Looking for a Crash Mat

Vdub started this discussion · 3/1/2010

Okay, I've learned to do the basic spins and transitions and I have the ab strength to hold myself up.....now I'd like to start learning to invert. I go to a studio and the instructor is helping me but I want to practice at home. Soooo, I need a crash mat. I've seen them online for a mere $199 (yikes!), but I'm hoping to find them cheaper. Anyone know where I can get one at a decent (translation: cheap) price? Thanks.

15 replies

chemgoddess1 · 3/1/2010
The cheapest one I have seen was $150 but it was only a 2" mat. The $199 one that is 4" is a good deal. Or you can try searching craigslist for gym mats. I have the foam floor mats as my first layer and then these huge pillows that I got at Big Lots that I use when trying new stuff.
Vdub · 3/2/2010
The cheapest one I have seen was $150 but it was only a 2" mat. The $199 one that is 4" is a good deal. Or you can try searching craigslist for gym mats. I have the foam floor mats as my first layer and then these huge pillows that I got at Big Lots that I use when trying new stuff. Thanks for the info. I'll give craigslist a shot. A gym mat sounds like a good idea because I'd prefer something flat I can walk on as opposed to walking on pillows.
jleigh · 3/2/2010
Try buying 2 baby crib mattresses. They work great.
minicoopergrl · 3/2/2010
Try buying 2 baby crib mattresses. They work great. looks like ill be stealing my sons bed when I finally get a pole 😂 I was going to suggest the foam puzzle piece mats. I really want to get the chunks of foam they have at gymnastic studios so when I do fall its still fun!
poledanceromance · 3/2/2010
The cheapest one I have seen was $150 but it was only a 2" mat. The $199 one that is 4" is a good deal. Or you can try searching craigslist for gym mats. I have the foam floor mats as my first layer and then these huge pillows that I got at Big Lots that I use when trying new stuff. Thanks for the info. I'll give craigslist a shot. A gym mat sounds like a good idea because I'd prefer something flat I can walk on as opposed to walking on pillows. I found mine at a hardware store. They're meant for cushioning feet on a work space to be stood on all day. They look like giant puzzle pieces with the way they fit together on the sides, but it means they can be attached all the way around the pole. They were $10 for a pack of 4 at Harbor Freight and I'm pretty sure you could buy them anywhere. Get 2 packs and you can layer them, stack one on top of the other, with multiple packs you could create a whole padded surface which would be great for floorwork.
Vdub · 3/2/2010
The cheapest one I have seen was $150 but it was only a 2" mat. The $199 one that is 4" is a good deal. Or you can try searching craigslist for gym mats. I have the foam floor mats as my first layer and then these huge pillows that I got at Big Lots that I use when trying new stuff. Thanks for the info. I'll give craigslist a shot. A gym mat sounds like a good idea because I'd prefer something flat I can walk on as opposed to walking on pillows. I found mine at a hardware store. They're meant for cushioning feet on a work space to be stood on all day. They look like giant puzzle pieces with the way they fit together on the sides, but it means they can be attached all the way around the pole. They were $10 for a pack of 4 at Harbor Freight and I'm pretty sure you could buy them anywhere. Get 2 packs and you can layer them, stack one on top of the other, with multiple packs you could create a whole padded surface which would be great for floorwork. I'm going to the hardware store today. Thanks!
climbergirl · 3/2/2010
climbing pads are really good that is what i use. They are called bouldering pads or crash pads. You could look on craigslist or ebay. They are expensive new, but you might be able to find some used. Good luck!
chemgoddess1 · 3/2/2010
I have the foam mats and while they provide a little cush I have hurt myself on them. I just got over a jammed toe.
poledanceromance · 3/4/2010
I have the foam mats and while they provide a little cush I have hurt myself on them. I just got over a jammed toe. Yeah I only suggested them because she said she wanted something firm that she could walk on. For extra trick practice I'd recommend throwing a crib mattress over it, but when stacked 2 deep they're pretty cushy, at least enough that if you practiced a new trick close to the floor you wouldn't have any more than a minor injury like a stubbed toe or bruise. I consider that a lot better than a cracked skull!
carriej · 3/6/2010
glad the harbor freight idea was posted cause I don't use a mat because I'm afraid it'll slide out from under me if my foot catches it on the way into an invert or my latest cartwheel attempts. I know I should use a mat but I get reluctant thinking it might cause an accident.
verucablue · 3/7/2010
glad the harbor freight idea was posted cause I don't use a mat because I'm afraid it'll slide out from under me if my foot catches it on the way into an invert or my latest cartwheel attempts. I know I should use a mat but I get reluctant thinking it might cause an accident. the pole mat I have and a lot of the pole mats I have seen have holes in the center where the pole goes and then connect at the seam with heavy duty velcro...so the chances of it sliding out when you invert or if your foot catches is really slim 🙂
Angel1201 · 3/9/2010
I got two of these from Dick's: http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3977664&cp=2367438.2367453.2368579.2049960 They have velcro on the sides the i put one on each side of the poles, & squeeze them together. They velcrow hold REALLY well! I think I had a discount coupon as well, so both cost me about $100 total. Now that I'm not so worried about falling anymore, I use them for stretching out on. I love 'em!
joni1 · 3/12/2010
I got two of these from Dick's: http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3977664&cp=2367438.2367453.2368579.2049960 They have velcro on the sides the i put one on each side of the poles, & squeeze them together. They velcrow hold REALLY well! I think I had a discount coupon as well, so both cost me about $100 total. Now that I'm not so worried about falling anymore, I use them for stretching out on. I love 'em! Angel, that is exactly what I purchased. But I bought 4 of them to go all the way around the pole. I added velcro straps to all 4 outer sides to hold them all together. When folded, it is 5 inches thick and cushions my fall well. I fell once from 10 feet high on the pole when I was learning the spinning scorpio switch. And I walked away with not a scratch. It cost 39.99 canadian each at walmart .
poledanceromance · 3/14/2010
I fell once from 10 feet high on the pole when I was learning the spinning scorpio switch. And I walked away with not a scratch. I had that move down totally solid. Then I poled in an unfamiliar place, hit a slick spot I didn't see, and fell out of it onto hardwood floor. I wasn't even 3 feet off the ground, but it messed with my head. That was 3 months ago, and I haven't been able to do a spinning scorpio since. 🙁
JenLFG · 4/1/2010
i was thinking about ordering one of these http://www.thepoledancingshop.com/categories/Pole-Dancing-Poles/Pole-Dancing-Mats/ one of them is 6 inches thick & the other is only 2 inches... i think the 6 inch one would really be best but it's $335! thats a lot, well to me it is anyway! you can't really put a price on safety so i'll probably be saving up for one this it. have any of you ever used this brand of mat before? is it worth the $335?