At first glance exercise balls and exercise mats may appear to have little in common. Exercise mats are meant to provide you with a more comfortable workout, while exercise balls do exactly the opposite, making your workout less comfortable by introducing an element of instability and forcing your muscles to work hard at stabilizing your body. While these two pieces of exercise equipment fulfill two different purposes, they're useful tools for a more satisfying workout.
Cost
As of May 2010, most exercise mats and exercise balls are readily available for less than $50. High-end yoga mats and particularly large or thick exercise mats may cost up to $100.
Sizing
You can choose the right exercise ball based on your height, or by simply sitting on the ball to see if it fits. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, when you sit on a properly inflated exercise ball of the appropriate size, your hips and knees should be bent at a 90-degree angle.
Exercise mats are also sized according to height. If you're very tall, you'll need an extra-long mat to cushion your entire body. Beyond height, however, you must also decide how thick you want your exercise mat to be, what sort of texture you want, and what sort of material it should be made of.
Storage
Exercise balls take up much more space than a thin, rolled-up exercise mat. Even a large, heavily cushioned folding exercise mat takes up less space than an exercise ball. Exercise balls must also be stored with more care than exercise mats because the balls are under pressure and, if punctured or abraded, will no longer be safe or useful.
Benefits
Exercise mats help make your workout experience safer and more comfortable; they hold you in position when doing yoga, cushion your spine when doing crunches, and some breathable models even wick your sweat away.
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, exercise balls do some things that exercise mats cannot. They improve balance, strength, flexibility, core stability and can also function as part of an injury rehabilitation program. Yet, with that being said, an exercise ball will never be able to provide the sort of comfortable surface an exercise mat does.
Warning
While both exercise balls and exercise mats are generally safe when used appropriately, you should always be conscious of potential risks from exercise equipment.
Exercise mats may present a safety risk if they slide underneath you or "grab" at your hands or feet as you move, causing your joints to twist at unexpected angles.
Exercise balls may burst if punctured or abraded. Look for exercise balls that are labeled with the terms SDS, Slow Deflation System or puncture resistant, to reduce the risk of a fall due to sudden deflation.
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