7 Best Tumbling Mats (Rated & Reviewed For Gymnasts & Kids)

Tumbling Mats Compared

What To Look For When Buying Gymnastics Tumbling Mats

If you’re thinking about purchasing one of the best gymnastics mats for home use, then you need to know what to look for. Understanding what features make the best at home gymnastics mats will definitely help you to come to a decision. 

Here are a few important things to look for before buying:

Size

The size of the best gymnastics mats can vary drastically. You want something that is big enough to allow for tumbling, but at the same time, it needs to fit in your home gym. If space is an issue, then look for a mat that folds up or rolls, making it easy to store.

Color

This is one of the most arbitrary things to look for when hunting for the best at home gymnastics mat, but it's still important since there are numerous colors available. The color that you choose is entirely up to you, so examine all of your options first and then pick your preferred mat color.

Type of Mat

There are several different types of tumbling mats on the market. The most common are panel mats, which fold up at designated panel points along the mat's length. 

There are also flexi-roll mats that, true to their name, roll up for easy storage purposes. On top of this, there are incline mats, which are the best gymnastics mats for people who are learning how to do basic rolls.

Padding

Quality of padding is another consideration when hunting for the best gymnastic mats for home use. You want one that is padded enough to provide plenty of protection, but not so padded that you are unable to do the types of moves that you want.

Padding can affect the amount of bounce, so if you plan on doing moves that require bounce, make sure to find a mat that has padding that can accommodate that. 

Cheap Vs Expensive Mats

The best tumbling mats are all across the board when it comes to cost. While it's possible to find a cheap mat that fits a stricter budget, more expensive mats definitely come with some added perks. 

When comparing cheap vs expensive mats, higher-priced products typically are made from better-quality material, have more padding, are easier to roll/fold up, and are large enough to allow for a number of different tumbling exercises. 

Ease Of Cleaning

Mat maintenance is an important step to keep away germs and bacteria. It's best to wipe down your mat after every tumbling session, so you'll definitely want to choose one that's easy to clean and has a smooth surface that can be wiped down in seconds. 

1. Tumbl Trak Gymnastics Folding Mat

The Tumbl Trak Gymnastics Folding Mat is on the list of the best tumbling mats because it comes in a number of different sizes, all of which can be connected together. On top of that, it easily folds up - hence its name - making storage and transport a breeze.

The best gymnastics mats are those that are well padded and durable. The Tumbl Trak mat is both thanks to its heavy duty vinyl covering and EVA foam innards. Although these aren’t cheap gymnastics mats, you truly are getting a high-quality product that will last for years.

These cheerleading mats are great for home gyms because they fold up and can be placed out of the way when not being used. Even better, you have your choice of sizes, ranging from 4 feet by 6 feet to 5 feet by 8 feet. There are 2 different thicknesses to pick from as well – 1-3/8" and 2".

One flaw of the Tumbl Trak system is the eventual bunching of material over time. By that, I mean that the vinyl tends to bunch with age, but this is something you won't experience for a while. 

2. Incstores Home Cheer Carpet Top Mat Pads

These mats have made the list of the best tumbling mats because of their unique rolling design. Instead of folding up, they roll up for easy storage and unroll for lots of padding and protection.

This means that they meet a variety of needs, especially for those who don’t like the folding ridges on the other mats. The Incstores Home Cheer Carpet Top mat pads are exactly as they sound – they are cheerleading mats with a soft, carpet-like top that is quite comfortable to land on.

These mats are padded with polyethylene foam and come in 5 different sizes and 2 different thicknesses. You can even combine 2 mats with Velcro to create a longer tumbling surface. You have a few options for mat color and sizing.

The sizes range from 3 feet by 6 feet to 6 feet by 42 inches, and the colors vary from bright blue to sleek black. The best feature is possibly the affordable price tag, as well as the fact that this product comes with a 1-year warranty. 

3. Homevibes Gymnastics Mat

The Homevibes Gymnastics Mat is easily one of the best tumbling mats on the market, especially if your main priority is lots of padding. It’s incredibly thick and fulfills many different uses; you can use it for tumbling, stretching, or whatever else you need to do that requires a mat in your home gym.

This cheerleading mat comes in a single size and color – 4 feet by 8 feet by 2 inches and solid black. This is one of the best gymnastics mats simply because of its thickness. Even though it's fairly heavy at about 17 pounds, it conveniently zips closed and has several carrying straps that make transporting it easy.

In addition to thick padding, the Homevibes Gymnastics Mat has a thickened PU leather cover that is non-slip, waterproof, crack-resistant, and long-lasting enough to protect the internal material. As long as you're OK with having just one size and color option, this mat is an excellent choice. 

4. We Sell Mats Folding Exercise Gym Mats

The cleverly named We Sell Mats Folding Exercise Gym Mats are one of the best tumbling mat systems available mainly because they are easy to Velcro together. If you need larger tumbling space, then this is a great addition to your home gym.

The We Sell Mats Folding Exercise Gym Mats are great cheerleading mats because they can be linked together for longer tumbling runs. These mats are also made of environmentally friendly materials, and they can be purchased in a number of different color and size combinations, including 2'x6', 4'x6', 4'x8', and 4'x10'. 

As with all of the other best gymnastics mats for home use on this list, the We Sell Mats Folding Exercise Gym Mats are easy to fold and easy to transport thanks to the carrying handles. Unfortunately, you only have the option for 2" thickness, so if you want a thinner mat, you'll have to look elsewhere. 

5. BalanceFrom Tri-Fold Gymnastics Mat

The Mat Expert Tri-Fold Gymnastics Mat is one of the best tumbling mats because it is one of the cheapest gymnastics mats on the market. This makes it a great option for people who are on a budget and don't want to break the bank with their tumbling mat purchase. 

Another reason this is the best at home gymnastics mat is its versatility. The Mat Expert Tri-Fold Gymnastics Mat has a tri-fold design (just as the name implies) and 2 useful carrying handles. It comes in just 1 size, but you do have your choice of several different colors. It is 6 feet by 2 feet and 2 inches thick.

One thing I love about the Mat Expert is that it is made with high quality interior material that is padded to keep its shape over time. Whether you're tumbling or simply stretching, the 2" thickness is great for protecting the knees, wrists, elbows, and back.

6. BestMassage Gymnastics Tumbling Mat

If you're on the hunt for the most budget-friendly option, then the BestMassage Gymnastics Tumbling Mat might just be your winner. No matter which size or color option you go with - there are several to choose from - you can count on the fact that this mat won't break the bank. 

The popular 2' x 6' option weighs just 4 pounds and is designed with a convenient carrying handle for easy portability. It folds up quickly so that you can carry the gym mat anywhere you want to go. The carrying handles do feel a bit flimsy compared to others, but as long as you're gentle with them, they should hold up for a while. 

One thing I especially love about this tumbling mat is the easy-to-clean, waterproof material. When you're done with your workout, whatever it may be, simply wipe down the mat with a wet towel or cleaning wipe, dry it off, and fold it up - that's it. 

Compared to other tumbling mats on this list, the BestMassage isn't the most durable option. However, it still manages to get the job done, and it does so at an affordable price. 

7. Alpha Mats Folding Gymnastics Mat

The Alpha Mats Folding Gymnastics Mat made the list of the best tumbling mats because of its simplicity. This mat folds into thirds for easy storage and comes with carrying handles for convenient transport. The design is simple yet functional and great for smaller home gyms and storage spaces. 

If you want a versatile mat that can handle many different uses, then this could be the best option for you. This is one of the cheaper gymnastic mats on this list, but that doesn’t mean it's low in quality. Even with the budget-friendliness, Alpha Mats provide plenty of protection - all without breaking the bank.

Similar to a few other mats on this list, the main con is that the mat only comes in a 2-inch thickness option, which isn't ideal for high-intensity gymnastics tumbling. It's really only suitable for basic exercises and movements, so don't expect to use this for advanced tumbling maneuvers. 

People Also Ask (FAQs)

How thick should a tumbling mat be?

The ideal range for mat thickness is between 1-3/8" to 2-1/2". Some mat manufacturers give you the option to choose between a thinner mat and a thicker one, so if you prefer some extra padding, go for the thicker model. 

What kind of mats do gymnasts use?

One of the most common mats used by gymnasts is the incline mat type. The wedge-shape of an incline mat is ideal for learning beginner and intermediate gymnastics moves, like rolls, walkovers, and handsprings. 

Are tumbling mats safe for children? What about seniors?

Not only are tumbling mats safe for children and seniors, they can actually increase safety and prevent injury by providing a soft, padded surface area. However, not all exercises are recommended for kids or seniors, so it's important to stick to your limits and only use your tumbling mat for exercises that you're capable of. 

Conclusion

There you have it - the 7 best tumbling mats available right now. Whether you want cheerleading mats, gymnastics mats, or simple tumbling mats, you should have no problem finding the best one for you from this list. 

These mats come in an array of sizes and colors and will fit a variety of needs. I personally love the Tumbl Trak for its versatility, but you've got plenty of options for choosing a mat that fits your needs and budget.