Tumbling mats are a great addition to your home gym setup, but gymnastics equipment isn’t cheap. You will need to make sure you have a mat that will be suitable for your child’s size and ability and fits your budget.
In this article, I will run through the best mats available to buy online and highlight which features to look out for based on my 20 years of experience as a gymnastics and tumbling coach.
Let’s roll into this!
Table of Contents
- Best Overall Tumbling Mat – Dollamur Flexi-Roll
- Runner Up – We Sell Mats
- Best Budget Tumbling Mat – Antsy Pants
- Best Premium Brand – Tumbl Trak Folding Panel Mat
- Best Alternative – Z Athletic Cartwheel Mat
- 2nd Best Alternative – Tumbl Trak Hopscotch Mat
- Things to consider
- Final Thoughts
Best Overall Tumbling Mat – Dollamur Flexi-Roll
Dollamur Flexi-Roll mats are exactly like professional gymnastics floors as they have a carpet-covered surface. I actually use the Flexi-Roll floors in our professional gym and gymnasts absolutely love them!
Because the Flexi-Roll floors have slits in the foam they are able to roll up into a small cylindrical shape when not being used. This is ideal for home storage especially if you don’t have a lot of space. The floors roll with the carpet facing up which helps prevent it from getting dirty and damaged as it is rolled up.
Flexi-Roll floors are worth the money as they are durable and will last a long time. Hundreds of people per week use our floors which are almost ten years old and still going strong (see the image below). You can find Dollamur Flexi-Roll mats on Amazon and take advantage of free delivery.
The foam is even dense enough to perform more advanced tumbling skills like round-off, back handspring or back tuck and cushion the impact safely.
Another advantage is that you can use hook-and-loop velcro to join multiple floors together – if you have enough space you can link as many as you want together!
Runner Up – We Sell Mats
We Sell Mats sell a Folding Tumbling Mat which is pretty awesome. The vinyl covering makes it easy to clean and the folding panels make it easy to store.
We opted for this mat as the runner-up because the vinyl is different from the carpet surface found in a professional gym however, it may be more to your liking if you want something that is easy to maintain.
There are a lot of color choices to pick from and at around $150 on Amazon it’s good value for money.
Thickness wise you can choose between 1.5″ and 2″. I’d recommend the 2″ as it replicates the same thickness as most gymnastic floors. I’m also a fan of the hook-and-loop velcro which means you can connect multiple mats together to make a larger mat.
Best Budget Tumbling Mat – Antsy Pants
If you’re looking for a gymnastics mat on a smaller budget, the Antsy Pants Tumbling Mat could be for you. It sells for around $60 on Amazon and has the option of three different color schemes – original, pastel and vibrant.
At 77″ in length, the mat is good for basic gymnastics skills like forward and backward rolls, handstands and cartwheels. Older children and teens will find that one mat is probably not long enough but as with many of the home gymnastics mats, there are hook and loop points to join them up.
The carry handles make it easy to move around when not in use.
Best Premium Brand – Tumbl Trak Folding Panel Mat
Tumbl Trak is a trusted brand when it comes to gymnastics equipment in both professional gyms and the home. For less than $150 you should be able to pick up the 4ft x 6ft panel mat. This would be at 1-3/8″ thickness so is more suited to being on top of a carpet rather than a hardwood surface.
If you are looking for a mat to place on harder surfaces, you should consider the 2″ thickness version as it will give more cushion. Tumbl Trak also stocks folding panel mats in smaller and larger sizes and with a large range of colors.
Tumbl Trak isn’t the cheapest brand but the quality is evident. For example, the vinyl covering is tightly stretched making it more stable than some cheaper folding mats. You also get a 2-year warranty on the mat.
Best Alternative – Z Athletic Cartwheel Mat
Cartwheel mats are excellent for getting the hang of the hand and feet placement in a cartwheel. The Z Athletic cartwheel mat is 1.5″ thick making it very similar in thickness to other folding mats listed in this article.
Cartwheel mats tend to be smaller and narrower than most folding panel mats. This is probably because a cartwheel is supposed to be performed in a straight line. On the reverse of the Z Athletic cartwheel mat, there is a straight beam line which makes this a great 2-in-1 product. At around $70 it’s also cheaper than most folding gymnastics mats.
2nd Best Alternative – Tumbl Trak Hopscotch Mat
This alternative choice of gymnastics mat adds hopscotch markings on the side and a long straight beam line on the other. Because it is made in the same way as other folding mats it can also be used for tumbling skills – so it’s a 3-in-1 mat!
The hopscotch markings can also be used to practice the hurdle step needed for springboard takeoff. This is basically the bit where you jump from one foot to land on two feet. The beam line is excellent for practicing jumps and leaps as well as forward rolls in a straight line.
At 1-3/8″ thick its more suited for carpet than on top of hardwood surfaces. You can pick up the Tumbl Trak Hopscotch Mat for less than $250 on Amazon.
Things to consider
Before you buy a tumbling mat to use at home you will need to consider the following things:
Space
Where is your tumbling mat going to be used? Measure the space so that you buy a mat that is suitable for the space you have available. Avoid having to place the mat near walls or large furniture. Check the ceiling height as well – keep it clear of low-hanging lights!
Thickness
Panel mats and Flexi-Roll flooring will be between 1-3/8 ” and 2″ in thickness. This gives enough cushion to prevent injury but any thicker and the mat will become too soft to use for tumbling-type skills.
If you are using your mat on a hard surface you should opt for the 2″ thickness.
If you are using your mat on the carpet then 1-3/8″ or 1.5″ thickness will be sufficient as the carpet will also act as a cushion.
If you are looking for something thicker that provides more bounce then an air mat could be for you. Air mats are inflatable and are used for tumbling skills, especially more advanced ones like round off, back handsprings and somersaults.
Storage
Most average-sized homes won’t have enough space to leave gymnastics equipment set up all of the time so a gymnastics mat will need to be stored somewhere when not in use. The great news is that there are lots of mats that can be folded or rolled up when not in use.
Transport
If you need to move the gymnastics mat frequently, consider the weight and portability of the mat. Some mats come with handles or can be folded for easier transportation. Additionally, consider whether the mat is easy to store when not in use.
Mats like the one below from We Sell Mats fold up easily making it easy to carry and store.
The hook and loop mean you can potentially join two or more together rather than buying one larger less portable gymnastics mat.
Safety Features
Safety should always be a top priority when choosing a tumbling mat. Look for mats with non-slip surfaces, reinforced edges, and sturdy construction to ensure stability and prevent accidents. Additionally, consider the flammability of the mat, as some materials are more flammable than others.
Mats are commonly made from PVC because its comfortable to jump, roll or tumble on however to will slip especially on laminated or shiny floors. Ideally, PVC mats will have an anti-slip surface on the bottom. Usually, they are grippier and less smooth.
Price
Finally, consider your budget when choosing a tumbling mat. High-quality mats can be expensive, but investing in a durable, safe mat is worth it in the long run. Consider the cost in relation to the size, thickness, material, and safety features of the mat to find the best value for your money.
Amazon sells gymnastics mats for as little as $70 and whilst they can be surprisingly decent quality, higher-end mats tend to be thicker and safer. Be prepared to pay $200 plus for a simple but high-quality gymnastic mat for home use.
Those of you with any experience in gymnastics will already realize it is an expensive sport. A full-size, fully sprung gymnastics floor like those seen in the Olympics will set you back at least $30,000!
Final Thoughts
A gymnastics mat is worth the investment if you have a keen gymnast who likes to practice at home a lot. The added safety of a gymnastics mat should help prevent injuries, especially to ankles, wrists and knees. If you are still unsure about gymnastics mats at home check out my article ‘Are Gymnastics Mats Worth It?’
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