Background
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started, it has forced me to do exercises at home. The exercise mat that I had didn't give a solid grip and feel while I was doing my daily workouts. As such, I went online and search for a better mat, where I came across Lululemon The Reversible Mat 5mm which looks good and solid. After much consideration, I decided to get it at 580 HKD (68 USD) excluding shipping for the black color.
The Stuff
The mat arrived within a week after I ordered it. From the lululemon Hong Kong website it describes the following features:
- Designed for: Yoga
- Cushioning and Grip: Natural rubber base gives you cushioning and grip in low-sweat classes
- Antimicrobial Additive: An antimicrobial additive helps prevent mold and mildew on the mat
- Dimensions: 66cm x 180cm (26" x 71"), 5mm (0.19")
- Weight: 5.24lb (2.38kg)
- Care Instructions: Clean this mat after practice with warm, soapy water and hang it to dry
- Air it Out: Natural rubber has a slight smell that fades over time
Here are some pictures of the stuff that I've taken:
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| The lululemon reversible mat upon laying it out. |
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| The corner of the mat. This is the smooth side. |
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| The reverse side of the mat. This is the rubber side. |
Usage
I have been using the lululemon reversible mat for a month now, and have only been using the smooth side so far. It has been very solid as it has a very grippy feel when I'm doing my exercises, e.g. push-ups, burpees. It does not feel slippery at all. The mat does shift if you do intense exercises like burpees, but this is not a big issue.
When laying out the mat for the first time, it has a very strong rubbery/chemical smell. As such after every workout session, I will wipe it with a damp cloth and let it dry before rolling it up. The smell will eventually go away as you keep using and cleaning it.
After repeated usage, you may see some scratch and sweat stains on it. I guess this is inevitable if you sweat a lot, and your nails accidentally scratching it while working out.
Conclusion
Overall, I feel that the lululemon reversible mat is a solid exercise mat to justify its price. I wish they come with some complimentary strap so that it can be secured after rolling it. For me to I am very happy with the performance of this mat. If you are interested in getting one, you can go to lululemon main site or lululemon HK to purchase it.