Yoga Gear for Athletes: Mats, Blocks, Straps, Bolsters, Hot Yoga Towels and Recovery Tools

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A gym bag by the door with a rolled mat strapped to the side. A block and a strap in the corner of the living room for ten minutes of stretching after practice. A towel thrown over the mat in a hot studio, the drips landing on it instead of the floor. Yoga gear is simple, and for most athletes it comes down to a good mat and a couple of props that make the poses fit your body. This guide covers the best yoga mat choices by grip and budget, blocks, straps, bolsters, hot yoga towels and the recovery tools that pair well with a practice.

Prices change often. The prices below are what we saw at the maker or a major retailer in October 2026; check the current price before you buy.

Our top picks

Yoga gear compared

Product	Type	Key size	One key feature	About
Manduka PRO	Mat	71 × 26 in, 6 mm, 7.5 lb	Dense, latex-free; lifetime guarantee	$144
JadeYoga Harmony	Mat	68 × 24 in, 3/16 in	Natural rubber grip	$115
Liforme Classic	Mat	Not stated on listing	Printed alignment markings	$165
Gaiam Essentials	Mat	72 × 24 in, 1/4 in, 3.5 lb	Budget, carrying strap	$18
Manduka recycled foam block	Block	9 × 6 × 4 in, 0.9 lb	Firm, high-density foam	$26
Manduka Align	Strap	1.75 in × 8 ft	Metal interlocking buckle	$22
Hugger Mugger Standard	Bolster	Standard rectangle	Firm, handles on both sides	$114
Yogitoes	Towel	71 × 24 in	Silicone nubs, sweat-activated grip	$72

Yoga mats

1. Manduka PRO 6 mm: best overall for athletes

The Manduka PRO is the dense, heavy mat you see in a lot of studios. It’s 6 mm thick, 71 × 26 in and 7.5 lb, made from OEKO-TEX certified, latex-free PVC with a closed-cell surface that the maker says seals out sweat, and a dotted underside that keeps it from sliding. Manduka guarantees it for life and sells longer sizes. The extra width (26 in) is welcome if you’re tall or broad-shouldered.

• Good: very stable and cushioned for knees; latex-free; built to last for years.
• Watch out: heavy to carry; the maker recommends its own mat wash and says other cleaners aren’t recommended.
• Best for: athletes who practice often at home or bring their own mat to a studio.

Check the Manduka PRO price on Amazon

2. JadeYoga Harmony: best natural rubber grip

The JadeYoga Harmony is made from open-cell natural rubber, 3/16 in thick and 24 in wide (68 in long, with a longer size available), and is made in the USA with imported rubber. JadeYoga says it contains no PVC or phthalates. Open-cell rubber is grippy, which many people like in sweaty flow classes.

• Good: strong grip; natural rubber; about 5 lb, lighter than the PRO.
• Watch out: natural rubber contains latex, so skip it if you have a latex allergy; open-cell rubber absorbs more sweat, so clean it often.
• Best for: vinyasa and power classes where hands slip.

Check the JadeYoga Harmony price on Amazon

3. Liforme Classic: best for alignment cues

The Liforme Classic (about $165) has printed “AlignForMe” markings that help you place hands and feet in the same spot each time, a “GripForMe” surface, and is made of eco-polyurethane and rubber, PVC-free, with a bag included. The maker’s claims about preventing injuries aren’t something we’ve seen research on; think of the markings as a visual guide.

• Good: grippy top; helpful lines for consistent positions.
• Watch out: the priciest mat here; contains rubber.
• Best for: athletes practicing alone at home who want visual cues.

Check the Liforme Classic price on Amazon

4. Gaiam Essentials 6 mm: best budget mat

At about $18, the Gaiam Essentials is 72 × 24 in, 1/4 in (6 mm) thick and 3.5 lb, with a textured surface and a carrying sling. Gaiam says it’s free of six common phthalates and suggests unrolling it to air out for two to three days before use.

• Good: cheap, cushioned and light.
• Watch out: softer foam feels less stable in balance poses than a dense premium mat.
• Best for: first-timers, teens, a spare mat for the team bag.

Check the Gaiam Essentials price on Amazon

Blocks, straps and bolsters

Props let you hold a good position instead of forcing a pose, which matters for tight athletes. NCCIH says practicing under a qualified instructor lowers your risk of injury, and props are one of the main ways teachers adapt poses to your body.

5. Manduka recycled foam block: best block

A block brings the floor up to your hand in triangle, half-moon and low lunges, and makes a firm seat for hip stretches. Manduka’s recycled foam block is 9 × 6 × 4 in and 0.9 lb, made from 50 to 75% recycled EVA foam that’s firmer and less squishy than many foam blocks. Most people eventually want two. The Gaiam yoga block (about $15) is a cheaper foam option.

Check the Manduka recycled foam block price on Amazon

6. Manduka Align strap: best strap

A strap around your foot lets you stretch hamstrings lying down with a straight back, and helps tight shoulders in binds. The Manduka Align is 1.75 in × 8 ft of unbleached cotton webbing with an interlocking metal buckle that holds without slipping. The Gaiam 6 ft yoga strap (about $10, metal D-ring) is a budget choice; taller athletes usually prefer 8 ft.

Check the Manduka Align Strap price on Amazon

7. Hugger Mugger Standard Bolster: best bolster

A bolster is the firm, rectangular cushion that restorative and yin classes are built around: under your knees in savasana, under your chest in a supported child’s pose, or under your back for a gentle chest opener. The Hugger Mugger Standard is firm, with flat top and bottom for stability, handles on both sides and upholstery-grade fabric. At about $114 it’s an investment; if you only take restorative classes at a studio, use theirs first.

Check the Hugger Mugger Standard Bolster price on Amazon

Towels for hot yoga

In a heated room you sweat a lot, and sweat on a mat means slipping. In a study the American Council on Exercise commissioned, Bikram rooms were described as 105°F with 40% humidity, and the researchers stressed drinking water throughout class. A full-length mat towel plus a water bottle is the basic hot yoga kit. The Manduka Yogitoes towel (about $72, 71 × 24 in) has silicone nubs on the underside that anchor it to the mat, gets grippier as it gets damp, and is machine washable. Bring a 32 oz bottle such as the Nalgene Sustain (about $16). NCCIH advises pregnant women to avoid hot yoga; more on heat safety is on our yoga styles page.

Check the Manduka Yogitoes towel price on Amazon

Recovery gear to pair with yoga

Many athletes pair a slow yoga session with a few minutes on a foam roller. The TriggerPoint GRID 1.0 (about $40, 13 × 5 in) has a multi-density surface over a hollow core and fits in a gym bag. For sore spots after a hard training week, a small massage gun like the Theragun Mini (about $220, three speeds, three attachments) is easy to use before or after stretching, and recovery slides such as the OOFOS OOahh (about $60, APMA Seal of Acceptance) are comfortable after barefoot practice. These are comfort tools, not treatment; if something hurts for more than a few days, see a sports medicine doctor, physical therapist or athletic trainer. Compare more in our best foam rollers, best massage guns and best recovery shoes guides.

Check the TriggerPoint GRID 1.0 price on Amazon

How to choose yoga gear

• Grip first. If your hands slide in downward dog, try natural rubber or polyurethane, or add a towel. If you’re allergic to latex, choose a latex-free mat such as the Manduka PRO.
• Thickness is a trade-off. Around 4 to 6 mm cushions knees; thicker, softer mats can feel wobbly in balance poses.
• Size to your body. Tall athletes should check length (and look for long versions); broad shoulders appreciate a 26 in width.
• Weight matters if you carry it. A 7.5 lb mat is great at home and heavy on a bike.
• Start with two props. A block and a strap cover most needs; add a bolster if you love restorative yoga.
• Keep it clean. Follow the maker’s cleaning advice; sweaty mats and towels need regular washing.

Back to the yoga for athletes hub, or see yoga styles and etiquette, yoga for kids and teen athletes, yoga for recovery and our soccer gear page.

Yoga gear questions

What thickness yoga mat is best?

For most athletes, 4 to 6 mm is a good balance of knee cushioning and stability. The Manduka PRO and Gaiam Essentials are both 6 mm; the JadeYoga Harmony is 3/16 in (about 5 mm). Very thick mats are comfy for floor work but less stable for standing balances.

Which yoga mat has the best grip?

Natural rubber and polyurethane-topped mats tend to grip best when you sweat, such as the JadeYoga Harmony and Liforme Classic. If you have a latex allergy, choose a latex-free mat and add a towel for hot or sweaty classes.

Do I need yoga blocks and a strap?

They aren’t required, but they help a lot if you’re tight. A block brings the floor closer in standing poses, and a strap lets you reach your foot with a straight back. Many studios have them to borrow, so try them before you buy.

What do I need for hot yoga?

A mat, a full-length mat towel, a large water bottle and light clothes. Drink water before and during class. Hot yoga isn’t recommended in pregnancy, and you should check with your doctor first if you have a heart or other medical condition.

How do I clean a yoga mat?

Follow the maker’s instructions; materials differ. Manduka recommends its own mat wash for the PRO, and Gaiam suggests airing a new Essentials mat out for two to three days. Wipe the mat after sweaty classes and let it dry fully before rolling it up.