GYMNASTICS is one of the toughest sports out there, combining flexibility, strength and courage so practice is crucial whether you're a seasoned pro or a newbie.
A fundamental part of gymnastics is tumbling, whether that's on the floor, beam or while vaulting and the best way to get your somersaults, backward walkovers and handsprings up to tip-top condition is by practising on a gymnastics mat and the best part is, there are lots of gymnastic mats you can get for your own home.
From wedges for skills that need momentum, like forward rolls and somersaults, to longer mats for sequences of tumbles there's something out there to suit whatever you or your little one needs.
If you're worried about not having enough space at home, then opt for a mat that you can pack away, and most designs are made from material that you can easily wipe down or even use in the pool if they're inflatable.
We've had a hunt for the best gymnastics mats so you don't have to and below we've created an edit of our favourites.
Best gymnastics mats at a glance:
Costway Large Foldable Incline Mat
- COSTWAY Large Foldable Incline Gymnastics Mat, £158.95 at Amazon - buy here
This ergonomic, wedge-shaped gymnastics mat is a versatile addition to any home, garden or training practice.
Not only is it suitable for tumbling, gymnastics floor work, rhythmic gymnastics, stretching, yoga and martial arts, it also folds into a handy cube shape which can be used for Crossfit-style box jumps.
The gymnastics mat is cushioned with EPE foam for support, and has a hardwearing PVC exterior plus the covers of the wedge mat are removable, and easy to clean.
It comes in two colours, neon green and pink, but both come with convenient carry handles for easy transportation.
Key specs - Material: Polyvinyl Chloride Size: 150 x 75 x 35 cm (L x W x H) Weight: 7 Kgs
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Gym Princess Implay Gymnastics Mat
- Gym Princess Implay Multi-Use Gymnastics Mat (180cm x 120cm x 10cm), from £89.99 at Amazon - buy here
Daredevil tumbler in the house? This rectangular crash mat is just the ticket for helping them practice one back handspring after another.
Made from PVC with a high-density foam interior, this mat is available in a range of thicknesses and sizes to suit your needs and space constraints.
Whilst having the advantage of being made by rip-stop fabric, it is easy to wipe clean with just water and mild soap which makes it extremely versatile, and a trusty addition to any training routine or practice.
Key specs - Material: 610Denier PVC Size: : 150 x 75 x 35 cm Weight: 7 Kgs
WelandFun Air Training Mat
- WelandFun Air Training Mat, from £178.49 at Amazon - buy here
Wannabe gymnastic pros will quickly master their aerials and any tricky tumbling move with this inflatable gymnastics mat, which includes an electric air pump for easy inflation.
You can choose from a mat that is either 300cm or 400cm in length, but both choices are 100cm wide and 15cm thick.
Once finished, the mat is easily deflated and rolled-up to fit into the handy travel bag (included) which makes for fantastic transportation, whether you don't want to skip practice while on holiday or you're getting in some pre-competition brush ups.
Bonus: it's also waterproof so doubles as a pool float, and this makes it super easy to wipe clean.
Key specs - Material: Polyvinyl Chloride Size: : 5L x 1W x 0.15Th m Weight:19Kgs
Proiron Gymnastics Mat
- PROIRON Gymnastics Mat, £129.99 at Amazon - buy here
PROIRON is a reputable name in fitness equipment, and this gymnastics mat from the brand won't disappoint.
The four-fold design is 4.1cm thick, and can be easily stored out of sight when not in use - carry handles allow for easy transportation, too.
The double-sided PU mat is easy to clean with a non-slip texture, and can be used for various other fitness activities beyond gymnastics, including yoga, stretching, Pilates, weight training and more.
Plus, it's a well-reviewed, versatile mat all at under £100 - what's not to love?
Key specs - Material: Faux Leather Size: : 96.1L x 35.8W cms Weight: 6 Kgs
ProsourceFit Tri-Fold Folding Thick Exercise Mat
- ProsourceFit Tri-Fold Folding Thick Exercise Mat, £48.58 at Amazon - buy here
We get it, some of the best gymnastics mats can be expensive, especially if you or your child is unsure about whether to commit to it right now. Kids can be fickle, and change their minds super fast.
So instead of forking out for an expensive gymnastics mat, this trusty tri-fold mat from HX9 is available to buy for under £40 on Amazon.
It's made from high density foam, so it's perfect for landing any tricks without any accidents, and is super lightweight - so it's perfect to fold up and go, especially since it boasts handy straps for carrying.
It's also a great mattress for camping so is super versatile and great value for money.
Key specs - Material: Foam, Polyvinyl Chloride Size: 182.88 x 3.81 x 60.96 cm Weight: 2.16 Kgs
Fun!ture Pink Faux Leather Folding Gymnastics Training Balance Beam
- Fun!ture Pink Faux Leather Folding Gymnastics Training Balance Beam, £39.97 at Amazon - buy here
Okay, so it's not quite a gymnastics mat, but it's still a piece of key training equipment for you or your little one to use to brush up on your balancing act.
This foldable faux leather training balance beam is said to develop hand-eye coordination and strengthen focus - vital for gymnastic training and competition levels.
When opened out, the beam measures 2.1m in length, and 10cm in width - it's only 6.5cm from the ground too, making it a safe, easy way to practice balance beam at home without the professional equipment.
Key specs - Material: Faux Leather Size: : 213.36 x 304.8 x 198.12 cm Weight: 5.9 Kgs
Inflatable Air Spot Tumbling Circle Mat
This Air Spot is portable, durable and a fun, space-saving circular shape so there's no need to worry about if you have the space for a bigger, rectangular gymnastics mat.
The mat is inflatable, with an air pump provided, and can be pumped up and deflated within minutes while maintaining its air pressure for days, if left inflated.
The Air Spot comes with two easy-to-carry handles, and it is waterproof meaning it is ideal for pool fun, too.
Its material is non-slip, and comes in a range of diameters including 0.7m/1m /1.4m and thicknesses (either 4in or 8in) so it's perfect for all types of gymnastic training practices and routines.
Key specs - Material: PVC Size: : 100 x 20cm Weight: 3.63 Kilograms
Promat Heavy Duty Lightweight Mat
This heavy duty, yet lightweight, gymnastics mat is ideal for those at-home flippers.
This gymnastics mat is made from strong, non-slip and non-rip PVC, with a shock absorbent foam core.
There are anti-slip panels on the base, so no slipping around the garden or lounge, and there is an option to purchase it with or without hook and loop connectors on all sides.
Size wise, the mat measures 2m x 1m and is available in a range of thicknesses - including 30, 40 or 5omm.
It's the most professional-grade at-home gymnastics mat we've come across online and it comes at a great price.
Key specs - Material: PVC Size: 2m x 1m size and 30, 40 or 50mm thick
Beemat Deluxe Lightweight Gymnastics Mat
This industry-grade, high-quality gymnastics mat is a little different to the other options on this list - being heavy duty PVC and thin, shock-absorbent polyethylene rather than thicker, crash mat-like foam, or inflatable.
This professional-style gymnastics mat from Beemat is lightweight, fire-proof and available in an array of sizes and colours.
In all, this durable, affordable mat is great for at-home training, practices and pre-competition stretches.
Key specs - Material: PVC coated fabric Size: Available in 8 Sizes
Opti 40mm Thickness Yoga Exercise Mat
- Opti 40mm Thickness Yoga Exercise Mat, £42 at Argos - buy here
At just £29.99, this Opti mat from Argos has a good 40mm thickness for doing basic gymnastics.
The carry-strap and foldable structure mean it's convenient for transporting and storing too.
One happy customer writes, "I have bought this mat for my child to perform gymnastics. It's perfectly fine and thick enough to protect from the falls. Would highly recommend!"
Key specs - Material: PVC Size: H60, W60, D12cm
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