As we get older, you need to keep ourselves active, even if that means embracing lower-impact exercises, rather than the heavy-duty training we may did in our youth. Yoga is definitely an exercise that's known to have massive health advantages, but when you have bad knees, a few of the poses might seem nearly impossible. Luckily, there are many ways to lessen the stress you put onto your knees during yoga, beginning with the best yoga mats for bad knees.
What are the best yoga mats for bad knees?
- Best budget yoga mat for bad knees : Gaiam Essentials Thick Yoga Mat
- Best non-slip yoga mat for bad knees : JELS Extra Thick Yoga Mat
- Thickest yoga mat for bad knees : ProSource Fit Tri-Fold Thick Exercise Mat
- Best yoga mat for sensitive knees : BalanceFrom GoCloud All-Purpose Yoga Mat
- Best thick yoga mat for bad knees : BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat
- Best non-toxic yoga mat for bad knees : Retrospec Solana 1-inch Yoga Mat
- Best yoga mat for beginners with bad knees : Amazon Basics 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Exercise Yoga Mat
- Top rated yoga mat for bad knees : Sivan Physical fitness Extra Thick Yoga Mat
- Best large thick yoga mat for bad knees : HemingWeigh 1-inch Thick Yoga Mat
- Best very thick yoga mat : Yoga Cloud Extra Thick 1″ Exercise Mat
- Best shock-absorbing yoga mat for bad knees : Crown Sporting Goods Extra Thick Yoga Mat
- Best yoga accessory bad knees : Grazing Sun Yoga Gel Knee Pads
- Best protection for bad knees : Memory Foam Extra Thick Kneeling Cushion Pad
- Best yoga knee pads for bad knees : Kinesis Yoga Knee Pad Cushion
Can you do yoga with bad knees?
As long while you take precautions – like investing in among the best yoga mats for bad knees – the answer is yes, you can! Based on Johns Hopkins Medicine, the most typical causes of knee pain are based on injury, force on the knee, or good old-fashioned aging. Once we grow older, continual wear on our joints causes issues for example osteoarthritis (a degenerative process during which the joint loses cartilage) as well as rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, which causes cartilage-destroying inflammation. When you can purchase among the best arthritis creams to help soothe aches and pains, gentle movement – like yoga! – might help, too. Other reasons for knee pain include tendonitis, or trauma towards the tendons, torn cartilage, or sprained or strained ligaments.
While these conditions may cause discomfort, it's still easy to reap the benefits of yoga, because this practice can strengthen your legs and increase mobility – which can actually help your knees! Yoga really is for everyone, though you will want to stick to low-impact poses and movements so they won't put excess pressure in your joints, which could cause pain. It's also wise to practice with a certified instructor, who are able to make sure your poses are being executed correctly and offer adjustments when necessary. Many poses can be done with modifications, so only do what feels comfortable for your body!
How thick should a yoga mat be for bad knees?
Thickness is among the main factors when selecting a yoga mat for knee pain, in addition to density. The best yoga mats for bad knees possess a thickness of around 1/2 to one inch, with respect to the level of knee discomfort. We're fans of the one-inch thick Yoga Cloud Exercise Mat ($39.99, Amazon), though we found this ProSource Fit Tri-Fold Thick Exercise Mat (starting at $32.60, Amazon), that is a whopping 1.5-inches thick!
You'll also want to make certain your mat has a non-slip grip, such as the JELS Extra Thick Yoga Mat (starting at $42.49, Amazon). We're just guessing here, but should you fall due to a slippery surface – or your own sweat! – during an intense workout, your knees probably will not be too happy!
What is the best yoga mat for seniors?
Many of us experience more joint pain and discomfort as we age, so the best yoga mats for seniors will give you a gentle yet stable surface to cushion our pressure points without sliding all about. We've found the very best yoga mats for bad knees, plus other affordable accessories, for example kneeling pads ($19.99, Amazon) and yoga gels ($31.75, Amazon), which will make a big difference in your feelings while moving and stretching.
With the aid of this unique equipment, your knees should feel better very quickly. Eventually, you may also be able to proceed to a thinner yoga mat ideal for tougher balancing poses! Keep scrolling for Woman's World's top picks for the best yoga mats and accessories for bad knees.
11 Best Yoga Mats for Bad Knees
Gaiam Essentials Thick Yoga Mat
Best Budget Yoga Mat for Bad Knees
Buy from Amazon, starting at $16.98
Why we like it:
- Available in 9 colors
- Non-toxic
- Includes a carrying strap
The yoga accessory experts over at Gaiam designed this yoga mat to be nearly 1/2-inch thick, but nonetheless roll up effortlessly for transportation. It will not only fit nearly any budget using its less than $20 cost, it also is available in nine great colors to coordinate with the rest of your workout accessories. On top of that, it's non-toxic, and features a mat-carrying strap.
One buyer with arthritis praised this “great” mat because of its cushioning, while another wrote, “There quite a bit of support provided by this mat” and “my knees thank me for it.”
JELS Extra Thick Yoga Mat
Best non-slip yoga mat for bad knees
Buy from Amazon, starting at $42.49
Why we like it:
- Available in five colors
- Double non-slip surfaces
- Anti-tear and waterproof
If you've been avoiding yoga due to fears of slipping and sliding on hard surfaces, we don't blame you! But fear not – this extra-thick yoga mat by JELS comes with a distinctive suction cup grip design, so you can rest assured your exercise surface will stay put, no matter how active your flow gets. We love its sturdy and durable anti-tear design, which will make this mat last for years, as well as its cushy thickness to offer some relief for your knees and joints.
One fan of the mat raved it's “comfy, durable, and many of all – it's not slippery.” She continued to state that, “No matter how much I'm moving or sweating, I don't slip,” and that “It's saving my joints, too, since it saves me in the impact of hard surfaces.”
ProSource Fit Tri-Fold Thick Exercise Mat
Thickest Yoga Mat for Bad Knees
Buy from Amazon, starting at $32.60
Why we love to it:
- Available in five colors
- Conveniently folds up
- 1.5 inches thick
If your knees are past the reason for a few aches and pains and the thought of just kneeling down enables you to wince, do this tri-fold exercise mat from ProSource. Using its durable foam interior, it's by far the thickest workout mat on our list, boasting a cushy 1.5 inches. It doesn't roll up like a conventional yoga mat, folding up right into a suitcase-like square instead. There's also convenient carry handles for easy transport.
BalanceFrom GoCloud All-Purpose Yoga Mat
Best yoga mat for sensitive knees
Buy from Amazon, starting at $24.60
Why we love to it:
- Available in 7 colors
- Double-sided non-slip surface
- 1-inch thick
In addition to being especially great for joints, thanks to its one-inch thick, high-density foam padding and its double-sided non-slip tread, we like the awesome color selection that this BalanceFrom GoCloud mat affords. It's also moisture-resistant (such a long time, sweaty mats!) and comes with a convenient carrying strap, in addition to a two-year warranty.
“Wow, it really helps my knees,” gushed one happy buyer, who also said, “Apart from being double or nearly triple the dimensions (rolled away) of the regular mat, it really works great- Anything to help my knees and obtain me likely to yoga is a good thing.”
BalanceFrom GoYoga All-Purpose Yoga Mat
Best thick yoga mat for bad knees
Buy from Amazon, starting at $19.49
Why we love to it:
- Available in 7 colors
- Moisture-resistant
- 2-year warranty
Another contender for the best cheap yoga mat would be BalanceFrom's GoYoga mat. This high-density, anti-tear yoga mat is roughly 1/2-inch thick, so you'll be able to get into your preferred yoga poses without needing to worry about your joint pain. Additionally, it has double-sided non-slip surfaces, that are ideal for sweatier hot yoga or Bikram. But don't children us: This No. 1 bestseller has more than 50,000 five-star ratings on Amazon alone!
One happy shopper said that thinner yoga mats “were no longer working, and any pose requiring me to be on my knees was extremely painful, even with the mats doubled up.” This mat, however, was “perfect,” and “thick enough to pad my knees on a hardwood floor, with the exact right 'give.'”
Retrospec Solana 1-inch Yoga Mat
Best non-toxic yoga mat for bad knees
Buy from Amazon, starting at $29.15
Why we like it:
- Available in assorted colors and patterns
- Free of harsh chemicals
- 1-inch thick
With a non-slip surface for reinforced stability, Retrospec's one-inch thick yoga mat is a great choice for individuals with sensitive joints. Made from non-toxic, soft-but-thick foam, it'll make you forget that you are practicing on a hard floor. It's incredibly durable and easy to wash, and best of, it comes in pretty much any color imaginable.
One happy Amazon reviewer said, “With this thick, dense mat, you are able to ignore your pressure points and concentrate on your exercise.”
Amazon Basics 1/2-Inch Extra Thick Exercise Yoga Mat
best yoga mat for novices with bad knees
Buy from Amazon, starting at $16
Why we like it:
- Available in 7 colors
- Textured foam offers extra traction and stability
- Shock-absorbing
This AmazonBasics mat, which will come in seven colors, is 1/2-inch thick to provide gentle support for your yoga moves. It is also shock-absorbing to take away some of the pressure in your joints, and has a convenient carrying strap for portability. Another helpful feature may be the textured foam surface, which means won't slip and slide your way from your downward dog.
Sasha, a contented user, appreciates its “great cushion for landing, which is soft on the feet and knees” in addition to “the extra padding when you are performing yoga poses like cat/cow, because otherwise my hardwood flooring really hurt my knees.” She also says it has “good grip and doesn't move about or slip, even when barefoot.”
Sivan Physical fitness Extra Thick Yoga Mat
Top rated yoga mat for bad knees
Buy from Amazon, starting at $19.99
Why we love to it:
- Available in 4 colors
- Ribbed somewhere, smooth on the other
- Made of high-density foam
People are loving Sivan Health insurance and Fitness' ultra-thick yoga mat – it's over 6,000 five-star reviews! So important so special? To begin with, it's made with 1/2-inch memory foam that's specially designed to protect your legs and joints. One for reds has a non-slip ribbed surface to grip the floor and remain in position, and also the other is a smooth, easy-to-clean, slip-free surface for you to safely exercise on. Additionally, it includes a carrying strap.
One buyer with “terrible back and knee pain” raved this mat has “the perfect amount of thickness and comfort” which it is also ideal for “being rolled up on a single end to sit on (like a pillow) for forward folds if you have painfully tight hamstrings, like I do.”
HemingWeigh 1-inch Thick Yoga Mat
Best large thick yoga mat for bad knees
Buy from Amazon, $32.99 (originally $34.99)
Why we love to it:
- Made of anti-tear premium foam
- Lightweight
- Non-toxic
HemingWeigh's 1-inch thick foam exercise mat is Amazon's Option for “best extra thick yoga mat,” and we aren't surprised in the least. It's a deluxe, high-quality, durable pick that's created to last. Despite its density, will still be lightweight enough to carry around with ease (a self-integrated strapping system is included), and its non-slip properties could keep you safe and sound while you work out.
One satisfied customer said this mat is “TRULY extra thick,” which “there am much cushion, also it was this type of relief not feeling the wood ground when i stretched.” She also called it “extremely high quality for that price” and said she “could seriously gush about this exercise mat all day.” In addition, she appreciates it's “extremely compact and light-weight despite being so much thicker.”
Yoga Cloud Extra Thick 1″ Exercise Mat
Best very thick yoga mat
Buy from Amazon, $39.99
Why we love to it:
- Available in 4 colors
- Extra-large length
- Slip-proof
You'd be forgiven for dropping off to sleep in your Shavasana pose on this super comfortable yoga mat. The aptly named “yoga cloud” is made of high-density, 1-inch cushioned foam, and is Amazon's choice product for “very thick yoga mat.” Its gripping ridges ensure the mat doesn't slip and slide, and it is obtainable in black, blue, pink, and red.
One satisfied customer, who called this mat “AMAZING,” said she accustomed to experience “back pain and knee pain when you are performing poses that involved standing on the floor.” However, since she started by using this mat, “This is not a problem,” and she loves how “squishy and wonderful it is.”
Crown Sports Extra Thick Yoga Mat
Best shock-absorbing yoga mat for bad knees
Buy from Walmart, starting at $19.98
Why we love to it:
- Available in 4 colors
- Absorbs impact to keep alignment in check
- Non-slip and moisture-resistant
The right yoga mat can help alleviate pressure from joints, like your knees and elbows, and that's why we like this impact-absorbing mat by Crown Sports. Its 3/4-inch thickness provides a cushiony yet stable surface for practicing yoga, pilates, stretching, or other floor-based activity, and the ridged, moisture-resistant surface offers a good grip for sweaty hands. This mat also includes a non-slip bottom to help keep you from sliding throughout, and also the four color options include red, black, pink, and blue.
One happy shopper said this mat was “sooo comfortable,” she even tried on the extender on concrete and “was in a position to kneel around the mat, lay on my small back and stomach” without feeling anything!
Grazing Sun Yoga Gel Knee Pads
Best yoga accessory for bad knees
Buy from Amazon, $31.75
Why we love to it:
- Made of eco-friendly silicon
- Ergonomic design
- Odorless
Yoga gel pads are popular within the yoga world for all those with weak wrists that continually give way, however they are incredibly helpful for sore knees, too. They ease the tension and pressure from the joint and provide cushioned support to relieve pain. They are available in a set of two, and therefore are incredibly compact, taking up very little space inside your yoga bag. What's to not love?
Memory Foam Extra Thick Kneeling Cushion Pad
Best protection for bad knees
Buy from Amazon, $34.99 (originally $39.99)
Why we love to it:
- 3-inches thick
- Water-resistant
- Can also be used for gardening and cleaning tasks
For those who have a break down knee injury, or perhaps had a surgical procedure, a thick yoga mat alone just may not suffice. This 3-inch thick knee pad with memory foam can offer the protection you need, keeping the joints nice cushioned when you're in a kneeling position.
One shopper wrote it's made from “good quality memory foam” that “really helps take the pressure off,” and likes that it's “lightweight and portable using the built-in straps.”
Kinesis Yoga Knee Pad Cushion
Best yoga knee pads for bad knees
Buy from Amazon, $19.99
Why we like it:
- Made of eco-friendly material
- 1-inch thick
- Includes a mesh carrying bag
If you feel that thick yoga mats inhibit your balancing poses in yoga, but nonetheless wish that you had some kind of protection for your knees, your search is over: Kinesis Yoga's 1-inch knee pad cushion is exactly what you're after. This eco-friendly pad is available in a breathable mesh bag which you can use for storage. Ensure that it stays to the side of your mat when it's not being used, just as you'd a yoga block, and slide it beneath your knees or any other joints whenever necessary.
