Protect Your Floors and Your Ride: Get The Best Mats for Indoor Cycling
Alex McRae- 8 Min To Read
- 23 Nov, 2023
Indoor cycling trainersare becoming more popular as people look for ways to keep fit as they reconsider their gym memberships and avoid dangerous road traffic. This is possible thanks to apps like Peloton and Zwift. However, you need to make sure that your space is ready before you download the app and start riding.
An indoor bike trainer is a must-have purchase. The setup can be quite heavy and can cause damage to the flooring. You could endanger the flooring in your home if you put one in your gym. What can you do?
Once you have chosen the best bike and trainer combination, you need a mat to place it on. A mat that is suitable for a good Zwift space or any other trainer space will be ideal. The support mat will prevent the bike from sliding. This could cause damage to hardwood floors or carpet flooring.
Although buying a mat for your bike is not as important as buying the bike, it will make a difference in the long-term. What is a good mat for a cycle? How much do they cost? How do you locate one?
So we kept asking ourselves questions and decided to research the best available cycle mats. Continue reading to learn about the best cycle mat brands, ranked by price, quality, versatility.
What makes a good indoor cycling mat?
Before we get into the top indoor cycling mats, let us first discuss what makes a good mat.
- A good indoor mat large enough to allow your bike to rest on and also allows you to stand on it when dismounting or mounting the bike. Although it may not seem important, it is vital to ensure your bike mat fits properly. You can make your mat larger if you have enough space. This will allow you to place more equipment or provide a stretch area after a session.
- A mat with good noise insulation is next. This will make your bike setup quieter. This mat is great for those who live in apartments or other living areas where there are many others.
- It is essential that the mat be water-resistant. You will sweat if you cycle hard. A water-resistant mat will prevent the mat from deteriorating or becoming moldy. It is also very dangerous for the mat to become wet and trap under it, possibly causing damage to the floor below.
- A anti-slip material should be placed on the mat’s bottom. Although cycle bikes can be quite heavy, they are still able to slide on the mat. During an aggressive ride, a good anti-slip material will hold you and your bike in place.
- The mat should also be durable. It is obvious that the mat should be durable. You will likely be using SPD cleats or other bike cleats to step on the mat. This can add to the stress on the mat from cranking the trainer and biking. You don’t want to puncture the mat on your first attempt.
We have compiled a list of our top picks for cycling mats.
Best Indoor Cycling Mats
Best Thin Mat: Saris Indoor Fitness Mat
Saris Training Mat is our first choice for a cycle mat. The Saris Training Mat is our first choice for indoor bikes trainers. It also makes a great companion to the H3 smart trainer. This mat is 65" x 35". It is heavy-duty and keeps dirt and sweat off the floors. This mat is ideal for longer workouts or individuals who need more space for their equipment.
The Saris mat is strong and absorbs sound well so you don’t have to worry about annoying your neighbors or roommates. The waterproof material of the Saris mat is resistant to water and sweat so you have plenty of time to clean up any moisture. It is durable, but it is only 4mm thick, which makes it easy to roll up for storage.
Saris is very competitive when it comes to pricing. It can usually be found for around $73.99 depending upon where you look.
Saris’s training mat has one major problem: the smell of plastic. This may be something you should consider before buying the Saris training mat.
Wahoo KICKR All Purpose Training Mat is the best brand
The Wahoo KICKR mat is from the same family of the well-known Wahoo smart trainer and is the ideal partner for indoor cycling mats. It is tough, durable, resistant to water, and much larger than other mats, just like the Saris. Surprisingly, it is a full foot longer than the Saris!
Because of its thick insulation, the KICKR is extremely quiet. You and your family will be a blessing to have this mat for your morning cycle sessions. This mat is great for those who plan to have their cycles sit on the mat for extended periods of time. It can be difficult to transport your cycle frequently because of the thick mat.
The Wahoo KICKR indoor mat has the same anti-slip and moisture resistance material as the Saris, but it also offers a few advantages. The KICKR’s beveled edges make it easy to align against walls. Its glossy top makes it easy to clean and wipe off.
It is a great mat, and consumers love it because of its high quality and affordable price. You might shout with joy as you cycle.
CyclingDeal Indoor Trainer Mat: Best Value Overall
The CyclingDeal is a great option if you don’t want to spend a lot on an exercise bike but still need a mat that will work. The cost of this shock-resistant mat is half that of the ones mentioned. This mat is still superior, despite the lower price.
This mat isn’t the same as the other two, and it doesn’t have the brand name that most people know. It’s only half a meter thick and can be stored or taken on the road with you.
We don’t know how it will perform over the next 2, 3, or 4 years. It does have all the features that we need.
The CyclingDeal is water-resistant and noise-insulating and it’s a great option if you don’t want to spend more than $50 on an indoor mat.
The best storage mat: Tacx Folding/Rollable Training Mat
You know we love Tacx smart trainers. We especially love the all-purpose Flux. They make great mats.
Although this is the smallest of our mats, it would not be the most difficult to fold. This is a great choice for minimalists who store their equipment frequently or use their cycle mat for resistance workouts or yoga.
This mat is easier to store than other mats because it folds instead of rolls. It is easier to store. You don’t have to fold it. The material on the Tacx can be rolled and rolled if needed.
This mat is easy to store and quick to use. However, it may not be the best choice if you sweat a lot or are likely to spill liquids while you cycle. Although it is waterproof, the mat can absorb liquids. It can smell bad and become moldy if it isn’t washed regularly.
Pricing is another complaint. Although the Tacx is a well-known brand, it comes with a higher price tag than other top-tier brands. Although it can be bought at the same price as the Saris or Wahoo it is not of comparable quality.
The Tacx is a great option for anyone looking for something simple to store when they are not using it.
Indoor Bike Trainer Mat (Frequently Asked Questions).
Do you have to use the same brand mat for the cycle?
No. It is not necessary to have the same brand. However, it will ensure your trainer and bike will fit on the mat. You should choose a mat that meets your requirements, such as anti-slip, noise insulation, water resistance, and water resistance.
Are you able to machine wash your mats?
Some indoor bike mats cannot be machine washed due to the material they are made of. It is a good idea to consult the manufacturer about the best way to clean your mat.
How can I determine how large a mat I should get?
It all depends on what you need, but it is a good idea to measure your bike to make sure it fits on the mat. A larger mat will allow you to store your weights when you’re not using them.
Do I need a mat to protect my bike?
Although they are not a necessity, indoor cycle mats can protect your floors from liquid (sweat), scratches, and tears. These mats also reduce noise, which is great for people who are concerned about disturbing their neighbors, family members or roommates.
Is it possible to use my bike trainer with a yoga mat?
A bike trainer mat might be tempting to you, so ask if it is possible to use a yoga mat instead. Is it possible? Maybe. Do you agree? No.
A yoga mat may be thicker and have more cushion than a bike trainer mat. A good bike trainer mat will be thin and dense and much more durable than the average person would want to do yoga on. It’s its own thing.
If you decide to ignore our advice and use your yoga mat instead, make sure it is very thin and that the trainer and bike will wear it out.
