BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose 1/2-Inch Extra Thick High Density Anti-Tear Exercise Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap and Yoga Blocks
[{'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2018', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-4 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Update: 2/27/18: After about 6 uses, I am seeing some indents where my feet and hands normally are placed. Not sure if this is premature wearing or not. Also, it seems this company generates a lot of reviews by offering free samples for giving a review of 100 words or more on their product. I received a pamphlet with my mat on their warranty and review process, posted a review, and then they sent me an e-mail "gift claim form" where I can basically get something for free from them since I provided a review.\n\nI purchased this for yoga, based on all the reviews this item has, and so far I\'ve used it 3 times over the past week. It\'s worked great so far, and here are my thoughts based on other reviews:\n\n1) Squeakiness/noise: Yes, it does make some noise as I move into different poses. I do yoga at home, so it doesn\'t bug me, but I could see it being a problem in a yoga studio or in a group of people. It doesn\'t constantly squeak, but as I move my feet around, it does make some noise. I think it\'s more the mat and the wooden floor it\'s on which creates the noise.\n\n2) Falling apart: Some reviews mentioned it immediately starts to disintegrate. I have noticed a couple of strands of rubber come off as I unroll it, but it doesn\'t seem that bad at all. I\'ll update this if it continues to come apart as other reviews had indicated.\n\n3) Smell: It smells a little bit, kind of like a latex pillow or other similar rubber/plastic product. I only noticed it today when I had my face down on it, so it\'s not strong at all.\n\n4) Movement: I haven\'t noticed it moving around at all. It sticks to my wooden floor pretty well, so no complaints there.\n\n5) Squishiness: Some people have said it\'s too thick and they sink into the mat. I haven\'t noticed this at all. Prior to this mat, I was using a thin yoga mat and any time I was on my hands or knees for a long time it was very uncomfortable. This mat still allows me to do the poses, but much more comfortably than before.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2017', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-2 review-rating', 'review_body': "Came in on time, class tomorrow. I unrolled it and I'm so glad I got the 1/2 inch thickness it feels great on my feet. The mat is very long too which is nice. I love purple so yay on the color. Love the carrying strap, makes it so easy to contain and carry. Can't wait to go to class tomorrow!! There was a small abnormality in the foam but it doesn't go all the through and is no issue at all, you can see in pic it's about the size of the tip of my pinky finger and does effect use of the mat at all.\n\nUpdate: down to 2 stars. The mat is comfy but it's not good. After two uses the rubber looks likes it's starting to break down. The mat moves a lot during a session and squeeks which is annoying and embarrassing. Returned"}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2017', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': 'I should have listened to the other reviewers! I bought this mat because I wanted to have less pain while doing exercises like modified pushups or yoga poses that involve contact with my back/knees. The mat is certainly thick and helped to reduce the amount of pain I felt in my knees and back bones. HOWEVER, after only a few uses the mat started to tear on its surface. Moreover, this mat slips really badly! I have laminate wood floors; however, I also have two other yoga mats in the house and they do NOT slip.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2019', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': "This mat did not hold up well at all. I do yoga 3X a week and wanted something heavier/thicker for knee support. After a few weeks, it curled up, there are tears along the sides, and it is basically unusable. Return window closes after 30 days but I did not start using it until mid-January so it's been less than a month and I am stuck with it. Will not buy from this company - can't even each anyone at customer link (which was provided by Amazon)."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2018', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "I just received this in the mail, and I knew immediately I would like it. It is incredibly cushioned, which for me is of major importance. I have bad knees, and regular mats are never cushioned enough for me. I bruise easily, but this seems like it will prevent any sort of bruising or soreness on my knees or hips. I don't really do any impact type exercise, so I cannot give a review to it on that. I do however do Piyo daily, as well as a few other body weight resistance and strengthening exercises, and this has an awesome grip. No more sliding or falling due to instability issues caused by no traction. I look forward to being able to do the exercises without fear of a few routines again! On a side note, I haven't noticed any odd or offensive smells, so that's a bonus! I am actually considering ordering a second mat for my husband! He is 6'3, and this seems like it is long enough, and soft enough for his back injury, for him to use as well"}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': 'If you are going to listen to a review please listen to this one (or the other 1 star reviews one here). Maybe you are like me and wanted to save a few bucks on your yoga mat. You see this one with over 4 stars and think "Wow this is a steal! One-click buy!" You try it once and think "hmm this is fine but not that sturdy" You try it again and think "Woah look at my footprints from last time!" You try it four more times and by this time the Yoga mat is completely stretched out, those footprints from before have now compressed the yoga mat into a thin sheet, you can still see where your cat stepped on your mat and interrupted your workout.\n\nGuys whatever you do DO NOT BUY THIS MAT! I don\'t post negative amazon reviews often but this one has to be said. I wish I had listened to the one-star reviews before I wasted my money on this one. The yoga mat compresses down to nothing wherever your feet are placed, and it stretches out. My yoga mat is completely warped at this point and I have only used it 6 times!\n\nAlso because it compresses and stretches so much it isn\'t even that comfortable to workout on. Honestly just do yourself a favor and pass on this one please!'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2017', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': "This was my first yoga mat that I purchased. $10, what a steal, right? I have laminate floors and I could not do any routines without slipping and stretching the mat all over the place. I didn't realize how much harder and undesirable a routine could be when you had the extra distraction of a stretchy, slippery mat. I also thought that thicker would be more comfortable, but I am actually going to try a standard 1/4 inch mat instead of this one because it almost seems too thick. The only redeeming quality was that I did not experience any tears like other customers, but with the amount of stretching, I could definitely see it happening. I used this maybe 4 or 5 times but I want to move on to something else at this point."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': ' I’m 5’6/5’7 and 180 pounds. It’s very squishy and supporting, you only feel the ground if you really dig your elbow in(like attempt to pierce it with your elbow) so the thickness is nice. I can sit on it and lay on it flat out comfortably and without any body parts touching the floor(though if you’re 6’0+ you probably won’t be able to do this, small human privilege). I was jumping in it a lot and it didn’t slip pretty much at all so I think it’s pretty stable for most work outs.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2018', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "First off, I want to be clear: I am NOT writing a review to get free products; that's not me. I write reviews when something really wows me, or makes me happy. And also, to help other people in their searches. That aside, I have never owned a yoga mat, or even sat on one before this. I purchased this one in particular, after looking at about 30 or so- some up to $70! (Ridiculous!) And most cost more if you want an actual color. Not true of this mat. After reading almost all of it's reviews, and reading the fact that it was THE number one top selling yoga mat, (on Amazon), it was the thickness I wanted, the right color, material, a 2-year warranty, and just $18?! I purchased it immediately! Two days later, I was very pleasantly surprised! It was packaged super great. I rolled it out, laid down, and wondered why the heck I didn't do this earlier. Feels like heaven on my back. I'm a 53-year old female whose joints need tender care. I only do light yoga, stretches, am only 125 lbs., so I can tell that this will last me quite a while. Excellent quality. I could even sleep on it, in the event of an emergency. Lastly, it has Velcro straps to hold it together, and a nice shoulder sling. It is perfect!"}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2017', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-4 review-rating', 'review_body': 'ok, this is the first yoga mat I\'ve ever purchased, so I don\'t have others to compare it too. First off, I\'m not an avid yoga practitioner--I just wanted something with enough cushioning to pad my bones on a hard floor. This def\'ly does that--it is very cushiony and soft. one side is completely smooth and the other is slightly corrugated. I assumed smooth was for the down side, and used it that way. Had no problems with slipping at all. I see that others have had issues with tears. I can see where that could happen--the foam is very soft. It is in fact softer, that I expected for something labeled high density. However, since every other pad I saw in stores was only a 1/4" thick for the same price, I am very happy with it so far.\n\nEdit--I should have added, you\'ll need to be sure your floor and shoes are clear of any grit--the foam is soft enough that any odd bits of stuff are going to imbed into it.'}]