6 Best Yoga Mats for Bikram (2020 Review)
Looking for the best yoga mats for Bikram in 2020?. Well, you have come to the right place. In this guide, you be will expect the following:
- What is Bikram?
- How to Choose a yoga mat for Bikram yoga
- The Top-rated yoga mats for Bikram
And much more…
Below is my quick list of products in case you’re in a hurry. These are my recommended picks of yoga mats for Bikram yoga. If you want to learn how and why I picked these products, continue reading!
| # | IMAGE | PRODUCT | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Jade Harmony Yoga Mat | Check Price on Amazon |
| 2 |  | Liforme Orginal Yoga Mat | Check Price on Amazon |
| 3 |  | Heathyoga ProGrip Non-Slip Yoga Mat | Check Price on Amazon |
| 4 |  | YOGA DESIGN LAB Cork Mat | Check Price on Amazon |
| 5 |  | IUGA Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat | Check Price on Amazon |
| 6 |  | Manduka eKO Yoga Mat | Check Price on Amazon |
If you are already familiar with the various forms of yoga, you will know that Bikram yoga is of the most popular types of yoga practiced across the globe. With hundreds of Bikram schools across the board.
Your standard yoga and Bikram or hot yoga both have entirely two different objectives with each having entirely different practices. Not every yoga mat might do the work well.
So having the right yoga mat for your Bikram will ensure you practice comfortably with no mishaps. Bikram yoga and other heated yoga are associated with high temperatures, sweat, and slippery limbs.
So you don’t want to end up with a fracture because you are using the wrong yoga mat for your Bikram or hot yoga practice. Hence, I came up with this guide with the best Bikram yoga mats.
For those who might be wondering what Bikram is, let’s tackle that.
Lists of the Top Rated Yoga Mats for Bikram
In a HURRY?. Here is a quick list of my top picks of yoga mats for Bikram yoga.
What is Bikram Yoga?
Bikram yoga became one of the popular yoga types in the early 1970s. Its classes consist of a fixed sequence of 26 postures usually practiced in a room heated to 105 °F (41 °C) with a humidity of 40%, intended to replicate the climate of India.
Bikram is a proprietary system of hot yoga as an exercise that was devised by Bikram Choudhury. The rooms where this form of yoga is practiced are usually fitted with carpet and walls covered with mirrors.
Bikram yoga has rapidly grown across America and the Western world. In the class, the instructor does not adjust the students, but the students are expected to adjust themselves.
Practitioners believe the sweat you produce while doing Bikram yoga also helps you detox. While Bikram yoga or hot yoga may sound great but, it comes with some form of risk and that is slippage.
That’s why it is extremely important to choose a yoga mat that doesn’t slip and has a good grip as you sweat. Otherwise, you will slide all about which can be dangerous.
Other Reads:
Best yoga mat for Kundalini yoga
Quick Guide on Choosing Yoga Mat for Bikram
Like any other type of yoga practice, you need to choose the appropriate yoga mat to practice on without encountering any problems.
Here are some considerations to help you with choosing the right yoga mat for yourself.
Stickiness and Non-Slip Grip
Good Bikram or hot yoga mats are designed to get stickier as they warm up and are exposed to more heat and sweat… This prevents slipping as the high temperature and humidity cause sweating.
Therefore when selecting a Bikram yoga mat keep in mind that it needs to be non-slip and still grip as the place becomes heated and you get sweaty palms and legs.
The mat should also be a good sweat absorber as you will start to sweating as you go on with the practice.
Thickness and Weight
Thickness and weight are factors you need to consider. when choosing a yoga mat for Bikram, it doesn’t have to be very thick as this type of yoga is mostly performed on carpeted floors.
But if you want some extra cushioning, then you have to choose a thick yoga mat with high density. This will prevent impressing and throwing you off balance when you are busing practicing.
With regards to weight, you might want to opt for something lightweight if you are not super strong enough to carry a heavy yoga mat and your other accessories.
Easy to Clean
With the amount of sweating that goes on in Bikram or hot yoga classes, you will want a yoga mat that is easy to clean. The best yoga mats for hot yoga have closed-cell surfaces to get rid of bacteria and other germs build up.
You will need to clean your mat after every practice to keep it bacteria and germs free.
Best Yoga Mats for Bikram
There are many non-slip yoga mats in the market today, but you have to look for yoga mats that will work best for hot yoga. The grip, right thickness, and maintenance are all important. These are my top picks of yoga mats for Bikram.
1). Jade Harmony Yoga Mat
Jade Harmony yoga mat is one of the top mats among many yogis. It is made of natural rubber which provides a much stronger grip. It is one of the best versatile yoga mats that can be used for almost all forms of yoga.
The Harmony yoga mat has a thickness of 3/16″ thick, 24″ wide regular width / 28″ in XW and three lengths to choose from; 68″, 71″, and 74″ / 80″ in XW. There are many different varieties of colors to choose from to fit your style.
Jade uses high-quality plant rubber which is free of harmful chemicals to design these yoga mats and Jade also stands for nature sustainability. This means replacing the trees that are cut down to be used for products by planting a tree for every Jade yoga mat sold.
Pros
- Made from natural rubber
- Eco-friendly
- Made in the USA
- Multiple colors and sizes to choose from to fit any body type
- Every yoga mat sold a tree is planted
- High quality
Cons
- May smell natural rubber for sometime
2). Liforme Orginal Yoga Mat
Liforme yoga mats have earned their respect among many yogis. In many yoga classes you will often find this mat there. Made from natural rubber and special eco-polyurethane, it is free of toxic chemicals and harmful substances.
Suitable for many yoga forms. The Liforme original yoga mat is a high quality non-slip yoga mat with a great grip. Thanks to the GripForMe material use on it to provide maximum grip with your body and the floor.
The alignment lines on it guide you to the right pose and help you achieve perfect balance.
there are four beautiful colors to select from and the mats have a dimension of 72.8″ long x 26.8″ wide and 0.16″ thick. This gives you enough room to move and not touch your neighbors. The wider width and longer length can accommodate people of different body types.
Pros
- Extra-long mat
- Biodegradable material
- Alignment system
- Great and non-slip grip
Cons
- Not well-padded for certain positions
3). Heathyoga ProGrip Non-Slip Yoga Mat
The Heathyoga ProGrip Non-Slip yoga mat is made of polyurethane which is famous for its great non-slippery design that keeps your hands and feet on the mat during the sweetest of Bikram yoga session or any hot yoga practice.
Just like the Liforme original yoga mat above, the Heathyoga mat is also having instructional alignment lines to keep you in the right position with your hands and feet.
This yoga mat is eco-friendly and doesn’t contain any odor and is 100% recyclable, PVC-free, and free of ozone-depleting substances.
With regards to size, you get a large mat with a dimension of 72″ (183cm) x 26″ (66cm) and a thickness of 5 mm and weight of about 3 Ibs.
The thick is good enough to cushion you well during your session if unless you have sensitive body parts. But even with that, most Bikram yoga classes are taken in rooms with carpeting; this adds additional padding.
Pros
- Super grip and on-slip in the sweetest session
- Odorless and free of toxic chemicals
- Extra-long
- Lightweight
Cons
- Only one size available
4). YOGA DESIGN LAB Cork Mat
This yoga mat is a premium non-slip mat that is 2 in 1 product that comes with a towel to improve sweat absorption. It is ideal for Bikram, hot yoga, sweat practices, and general exercises.
It is made with natural rubber plus microfiber made from recycled bottles. This makes it eco-friendly and environmentally friendly.
The mat is designed in such a way that when the more you sweat the stickier it becomes. It gets a better grip as it gets more dampen. Yoga Design Lab recommends that at the beginning of your practice, lightly spraying water on the top surface of the mat will prevent sliding, if you have dry hands and feet.
When you buy this mat, $1 goes to support boys and girls youth yoga programs in need. The mat has a size of 70 x 24 which is pretty long to accommodate standard body types. It also has a thickness of 3.5 and weighs only 2.2kg.
Pros
- It gets gripper as you sweat
- Eco-friendly
- Machine washable
- Many vibrant colors to select from to suit your style
Cons
- May not fit taller people
5). IUGA Eco-Friendly Yoga Mat
The IUGA Eco-friendly yoga mat has a double-sided non-slip surface that allows you to practice with confidence.
The backside of the mat has an exclusive designed “Bone” pattern that stops the mat from sliding on the floor. On the other hand, the top side has a subtly textured surface to prevent hands and feet from sliding out of the position. This helps you hold your poses and balances without sliding during the Bikram.
This yoga mat is eco-friendly and is made of TPE material which is durable and free of latex and PVC. It is doesn’t have a lingering smell like most yoga mats do especially those made with natural rubber.
The IUGA yoga mat is 1/4″ thick and has a dimension of 72″x 24″x 6mm. It weighs just 2 Ibs and it is a lightweight yoga mat that comes with a free carry strap to enable you to carry it easily to your Bikram or other yoga classes.
If you have sensitive knees and need some extra cushioning to support you for more comfort, then you this mat will be good for you. If you are also allergic to natural rubber smell, this might be an alternative.
Pros
- Affordable
- Eco-friendly
- Non-slip surfaces
- Odorless
- reversible dual color
Cons
- You will need a towel with it when doing hot yoga as it can get slippery when wet
6). Manduka eKO Yoga Mat
The Manduka eKO yoga mat has a natural rubber grip that prevents you from slipping. There are many beautiful colors and two sizes to choose from to suit your style of practice. This best Manduka hot yoga mat is long-lasting.
The thickness of the mat is 5 mm and the dimensions are 71” x 26” and 79” x 26”. Depending on your body type, the Manduka eKO yoga mat have you covered. You can choose the standard or extra long mat to meet your size and height.
This mat is thick and sturdy with a grippy textured surface that keeps me from sliding around
It is designed to be eco-friendly and biodegradable. It has a bit of a smell when you first get it, but that was remedied by putting it on the porch for a couple of days and letting it air out. The smell is from the natural rubber.
Pros
- Natural rubber grip
- Rippled surface texture
- Made from natural tree rubber
- Closed-cell surface
- Improved grip for superior traction
- No PVC or harmful plasticizers
Cons
- It has Rubbery smell when it arrives
