Looking for crash mats

MaliciousMynx started this discussion · 7/25/2011

Hey everyone, I'm sure someone has posted this before so sorry if this seems redundant. I'm in need of a crash mat and I have been doing research online. There are a lot of different brands and they range in price. They don't have too many reviews of the mats out there. I was wondering if anyone can recommend to a beginner a good crash mat. I have hardwood floors and an Xpert X-pole. I'm looking for a good crash mat that will also work with heels so I won't sink in. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and post suggestions. Linda xoxo

11 replies

chemgoddess1 · 7/25/2011
What you are looking for does not exist. Heels do not work with crash mats. If you are just looking to use it as a safety net, use your couch cushions. There is kind of heated debate going on about thickness and if you shoudl or should not use them. Some say it builds a false sense of security. Jennifer from Pole Skivvies has some info in her blog: http://poleskivvies.com/pole-dancing-clothing/2010/08/pole-dance-mats/
hookedonpole · 7/25/2011
I for one am thankful to have a crash mat. I pole for fitnesss and exercise so using one doesn't get in the way of me practicing since I don't spend time dancing, floor work, etc. I know me and until I got one, all I kept saying is "I need a crash mat." I bought a 1 "memory foam queen matress pad for cheap at Big Lots, but that was a false sense of security cuz it didn't offer much protection, I found that out when I fell out of an Advanced Plank flat on my rear when I was still learning it and not confident. AND where was my crash mat, up against the wall!!! After that I used it everytime I practiced that hold and others, it allow me to practice more comfortably. My previous couch had cushions to use, but it was difficult to place them around the pole, since being a beginner at that time, I rarely ended up where I was supposed to. I was in the process of biting the bullet to buy one, but ended up finding one, also for really good price and am glad I have it. As for one to use with heels, probably not. I have also read pros/cons for using one, but I'm glad I have one for when I feel the need.
Kobajo84 · 7/26/2011
Chem is right, heels on a crash mat are a recipe for disaster. If you don't kill yourself trying to attempt this, then you're going to ruin your crash mat by ripping holes in the liner with your heels. With as expensive as mats are- it would be a complete waste of your money to use heels on them. I have used two different types of crash mats. I have a Lil' Mynx crash mat and find it to be very durable and the thickness was more than what I'd thought it was going to be. My Lil' Mynx mat does justice and works perfect. The other mat I've used is quite popular online and can be found on amazon.com. It's a round pink pole mat. The quality doesn't appear to be there as this mat is gently used but has already shown signs of wear. I am uncertain of the manufacturer of this mat but I don't recommend it as it appears to be poorly constructed.
MaliciousMynx · 7/26/2011
Hi Kobajo, Hookedonpole and Chem! Thank you so much for posting. I won't be wearing heels at all now when I get a crash mat hehe. I'll look into the Lil' Mynx crash mats. One of the sites that I read claimed that the mat was durable enough to use heels on so that's where I got that idea. The link from Pole Skivvies was really interesting. She brought up a lot of good questions. Looking up information on crash mats can be very overwhelming so I appreciate all of the feedback. Thank you again and happy poling! Linda
JenLFG · 7/27/2011
i have a crash mat from yogadirect.com i have had it for 7-8 months now & i love it when i want to try new tricks. it is a really thick mat & also very sturdy! http://www.yogadirect.com/Pole-Crash-Mats_p_33.html
yogadirect.comSomething Happened... Sorry | Yoga Direct
JenLFG · 7/27/2011
& yeah you are not gonna find one that will be shock absorbent enough to help with crashes if you plan to wear shoes... i'd go with a thicker mat & ditch the shoes for crash mat time 😉 you are not going to be using the mat the whole time you pole, probably just when you want to work on your newest tricks.
chemgoddess1 · 7/27/2011
Also (and I speak from experience) even the thin foam mats are not good with shoes. I have caught the heel and twisted my ankle on a few occasions. But then of course, I have done the same thing barefoot and jammed the dickens out of my toe!
Jessica314159 · 7/27/2011
You could also buy a couple of bean bag chairs. I use those and it works great. I wear my heels when doing some moves becuase I can step between/around the bean bag chairs. I am working on CKR with no hand, CAR and wrist sit. They have caught me several times. I tried using cushions before, but they slide all of the place on the laminate flooring. The bean bag chairs stay put. I can walk around/between them in my heels and they are really cheap.
MaliciousMynx · 7/27/2011
I didn't think about using bean bag chairs in place of the mats and that's definitely more affordable! I checked out the mats that Scandalious recommended but it's so pricey. I wonder why crash mats are almost as much in price as a pole? Might as well get another pole haha j/k. After reading everyone's suggestions I'm definitely not going to wear heels. If I'm going to invest in a mat, then I'd rather not risk having the heel tear holes in the mat or twist my ankle! Thanks again everyone.
Maria-Elena Kadala · 7/27/2011
Speaking of bean bag chairs ... I used my dog pillow, but it's not always easy to predict when you're coming down. Then I got a folding mat at Target, which was easier to carry around (again, you have to be able to predict where you'll fall. Finally I got one of the mats from YogaDirect, thanks to the recommendation of Judy Jovanelly of The Girl Spot in CT. It's important to progress to a particular move so you develop the strength necessary for the muscles involved; Veena's lessons always show a good progression. This preparation minimizes the possibility of one muscle failing and bringing you down completely or dveloping an overuse injury. That being said, the first time for everything has a risk, so if you don't have a spotter at home, a crash mat is the back up plan in case of a fall. It's there for developing tricks, not dancing, it's almost impossible to dance on, even without shoes. I use my YogaDirect mat, just as a backup plan, when I'm working on something new, because I'm at the age where osteoporosis puts me at additional risk if I fall. However, I try to work the progressions the way Veena teaches them.
PlatinumAni · 7/28/2011
Just my experience, but i love my round pink mat. The man and I took turns flying across the room and flopping on it... never felt the floor. I don't feel that I have developed a false sense of securty either... I know full well when it is not there. You just have to still work on safe exit strategies. I pole alone 90% of the time. for me a must.... Just IN CASE.....