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Build your dream Yoga home studio using these 7 reviews on best mats, blocks and accessories | Sporting News

Our picks included in this review:

If only it were possible to bottle up the calm feelings that happen during and after a yoga class and use them throughout our day. Amid the heavily trafficked daily commute and always-full inbox, the zen of the studio often feels far away.  Rubber Barbell Plates

Build your dream Yoga home studio using these 7 reviews on best mats, blocks and accessories | Sporting News

The next best thing? Having your own home yoga studio comes pretty close. And the good news is that it doesn’t require too much either. While you could rip up the carpet and replace it with interlocking foam tiles or outfit your walls with full-length mirrors, it takes much less to curate a space that’s just as suitable for down dogs and Shavasanas.

There is no shortage of yoga mats, blocks, and bolster pillows to choose from, but that can make it even more difficult to equip your space. To help you find the best products, we rounded up only the top-rated choices with reviews that speak to their quality, durability and value.

While anyone can roll out a mat and practice yoga, it feels much more special to have a dedicated space at home. Shop the following seven picks to bring the feelings of your favorite class under your own roof.

Why you’ll love it:

Amazon customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Whether you prefer a thicker or thinner yoga mat comes down to personal preference, body needs, and the kind of yoga you’re doing at home. A plush, well-cushioned mat like this BalanceFrom option is impossible to beat. With a whopping 64,000 five-star ratings, there’s no better choice for cradling hands, knees, and joints during restorative yoga sessions. 

Although it’s comfortable, the material grips well and reduces the risk of slipping. It deflects moisture and is a breeze to wipe down after. The included carrier is great for the days you decide to head to the studio and for keeping the mats in place when stored at home. You can also purchase the mat and yoga blocks together to check off more items from your home yoga studio list. One customer noted that they “don't feel any soreness due to the hard floor” when using this mat and loves that “it just makes my home workouts so much better.” 

Why you’ll love it:

Amazon customer rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars

When you’re in a half-moon or tree pose, the last thing you need is your mat tripping you up or slightly tipping your weight in the wrong direction. That’s where thinner mats come in handy, such as Gaiam’s non-slip version. It doesn’t have the same volume as the aforementioned thicker mat on this list, but its sleek appearance can be deceiving. The soft texture is comfortable to lie on, thick enough to cushion weight-bearing points, and still makes it possible to do trickier moves.

Another way in which it supports your balance is through the special “stay dry” top coat applied that wicks away sweat and moisture, banishing slippery surfaces. It’s slightly heavier than other mats but feels high quality. As one customer pointed out, this particular option is “still my favorite mat after five years.” Others echoed the same saying that this lasts through years of sweaty and intense sessions.

Why you’ll love it:

Amazon customer rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

If more flexibility is your goal or you’re dedicated to getting your alignment just right, your home yoga space needs a yoga block. Gaiam’s beveled-edge block covers your bases. It’s ultra-soft to the touch and light enough to carry and move around the room, but when it’s under your hand, back, or leg, it won’t budge. And with a near perfect rating on over 5,000 reviews, it's been thoroughly tested.

For less than $10, you can add this foam tool to your at-home arsenal and dedicate yourself to the practice. It’s worth having a couple on hand for doing yoga with friends and family. The block is an essential for the best stretches, and it remains standing no matter what side it’s placed on. Take it from one customer who confirmed “the quality is incredible and the price is great.”

Why you’ll love it:

Amazon customer rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Another must for any at-home yoga space is a strap. Tumaz has garnered 9,000 five-star reviews on its cotton and polyester band. The blend of materials prevents stretching and offers a stable way to hold stretches and try your hand at more advanced poses. Customers note, too, that it’s soft and comfortable when pressed against your skin for longer periods. 

The bright colors are a nice touch in any yoga practice area but these are just as easily rolled up and tossed into a bag to take on the go. Handling well over 2,000 pounds of weight, one of these bands is a strong and sturdy choice for beginning and advanced yogis alike. One person claimed that “this is seriously the holy grail of yoga straps,” especially in terms of comfort and value.

Why you’ll love it:

Amazon customer rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars

Restorative yoga, meditation, and deeper stretches all call for a comfortable bolster pillow, which Gaiam has nailed. This cushy pick is made of 100% cotton, which is softer and more breathable than polyester or other plastic-based materials. The rounded edges are a perk and more comfortable, according to customers accustomed to rock-hard pillows with sharper corners. 

It’s by no means too soft though; it has plenty of support from the inner cotton batting to help you hold positions and stretch properly. The sewn-on strap makes it easy to pull out onto the mat and put away after. Even if it’s used for sweatier endeavors, the entire cover can be taken off and cleaned in the washing machine. A handful of bolster skeptics were pleasantly surprised with this pillow, with one mentioning “I doubt I can ever go back to not using it.”

Why you’ll love it:

Amazon customer rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Any home workout space can quickly get messy if there is no specified spot to store equipment. This is especially difficult for small home yoga areas as there may not be enough floor or closet space to hide away mats, bands, and bolsters. You can lean on Wallniture’s rack to solve this problem. Secured to a wall, it neatly stacks exercise equipment and prevents misplaced items.  

It’s also helpful in avoiding squashed mats and rips or tears in material from shoving accessories into one pile. Even with only three racks, customers were surprised with how much they could fit onto the holder. A happy reviewer pointed out that it is “quite sturdy and holds about twelve pounds.” They also appreciated that it matched “all of the white furniture I have in my little yoga room.”

Why you’ll love it:

Amazon customer rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars

Larger home yoga spaces will likely require a more multifunctional storage method. Not only does it make your practice area feel more official, but it helps keep the errant block or mat from cluttering up your space. One perfect option is VOPEAK’s rack, which has a handful of shelves and hooks for corralling yoga accessories. 

It also comes equipped with wheels, so you can easily move it around a room or roll it into a closet if needed. Even better, it only takes around 15 minutes to assemble, and after it’s built it can hold up to 200 pounds worth of exercise equipment. So if all your yoga goods don’t fill it out, you can add weights, foam rollers, medicine balls, and more. Buyers with both large and small workout rooms at home found this cart was the perfect size.

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Build your dream Yoga home studio using these 7 reviews on best mats, blocks and accessories | Sporting News

Dumbells Hex Dumbbell Melissa is a freelance writer and editor with seven years of experience. After graduating from the University of Oregon with a journalism degree, she moved to New York and then the UK, covering a range of lifestyle topics for various publications along the way, including Forbes, Entertainment Weekly, and People. She's a big fan of yoga and since her move, she has swapped watching baseball and hockey for rugby and cricket.