I'm a Yoga instructor and I love Gaiam mats because they're not outrageously expensive, are a good value, and do the job you need them to do. I purchased this in December 2016 and there was NO chemical odor or problem, beyond the initial rubbery scent that dissipated within a few hours. (I've never had a smell problem with Gaiam mats and whatever smell other reviewers were encountering seems to have been from an external source and has been solved.) My mat is bright, beautiful, and does everything I need it to do.
As for the slickness, I don't have a problem with slickness with this mat ... however, note that this is a 5mm thickness, slightly squishier than a thinner mat. You will have to grip a little when you're in your poses. If you have a vigorous or sweaty practice, you should be on a thinner mat. Remember, you're doing the Yoga, not your mat. So, yes, you do need to activate hands and feet in your poses. 5mm thickness is great for basic Yoga and most traditions, including flow practices. I also recommend a 5mm thickness as a comfort for older students or anyone with minor joint issues.
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From the manufacturer
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| Essentials Yoga Mat | Classic Print | Solid Color | Premium Print | Premium Print Reversible | Essentials Fitness & Exercise Mat | |
| Size | 72" L x 24" W | 68"L x 24"W | 68"L x 24"W or 78"L x 26"W | 68"L x 24"W or 78"L x 26"W | 68"L x 24"W | 72" L x 24" W |
| Cushion | 1/4 Inch | 4mm | 4mm or 6mm | 6mm | 6mm | 2/5 Inch |
| Material | PVC | PVC | PVC | PVC | PVC | NBR |
| Use | Home or Studio | Home or Studio | Home or Studio | Home or Studio | Home or Studio | Home or Studio |
| Benefits | Premium performance at a classic value - Includes Carrying Sling | Durable, yet lightweight performance | Durable, yet lightweight performance | Added cushioing for joints that need a little extra support | Versatile design delivers two mat colors to suit any mood | Premium performance at a classic value - Includes Carrying Strap |
Customer Questions & Answers
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2017
Color: ElephantVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2017
There was a little bit of a weird smell when it first arrived, but that aired out quickly. As an added bonus, my animals love using it when I'm not!
Color: Inner Peace LotusVerified Purchase
Great for beginners & intermediate yogis!
By Amanda N on September 1, 2017
I'm somewhat tall for a girl, and have bad knees - this yoga mat is long enough for me to do most of my practice and the thickness is really great on my knees without being too squishy for balance work.By Amanda N on September 1, 2017
There was a little bit of a weird smell when it first arrived, but that aired out quickly. As an added bonus, my animals love using it when I'm not!
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2018
Color: Be FreeVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2017
Color: ElephantVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2018
Color: Be FreeVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2017
I have enough issues feeling self-conscious at yoga without being the guy with giant skid marks on his mat. I bought this mat to help my confidence and commit myself to yoga, but I've been skipping more classes than ever. I admit that's pathetic, and those issues are mine, not Gaiam's, but a mat this expensive shouldn't irreversibly stain the first time you use it because you got sweaty.
I thought I was buying something long-term, but now I feel like I bought something disposable. Yes, the mat still functions, but if you'd scoff at the thought of buying a new mat with stains on it, why should you be okay with one that stains after one use?
Color: ElephantVerified Purchase
Stains Easily and Irreversibly
By Timothy Hunter on June 11, 2017
It's beautiful, comfortable, and I haven't had problems slipping on it. But it stained the very first time I used it, got worse the second time, and the stains haven't budged. I've followed Gaiam's cleaning recommendations and bought the best-reviewed yoga mat cleaner I could find, but nothing. The stains are ordinary. They're sweat from my feet moving up and down the mat. The third time I used it, I found myself significantly altering the way I moved through class, so I wouldn't worsen the stains. A distracting hurdle for someone new to yoga. Picture attached (after cleaning attempts).By Timothy Hunter on June 11, 2017
I have enough issues feeling self-conscious at yoga without being the guy with giant skid marks on his mat. I bought this mat to help my confidence and commit myself to yoga, but I've been skipping more classes than ever. I admit that's pathetic, and those issues are mine, not Gaiam's, but a mat this expensive shouldn't irreversibly stain the first time you use it because you got sweaty.
I thought I was buying something long-term, but now I feel like I bought something disposable. Yes, the mat still functions, but if you'd scoff at the thought of buying a new mat with stains on it, why should you be okay with one that stains after one use?
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2018
Beautiful colors and pattern feels very cushiony.
Update used couple times
The smell is horrific, it smells so toxic I sprayed mine down with mat cleaner, still stinks. It’s very soft, but it’s slippery. I would say it’s worth the price and good beginners mat but I suggest using a towel. Does not roll out flat. The pattern I adore it’s beautiful. Gave 3 stars cause I can’t get smell to go away other wise would have been 4 stars.
Update 2/28/18. Sprayed with my lavender mat spray and Let it air dry for a week. No more smell. I love the mat 💙💙💜💜
Verified Purchase
Pretty
By SportyTracy on February 19, 2018
Haven’t used yet, will do a update once used few times. I got to class 3-4 x a week.By SportyTracy on February 19, 2018
Beautiful colors and pattern feels very cushiony.
Update used couple times
The smell is horrific, it smells so toxic I sprayed mine down with mat cleaner, still stinks. It’s very soft, but it’s slippery. I would say it’s worth the price and good beginners mat but I suggest using a towel. Does not roll out flat. The pattern I adore it’s beautiful. Gave 3 stars cause I can’t get smell to go away other wise would have been 4 stars.
Update 2/28/18. Sprayed with my lavender mat spray and Let it air dry for a week. No more smell. I love the mat 💙💙💜💜
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2017
Verified Purchase
Love this mat
By Heather Honious on February 10, 2017
Love this mat. A little bit of an odor for a couple days but after a few uses it's gone. The designs make me so happy!
By Heather Honious on February 10, 2017
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Daniel
Double curve defective and horrible smell
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2020Color: Be FreeVerified Purchase
Double curve defective and horrible smell
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2020
Really unhappy about this. The doesnt smell great also that being said it may take longer however if yoy see the pictures its not been cut properly and has made a awful double curve in the mat! I have tried to re roll opposite way as well as laying something down on top of it overnight and still the same... really disappointed and can't be used properly. I'm shocked considering the price! I thought going for a decent brand i would have this problem... 1 star and that generous!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2020
Images in this review
Amazon Customer
Nice pattern but I can’t use due to the terrible chemical smell
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 1, 2018Color: Be FreeVerified Purchase
lesley
Great quality mat..
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2021Color: Metallic Sun & MoonVerified Purchase
Great quality mat..
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2021
This product is very good quality. It's a decent thickness, for me it holds its place and I don't have sliding hands and feet, great grip! Yes, it's true that it has a chemically smell from manufacturing when it's brand new but this fades quickly. I've had this mat for a month and I use it every day for at least 30 minutes so frequent use gets rid of that new smell quickly. It's also a really pretty design on both sides.. would recommend!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2021
Images in this review
ERa
Really strong smell
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 16, 2020Color: Spiral MotionVerified Purchase
Don
Really very disappointed in this mat
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2018Color: KikuVerified Purchase
