As the tides ebb and flow across the sand of this world; so do my exercise habits and diets. Needless to say in the last many weeks since my last update on my new found lust for life and health, I have waned back to; lets say not so healthy. So I consciously decided to not give into defeat! Na! I would get back on the horse, per say. Instead my stead; my mighty stallion would be an exercise bike circa 1985 that I found at a local estate sale – for a very good price I might add and much more fun than using my exercise mats. Now armed with the prevailer of thy doom, I would “ride” valiantly into the night, of my living room while watching trash TV and anime. Or at least that is plan for now.

Once I returned with the might stead to the great keep (my house for the laymen) I did notice one bright, brilliant fact. The legs of this newly acquired beast of mine were quite rough and may not be too good for the hard wood floors of my sanctum. So as I shall remedy my health, I shall remedy this issue as well. Intro: Stage Left – Stationary Bike Mat and Treadmill Mat.

Now with these protective bike mats laid upon my throne room, I was free to let my wild and aging horse ride freely. Free, in a stationary position on top of a protective floor covering to be exact. But free non the less. So as I end this, I look forward to my return home. To my work, still left to do.

So after a few months of being a bum I decided it was time to hop on my treadmill machine again.  I was so glad that I remembered where I put my treadmill mat!  I love my treadmill because in my heart of hearts I’m a couch potato. I LOVE television and since my machine is parked in front of my TV I can get on in and zone out. Well, yesterday I hopped on and after just a 45 minute workout I felt good, until I sat down for a minute and tried getting back up. Ouch.

Being the 28 year old baby I am, I called my dad because of course I was dying and automatically assume the worst. Also my father is an international Kick boxing champion and avid gym rat (a gene he did NOT pass to me)  so I figured he’d have a quick fix.  I quickly learned I didn’t stretch properly.  The only thing quick about that phone call was how quick he was to start lecturing me. There are many benefits of stretching you might want to consider before jumping into a workout. You really need to take care of your muscles and blah blah blah… I stopped listening. Everybody knows parents are always wrong and they just want to make life harder for us (says the 15 year old inside of me).   I, being stubborn (a gene he DID pass to me) looked up facts on my own and was less than surprised to see my dad actually knows a thing or two.

The first and most important benefit to gain from stretching is relieving of pain!   Not just to relieve pain, but to prevent the tightness that causes it. I read that another important benefit of stretching is that it releases a lubricating substance from the cartilage within your joints; which allows your joints to move more smoothly, preserving the cartilage in your joints and keeping your bones from scraping. I also learned that stretching can improve the circulation of water and nutrients through your body, which slows the aging process. Studies have also shown that stretching can lengthen muscles and, by doing so, can improve your posture.  At this point I’m thinking an all purpose exercise mat would be an ideal gift to myself.

Here’s the kicker. All these benefits are achievable, even if you don’t regularly work out. You can experience a healthier, more comfortable day, just by stretching.

In order for stretching to be effective, you’ll need to warm up your muscles first. A simple ten minute walk or jog will make a huge difference. Remember, cold muscles are tighter, and will make you have a harder and more uncomfortable time stretching. If you don’t want to go out into the heat or rain, or  have allergies,  or you just want to stay in front of the TV, a stretching strap is a pretty affordable way to help you stretch indoors.

However, there are times when stretching should be avoided. Don’t stretch before intense workout sessions like sprinting or other high-intensity cardio training.  Below are some tips if you decide to use a strap:

-Use a yoga strap for deep stretching, especially sitting poses that stretch the legs. Take the yoga strap in your hands and place the yoga strap around the instep of your feet. Pull gently on the strap with both hands for resistance as you bend forward at the waist. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat four to six times.For an advanced, deeper stretch, shorten the strap by wrapping it around your hands a few times. Place the strap around the instep of your feet and pull gently on the strap with both hands for resistance. Touch your nose to your knee (if you are flexible enough).This stretch will release tension in your hamstrings, calves and quadriceps.

-Use a yoga strap in standing poses to stretch your legs and hips, and to help improve your balance. Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Plant your feet firmly into the exercise mat. Look straight ahead and focus on the wall in front of you. Lift your right leg gently and place the strap around the instep of your right foot. Pull gently on the strap with both hands as you lift your right leg off the ground. Stretch leg straight. Hold for ten seconds. Repeat 4-6 times (alternate each side). For an advanced, deeper stretch, shorten the strap by wrapping it around your hands a few times. Place the strap around the instep of your right foot. Pull gently on the strap with your right hand only. Lift your right leg off the ground. Stretch leg straight in front of you. Move your right leg to your right side. Pull the strap higher with your right hand for more resistance and to achieve a deeper stretch. Hold for ten seconds. Repeat four to six times on each side.

-Use a yoga strap for stretching your arms shoulders and chest (especially when you can’t reach both hands behind your back). Place the right arm behind your back and place the left arm over your shoulder so it touches your upper back. Take one end of the strap in each hand. Tug each end of the strap with each hand, which will give you a deep stretch in your arms (especially in the triceps), shoulders and chest. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat four to six times

-Use a yoga strap for prone positions (before final relaxation) to stretch the legs, back, hips and groin area. Lie down on your mat and wrap a yoga strap around the instep of your feet. Use both hands and lift your legs towards the ceiling. Tug on the strap at the same time as you lift your legs higher for a deeper stretch. Hold the strap with your right hand and move your right leg slowly the right side. Touch your right leg to the mat (if you are flexible enough) while still holding the strap with your right hand. Hold for 10 seconds. Repeat four to six times, alternating sides.

New years is upon us and that means a lot of empty vague resolutions. Quit smoking, volunteer more, finally start learning that foreign language, ask that cute receptionist out, listen to your wife, eat healthier and work out more!

Well, here at MatsMatsMats.com, nothing makes us happier than people actually following through. Right around the new year, we get a flood of calls from people that are starting yoga, spin class, got a gym membership, cheerleading, you name it. A lot of people in the developed world live very (often needlessly) busy lives and as a result, personal improvement can seem like an unimportant facet.  Well bah-humbug to the nay-sayers! This year, that spare tire is going on craiglist!

If your thing is Yoga and you need a yoga mat, we’ve got a LARGE and I mean LAAARGE variety of different yoga mats to meet all needs. Too sweaty? Try a natural rubber yoga mat. Purist? Try our Ashtanga rugs. Cheap? Get an 8-pack of studio mats for you and a few friends. Yoga is always more fun with friends. Let’s say you just want to dust off that treadmill but those imbecile downstairs neighbors insist on imposing THEIR idea of quiet time when it’s actually YOUR work-out time. What do you do? You slip a treadmill mat under that sucker and smooth sailing away. No more complaints, no more neighborly conflict, AND you feel good about it.

But what about the grown man that really just wants to be a gymnast. My first piece of advice is to see a chiropractor. My second piece of advice, is to get one of our folding cheerleading mats. These suckers are cheap, durable, and come in all colors! Don’t fret my unfit friends. If getting in shape is your goal this year, we got your sweet rump covered!

Do you love the Earth? Sure you do, and seeing as though it’s still here and all; so much for the Mayan Solstice Apocalypse what have you,  I’d say we should keep the gears running and lean towards the more eco-friendly products side of the spectrum.  We have plenty of Organic and Earth-Friendly products to satisfy both you and the ye ‘ol Madre of nature herself.  We have natural rubber products, as well as PVC-free mats, all natural.  If it’s eco friendly yoga products you crave, we most certainly have them in our roster including meditations supplies as well, such as meditation benches and pillows.

It doesn’t stop there, oh no!  Our recycled rubber flooring and treadmill mat are all Mama Earth friendly as well.  Whether you’re re-flooring your garage or basement or lining the roof of an industrial building; you can sleep a little sounder at night knowing that your carbon foot-print is just that bit smaller.

So since the earth does not quake, the seas do not overflow-eth and the sun is not turning us all into marshmallows at the moment, let’s give a little back and be a bit friendly to the old lady Gaia.  To everyone, enjoy your time; enjoy each other and Happy Holidays!

If you purchase a large treadmill (or a standard size treadmill with a large base), an elliptical, or any other type of large exercise equipment, finding a mat can be difficult.  A standard size treadmill mat or exercise equipment mat is 3’ wide and 6.5’ long… so if you require exercise equipment mats longer or wider they can often cost a fortune (if you can find one). 

There is now an affordable solution – an extra larger rubber treadmill mat measuring 4’ wide and 7’6” long.  This durable mat is made of 100% premium recycled rubber, so it’s eco-friendly too.  It’s generally in stock, so you don’t need to wait weeks or longer for a custom mat to be produced (although if you have that time and require a larger treadmill mat or exercise equipment mat, custom size mats can be made for you).

These rubber mats provide resilience, sound absorption, spike resistance and traction. Rubber treadmill mats offer excellent performance, durability, and appearance.  So, whether you need an extra large treadmill mat for home or commercial use, there is now a quality, in stock, eco-friendly solution waiting for you.

We have some friends who bought a huge house complete with media room and game room, and I jokingly told my buddy, “Now you can finally pull out that treadmill you bought and use it!” Maybe I’ll encourage him to put down some gym flooring tiles, or other durable rubber flooring appropriate for putting beneath gym equipment.

If you’ve thought about putting down some sort of rubber flooring to go beneath your exercise equipment, but haven’t been sure where to get the right kind or size, worried you’ll have to buy something too large and have to cut it, or piece together something that’s not quite right, then you can stop worrying; you’ll find every conceivable variation of gym flooring you could hope for, so browse awhile to see what really suits your needs. Maybe I’ll buy my buddy a treadmill mat for his birthday coming up.