The Benefits of Using a Gymnastics Mat

Whether you’re practicing at home, in a gym, in the garden or even in a public park, it’s a good idea to include gymnastics mat for added security and fun. In order to choose the correct mat for your needs, you should consider how thick and bouncy you want the gymnastics mat to be as well as the size of the mat.

What are gymnastics mats?

A gymnastics mat, also known as a tumbling mat, is designed to be durable, hard-wearing, tear or puncture-resistant, and easy to keep clean and sanitized. They are put on the floor on which you can carry out a variety of gymnastic exercises, martial arts and other high impact sports. They are designed to absorb impact and cushion your landing, thereby protecting your joints.

Some have rubber feet on the bottom to secure them on hard surfaces, such as wood floors. Others can be folded for portability, like ACON’s gym mat for gymnastics. They vary in thickness and depending on what type of exercising you will be doing, some come with a range of accessories, such as a training beam which attaches to the mat with Velcro and is a great way of developing your balance.

ACON’s airtracks are air-filled, making them ideal airtrack gymnastics mats for jumps, leaps and safe landings thanks to their extra cushioning. The anti-slip surface on ACON’s Airtracks helps you with staying steady while performing tricks on the mat. Furthermore, a center line helps you line up flips and jumps while carrying handles on the sides make them easy to move around. The Velcro on them allows several to be stacked on top of each other and is ideal as a landing pad from a pommel horse or a balancing beam.

Choosing the Right Size and Thickness

When selecting an airtrack gymnastics mat, one of the most important considerations is matching the length and thickness to the user’s age, skill level, and training style. Younger gymnasts or beginners might feel more confident on a slightly thicker mat, which offers more bounce and cushioning for safer landings. More advanced athletes, on the other hand, might prefer a thinner or firmer surface that mimics the feel of professional gym floors and allows for sharper, quicker movements.

The depth of your mat also plays a key role in preventing “bottoming out”—when you hit the ground through the airtrack. Thicker mats (typically 8 inches or more) help avoid this and allow for higher repetitions without discomfort. If you're aiming for a full-length tumble track experience, choose a longer airtrack that gives enough space for combos like round-offs and back handsprings.

Also consider features like adjustable pressure to fine-tune the bounce for your preferred feel, and check for sturdy stitching and materials that enhance safety and durability. A velcro connector is useful if you want to expand your setup later. Whether you’re training at home or using the inflatable tumbling mat in a club setting, the right size and thickness will help support your goals safely and effectively

Which mat to choose for home use?

A wide range of mats is available, but not all are suitable for gymnastics or other high-impact sports, such as kickboxing. Air-filled or inflatable mats are often the better option if you need extra bounce for jumps and more support on landing. However, both mats are suitable for various activities, including gymnastics, yoga, parkour, cheerleading, and children's activity courses.

Select the best gymnastics mat by looking for features like waterproof material, reinforced stitching, and overall durability—especially for outdoor use. What is more, you can transform the ACON Airtrack to a massive paddle board! Air-filled mats are also softer on your body and lessen the impact on your joints, particularly the knees and ankles. While they are of the quality of mats used by professionals, they are also ideal for kids or adults wanting to practice at home.

Where traditional gymnastics mat has an advantage is that it they are suitable for those who travel often and need to take the mat with them several times in a week. Since ACON’s gymnastics mat can be folded, it fits to small places and is also easy to put in the car’s trunk when heading to the gym class, acrobatics or whatever it may be.

For airtracks, there are a variety of sizes available, so choose the best airtrack for gymnastics based on the skills you plan to practice and the space available. You might want to combine different sizes to add variety to your gymnastics routine and ensure they support tumbling, jumps, and rolls—just like the best airtrack for tumbling should. ACON’s airtrack tumbling mats are available in a range of sizes and thicknesses. Consider adding airblocks, airrolls and airspots for more precise or complex movements.

Choose airtrack, if you:	Choose gym mat, if you:
Want a soft landing pad for jumps, leaps and tricks	Want to practice safely on a gymnastics beam
Practice complex gymnastics combos including jumps and tricks requiring extra bounce	Have to carry the mat often with you
Want the bounce similar to what professionals are used to	Prefer the feeling of a slightly harder, traditional gymnastics mat
Want a mat that can also be used in water	Mainly practice on a relatively small surface

Types of exercises at home

Always make sure you’ve got plenty of space for your gymnastics mat as well as a clear room around you; a playroom or a basement room is ideal, but no low ceilings. The last thing you want to do is bang your head when trying a jump! Below are the basic movements you can try out:

• Walks – forward, sideways and backwards.
• Walks in relevé – keeping your body still while concentrating on keeping your legs straight.
• Log rolls.
• Split leaps.
• Crabwalk – forwards and sideways.
• Forward and backward rolls.
• Cartwheels and one-armed cartwheels.
• Handstands
• Bridges.

Have you always wanted to learn a handstand or perhaps conquer your fears and do the first somersault in decades? Practicing new skills and moves is what keeps us young. If the gymnastics bug bit you then make sure to check our article on gymnastics equipment for kids - and adults, too!

Get out of your comfort zone and try something new - you're never too old or young for adventures on the ground!

Airtrack FAQ

How do I maintain and clean my ACON gymnastics mat to ensure its longevity?

Wipe the surface regularly with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid harsh chemicals, and make sure the mat is fully dry before storing it. For airtracks, deflate and store them in a cool, dry place when not in use.

Can ACON airtracks be used for outdoor activities, or are they better suited for indoor use?

ACON airtracks are built for both indoor and outdoor use. Their durable, waterproof material and anti-slip surface make them ideal for backyards, gym floors, or even in the water.

What is the weight limit for ACON gymnastics mats and airtracks?

ACON gymnastics mats and airtracks are made to support a wide range of users. Depending on the product and size, they can typically hold up to 550 lbs. Always refer to the specific product’s specs for details.

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