We Sell Mats 4 Inch Thick Bi-Folding Gymnastics Crash Landing Mat Pad, Safety for Tumbling, Back Handspring Training and Cheerleading

3.0 out of 5 stars

By Pikay - Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2017

Might be too squishy for an older/heavier user -- consider your application and profile carefully

Arrived today. Packaging is not hard cardboard but a thin-tarp-like plastic covering. Mine had a 5-inch long tear that went right through the outer covering and the plastic bag around the mat, but does not seem to have penetrated the mat itself (thank goodness, because this beast is big and unwieldy, as expected, and I really didn't want the hassle of returning it). I am an older person, approx 190 pounds, who got this mat to use with a suspended aerial yoga swing (I wanted to be have some protection for knees, elbows, etc., in case I fell out of the swing, and also something soft to lean my head on while inverting). I was hesitant to buy the mat because as an older (and heavier) person, I know I'm not the target demographic for any mat manufacturer in spite of really needing some level of protection. My fear was that a thinner mat (like a typical yoga mat) would provide insufficient cushioning in the event of a fall, but that a thicker mat like this one would be thick only until some serious weight (my own) was applied, and would then go squishy and nearly flat. The latter is much closer to being the case with this mat. If I step on the mat near its edge, I can both feel and see (along the external surface) that the mat squishes down very nearly to the floor underneath. (I don't believe this is due to any defect in the mat per se -- I am just disappointed, given the price of these things, if they were rated for user weight in a way that made it easier to choose intelligently for a particular application and body profile!) For a heavier person like myself, this mat doesn't therefore supply a particularly stable/flat surface for standing or working on (the closest analogy I can think of is walking on soft sand at the beach, where you sink a little and have to recover balance and forward motion for each new step). However, if I allow myself to fall forward onto my knees, the mat definitely cushions the fall entirely adequately (at least from a standing height). So what can I say? It appears to serve its basic intended function as a "crash" mat, which was my main priority ... but I still wish I knew what to buy that would give me both a fairly stable (i.e., not squishy/semi-sunken) surface to work from AND serious cushioning in the event of a fall. I'm not sure how little a person would need to weight *NOT* to experience significant squishing/sinking just standing or tumbling on this mat, or if a crash mat is at all appropriate for such purposes at any age or weight ... but I assume this would be better in that regard for a young and light gymnast in training (which, no doubt, is whom it's designed for). If your application is more similar to mine, just be aware that the mat has a fair amount of "give" (as it must, to serve its stated function as a "crash mat"), and that you should try to figure out in advance whether you're willing to accept that trade-off in exchange, perhaps, for feeling a bit safer/less fearful of falling. I'll update this review if my impressions change over the next few weeks. And if anyone has good suggestions for creating a surface that provides both working stability AND good crash protection for an older/heavier user, please add them in the comments! :-)

5.0 out of 5 stars

By samantha kotte - Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2020

Great so far

This mat has been great so far. Kids love it, my daughter has even slept on it quite happily. We will see how well it holds up over time but as of right now I would buy this again.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By G. Lee - Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2017

Perfect mat for tumbling

Perfect mat for tumbling! I teach floor tumbling and all my students love this mat to build confidence doing skills on this just before doing on main mat. From forward roll to backwalkovers to backhandspring and backtuck! PERFECT PROTECTION! Plus it can be folded in half and is a great use for beginners to learn back bends etc!

3.0 out of 5 stars

By Sheffy6 - Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2017

It looks like a good quality mat

This is a preliminary review as we just received it today. It looks like a good quality mat, but it is actually only 1.5 inches thick. That may be nitpicking but it's not as advertised and it does seem thin. My son is excited to have it so we'll see how it works out.

3.0 out of 5 stars

By Thomas Costa - Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2017

Okay for the price

Not firm enough as others have mentioned. Not super sturdy construction compared to other pads I own. Either exactly at the stated thickness or maybe a hair under. Be very careful unpacking it to avoid hurting the mesh parts of the cover and shipping didn't even come close to getting it here on the day promised when ordered. However with free amazon shipping it's a great price for the size of pad.

4.0 out of 5 stars

By Tiffany - Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2019

Good choice

Super sturdy and well made. Easy to transport and great for low practice on an aerial hoop. Sides are open, so if outdoors, be careful not to expose to rain. The foam will absorb the water. Great for indoor use.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By Jorge Camra - Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2016

Five Stars

Easy to move it around, good quality and pretty fast delivery, I love it those mats.

5.0 out of 5 stars

By Rebecca P - Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2020

perfect mat for home aerial rig

I got this mat to use with my backyard 20-ft home aerial rig for aerial silks and sling. It is the perfect size, not too unwieldy or heavy, so that I can carry it in and out myself every day. Great for those who don't have help and have to move it around like that. I use it folded, for 8 inch thickness, which works well.