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Yoga Monster Review

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Yoga Monster Review (Monster Yoga Mat)
Monster Yoga Mat
Credit: Monster
Price:  $50 List
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Manufacturer:   Bean Products
By Brian Blum ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jan 25, 2013
47
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Traction Dry - 15% 2.0
  • Traction Wet - 10% 2.0
  • Comfort - 20% 3.0
  • Durability - 15% 7.0
  • Portability - 20% 6.0
  • Eco-Groovy - 10% 5.0
  • Ease of Care - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Yoga Monster Yoga Mat provides a very basic, affordable surface on which to practice. The Monster Mat will provide you some comfort, stability, and traction. However, more serious practitioners will quickly desire a more serious mat like the Jade Harmony. Those that have a more restorative yoga practice will benefit from a pad such as the ProSource Premium 1/2-Inch. Travelers or urban yogis in need of a portable solution might prefer the Manduka PROlite.
REASONS TO BUY
Easy to clean
Environmental and health focus
17 colors available
REASONS TO AVOID
Very poor traction in ideal conditions. Undesirable texture and feel. Quarter inch of material compresses to leave little cushion
In summary this mat works, but there's really nothing special about it. It lacks a quality feel on the hands, doesn't provide that extra support or stability that one might desire, and in general has an inexpensive feel to it. For an infrequent practitioner we recommend reaching out to the yoga community (check with your local studio) and borrowing or purchasing a used mat instead of investing in one you may want to replace sooner rather than later.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Likes


The Monster Yoga Mat is made of PER (Polymer Environmental Resin), an environmentally friendly material that is SGS approved non-toxic. This yoga mat is free of toxic phthalates, dioxins and furans, phenal, and heavy metals — meaning it will not release anything potentially harmful to humans into the environment. This material is also very durable meaning less landfill waste over time.

The Monster Mat is made of a closed cell technology that prevents the absorption of moisture and keeps bacteria and germs from nesting inside the mat. This mat can be easily washed by hand using soap and water or thrown in the washing machine with other laundry. Simply wipe it down with a towel or leave it in the sun for a few hours to dry.

The Monster Mat comes in a standard 72" long x 24" wide size. While not ideal for yogis over six feet tall, this length is more than adequate for most practitioners. Additionally, the mat is available in 17 colors to appeal to everyone's taste.

Dislikes


We do not prefer the plastic texture and the limited traction that the Yoga Monster Mat offers. Even in ideal conditions we found ourselves sliding on this mat. In more intense classes where sweat is an issue, the surface of the Monster Yoga Mat becomes impossible to grip. This mat can be coupled with an accessory such as the Jade Microfiber towel to prevent slipping. However, for the purposes of heated and Power Yoga we suggest a Jade product over this one.

We expected the Monster Mat's 1/4" thickness and dense material to provide a thick padded surface similar to the Yoga Accessories 1/4". Unfortunately, when settling into a pose, the material begins to compress under hand and foot, leaving little padding to keep your joints protected.

— Brian Blum
 
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