Poll: Crash mat use?

Mary Ellyn started this discussion · 8/26/2010

Someone from out of the country asked me if studios in the US use crash mats and though I strongly believe in them and most people seem to talk about them, I'm not certain what sort of use is in place in most studios..even homes. So I'm wondering - How many of you own, attend or have attended a studio which uses crash mats? How many of you wish or think studios SHOULD use them if they don't? How many of you use a crash mat or would prefer to have one to use at home? This is not about research to sell crash mats. I can't go into too much detail but this friend was told that they aren't used in the US and it was insinuated that it was laughable to worry about using a crash mat for intermediate/advanced training. What are your thoughts and experiences?

47 replies

chemgoddess1 · 8/26/2010
When I went to Be they did not have crash mats but we would fold up yoga mats under the pole if we were trying something sketchy. Before I got the mat that I have I used to use large pillows when trying stuff upside down. I HAVE fallen and it is not fun. Currently I have foam flooring under my pole which take up some shock but also causes issues with sticking...I have jammed my toes so many times landing it is not even funny. I don't think shoe usage and mats necessarily get along. I also do not think that getting into many moves is easy with a mat in place. But I am also one who believes in not trying something until you have the strength to do it and also learning escapes. But we all push ourselves and having something there that is going to absorb some of the impact of a fall can't hurt. I like the cushions that I got because they are on the stiffer side. Something that is too cushy just would not work for me.
amy · 8/26/2010
the first time i've seen one in real life was at the midwest pole jam and it was really helpful in giving me the confidence to try the tornado... a move that i wasn't willing to try earlier because i didn't see any way that it could be safely spotted. prior to that, i had never seen them used in a studio or heard of them being used on a regular basis. i dont think that a studio SHOULD have them- but that isn't to say that i dont think they could be a good idea. i think that you should be spotted when you are trying anything new, and one thing that a spotter can do that a mat can't is to correct your balance or positioning in a move, or help you feel the "right" position (elbow grip aysha, cartwheel mount) instead of just cushioning your fall-- which to me, is much more "active" learning and not just a safety benefit. i've only seen two or three falls off the pole, and *knock on wood* no one was injured in any of them-- but i think that's because every studio that i've gone to (well, except crunch) is VERY adamant about using spotters when you try something you are not feeling safe with at all. of course, as i mentioned above, there are some moves that just CANT be spotted-- like the tornado, or a SM flip into a flag, etc. but i wonder if having a crash mat might also encourage people to be a little more reckless? i think the major issue with crashmats, from a business perspective, is just the cost. i think taht's why most studios dont have them.
hookedonpole · 8/26/2010
When I started pole couple years ago, I would not have tried inverted crucifix without a crash mat, among other things. A while back, I went to a one day class and I was working on learning the gemini. The little studio had hard rock floors and I said, "Are there mats?" I was scared to death without it. That being said, I do not have one at home and WISH I did. Although my hubby worries cuz he thinks if I had one, I'd try a lot more than I do when I'm alone(hmm-is he right?). I actually wait till weekends for new things so he can spot me, which he'll probably still have to do even with a mat. I've mentioned a crash mat for my birthday 😉 But I've also considered an xpole xpert. He usually gives me cash so I can get what I want, if he does I'll have decision-making to do; and I hate making decisions 🤔 Anyway, I like the idea of crash mats, even if it's just mentally. I'm picky when trying something, I even drive instructors crazy when spotting me. They constantly hear, You have me, right?...Don't let me go!...I need to get down...etc. I guess I'm getting used to not having one at home, but still think I should. xpole titan gold...crash mat....xpole titan gold...crash mat: decisions, decisions.
Mary Ellyn · 8/26/2010
Amy I'm surprised that the pole jam was the first time you saw one - glad it was helpful for you. Let me clarify...I'm not advocating using a crash mat IN PLACE of a spotter. In fact I use both.
hookedonpole · 8/26/2010
Amy I'm surprised that the pole jam was the first time you saw one - glad it was helpful for you. Let me clarify...I'm not advocating using a crash mat IN PLACE of a spotter. In fact I use both. Most definitely, I agree both spotter and crash mat. Sometimes studio just wants to spot and freaks me out without crash mat. I need to trust spotter more, especially a good instructor, I'm still chicken with new first time moves, even with a spotter and/or mat or both! 🙂
Veena · 8/26/2010
I don't own a "real" crash mat BUT I HAVE ALWAYS USE MY COUCH CUSHIONS and my HUBBY, TO LEARN NEW TRICKS! Mats are so important both for the physical and mental reasons. If you have a fear of hitting a hard floor you will not be able to give it your all to learn something new. I wouldn't attend a studio that didn't provide a crash mat. If I were in a studio, I would personally prefer something even thicker than the pole mats that are sold at the moment. This is why I have not bothered to buy one. My couch cushions and pillows from my bed are much thicker and softer than any of the pole mats I have seen. I might not be aware of some great thick pole mats though. 🤔 As I say in the very first lesson.....ALWAYS USE A SPOTTER AND MAT 🙊 🙊
Mary Ellyn · 8/26/2010
Very good point Veena...a student's fear is dangerous! They need to be comfortable. I LOVE my crash mats...they are 4 inches thick but the foam density is just enough that you cannot mush it down and feel the floor underneath when you stand or fall on it...yet not so firm that it hurts as much as hitting the floor! I actually climb my pole and do a controlled fall in front of students the first day of class so that they see how it works. Whether using a spotter, crash mat or both, the purpose is not to catch someone but to break their fall and keep them from landing on the wrong position without hurting yourself. I cannot imagine working without one! I've not had many falls in my classes, but we've defnitely had people come down in akward and potentially dangerous ways! Without the crash mats I probably would have hurt myself trying to assit and most definitely would have had injured students but then I've been teaching advanced classes for several years and probably have had over 50 advanced students...maybe I have more exposure to incidents? I know I was concerned over the tricks being done at the pole jam and wished I had brought both of my mats which I will do so next time! We had people waiting in line to use the pole with the crash mat!
moth · 8/26/2010
Mats are so important both for the physical and mental reasons. If you have a fear of hitting a hard floor you will not be able to give it your all to learn something new. I do all my poling at home and, though my boyfriend has spotted for me before, bless him, he's more of a hindrance than a help. I had a little leap in my proression when I got my mat - there were quite a few things that I thought I could probably manage but I was too scared to try without it! It definitely boosted my confidence. I wouldn't want to land on the mat on my head but a few times I've fallen out of a superman or something and, for the sake of my knees, been very glad the mat was there!! Like chemgoddess though, I don't think it really works with shoes/boots. Though mine was advertised as being able to withstand them, I wasn't entirely convinced my stiletto heel wouldn't make a hole in it and it was almost too smushy and wobbly to walk on. It just means I keep the boots for dancing and doing stuff I'm comfortable with - when I'm practising new moves, I do it with the mat and bare feet.
Maria-Elena Kadala · 8/26/2010
I like have my "crash" mat for learning new tricks. First I borrowed the dog pillow, I bean bag chair is another good choice. Then I found a folding exercise mat at Target ($30) which is great as an exercise mat (my bony ass needs two yoga mats) and I can fold it to be a good crash mat, but I don't always end up positioned over the mat. As I'm working toward more advanced tricks, i would like to get a real one, for practicing those things for the first time. I also agree with Charly that it's important to learn how to control a fall. My first real fall I was outta luck, there was no way to catch myself headed face down into the floor, but I did manage to break the fall with hands/arms, and didn't hurt myself. From the stunned, ashen looks on the rest of the class, I thought for sure any moment there'd be searing pain and gushing blood, but I was really fine! So I got back on the pole, didn't want to lose my nerve, and the instructor recommended using shoes for traction, but when I got down to the floor one fell off and hit me in the forehead. Oddly, I was the only one laughing. Since then I've learned when I don't really have the grip, or the balance, and let myself into a controlled descent before I totally fall. I've been wanting to try bow & arrow, but was definitely going to attempt for the first time without a spotter, so I did that at a studio's open house night. I have attended classes in July and August because of hand surgery that would have meant missing half the classes, but I was able to practice at home during part of this time. Also, now I'm finding it hard to get advanced training at a local studio, so I've been using Veena's lessons. Some things, like the Superman (or Dove) fall, I would not attempt without benefit of a mat below me! for what I'm doing now, my folding mat is sufficient, but Santa knows what's on my list!
anngiern · 8/27/2010
we have four crash mats and have been using them for over 4 years now. safety should always be any studio's top priority...yeah they are 200.00 a piece but that is a heck of a lot cheaper than someone suing me and i will be out of business completely. plus many of our students would not even attempt to do a basic invert without it. even for me..i dont try any new inverted move without the trick mat. plus from a business standpoint our student retention rate is good b/c of this as well...we have had students specifically come/transfer to us b/c we use trick mats (along with teacher supervision, spotting, etc...). when people are afraid of falling they start to sweat, heart rate goes up, etc...and then they start focusing on "falling on that hard ass floor" vs. what you are trying to instruct them to do. a lot of these moves are hard as it is... so if we can minimize that fear of falling on a hard floor i am all for it. i have been to quite a few advanced workshops and since they did not have trick mats i personally did not feel comfortable trying the moves. 🙁 i only have one neck and head! there are no backups when i took aerial silks the whole place is practically matted.
minicoopergrl · 8/27/2010
How many of you own, attend or have attended a studio which uses crash mats? we do not have crash mats at the studio I attend How many of you wish or think studios SHOULD use them if they don't?I really wish we had one or two of them for the advance classes, privates and pole play How many of you use a crash mat or would prefer to have one to use at home?I would like to have a crash mat for learning tricks that Im not confident in. Ive landed pretty hard sometimes and its not fun.
mizvix · 8/27/2010
How many of you own, attend or have attended a studio which uses crash mats? our studio has one mat for 10 poles. it is readily available for use by anyone who feels they need it and thankfully there is no stigma attached to its use. How many of you wish or think studios SHOULD use them if they don't? I think studios should have something available for people who are trying daring moves or need confidence that they won't hurt themselves - but ours is used infrequently. How many of you use a crash mat or would prefer to have one to use at home? when my pole was in the garage (concrete floor) and i was a beginner i had 2 old school PE mats (amazing what schools throw out!) - they were necessary and fantastic! Now it's in the house i have carpet so don't use them. I'm planning on a wooden floor (heels + carpet = 😢 ) so i will probably keep one mat handy for certain moves. in the past year i've used mats once (last night actually- attempting extended butterfly into dropback 😨 ). Basically, I like knowing i can use one if i need to, but tend not to. I have fallen a lot but i look at it that the odd bruise won't kill me!! On the other hand, if i'm home alone, mat or no mat, i won't try more difficult moves that i'm still perfecting; i'll only try them with my bf there - and usually without a mat!
anna2422 · 8/27/2010
I made my own crash mats. HINT... Joann Fabrics has Dense upholstery Foam up to 5 inches thick. AND they often run specials for half price. I just sewed a flat sheet to make a like a sleeping bag for it, so it can be washed when I need to. I don't have to worry about needing to have a covering that needs to be sanatized because I am the only one that uses it. My dimensions are 4ft by 6ft, and I have less than $150 in it total. I know that is still alot of $$, but it is better for me than the 400-500 for real ones.
evennotodd · 8/27/2010
How many of you own, attend or have attended a studio which uses crash mats? The studio I go to uses and sells its own crash mats. I know a lot of the girls use them when they perform and learn inversions. I haven't used them yet because I am not physically ready to do inverts. How many of you wish or think studios SHOULD use them if they don't? I think they should have them available for those who want the extra protection. At the same time, instructors ought to stress the importance of having a spotter if mats are not available. How many of you use a crash mat or would prefer to have one to use at home? I don't have one at home yet, but I plan to purchase one before I learn inversions. I can't wait to go upside down, but I know I don't have a regular spotter at home.
Charley · 8/27/2010
I think every studio should have crash mats because without them I am sure you canbe held negligent AND your insurance probably won't cover it. That being said - Our studio recently purchased crash mats and they have been helpful but I have been teaching without them for a very long time. I think not having crash mats has made me a better teacher because I am much more careful about what moves are given to students to work on. I don't want students building up a dependance on mats and by that I mean not spending time learning emergency exits, or simply not dismounting properly because there is a mat there. I noticed that because the mat was down people would just fall out of the move rather than working on getting out of it properly. I also teach from the floor - we come up to laybacks before going down into them, we put our legs in inverted position a million times before going up from a squat. I require any advanced moves to be spotted by me and only me and no one is allowed to them - they form a line and watch me spot and talk each student through the move. I like having crash mats for myself and I do think they help with student confidence. When I do aerials we have a crash mat a hge one - but when I had to do a routine without a mat totally freaked out. I needed the crash mat to be confident. I will use mats in advanced courses but still spot and still only use one pole. I can not imagine just using mats, I am very hands on. I use mats to work on scary moves like the tornado and stuff and I think they are helpful for moves that are difficult to spot like inverting for the first time from standing. Every studio should have a mat. You only need one, there is no excuse not to have one.
polebunny · 8/27/2010
i do not use one. not that i have not fallen, but i usually catch myself. i feel pretty secure even when trying new moves so i dont find it necessary, although in both homes ive had my pole in, i have to dance on carpet so maybe id feel differently if i had a wood or tile floor looming at me from below, lol. 😳
onepinkprincess · 8/27/2010
We use a pole-o-mat it's 6 inches thick and I really like it combined with spotting for new moves or those I'm not 100% with. I definately think all studios should have a least 1 crash mat. I don't have 1 at home (they are super expensive) but I don't try new things at home either. Cxxx
Charley · 8/27/2010
I also wanted to point out that learning emergency exits is good but using the mats to implement them and actually having students "fall" and working on what to do in emergency situations is so important. I feel like you really can't use emergency exits if you have never fallen and a mat in place under a student can be used to reinforce what to do when you lose it. I had a girl fall this last week but she had a mat under her anf implemented the emergency exit for that move. falling is a panic situation and its easy to forget everything you have learned about falling. No one is going to practice emergency exits on a hardwood floor.
Poleluver · 8/27/2010
I as a student want a pole mat at the studio I am at- they don't have them. Yes I can learn the exits before attempting the move but also I have not had a fall yet and that is because I am a little too afraid to try to much which is good if I'm not ready but on top of it what about limited progress because I am scared. I am planning to buy myself one and look forward to getting up there in stuff I've gotten into and backed out of from fear and either hanging in there or getting my first fall over with hopefully safely. It's a confidence thing that seems good for those who are too careful and maybe dangerous false comfort for others?
Judy Jovanelly · 8/28/2010
i am a FIRM believer in crash mats, and have just acquired our first for our studio. we will acquire anothe 2 shortly. i also believe the thicker, the better ! we would have preferred 6", but found a terrific deal on 5" mats at yogadirect.com. HIGHLY recommend for any studio offering more than just basic spins !!! the response from our students has been gleeful overjoy ! 🙂
Mary Ellyn · 8/28/2010
Charley and I were talking yesterday and I can understand the false sense of security but I think that may be more likely to happen with students who have so far been learning without a crash mat as compared to someone who has always used one. I've never seen a student intentionally fall because the crash mat is present and I've been using them for 5 years now but I've never taught an advanced class without one. It's also been a huge help for me as a spotter saving myself from injury as a student loses their grip. It's not the job of the spotter to catch the fall but to break it - having a crash mat there has helped me to get the student and sometimes even myself to the floor without even a tiny injury. I also agree with Charley..I don't care what you teach your students you cannot expect them to learn how to fall and implement those maneauvers every time you fall...falling is panic time and you do not remember what to do when it happens. Heck..you're upside down and you cant remember right, left, front, back, up, down, but you're going to remember tuck and roll???? Practicing falling is the only way to reinforce this but even then it's sketchy....professional stunt/men women work for YEARS and so do acrobats and atheletes, on how to fall without hurthing themselves and I don't believe you can teach a student how to do that without loads of practice. Marshall arts and gymnastics all use crash mats when students are learning to do tricks...why do we believe we dont need them? I also do not allow my students to wear heels when they are learning to invert - the ankle is unstable and increases the risk of injury when learning something new. Debbie Plowman from the UK was paralyzed last year falling from a cross ankle release - she had been doing that move successfully and securely but during a pole party one night, she did the move one last time and simply last her grip and actually broke her neck!! You can't always have a crash mat under you and it's not realistic once you have been doing a move for a while, but it's a sad reminder that accidents happen and not having a crash mat during the learning phase is pure negilgence on the part of the studio owner.
megs982 · 8/28/2010
I am all for crash mats, That being said, the studio i attend does not have them. Then have yoga mats which are maybe 1/4 inch thick..and hard concrete floors with tile on top of that. The first day i was there, i watched a girl who was not ready for a pencil mount slide down right on her head..Im still paranoid to try this move, for this very reason. Im sure i can do it..but the fear is there, and i will not try any move that im not comfortable with w/o a mat. Granted, those of us who are use to getting on the pole at home tend to be a little more cautious (atleast in my class) bc we are use to not having someone there. But i recommend using a crash mat 1000% and a spotter if available. Right now i have a 2 inch yoga mat on top of kindermats that i velcro'd together around my pole..its nice and cushiony (is that a word?) if (knock on wood) i shall ever fall..I dont count on it bc i know the fall will hurt regardless if there is a big mat there or not..best to know the escape route in any move you are practicing lol Once i got stuck upside down at the top of my pole (when i first started inverting) thankfully i figuared out the escape route or i would have fell right on my head haha
Judy Jovanelly · 8/29/2010
and after reading more of the threads here, i do have to qualify my stand on crash mats somewhat : they absolutely are not a stand-alone solution, and spotters MUST be in place for students learning new tricks 'above ground'. but still, there is something psychologically comforting for some about the crash mat that enables them to 'go for' tricks they might ordinarilay hesitate to try....
Mary Ellyn · 8/29/2010
Are there teachers using or thinking use of a crash mat means you don't need a spotter? Please let me clarify...from my perspective the original question was not intended to insinuate that anyone should have a crash mat in lieu of a spotter. I believe in crash mats and spotters and in fact, that spotters should be instructors, not even students you've trained to spot.
Judy Jovanelly · 8/29/2010
the original question was not intended to insinuate that anyone should have a crash mat in lieu of a spotter agreed, empy. i didn't take the original question as an insinuation, but after i read my reply it seemed i came off as condoning the use of just crash mats and not both. NOT !! wanted to make myself clear...

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