Even the hardest time like this Coronavirus won’t let our enthusiasm to come down. I am staying inside my home without a gym and other outdoor activities. But I can do one thing to keep myself fit and healthy. Yes, even the bad knees can’t stop, I am talking about the Yoga.
Keep reading if you are looking for best yoga mat for bad knees or sensitive joints. You are at right place dear.
Are you in Hurry? We Recommend => Jade Yoga – Fusion Yoga Mat
We know Yoga is a low-intensity workout that can keep us calm and balanced in life. But those bad knees discomfort and paints are the real villains. That’s not true !! Trust me you need a better Yoga Mat to come on track and enjoy your life.
The problem is that there are lots of people out there who drop the idea of yoga, just because they feel pain in joints and knees.
Don’t worry we won’t let you down. We are here to keep you in good shape. The good mat is all you need. Then you can perform your poses (asanas) easily and comfortably without any knee discomfort.
There are lots of things you need to look before buying the best yoga mat for bad knees. For example, you need a thicker mat at least 5mm thick, no fancy ribbed, durable, odorless, premium quality cushioned for your bad knees.
Here are Top 5 Best Yoga Mat for Bad Knees in 2020:
1. Jade Yoga – Fusion Yoga Mat
The good brand who knows what they are producing for the yoga community. The Jade Yoga Mat comes in 3 different colors, all are basic ones. This is the premium quality if we talk about the material. The fabric is made of natural rubber (eco friendly).
The thickness of the mat is 8mm which is one of the thickest mats out for people with Arthritis. There are available in two variants depending on the size. We feel both are good, all you have to consider your height before buying.
The level of traction is superb. The density of mater is another plus point. We don’t like the heaviness of the mat.
Pros:
1. Most Comfortable
2. 8mm thick
3. Eco friendly material
4. Thick density
Cons:
1. Heavy Weight
2. Manduka PRO Yoga Mat
This is one of the highest rated mat on amazon that is 4.5/5. Maximum reviews from other customers are on positive side.
This is also an eco-friendly build. The material of the mat is certified by OEKO-TEK to keep your family free from toxic substances. It comes in 3 colors and two sizes available- 71″ and 85″, both the 6 mm thickness.
Many mats in the market give thickness but lack the density, but this not in case of Manduka Pro Yoga Mat, density is good.
The gripping on the mat was impressive also we don’t feel any wobbly. This is one of the best yoga mats for bad knees. Because of cushioning and that too with the closed-cell surface.
Pro:
1. Dense Cushioning
2. Closed Cell Surface
3. Thickness is 6 mm
Cons:
1.Heavy in weight
3. Incline Fit Extra Thick Exercise Mat
All in one mat, not only for yoga but for pilates, stretching, meditation, and floor exercises. The thickness if 5mm, with high density which is supportive of pain injuries. The dimension of mat is 72″ x 24″, this is quite broad and we find it true.
Another problem we face is sweating, and that can make any mat squishy. But Incline Mat keeps the moisture away and you feel firm grip every time you perform those poses. This is not a wobbly mat, which means bottom griping is good enough to keep mat one place only.
The texture is smooth and good cushioning.
Pro:
1. Come with Carrying Bag
2. Durable Mat
3. Smooth Texture
Cons:
1. Tears comes off from corners after few months
4. Ajna Eco Organic Yoga Mat
This yoga mat is in fact following ethics. Unlike other mat sellers, they purely use nature-friendly material i.e. natural fibers.
A yogi wants no smell and no sweat, they keep the promise of outlasting mat with no such problems. The natural content will keep away those nasty smell or foul odors that we find in new mats normally.
Ajna Eco Organic Yoga Mat is 100% biodegradable. It is also a dense 5 mm thick mat, which will take care of your knees and joints very well.
It is a unique combination of Organic Jute and Per. I don’t think so any other mat is giving such unique fabric like this. This makes it a lightweight mat, you can easily take this anywhere. Portability is made easier with a carry strap.
They plant a tree for every purchase you made.
Pro:
1. Unique fabric- Jute and Per
2. No foul smell
3. Good Customer Service
4. Biodegradable material
5. Lightweight
Cons:
1. Density of material
5. Gaiam Yoga Mat
The innovative Brand who even teaches you more than 250+ poses through their app “Gaiam Yoga Studio App” available on Apple store, Google Play, and Microsoft App store, yeah it’s free.
This is a 6mm premium thick yoga mat which is known for its stability and softness.
If you love to do yoga at home and having knee problems, this mat will ensure the safety and comfort you require for alignment.
As soon as you unbox/open the mat you might smell some odor, but that’s is not harmful at all. It’s just manufacturing odor which will get away after 2-4 days if you place it openly.
Pro:
1. Lightweight
Cons:
1. Bad Smell on opening
Is Yoga bad for your joints?
No, Yoga is not at all bad for our joints. In fact, yoga is considered to be safe for the overall strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance of the body. It can only become worse for those who don’t follow the instructions and do the pose (aasan) beyond their flexibility.
If you feel pain in your joints that can be due to your bad lifestyle. Yoga is known to cure many diseases without taking those supplements or medicines.
You can’t blame joint pain for yoga. There is only 1% chance that you might get injured due to yoga.
Those who are facing knee pain should follow the safe poses. There is always the better-modified pose. The direct heavy stretching and pressure on knees should be avoided.
How much thick yoga mat should I get for bad knees?
Thicker the Better, well that’s true if you also facing knee pains. But still in terms of a millimeter the idol thick will be anything equal to or more than 5mm you should consider if you have bad knees.
Some Useful tips for Sensitive Joints and Knee Discomfort:
1. Adding Yoga Knee Pad-
This is the best advice you will get from the yoga instructor and your doctor. Adding extra cushion over your thick yoga mat for knee pains will make the surface more softer and non slippy surface.
The extra thing you can do is look for the Yoga Knee Caps from Amazon. They are affordable!! You will never face any inflammation. Not only knee supporter keep your knee happy but also it will give good support to your butts, thigh, and legs.
2. Adding Good Food to your diet-
We have to keep good weight control management with a healthy diet. Not only that keeps body light but also there will be less weight your knees have to face. Hey, the knee feels light and relax. That way not only you will stay fit but also time to say goodbye to pain killers.
We are adding few food which you should consume more, this will help you in soothing bad knee pains:
1. Walnuts-
Consume daily 2-3 kernels of walnuts. It’s the powerhouse of omega-3 fatty acid.
Studies have shown that eating walnuts can reduce inflammation and also help you to cut down the knee-related pain slowly.
2. Fatty Fish-
The osteoarthritis (fragile bones) can be due to the deficiency of Vitamin D. If you are non-vegetarian, you should consider consuming. According to the American Heart Association, it is healthier to consume fatty fish such as salmon, sardiness, and trouts two times in a week.
Try to stay away from the lean fish.
Fatty fishes are a great source of Vitamin D as well as Omega 3 Fatty Acid. They have anti-inflammation properties. In the long run, this can be a good healthy diet for bad bones of yours.
If You are lazy than you can check out the Omega 3 Fatty Acid Supplements of Amazon.
3. Ginger-
This is my grandmother’s herbal ingredient, she uses to say ginger can cure many diseases in your body. Well, she was right. As per the study on ginger by the US National Institutes of Health, it shows that Ginger has Anti-Oxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Effects.
You can consume Ginger fresh or dry as powdered. Benefits will remain the same. After consuming ginger for more than 6 months People with arthritis and osteoarthritis find improvement in knee pain by 60%.
4. Garlic-
This is another herb packed inside that white little clove.
The consumption of garlic can give a boost to your immune system. Some studies also have shown that it can lower the risk related to heart disease.
Because of anti inflammatory properties one can feel significant reduction in knee pain as well.
5. Other foods such as- Broccoli, spinach, berries, grapes and olive oil. These all food are considered not only for the body overall but they have used to cure the severe pain as well.
3. Keep Breathing-
There are great benefits of breathing deeply and with ease. The Science behind the good breathing is that when we inhale and exhale deeply. More of the oxygen reaches our hearts. The better the blood will flow throughout the body carrying the oxygen. The higher oxygen level will relax muscles and ligaments.
While practicing yoga you will find that good breathing will add flexibility to your body and those ‘Aasans’ or pose will be performed using a ease.
4. Avoid Poses which add extra burden on knees-
There are lots of poses that can add high risk for bad knees and even worsen the existing injury. You need to keep an eye on them. We try to add a few common high-risk posses which may aggravate your knee problems. Simply Stay away from listed below poses:
1. Saddle Pose
2. Warrior Pose
3. Revolved Triangle Pose
4. Low lung pose
5. Hero Pose
6. Camel Pose
Try to avoid directly all the above pose (aasan) in its natural way. Contact your instructor and ask them to modify these poses, so you may perform the modified version of all these poses.
5. Keep in minde – Three “S”:
Simple– Keep all the yoga exercise as simple as possible. When you can achieve the same result from other pose without injury your knee especially if your knees faces severe pain.
Slow– All you have to do is to slowly and steadily observe all the pose is performed. Little stress on the knee is absolutely fine. But aggravated pain is not good sign.
Soft– Keep your surface neat, clean, and soft cushion especially on the hardwood. There is fabric material available on the market which claim the cushioning, they are just ribbed. It might not be a good option for bad knees yoga performers.
References:
1. https://www.throughthephases.com/best-yoga-mat-for-bad-knees/
2. https://beyogi.com/yoga-mistakes-that-can-cause-knee-pain/