Rough-and-tumble play is essential in building gross motor skills, self-control, compassion, and many other physical, social-emotional, and cognitive behaviors during early childhood. But while it's essential, it can bring with it some worries for parents – number one being safety. That's why gymnastics mats are such a great resource. Not just for gymnastics, these heavy-duty mats provide impact absorption for a variety of activities, allowing for cushioning to protect precious joints. And not just for childhood either, of course, gymnastics mats are excellent for at-home workouts, or as a home practice space for tumbling. These are the best mats on the market for impact absorption, durability, and quality. BalanceFrom GoGym All-Purpose Gymnastics Mat A Mat Made in HeavenOffering the most bang for your buck, these durable, high-quality gymnastics mats are ideal for the at-home gymnast.Best OverallFind on Amazon Whatever your reason is for buying a gymnastics mat, there are a few key elements that’ll make it or break it. First, it needs to be the right density. Simply put, it has to cushion the impact of your activities to help protect your body. Size, foldability, material, and durability are all as important, too. That’s why we love this mat from BalanceFrom. At 10ft x 4ft x 2in, this high-density EPE foam mat is excellent for practicing a variety of activities, from yoga to martial arts to pilates to tumbles. Easy to clean (it’s moisture-resistant, so just wipe down with mild soap and warm water) and made of non-toxic, lead-free vinyl, this mat doesn’t contain any harmful materials, either. What’s more, it folds into a compact size for storage when not in use. Pros: Extra-thick handles on each end allow for portability. Heavy-duty Velcro on all sides allows for hooking multiple mats together. Folded dimensions are 48″ x 30″ x 8″. 2-inch thick firm foam is supportive yet gentle to land on. Cons: These mats will slide on hardwood floors. FBSport Inflatable Gymnastics Air Mat Rapid Inflation – The Good Kind, That IsA high-quality air mat for tumbling practice for your budding gymnast, this mat is easy to inflate and won't leak air.Best Air MatFind on Amazon The pro-grade inflatable air mats are where it’s at for the at-home gymnast. Made of 500D filament-grade PVC tarpaulin, this is an air-tight mat that is insanely durable. You won’t have to worry about seams busting out or the mats deflating underneath you while you tumble. Ideal for the at-home gym, these mats can also easily be transported outside. With a fast-inflation design, you can have this air mat ready to go in less than one minute. Measuring 4 inches thick and 39 inches wide (there are multiple choices for length), this is the ideal size for practicing those tough routines. The best part? When you’re done, simply deflate it, roll it up, and pack it away. Pros: Durable handles. Includes an electric air pump. Rolls up to a compact size for storage. Multiple color choices and sizes available. Cons: Although it folds up into a compact size, this mat is a bit on the heavier side. Alifun Gymnastics Tumble Track Mat No Space? No ProblemWith an electric pump and a storage bag included, this is the ideal gymnastics mat for a smaller space.Best for Small SpacesFind on Amazon No need to skip out on a gymnastics mat just because you have a small space. This thoughtfully designed air mat is made of all the good stuff (premium, high-quality double-wall PVC with a weight capacity of 250 pounds), and will deflate and fold up into a small size perfectly suited for cramped quarters. Seriously, you can just tuck it into your closet –it even comes with a small duffle bag. Other must-have specs include an air-tight valve, durable, reinforced seams, and multiple color options. Oh, and an electric air pump, a portable bag, and a repair kit are also included with the mat. Pros: Completely waterproof. Comes with an air pump. 4-inch thickness. Easy to clean. Cons: The included storage bag doesn’t have the most durable zipper. We Sell Mats Gymnastics Incline Mat The Ever-Essential Wedge for The Budding Gymnast Every at-home gymnast enthusiast knows: a wedge mat is ideal for practicing tumbles. This wedge gymnastics mat is both durable and supportive for a variety of moves. Best WedgeFind on Amazon Providing proper cushioning and gentle angle positioning for beginner tumblers, this wedge gymnastics mat is perfect for practicing those new tumbling skills. Made with a high-quality anti-tear vinyl surface, this one will see years of rough use without breaking down. Hold-fast Velcro allows you to attach other mats to it for a complete gym space, or it can be used on its own for a variety of training purposes. Folding in on itself for compact storage, this mat has durable handles for transportation purposes. In three fun, vibrant color choices, young children will especially enjoy this mat. Pros: Easy to clean vinyl surface. Multiple size wedges to choose from. Impact-resistant foam material. Reinforced seams. Cons: This tumble wedge is a bit hard, but does break in after repeated use. BestMassage Tumbling Mat Color Me ImpressedKiddos love this mat for its vibrant color options, and parents love this mat for the safety and cushioning it provides. Best for KidsFind on Amazon Whether practicing cartwheels, somersaults, jumping rope, or just plain horsing around, this colorful gymnastics mat is lightweight yet durable and folds for compact storage. Made of premium, high-quality EPE, this high-density mat is perfectly supportive for rough-and-tumble play. With an outer shell made of PU leather, it’s easy to clean and dries quickly. The inner foam material is solid, yet it provides just enough bounce to help with impact. With tough handles that hold up to repeated use, you can take this mat in and out of storage as often as you please. Pros: Multiple vibrant color choices available. Customizable folding options (keep it partially folded for practicing backhanding skills, for example). Durable stitching. Folds to a small size for compact storage. Cons: There is no Velcro on the sides to attach more mats together. Frequently Asked Questions How thick should a gymnastics mat be? The typical gymnastics mat should be anywhere from one to two inches thick. This will provide the right support and protection for any at-home practice. If the mat is too thick and firm, it’ll be difficult to practice those tough tumbling moves. If it’s too thin, there won’t be nearly enough protection. How do you keep a gymnastics mat sanitary? We get it, gymnastics mats can get kind of gross, especially if used frequently. Fear not, though, since cleaning a gymnastics mat is relatively easy. While there may be some mats that require specific cleaning agents, most mats are easily cleaned by using gentle soap and warm water. Simply wash, and then wipe down with a dry rag after to encourage drying prior to storage. If you need a heavier-duty disinfectant, most mats can be wiped down using disinfectant wipes. Air mat versus foam mat: which is better? Considering a gymnastics mat but not sure which type to get? Turns out, there are pros and cons to both an air mat and a foam mat. Inflatable mats tend to be softer on the body, thus providing a more supportive landing surface. They are also easier to store and transport. Plus, they float (which is especially fun if you have a pool). On the contrary, foam mats are typically firmer. But just because they’re firmer doesn’t mean they can’t take impact. In fact, firmer foam mats tend to give less bounce back, which might be ideal for certain sports or practices. Related posts:Powered by SearchIQ The Best Dog Mats Read more The Best Dog Bowl Mats Read more The Best Dog Bowl Mats Read more