“Climate Control” is not feasible every time you workout. Due to spatial concerns, some people have to exercise in places where setting up an air conditioner is not possible. Needless to say, this gives an invitation to unnecessary hurdles such as excessive sweating, premature fatigue, etc. For instance, practicing yoga in a basement or a garage can cause you to sweat profusely. This post will help you find the best yoga mat for sweaty hands.
Yoga Mat for Sweaty Hands
1. HemingWeigh
Best Overall
HemingWeigh is a yoga accessory manufacturer headquartered in North Dakota, United States. For the past three decades, the company has been active in the fitness and wellness marketplace. The world’s leading physiotherapists and yoga trainers recommend their products. The HemingWeigh yoga mat is 71-inch long and 24-inch wide. It is quickly becoming HemingWeigh’s flagship product.
When it comes to executing your favorite yoga moves, you must have a mat that is not only thick but also dense. This is also essential for those with health conditions like Hyperhidrosis.
Hyperhidrosis can make you sweat even in colder weather. The thickness (half-inch) and high density of HeningWeigh’s yoga mat will allow you to perform the poses without slipping or falling off the mat.
According to the yoga experts, a softer mat may offer short term comfort for those with joint pains, but it provides less support to the body parts like palms, sole of the feet, and hips.
By working out on a thinner and low-density mat, you may be making working out even harder. Beyond that, this mat also offers excellent non-slip traction and cushion. No matter how sweaty your palms or sole of the feet get, you can always rely on this mat.
HemingWeigh is Suitable For –
Do you experience chafing after all the floor exercises you do on your regular yoga mat? Do your hands get sweaty only a few minutes after the start of the yoga class?
If your answer to any of the above questions is yes, you might benefit from HemingWeigh’s yoga mat. You might take a while to adjust to the texture of this mat, but with the time, you will be able to perform hot yoga exercises without ever slipping off the mat.
Pros:
- It has no smell or chemical odor.
- It is easy to clean.
- It comes with a strap for easy carrying.
- It is a double-sided mat.
- It is a good upgrade to a regular yoga mat.
Cons:
- It can be spongy for some people.
- It needs extra care and maintenance.
2. BalanceFrom GoYoga
Best Overall Runner-Up
Most yogis slip or fall off the mat as a result of the sweat or the moisture being clogged in one area of the mat. Yoga mats made with natural rubber are eco-friendly and allergen-free, but they absorb water fast. The mat mustn’t absorb moisture for you to be able to perform your yoga poses despite sweaty hands or any other part of the body. So, where should the moisture go?
The BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Mat comes with narrow slots on the surface of the mat. The moisture-resistant technology pushes the water off of the mat as you continue to perform your yoga poses. The texture of the mat is such that a yogi can continue his/her workout even if the mat is soaking wet. Bikram or hot yoga is generally practiced in a heated room. This mat can come handy in such a situation.
Bear in mind that regular yoga mats are not water-resistant. Also, they have a smooth and plain texture which does not provide your palms or sole of the feet the grip it needs. BalanceFrom GoYoga is one of the best mats for sweaty hands. With half an inch of thickness and the high-density foam material, this mat will get you through the hardest and the sweatiest workouts.
BalanceFrom GoYoga is Suitable For –
This mat is perfect for those who seek incredible stability with their yoga poses despite having sweaty hands. Furthermore, this mat is 74-inches in length and 24-inches in width. Even a heavier or tall person can have enough room to perform their favorite yoga poses or Pilates routines.
Pros:
- There are several colors to choose from.
- It is a double-sided mat.
- It comes with a strap for easy carrying.
- It is moisture resistant and is suitable for people with sweaty hands and feet.
Cons:
- It is not suitable for weight training and might leave dumbbell marks on the surface.
3. Gaiam Yoga Mat
Best Value
Gaiam is a fitness and wellness product manufacturer located in Boulder, Colorado. For the past three decades, it has been a famous brand among the yoga and pilates community. The dry grip yoga mat from Gaiam is made with a PVC material. Although the material is synthetic, it is bearable for latex-sensitive yogis. The PVC material is known to keep moisture away from its surface.
Furthermore, the material also ensures that your workout remains free of germs and odor. The exciting thing about this mat is that the grip gets better with the heat and moisture in the room. The smooth topcoat of this mat is designed to wick the moisture away. Sweaty hands won’t bother you anymore as this mat is specifically intended to be used during Vinyasa flow and Hot yoga practice.
Intricate yoga poses involved in the Vinyasa flow require a steady, cushioned, and stable surface. Your body is more likely to generate sweat when it is always in motion–as it is during the Vinyasa flow routines. Also, to get the best out of power yoga, you are asked not to break the flow. Instead of focusing on wiping the sweat and moisture off of your palms, the Gaiam yoga mat lets you focus on the task at hand.
Gaiam Yoga Mat is Suitable For –
This yoga mat gets sticky after use. The more you use it, the stickier the texture gets. Although, you should note that it will take a while to break into the top layer of this mat. Do not expect an excellent grip right from day one. It is advised to wait for 3-4 weeks before making a judgment. Apart from that, this is the best yoga mat for sweaty hands for those into Hot yoga.
Pros:
- It is relatively lightweight (weight about 3.09 pounds).
- The topcoat wicks away moisture.
- It has excellent grip and traction.
- It seals out germs and bacteria.
Cons:
- It is not suitable for outdoor use.
- It is not environment-friendly.
4. Jade Yoga Harmony
Best Value Runner-Up
Generally, PVC or other synthetic materials used in making a yoga mat do not cause any skin issues or allergies. If you are one of those people who cannot do with a mat made with a synthetic material, the Harmony mat might be the right one for you. Just like other yoga mats from Jade Yoga, this product, too, is made with open cell natural rubber. No synthetic material is used.
In case you didn’t know, Jade Yoga doesn’t even package their product in a plastic wrapper. They generally use an eco-friendly paper wrap. The Harmony mat came to existence after a prominent yoga guru named B.K.S Iyengar pointed out the problem with regular PVC yoga mats — they were slippery. He suggested that a yoga mat should offer excellent grip and traction, which turned out to be a massive relief for yogis with sweaty hands.
Another benefit of using a Harmony yoga mat over other brands is that you don’t need to wait for days or weeks to break into the surface of the mat. It yields an excellent grip from the get-go. Furthermore, you have three options when it comes to the height of the mat: 68-inch, 71-inch, and 74-inch. Also, the mat weighs around 4.3 – 4.5lbs, so it’s a bit heavier than a regular yoga mat.
Jade Yoga Harmony is Suitable For –
The dimensions and the material of this yoga mat are such that it works well for all types of yoga. Although, those into Bikram or Hot yoga will love the optimum grip that this mat offers during long poses and vigorous yoga practice. If you are currently struggling with your slippery PVC mat, this yoga mat for sweaty hands might be the obvious choice.
Pros:
- The product is made in the United States.
- It is made with environment-friendly materials.
- It will enhance your performance almost immediately.
- It is well-suited for sweaty hot yoga sessions.
Cons:
- The mat needs extra care and maintenance.
- It does not go well with abrasive cleansers.
5. Manduka PROlite
Best Budget
As the name suggests, this mat is a lighter version of the Manduka PRO. To be precise, it is 4.6 pounds lighter than the PRO version. The natural tree rubber material used in the making of this mat is a lot denser and thicker compared to the other mats.
What makes Manduka PROlite one of the best mats for sweaty hands? The high density and thickness of this mat will make you feel grounded despite moisture or sweat.
You get to choose between two heights: 71-inch and 79-inch. For a person with average height, the mat with a 71-inch height would suffice. The weight of the mat goes up with the height — be aware of this factor when selecting the height. Furthermore, this mat is just 4.7mm thick. However, when you hold the mat, it feels a lot thicker — mainly due to its high density.
No matter how much you sweat, the mat does not absorb the moisture. This is due to the closed-cell structure of the PROlite mat. Most people with sweaty hands find it difficult or annoying to practice yoga on a regular mat.
A regular PVC yoga mat has a porous surface. Hence it absorbs all the sweat. When pressure is applied from the top, the sweat gushes out of the mat. Such is not the case with the PROlite yoga mat.
Manduka PROlite is Suitable For –
This mat may be a bit slimmer than other popular yoga mats for sweaty hands, but with usage, the material adapts to your body. Depending on the body weight, type of exercise, amount of moisture, etc. the PROlite yoga mats shapes itself.
Having said that, to get the best out of this product, you don’t have to wait for days. You will feel the difference right from your first yoga class on this mat.
Pros:
- It is lightweight and portable.
- The mat is OekoTex certified.
- The sticky texture makes it easy to perform poses despite the sweat.
- It shows instant results. You don’t have to wait for the mat to break in.
Cons:
- It needs frequent maintenance and cleaning. The mat gets dirty easily.
6. Hugger Mugger Para Rubber
Best Budget Runner-Up
Are you looking for a budget-friendly and the best yoga mat for sweaty hands and feet? Hugger Mugger is the stickiest yoga mat on the market. This mat weighs about 6 pounds, which is considered to be quite heavy compared to regular PVC mats. The additional weight of this mat ensures that it doesn’t move around while you perform yoga poses or pilates core workout routines.
Furthermore, this mat is 6mm thick. Hence there is plenty of cushion for your knees and other joints. In short, it comes with all the necessary features the best yoga mat for sweaty hands and feet should possess. However, note that this mat is made from natural rubber. Therefore it may give off a strong rubber smell for the initial few days.
I am guessing an environmentally conscious yogi won’t bother much about the rubber smell. It is advised to wash your hands after yoga practice. You will also be surprised to learn that this mat has a dual-sided aspect.
One side has a sticky and firm feeling, whereas the other has a closed-cell smooth texture. The sticky side is recommended for hot yoga. And the soft side suits best for restorative yoga.
Hugger Mugger Para Rubber is Suitable For –
It is not uncommon for yoga enthusiasts to use a cheap PVC mat in their initial days of learning this ancient exercise routine. Not everyone can persist with yoga practice, hence investing your hard-earned money in a natural rubber mat is out of the question.
However, if you have been practicing yoga for a while now and are feeling the need for a better, more grippy mat, this product from Hugger Mugger might be the right choice for you.
Pros:
- It has a sticky texture, so it provides more grip and traction.
- Both top and bottom sides are usable.
- It has a breathtaking design.
- It is made with 100 percent natural tree rubber. No PVC.
Cons:
- It is a heavy mat. It can be difficult to carry to the gym or a studio.
How Can I Stop Sweaty Hands From Ruining My Yoga Practice?
It is typical for body parts like palms, sole of the feet, or underarms to release sweat during physical exercise. When we workout, the temperature of the body goes up. The body begins to release water and some salt as a way to balance the internal temperature.
However, in some people, sweating has nothing to do with temperature control. In fact, a condition known as Hyperhidrosis leads to excessive sweating for no apparent reason.
If you have been diagnosed with Hyperhidrosis or are showing signs of having this condition, it must be quite challenging to indulge in physical activities like yoga or pilates. These exercises require you to balance your body on the palms of your feet.
To make things better, I would suggest you get the best yoga mat for sweaty hands. Some mats have a sticky texture due to which a yogi is able to stabilize his/her body despite all the sweat.
How Do You Stop Sweaty Hands and Feet?
If your situation is too difficult, you might have to do a lot more than getting a yoga mat for sweaty hands. In this section, I have discussed a few ways to get rid of the sweat from your hands and feet, so you are free to execute your favorite yoga poses.
1. Use a Yoga Towel
A yoga towel is another prop that can help you deal with the excessive sweating that is ruining your yoga sessions. A yoga towel is supposed to be placed on top of a yoga mat. A yoga towel can transform a regular mat onto a highly absorbent and reliable yoga mat for sweaty hands and feet.
However, a towel placed on a mat may not be suitable for specific exercises (for instance, Vinyasa flow). It can throw you out of alignment if you fail to keep it flat on the mat. Nevertheless, it is an excellent tool to have in your arsenal.
2. Invest in a Good Yoga Mat
A natural rubber mat should help you deal with the issue of slippage or misalignment during yoga sessions. Generally, rubber mats are more expensive than mats made with PVC or other synthetic material. But a well-designed synthetic mat can serve the purpose as well. Just make sure it is made with a high-density Nitrile Rubber (NBR) foam or Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE).
3. Grip Gloves and Socks
Yoga-specific grip gloves and socks can offer you the stability you desire during your yoga sessions. Unlike the regular ones, yoga-specific gloves and socks have dotted rubber patterns on it. These patterns act as an additional grip. Also, they work well with a rubber mat to keep you pams and sole of the feet attached to the mat despite the sweat.
4. Lower the Temperature of the Room
Lastly, if the sweating is not a result of a condition like Hyperhidrosis, it would be helpful to turn down the air conditioning a bit. Lower temperatures help the body maintain its base temperature during exercise. Also, make sure you have fresh air coming into your room. Beyond that, you can try practicing yoga alongside a water body such as a river or a lake. Maybe the dampness of the room is making you sweaty.
Conclusion
Working out with sweaty hands and feet might seem like a confusing mess, but a good yoga mat is really all you need. It may take a couple of weeks for your body to get acclimated to a new mat, but the rewards of exercising are immense.
From the products mentioned in this post, I would suggest you go for HemingWeigh yoga mat. Although it is made with a synthetic material, the product is tried and tested by experts. It won’t affect your skin.
On the other hand, I would suggest Jade Yoga Harmony yoga mat to those who seek a 100 percent organically produced product. Not only this mat has all the necessary features, but you also have an option to select from a wide range of colors.