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wrestling Mats

Let’s get ready to RUMBLE! Are you or a loved one training to be a wrestling champion, but lacking the necessary equipment to practice? Or maybe you’re holding a competition with outdated equipment and looking to buy new. Let’s get off to the right start: the mat! Grab your gear, suit up and explore this buying guide to all things wrestling mats.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro, or just starting out, wrestling mats are an important part of training. The sport involves a lot of falling, rolling, and pinning, and the right mat should be there to avoid injury while practicing or competing.

With options ranging from roll-out mats, folding mats, and landing mats, you can have a mat that is designed to cushion those flips and pins. Learn more about the kind of mat you need based on mat thickness, use, and installation in this comprehensive wrestling mat buying guide.

Types of Wrestling Mats

Did you think there was only one mat used for wrestling? While there are mats that are designed specifically for wrestling matches, there are a variety of mats that are great for all stages. From workouts to training to competition, wrestling mats can come in a few different forms: roll-out mats, folding mats, and landing mats.


safety

Roll Out Mats

Roll-out mats are a popular option for residential and commercial gyms. They are super easy to install and store. Simply roll them out and you’re ready to go!

If you’re looking for wrestling mats specifically, roll-out mats are the way to go. These mats are heavy-duty, meaning they will stay put through your high-impact workouts or grappling matches. Even better, roll-out mats can be connected together by mat tape to make larger mat sizes.


Pros of Roll Out Mats

  • Shock-absorbent: These mats will absorb the impact of your landings, helping to keep you safe from injury.
  • Easy to install: Simply roll out your mat and lay it where you want it. Done!
  • Easy to clean and maintain: The durable vinyl surface is easy to clean with the quick wipe of a cloth or even a light sweep to remove dust and dirt.
  • Great for a variety of workouts, skills and skill levels: Use these mats for everything from home wrestling and martial arts to bodyweight and high-impact workouts.
  • Non-slip vinyl top: No slipping and sliding on this mat. Get your sweat on!


Cons of Roll Out Mats

  • Not great for use with weights: Weights may damage a foam mat.




Folding mats

Folding Mats

Folding mats are great for home mats, school gyms, and studios. They’re easy to work with – simply unfold them and lay them out where you need them. When you’re done, fold them right back up and store them away.

Folding mats offer a portable foam matting solution. These mats are covered with a durable vinyl covering and have a Velcro tab system on all four sides so that multiple mats can be connected together to cover large areas.

These mats come in a variety of fun colors as well. If you want to support your school, by sporting school colors, it’s possible! Or maybe you’re going for a specific theme in your home gym – you have options for a cool color scheme with folding mats!


Pros of Folding Mats

  • Versatility: Offered in different colors and sizes, folding mats can be installed anywhere, with style.
  • Easy to clean and maintain: Folding mats are constructed of durable closed vinyl fabric. This means that no liquids can penetrate the surface and the folding mat will be extremely resistant to punctures and tears.
  • Easy expansion: Simply connect multiple mats together to cover a larger space.


Cons of Folding Mats

  • Heavy lifting: These can be difficult to transport for one person.
  • Separation: If attaching multiple mats together, you may see some separating during heavy use, or advanced moves.




Related content >> Folding Mat Buyer's Guide


landing mats

Landing Mats

At 8”-12” thick, landing mats are the ultimate choice for stunt practice mats and soft landings. These mats provide the highest level of shock absorption by using a built-in mesh that releases air upon landing. You’ll feel like a professional stunt-double with this ultra mat under you.

Landing mats are perfect for those who want to start learning advanced moves that might have you falling more than usual. Made with compression foam that is encased in durable vinyl, landing mats provide great cushioning for your joints and help protect you from injury. With a reliable landing mat, you can let go of any fear of falling and fully commit to your practice.


Pros of Landing Mats

  • Mildew- and mold-resistant: This material prevents liquids from penetrating the surface, so sweat all you want!
  • Maximum shock absorption: These mats will absorb the impact of your landings, helping keep you safe from injury.
  • Cushions the blow: With built-in mesh that releases air upon landing, this mat isn’t too stiff during a hard landing.


Cons of Landing Mats

  • Difficult transportation: Landing mats are heavier to transport on your own. Enlist help for moving these mats.


What Are Wrestling Mats Made Of?

Let’s talk about what makes quality wrestling mats so special: the foam! Most wrestling mats are made of PVC rubber nitrile, or cross-linked polyethylene foam; both excellent wrestling mat materials with shock-absorbency. Our selection of roll-out, folding, and landing mats are made from cross-linked polyethylene foam, topped with real vinyl.

Real Vinyl Top: On top of the shock-absorbent foam, our products take it the extra mile with tough real vinyl tops. This adds even more durability to your mat.

Cross-Linked Polyethylene Foam: Getting its name cross-linked from the grid-like material, this foam is flexible and ready for the heavy hitters; being extremely shock-absorbent this material can bear excessive pressure then return to its original shape.

Even though it’s stiffer than other foam, this material is also incredibly flexible. So lay it out, work out hard, then roll, or fold it up to store it where needed. What more can you ask for?

Wrestling Mat Size, Thickness, and Standards

You might be wondering, does the size and thickness of exercise mats really matter? The fact is, different sports require different thicknesses for proper safety and support. In regards to wrestling, the mat size, thickness, and testing standards are important to understand when weighing out your options. So, let’s jump right in!


size

Size

Whether you’re shopping for a beginner home mat or for a collegiate tournament, the size of the mat more than likely means a lot to your buying process. Will it fit in the space you need it for? Does it meet the high school or college standard? Luckily, there are different sizes for every stage, from training in the garage to holding a state championship.

High-School Standard Size Mat: 38’X38’ with a minimum wrestling circle of 28’

Collegiate Standard Size Mat: 42’X42’ with a minimum wrestling circle of 32’

But wait, what if you’re looking for a mat for training? These sizes might be too big for a specific use. Great news, we have all the sizes you need. Bonus: all size mats can be utilized as practice mats for both home, and school/training facility use. As long as the mat fits in the room, it works!



Thickness

Your wrestling mat should have enough cushion to protect you properly. Take a look at the most common thickness levels:

Thickness Uses
7/8” – 1″ Suitable for low impact workouts. Intermediate gymnastics, martial arts, wrestling, and other tumbling moves.
1 1/4” + Ideal for both low and high impact workouts. Standard for high school and collegiate wrestling competition.
2” + Suitable for high impact workouts. Required for international wrestling competitions.
8″ - 12” Landing mats designed for advanced moves and stunts.
size

Standards

If you are looking for a mat to prepare for competition, it needs to meet your standards, as well as wrestling standards.

To ensure protection, the American Society of Testing and Materials International (ASTMI) established a foam rating system: the ASTM F1081-97(03) which stands for, “Specification for Competition Wrestling Mats” to stay in accordance with ASTM F355A, also known as “Test Method for Shock-absorbing Properties of Playing Surface Systems and Materials”.

Let’s break it down: this rating system is a basic guideline to provide schools, athletic directors, and coaches with guidance on the types of foam acceptable and general information about mat construction.

Using these specifications allows you to understand and ensure that under regular wrestling conditions, the mat handles impact with maximum injury prevention. These standards must be met to stay in compliance with the NCAA Official Wrestling Rules and to the NFHS, National Federation of State High School Associations, Official High School Wrestling Rules.

Currently, all of our wrestling mats meet these testing standards, with the exception of two sizes in home wrestling mats. Sizes 4′ x 6′ – 1-5/8″ and 5′ x 10′ – 1-1/4″ do not meet the ASTMI standards.

Wrestling Mat Installation

Installing
Installing foam exercise mats is typically a simple DIY endeavor. With roll-out mats, landing mats and folding mats, you simply unravel the mats and lay them down where you need them. Flooring installation doesn’t get much easier than that! With polyethylene foam, you can install wrestling mats over heated floors, concrete, and even carpet. Its insulation also allows you to install it on any level of the home without disturbing the rest of the household.

Wrestling Mat Maintenance

To get the most of your mat, it’s important to know how to maintain it; such as how to clean, and where to store it. It’s a rough and tumble life for wrestling mats, let’s make sure we treat them right after we use them!


Cleaning and Sanitizing Wrestling Mats

Wrestling mats are easy to clean. Thanks to the vinyl tops and casings on each mat, be it dirt or sweat, a simple sweep of the area and a wipe down with a damp cloth will do the trick. No liquids can get through the vinyl fabric, so you don’t have to worry about your mats getting ruined from sweat or spills.

While simply wiping off the dirt from your mat is great, regularly disinfecting your wrestling equipment is an important part of maintaining your wrestling mat. Even though these mats hang tough against sweat and spills, bacteria is still a factor that can be addressed with the right disinfectant. Plus germs; no one likes germs.

Fortunately there’s a sanitizer designed specifically for exercise equipment that disinfects and deodorizes for you. So when you find and buy your awesome new wrestling mat, do yourself a favor and stock up on mat sanitizer too!


Storing Wrestling Mats

Wrestling mats are typically low-maintenance. If your mats are mainly for home-use, or you can’t leave them laid out all the time, storing them is as simple as rolling or folding them up and putting them away. To avoid long-term indentions, avoid putting any heavy objects on top of your mat while storing.

Wrestling Mat FAQ

From cleaning and maintenance to getting the best use of your wrestling mats, here are our answers to a few more common customer questions.


Wrestling Mat Reviews

Still not convinced of our awesome mats? Check out what customers are saying in these wrestling mat reviews:

Conclusion

Find a wrestling mat that meets your needs, and supports you in all stages of practice and competition. With the right size, level of thickness, and standard of mat, you can be the next ultimate wrestling champ! Get started with your shopping experience.

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