The best way to store exercise mats, to keep them out of the way and in good shape, is to hang them up. You can purchase hanging mats with holes in them, and racks to hang up to 10 mats, or you can purchase carts or wall racks for hanging 60 mats or more. These are great for a gym or yoga studio, but chances are, at home, you need to hang only a few, and a do-it-yourself solution is simple and inexpensive.
Installing a Towel Rack to Hang Mats
Step 1
Choose an empty spot on the wall near where you work out, a spot that's easy to get to and won't interfere with anything else in the room. Use your stud finder to make sure one side of the rack will hit a wall stud. This will be a permanent storage spot for your exercise mats, so if it's in your living room, make sure you're OK with the visual appeal of a mat hanging in the spot you pick. If you select a towel rack that matches your decor, even better.
Step 2
Hold the towel rack up against the wall where you've chosen to hang it. Make sure it's far enough from the floor to allow your mat, doubled over, to hang freely without touching the ground. Use a level to make sure the rack is even, and mark the holes with a pencil.
Step 3
Make a hole where each pencil mark is, using your drill and drill bit, and then insert a plastic wall plug into the hole.
Step 4
Hold the towel rack in place, lining up the holes with the wall plugs, and screw the screws into the holes one by one. Before tightening them, double-check that your rack is level, then tighten all the screws with the screwdriver bit on your drill.
Step 5
Drape your exercise mat over the towel bar like a towel, so that half hangs down behind the bar and half in front. This is a perfect place to store one, two, or even three or more exercise mats when you're not using them.
Installing a Mat Rack for Mats With Eyelets
Step 1
Choose an empty spot farther up the wall if you prefer to purchase a rack that's especially made for hanging exercise mats and you have corresponding mats with eyelets in the end for hanging. Because the mats don't double over when they hang, you need enough room for the full length of your mat to hang without touching the floor, but the rack needs to still be low enough so that you can reach it comfortably. Use your stud finder to be sure one side of the rack will hit a wall stud.
Step 2
Hold the rack against the wall where you want to hang it, and use a level to make sure it's level to the ground. Mark the holes with a pencil.
Step 3
Make a hole at each pencil mark with your drill and drill bit, and then insert a plastic wall plug into the hole.
Step 4
Hold the mat rack in place, lining up the holes with the wall plugs, and put the screws through the holes one by one. Tighten them most of the way, double-check that the rack is level, and then tighten each screw with your screwdriver bit.
Step 5
Hang your mats by placing the eyelet holes over the rods that extend from the rack.
Things You'll Need
- Yoga mat or exercise mat, 24 inches wide
- 24-inch or wider bathroom towel rack or mat rack
- Stud finder
- Level
- Pencil
- Electric drill with drill bit and screwdriver bit
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