Imagine this: you’re in the middle of a sparring session and try to disarm your sparring partner by getting into position to take them down. However, when they come crashing down, the ground is not soft but rigorously firm.
Instead of getting straight up, they clench their head, and that’s the end of the practice session. Anyone who has ever been in a situation like this can understand how important the right mats are.
So, if the martial mats are not properly cushioned, just a slip or landing can cause severe injury or paralysis.
That being said, they are not just equipment; they are the safety gear that allows you to train effortlessly without risking being injured.
In this article, let’s look deeper into how proper mats can help reduce the risk of injury and turn every session into one that’s safer, more effective, and – of course – more fun.
1. Reduces Shocks During Falls
Martial arts mats are available in various types of foams- all meant to provide your body with different forms of protection during rigorous workouts.
- EVA Foam: It is one of the most widely used materials in the market for martial arts mats. Renowned for its superb shock absorption elasticity, it is a tough-wearing surface that helps to reduce the impact effects in the event of a fall.
- XPE Foam: Popular for its unique features, which include excellent shockproof, hydrophobic, and UV-proof characteristics. It offers a firm, stable ground that alleviates pressure on your joints during forceful throw-overs, rolls, twists, and falls.
You can get all these qualities of shock absorption if you consider such materials while purchasing your mats. For instance, if you are a training professional in Ireland, search for trustworthy brands of martial arts mats Ireland and select the material most effective for preventing injuries.
2. Anti-slip Ability
Martial arts include the notion of balance and forces, which are applied to diverse body parts, particularly feet.
That’s why, when choosing the appropriate mats, it is necessary to pay special attention to their anti-slip properties. This enables you to train any kind of technique without any fear of slipping.
- Improved Traction: Try to imagine executing a kick technique, a push, or any action in martial arts and your foot glides over the surface. Here, anti-slip mats help. These are designed from specific coatings or textured designs to ground you successfully and thus stop slipperiness. It prevents any falls and other incidents during the time of performing energetic martial arts moves.
- Enhanced Grip for Throws: Balance is crucial in stand-up fighting styles like Judo or Jiu Jitsu because a correct throw or transition depends on good balance. So, when the mat has an anti-slip feature, you have firm ground where most standing and ground exercises can be performed to push your limits.
- Preventing Surface Shifts: Premium mats have a way of joining edges or bottom layers of mats so that they cannot shift during workouts that involve a lot of vigorous exercises.
In this way, such mats provide a safe practice surface essential for any training professional or beginner.
3. Thickness for Comfort
When it comes to martial arts mats, thickness is just as important as color and individual preferences. If the mats are too thin, they will not serve as shock absorbers. It means that you can easily fall and sustain injuries.
At the same time, the presence of mats that are too thick is likely to lead to an awkward sense of imbalance during your movements.
What is the correct thickness, then?
They range in thickness from 1 to 2 inches, based on the preferred martial art. These mats are just thick enough to take the weight of the falls while at the same time allowing adequate mobility.
They also help a lot by giving support to both partners during techniques in a sequence that is situated on the ground. On the other hand, where grappling is employed, such as judo, additional padding is provided by thicker mats for recurrent throws.
4. Durable Structure
Long-lasting martial arts mats are a worthwhile investment in the safety of your training.
In time, the mats get abrasion and may be uneven or lack density, which can lead to falls or experiencing discomfort.
For this reason, the best martial arts mats are produced using hard-wearing materials that do not degrade over the course of frequent use while maintaining ‘’cushion ‘’and anti-slip features. They also have straight-cut edges so that they don’t curl or fray, eliminating potential tripping hazards.
Also, due to their durable structure, these mats do not sag or wear out and continue to deliver their necessary qualities.
5. Provides Hygiene During Training
Good martial arts mats do not only shield your body from injuries; they also shield your skin from diseases and infections. Most mats come with anti-microbial features that prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Hence, no contraction of diseases like ringworm or athlete’s foot can occur. These mats are easy to clean and maintain a high hygiene level since they are made from nonporous materials that do not soak wet or sweat.
Further, all the materials used in producing this item are hypoallergenic, reducing the chances of you getting irritations or infections while training.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that an optimum level of training can take place when there are premium martial arts mats.
So, the training facility ought to have high-quality martial arts mats to create a secure environment for training.
Thanks to their ability to reduce shock, offer non-slip surfaces, have the best thickness, high durability, and ability to be cleaned, these mats form a safe environment for all levels of practitioners.
Hence, buying good mats is not only smart; it is a statement of the value of an athlete’s health-sensitive hands and feet.
