Yoga mats are found everywhere because yoga centers are everywhere.

Yoga has created a big market for mats.

A typical workout mat lasts roughly around 6 months to 2 years depending on the build quality and usage of the mat.

In Chennai, people change their mats within a year of purchasing. You can cite affordable yoga mat price in Chennai as a reason behind the frequent changing of mats.

But experts too recommend changing a mat as soon as it loses its grip, strength, and durability.

Also, as soon as beginners become pros, they upgrade their mats to get more support, cushion, and comfort. Here you can say that durability isn’t a big factor for yoga enthusiasts.

They put more focus on quality and are willing to spend more and change their mats whenever they increase the intensity of their exercise.

Yoga mat manufacturers also attract people with the latest designs, styles, patterns, and features. Some manufacturers even offer customized mats to serious yoga practitioners.

The affordability of yoga mat price in Chennai can also be a reason behind the popularity of this ancient exercise practice. People need not spend a huge amount on their mats.

They can begin their journey with affordable mats and upgrade to better quality and expensive mats as they become pros.

Every day hundreds of people vow to practice yoga and buy workout mats leading to increased sales of mats.

Like everything, yoga mats also have their life journey. They get much punishment while supporting the practitioners and suffer much wear and tear.

You will agree that changing a workout mat becomes a necessity after some time.

Here’re the signs that tell you it’s time to change your mat

1. Weird Smell

If you smell a strong odor from your mat but it is different from the smell your mat gave when it was new, you should understand that the time to replace your mat has come.

A strong odor proves that the mat material is undergoing a chemical change due to moisture or bacteria.

2. Mat Becomes Slippery

If you sweat a lot, your yoga mat will soon become slippery. It will absorb the moisture and turn slippery.

If you don’t feel any difference between exercising on a slippery surface and your mat, you should replace the old and slippery mat with a new one.

Exercising on a slippery mat will be frustrating because it won’t support you when you need the support most.

3. Uneven Padding

The padding of your yoga mat will become uneven due to your weight.

If you keep using only one side of your mat for a long time, you will find that the level of padding on your mat has become uneven. In other words, it is time to change your mat.

But you can prevent it from happening to your mat by using it on all sides.

4. Mat Starts To Tear Apart

Before and after yoga sessions, the practitioners are asked to clean the surface. The pressure exerted on the mat could lead to physical wear and tear of the mat.

And it could start after a couple of months of using the mat. If you see small pieces around your mat, you should take it as a sign of physical damage to the mat.

Also, it could happen to a mat of any quality.  

5. Bald Spots

The pressure exerted during workouts creates bald spots on mats.

You can see bald spots or holes in the places where you keep your legs and arms while performing different poses.

While there is no need to change your mat with a few minor bald spots you should change the mat, if it is riddled with big holes.

6. Type of Yoga

Some yoga exercises need extra cushioning for which you need a mat of a minimum 6 mm thickness. But a thick workout mat could be difficult to fold and carry.

In this situation, you can use three mats of 2 mm thickness for cushioning.

Also, you will need to change your mats frequently to maintain cushioning.

7. Your Joints Hurt

If you feel pressure on your joints during exercises, you should take it as a sign to replace or upgrade your workout mat.

It shows that the padding of your mat has worn off and it is time to buy a new workout mat.

Conclusion

You have many reasons to change your mat. The good thing is that you can upgrade your mat with a customized mat.

If you visit the website of a yoga mat manufacturer in India, you will get the option of customizing your mat.

It will be a little expensive but at least you will get a mat of your choice and budget. However, customized mats aren’t popular due to the high price.