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Our edit of the best yoga mats to help you go from met-con to mat-con. Namaste.

If you truly want to fine-tune your fitness, can we make a suggestion? Have you considered practising yoga? Regular practice can improve strength, endurance and flexibility after just 12 weeks, while a study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that it can also reduce cortisol and anxiety levels.

But before you get down into your cobra or cow position, you may want to invest in a soft, sturdy and durable yoga mat. According to yoga instructor Sarah Malcolm, a good yoga mat should be suited to the kind of workout you’ll most often be using it for. If you like your yoga fast-paced and dynamic, a non-slip yoga mat (up to 5mm in depth) will provide extra grip and stability. Alternatively, for a gentle, restorative session, a well-cushioned yoga mat will support your spine, knees and hands.

The tester panel at the Hearst Institute calmly worked through morning-sun salutations and post-workout poses to select the best. Cushioning, grip, size and portability formed the basis of every test, resulting in a shortlist that has an option for every man.

First, think of where the yoga mat will get the most use. If it's in your living room, you won't need to worry about its weight, so comfort will be your priority. Alternatively, if you're using it outside, opt for a non-slip yoga mat and, if you're taller than the average person — those whom these mats are measured for — opt for a slightly longer mat. If you're prone to joint pain, purchase a thicker yoga mat for additional support.

This mat offers plenty of versatility and will keep pace as you progress as a yogi. With a natural, PVC-free rubber base and non-toxic polyurethane top surface, it’s grippy enough for those attempting difficult asanas, such as the lord of the dance or shoulder-pressing poses. The alignment markers can guide people of all levels and make practice simple and safe for anyone attempting a new pose. The grip remains secure even during hot yoga, bikram or other intense styles, and it’s great for other workouts, too.

If eco-friendly materials are your priority, this biodegradable option is for you. Made from "premium quality Cork", this mat contains no harmful toxins or chemicals. Cork kills bacteria and odours, so it’ll stay smelling and looking clean over time. The rubber side also offers a solid grip, so it’s well suited to fast-paced sessions. While your footing may not be as secure on the cork side, it’s still suitable for regular workouts. The centre alignment guides help you figure out your position when you’re a tangle of limbs, while its thickness supports your joints in gentler yoga sessions.

Lightweight, affordable and super grippy, if you want a decent yoga mat that doesn’t cost the earth, we’ve found it. Made from high-grade PVC (so good for the environment), the standard size mat is a good length for yogis of all heights. It’s pretty sticky, although if you’re using the mat for particularly sweaty sessions it might slip a little. It also won’t last forever, but for its price, if you’re new to yoga or aren’t practising all too regularly at home, it’s perfect. 

This natural rubber yoga mat has exceptionally good grip and more than enough padding to support the hips, knees and hands during floor asanas, such as the bridge and cobra poses. Advanced yogis will be impressed by its non-slip rubber, which helps balance while tackling the more dynamic poses. Put simply, this mat is a quality all-rounder for any purpose.

At just 1kg, eKO’s standard-sized yoga mat is highly portable, so it’s a sound investment for those who like to use their own mat in class or away from home. Because of its thinness (a mere 1.5mm), this mat is a perfect fit for the kinds of mindful practices found in a hatha session or a gentle yoga class. Not every pose is comfortable, and the mat can annoyingly bunch up around your feet. On the plus side, it’s compact once rolled or folded and made from biodegradable, non-Amazon-harvested tree rubber.

Generously proportioned at 2m by 80cm, this versatile mat suits all poses and movements. It grips well to the floor, as well as to your hands and feet. The 4.5mm thickness supports the joints and spine, aiding balance and stability. Our testers found its size and grip best suited to dynamic yoga, such as ashtanga or vinyasa flow. The ample size also makes this perfect for a regular workout or HIIT session. Though it’s made from dense, non-eco-friendly vinyl foam, it’s certified Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, which means it’s free from any harmful substances. Conveniently, it’s also machine-washable at up to 40ºC.

Finding a yoga mat that can see you through your downward dogs and a tough HIIT workout can be more of a challenge than you'd think. If that's your dilemma, let us introduce you to the Les Mills MBX Mat. The red side of the mat is purpose built for yoga, while the grey side, features an anti-slip coating, that will keep you anchored during even the sweatiest of sessions. 

We're not restricted to home workouts anymore (thank goodness), and Adidas' training mat, with its integrated Velcro shoulder strap, is perfect for when you want to take your training on tour. 

Not to mention, the mat is built with "responsive cushioning" so feels soft underfoot, while underneath lies a special ridge texture, which has been installed to grip any smooth surface and help reduce movement.

If a Cork yoga mat doesn't sound like your thing, how about a mat made from algae? The Yogamatters Aqua Evolve yoga mat is made from a unique combination of EVA foam and algae from lakes and ponds, while for every mat made, 42 bottles of cleaned water are returned to the local habitat as well as 27 cubic metres of clean air. The mat is also comfortable and grips really well. A win for your workouts and your ethics.

A good yoga mat needn't cost the world. For just over £20 you can buy the TOPLUS yoga mat, which is soft, durable, easy to wipe clean and comes with a carry strap so is easy to transport. It's also made from non-toxic and PVC-free material, which means it's environmentally friendly too.

If you're a big man, it stands to reason you'll need a big mat. So, for tall yogis out there, Lululemon has designed an extra-long and wide version of its Reversible Mat. Like the smaller version of the mat, this also features an antimicrobial additive that keeps it smelling fresh and looking new, so it's not necessarily better, just bigger.

This mat from Mirafit is a whopping 4cm thick, and trust us when we say, you'll feel every cm. If you have issues with your knees or spine, this could be the mat for you, but, to be honest, at 4cm thickness, it's also not a bad place to have a quick post-workout power nap either.