Having safe and clean MMA mats has become an integral part of mixed martial arts. These mats are designed especially for athletes to practice fearlessly without worrying about tripping or causing an injury to themselves.

Because of their durability and strength, MMA mats provide an excellent foundation for martial arts practitioners to hone their techniques and develop their expertise. These MMA and BJJ mats are used to preserve the floor and prevent slips and falls. They remove dirt and filth off footwear and may also be used to soak up fluids to avoid slips.

What are suitable MMA mats sizes?

The sizes of MMA mats are not standardized throughout the industry. Average thicknesses range from 1.25 to 2.0 inches, depending on the martial art form. Any MMA mat thicker than an inch may be used for martial arts. However, mats at least 1.5 inches thick are suggested for slams and throws.

The extra thickness is always encouraged here. As a reference, the official competition mat thickness mandated by the International Judo Federation and the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation is 1.5 inches.

What are 1-inch mats suitable for?

When it comes to striking arts like Karate, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, kickboxing, and Kung Fu, a slimmer mat of about 1 inch with a greater stiffness is ideal.

A fall from a low height won’t hurt as much on the 1-inch thick mat, and the added hardness makes it great for movement support and other stand-up routines. Although it is generally true that thicker mats provide more durability, facilities that specialize in striking arts are not good candidates for very thick mats because they are not as sturdy.

What are 2-inch mats suitable for?

When it comes to grappling and throw-heavy martial arts like judo, jiu-jitsu, aikido, and Hapkido, where athletes may strike the surface after falls as high as 3-4 feet, the added cushioning afforded by thicker martial arts flooring is excellent.

The protective qualities of these mats make them essential for MMA gyms. Groundwork and slams are best performed on this mat because of its 2-inch thick and somewhat lighter and softer foam core, which makes for a more cushioned surface.

Thickness vs. Density

Perhaps you’ve wondered about the foam density considerations of MMA mats. One frequent misunderstanding concerns the relationship between foam density and its actual thickness. Although they seem to go hand in hand, they really don’t. The density of the foam in a martial arts mat is mass per unit of volume (measured in kg/m3).

To protect the athlete’s joints from the hard floor below, mats with a higher foam density provide more impact resistance since the foam resists the force put on it. For instance, a BJJ mat measured with 230kg/cbm density is perfect for the intense groundwork required in many martial arts.

Conclusion

MMA mats provide a literally stable base from which athletes can master their abilities and compete for championships. With this in mind, having the appropriate equipment is essential for athlete safety when performing the sport. In martial arts, mats at least 1.5 inches are extremely important gear to contribute to that.