Biodegradable, thick, foam exercise mats are valuable fitness tools that are easy on the earth. Merriam-Webster states that something is biodegradable if it may be broken down by living things, like microorganisms, into products that are not harmful to the earth. An array of exercise mat types exist and may be differentiated by their length, thickness and composition. One such exercise mat type is the thick, foam exercise mat, which may be of variable lengths.
Types
Just a few types of biodegradable, thick, foam exercise mats are available for purchase in sporting good stores or on the Internet. The Harbinger Eco-Fit Training Mat and the Stott Pilates Eco-Friendly Mat are two examples. You may also create a biodegradable, thick, foam exercise mat at home that performs just like commercially available products by using Adams Green Cell Foam.
Function
Exercise mats are excellent fitness tools used for many different kinds of workouts. Thick foam mats are especially useful as padding and protection from a hard floor. Thus, this type of exercise mat may function best for an aerobics or calisthenics-based workout in which you are jumping and landing hard. Another possible function is to use the mat as padding for feet, knees, hips, elbows and hands for yoga, pilates or other floor-based arm, leg and core-strength workouts, says the American Council on Exercise in "30-Minute Lunch Workout."
Durability
Little published information exists about the durability of commercially available exercise mats or the material you can use to make one at home. The durability of foam, whether it is biodegradable or not, depends on its construction, states the Polyurethane Foam Association in "Flexible Polyurethane Foam Glossary." That is, the denser the foam is constructed, the more durable it will be. If durability is important to you, search for an exercise mat that is less flexible than others, as it will be constructed with denser foam.
Cost
As of October 2010, the two commercially-available biodegradable, thick, foam exercise mats have comparable prices. The Harbinger Eco-Fit Training Mat retails for $28 to $32 and the Stott Pilates Eco-Friendly Mat has a $34 to $42 price tag.
Warning
Do not use an exercise mat until a health-care professional has given you medical clearance to do so. If you experience pain during the use of an exercise mat, stop and seek medical assistance. It is recommended to incorporate exercise mat workouts and their physical demands into your fitness plan with care so that you remain healthy and injury-free.
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