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Gaiam Premium 6mm Yoga Mat Review

The Gaiam Premium Print is a 6mm PVC yoga and exercise mat designed for yoga, Pilates, stretching, and floor workouts. It scores highly for comfort, mobility use, portability, and customer satisfaction, with substantial cushioning for a relatively light mat. Its main drawback is variable traction in sweaty conditions, and some units have a noticeable odor immediately after unwrapping.
Expert reviewed
87
Overall score
Data-driven scoring Expert reviewed Updated analysis

Why we ranked it highly

The Gaiam Premium Print Yoga Mat is a 68 x 24 inch, 6mm-thick PVC mat for yoga, Pilates, Barre, stretching, and general floor exercise. At 1.36 kg, it combines a more cushioned feel than thinner mats with a format that remains easy to roll up and move between a home workout space and class. The product description highlights a textured, sticky surface, while buyers frequently praise its cushioning, printed appearance, and everyday practicality. It appears best suited to people who want a single mat for lower-impact movement and bodyweight floor work rather than a dedicated high-sweat hot-yoga surface. Gaiam discloses that the PVC is free of six named phthalates and includes a downloadable yoga workout. Initial odor and sweaty-hand grip are the most consistent cautions in the available information.
90-day review Expert reviewed User feedback Data scoring

Key specs

Item details

Brand Name
Gaiam
Manufacturer
Fit For Life
UPC
018713658562
Part Number
05-65856
Model Number
05-65856
Unit Count
1.0 Count

Materials & Care

Material
Polyvinyl Chloride
Product Care Instructions
Printed yoga mats release a very strong but harmless odor when first unwrapped. Please unroll and air out your mat for 2-3 days before use. Spot clean with our Yoga Mat Wash or damp cloth with cold water and mild detergent. Dry flat. The mat may fade and become brittle and unusable if exposed to the sun for extended periods of time. We recommend storing your mat in a mat bag when not in use.

Measurements

Item Dimensions L x W x Thickness
68"L x 24"W x 6"Th
Item Weight
1.36 Kilograms

Additional details

Color
Supernova SKY

Scores breakdown

74 /100

Recovery support

88 /100

Performance

89 /100

Training support

62 /100

Strength training

58 /100

Cardio training

92 /100

Mobility & flexibility

82 /100

Ingredient transparency

80 /100

Safety

Strengths

  • 6mm PVC construction provides substantial cushioning for yoga, Pilates, and floor exercises.
  • Textured sticky surface is generally well received for dry-practice traction.
  • At 1.36 kg, it is relatively easy to roll, carry, and store.
  • High customer satisfaction is supported by a 4.7/5 rating from 22,062 reviews.
  • 68 x 24 inch dimensions suit standard home and studio mat use.
  • Material disclosure includes that the PVC is free of six specified phthalates.
  • Printed designs receive consistently positive feedback.

Limitations

  • Grip feedback is inconsistent when hands become sweaty, particularly in planks and hot yoga.
  • Some users report a strong initial odor; the brand advises airing it out for two to three days.
  • The 24-inch width may feel restrictive for people who prefer a wider practice surface.
  • Extended sun exposure may cause fading and brittleness according to the care guidance.
  • Rolled storage or heat exposure can leave an edge curled temporarily.
  • A carry strap or sling is not listed as included.

Ideal user profiles

  • Yoga practitioners seeking a cushioned 6mm mat for home or studio sessions.
  • Pilates and floor-workout users who want more padding under knees and back.
  • People building a compact, portable home workout setup.
  • Beginners who can use the included downloadable yoga workout to get started.
  • Users who prioritize printed designs alongside everyday workout practicality.

Use cases

  • Yoga practice on hard indoor floors.
  • Pilates routines and controlled bodyweight floor work.
  • Stretching, warm-ups, and cool-downs.
  • Abdominal and glute-focused floor exercises.
  • Barre sessions where a cushioned base is preferred.
  • Portable home-to-studio mat use.

Fit and positioning

Who this works for

Category positioning

This is primarily a yoga, Pilates, and mobility-focused workout accessory. Its central role is to create a more comfortable and stable surface for poses, stretching, controlled bodyweight work, and floor-based sessions. The 6mm thickness places it toward the cushioned end of standard yoga-mat formats, making it especially relevant for hard floors and kneeling positions. It can support general home exercise, but it is not a load-bearing strength-training tool or cardio machine.

Best for

The mat is best for yoga, Pilates, Barre, stretching, and home floor-workout users who value cushioning without a very heavy mat. Its 90/100 comfort score, 92/100 mobility score, and strong buyer feedback fit users who regularly work on hard floors or want padding for knees and back. It is also a practical option for people who want an easy-to-store printed mat for home or studio use.

Not best for

This may not be the best match for users who sweat heavily through their hands or specifically need consistently high wet-grip performance. While many reviews find it non-slip, others describe slippery hand placement during planks or hot yoga. Buyers who need a wider mat than 24 inches, an included carry strap, or a mat with no initial odor-management step should also consider those limitations before purchasing.

Training use

The Gaiam mat provides a defined, cushioned training surface for low-impact sessions. It is most useful for building consistency with yoga, Pilates, mobility work, stretching, and bodyweight floor exercises because it is easy to unroll, reposition, and store. The included downloadable yoga workout may be helpful for beginners, although no details about the workout format or length are supplied.

Performance analysis

How it performs in practice

Each scoring dimension is separated into a compact card so the strengths and tradeoffs are easier to compare without reading one long block.

Performance analysis

The Gaiam mat earns an 88/100 performance score because it addresses its main purpose well: providing a cushioned, usable surface for yoga, Pilates, and floor exercise. The 6mm thickness, standard 68 x 24 inch format, and textured PVC finish are supported by many reports of comfort, stable positioning, and easy rolling. Performance is less uniform in wet conditions. Some buyers report reliable traction, while others find hands slip once sweat builds up, especially during planks.

Training support

Its 89/100 training-support score reflects broad usefulness across low-impact routines. The mat works for regular home practice, studio yoga, Pilates, stretching, Barre, and bodyweight floor movements, while its 1.36 kg weight keeps setup and transport manageable. Beginners may also value the included downloadable yoga workout. It is less specialized for progressive resistance training or high-intensity conditioning, and users with sweaty hands may need a towel to reduce routine interruptions.

Strength training

The 62/100 strength-training score is appropriate for a mat that supports, rather than drives, strength work. Extra cushioning can improve comfort during floor-based abdominal, glute, and kneeling bodyweight exercises, and the mat can help define a cleaner training area. However, it provides no load progression, and reported wet-hand slipping can limit confidence in movements such as prolonged planks.

Mobility & flexibility

At 92/100, mobility and flexibility are the mat's strongest training areas. Its 6mm profile is repeatedly described as comfortable for knees and back while still firm enough for general yoga balance and transitions. This makes it a credible fit for stretching, Pilates, yoga, and cooldown work on hard floors. The main practical caveat is that sweaty hand contact can reduce traction for some users.

How it compares

Within the yoga-mat category, this product appears particularly competitive for users who prioritize cushioning, comfort, portability, and a standard home-to-studio format. Its 6mm construction gives it a more supportive feel for floor work than a thinner minimalist mat, while the 1.36 kg weight helps it remain convenient to carry. It is less convincing as a specialist option for very sweaty sessions, where the 78/100 grip score and review variation matter. The high customer-satisfaction score suggests broad appeal, but wet-grip needs should guide the final comparison.

Ranking summary

This Gaiam mat earns an overall score of 87/100 because it performs strongly in the areas most relevant to an everyday yoga and Pilates mat: mobility and flexibility (92), customer satisfaction (92), comfort (90), space efficiency (90), training support (89), and performance (88). Its 6mm cushioning, low-storage format, and favorable 4.7/5 rating from 22,062 reviews give it a well-rounded category profile. Scores are moderated by grip (78), maintenance (79), and safety (80), largely due to inconsistent traction under sweat, initial odor reports, and care requirements around sunlight and storage.

Buying advice

Consider this mat if your routine centers on yoga, Pilates, Barre, stretching, or bodyweight floor work and you want 6mm cushioning without a bulky home-gym item. Check that the 68 x 24 inch size suits your practice space and body position preferences. If you regularly do hot yoga, sweat heavily through your hands, or need maximum traction for planks, plan to test it carefully or use a towel. Air the mat out for two to three days after opening if needed, and consider a separate sling or mat bag for transport and storage.
87
Overall score

Final verdict

The Gaiam Premium 6mm Print Yoga Mat is a strong everyday option for yoga, Pilates, and floor workouts. Its main strengths are comfortable 6mm cushioning, easy storage and transport, broad routine versatility, and highly positive buyer sentiment. It is especially suitable for users who want a supportive surface on hard floors without moving to a heavier, more specialized mat. Its main limitation is inconsistent grip in sweaty conditions, compounded by occasional initial odor reports. For dry or moderate-sweat practice, it offers a balanced and well-scored combination of comfort, practicality, and value.
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Key topics

Gaiam Yoga Mat review, Gaiam Premium 6mm Print Yoga Mat, 6mm non slip yoga mat, yoga mat for Pilates, cushioned exercise mat, Gaiam exercise mat, yoga mat for floor workouts, portable yoga mat

Frequently asked questions

What are the dimensions of the Gaiam Premium Print Yoga Mat?
The listed dimensions are 68 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 6mm thick. It weighs 1.36 kg. This is a standard-length, standard-width format intended for yoga, Pilates, stretching, and general floor workouts, with more cushioning than thinner exercise mats.
Is the Gaiam 6mm mat non-slip?
The mat has a textured, sticky surface and many reviews describe stable dry-use traction. However, grip is not fully consistent across feedback: several users report that hand placement can become slippery during sweaty practice. A towel may be useful for hot or high-sweat sessions.
Is this yoga mat comfortable for kneeling exercises?
Comfort is one of this mat's strongest areas, with a 90/100 comfort score. Its 6mm thickness is repeatedly praised in reviews for providing cushioning during kneeling, Pilates, abdominal work, and yoga on harder floors, while remaining firm enough for general balance work.
Does the mat have an odor when first opened?
Some buyers report an initial odor, while others report none. Gaiam states that printed mats can release a strong but harmless odor when first unwrapped and recommends unrolling and airing the mat out for two to three days before use.
How should the Gaiam Yoga Mat be cleaned and stored?
The stated care guidance is to spot clean with yoga mat wash or a damp cloth, cold water, and mild detergent, then dry flat. Avoid extended sun exposure, which may cause fading or brittleness. The brand recommends storing the mat in a mat bag when not in use.
Is the Gaiam Premium Print Yoga Mat suitable for Pilates?
Yes. The product is positioned for yoga, Pilates, and floor workouts, and its 92/100 mobility and flexibility score reflects its strong fit for these routines. The extra cushioning can be particularly practical for controlled mat exercises, stretching, and positions that place pressure on knees or the back.
Is this mat easy to carry to class?
The 1.36 kg weight, 88/100 ease-of-use score, and 88/100 portability score indicate that it is practical for regular transport. Reviews also describe it as easy to roll and carry. A strap or sling is not listed as included, so buyers wanting hands-free carrying may need a separate accessory.
What material is the Gaiam 6mm Yoga Mat made from?
The listed material is polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. Gaiam states that the mat is free of DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, and DNOP, which are the six phthalates specifically named in the product details. No broader material certification is provided in the supplied information.

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