state of the market

in the past

  • The Fitness Industry has always had gym-mat offerings, yet they were frequently afterthoughts. Most are produced offshore with antiquated designs and cheap compositions that are difficult to clean, let alone sanitize.

  • These ribbed, die-cut foams did not have much of a positive impact and generally offered little support or true functionality for gym members. They were almost always unsightly, tattered, noticeably filthy and unsanitary. They were often thrown in corners and were simply eyesores.

  • In many cases, gym-mats were merely serving as a barrier to the floor when stretching, so that members did not have contact with the filth of a gym floor. The irony being, the mats were likely more unsanitary than the gym floors themselves.

  • Wiping and disinfecting the gym equipment has long been considered good gym etiquette. Since the pandemic, sanitizing gym equipment has become almost mandatory for members.

  • Yet somehow, gym-mats of the past were exempt from this germ/bacteria preventative practice. Even when considering, members stretching on a mat have more bodily interaction with mats than with most gym equipment.

  • Stretching/Exercise mats were not considered part of the gym equipment category, but more a miscellaneous afterthought.

  • Gyms will invest in equipment that makes a difference for their members. Being that the previous gym-mats did not have much of a positive impact, they were never considered gym equipment.
Damaged Mat with cuts and ridges
Woman doing sit-ups on a FitnessMat at a gym

Times have changed

  • Since the pandemic, every fitness environment has dramatically changed their thoughts and opinions on the Stretching/Exercise-Mat category.

  • The biggest part of this keen awareness campaign is the cleanliness, ability to disinfect, performance and safety of the Stretching/Exercise Mats. For members, it is now imperative that all Mats are “Sanitizable” with any gym wipe prior and post usage.

  • The stretching segment of today’s Fitness regiments continues to grow. Sanitizable, Stretching/Exercise-Mats are now a known category so they must have the aesthetics and appearance that is in line with other professional gym equipment.

  • Not only do the Stretching/Exercise-Mats have to be clean and Sanitary, but they also need to make a difference. They must have an Instant Impact and noticeably interact with the body to minimize pressure points and discomfort. Notedly on the hands, elbows, buttocks, hips, and knees during stretching and other gym exercises.

  • One size does not fit all in the Stretching/Exercise Mat category. The industry now uses hanging all-purpose mats, stationary stretching mats, smaller mats that are used in conjunction with gym equipment, and more.

  • Because of the member demand and newfound awareness of the Stretching/Exercise Mats category, gyms can no longer offer the cheap, dirty, underperforming, eyesore, mats. Because of the filth and breakdown, mats are replaced twice a year on average. This significantly increases the mat replacement costs especially for products that have little to no positive impact for members.

  • In a very competitive gym membership market, the most economical way to elevate member experience is to incorporate a professional Stretching/Exercise Mat program, with Sanitizing Stations.

  • When considering the financial investments a gym or fitness center makes with professional equipment, the cost of a Premium Stretching/Exercise Mat program is nominal.

Mats Like These DO NOT Represent Your Brand!

Logo: WellnessMats
Woman wearing blue looking down at a WellnessMat Logo on a Wellnessmat

With WellnessMats, they don't have to!