave it open for days in the back of my car with the windows down..I sprayed it with some strong spray fragrance from bath and body works and its still a little stinky. So if you buy this mat and want to use it right away, get some mat cleaner or have some good smelling body spray to douse the thing with so you don't get weird looks in the studio. I still think its was worth buying since they plant a tree for every mat sold. To me, thats worth the stench.

Despite being totally excited that I was finally going to have a mat I didn't slip on... alas, it wasn't to be!!

I am a 120lb female, who sweats a bit, but not a huge amount, and I don't wear lotion. I still find that I slip on this mat. The only mat that I have ever been able to use successfully without slipping on, has been the jade yoga mats. I do all kinds of yoga, and even with the gentlest of hatha classes, I still find that 5 mins in, my hands and feet are slipping!

I'm trying the manduka/yogitoes towels next!!!

After reading lots of reviews and looking at a dozen mats, this one fit what I was looking for at a price I was willing to pay. I didn't find the smell offensive at all and it has in fact faded. The mat is a nice color (I have the black and blue one) and I like the way it feels. It is pretty thin, so if you are looking for one that is extra cushiony, this is probably not your mat unless you are going to layer another mat underneath. I am not sure if it's just because I sweat a lot, but during my last yoga class I was slipping. I had just cleaned it before class so it might have been a little damp though, because I didn't notice that much slippage during the previous classes. The next time I clean it I won't do it just before class and I'll see if it makes a difference. Overall I am happy with this purchase and would recommend the mat.