Question on 3/4 in puzzle mats???

[dcsma]

I'm looking at some great deals at the moment on puzzle mats and the question that I have is, are the 3/4 in thick puzzle mat suitable for falling techniques and for throws and rolls???

 

[Gnarlie]

Depends on the brand and durability. In my experience, quality and durability varies greatly and not always in proportion to the price. If you can, ask for a small sample.

Kwon mats are good for throws if you know how to land.

Gnarlie

 

[dcsma]

I'm looking at Amazon right now as one of the places and they are having a great deal on them and all high mark reviews on the mats. But I'm scared to see what shipping is going to cost when I do order them. I did look into great mats .com and for $88.00 I could get two sets of grappling mats but the kicker was that the shipping was $161 for a three day shipping rate. So I emailed them twice and no response back to see if there was a better rate on the shipping. So no dice on that company.

 

[Gnarlie]

Shipping is the big part of the cost - I managed to convince the supplier I was on route to their main depot. Only had to wait a couple of days but saved 100 quid. That was the shipping on 80 square metres.

Not sure I could do that with Amazon. Shipping may be something to take on the chin.

Gnarlie

 

[Gemini]

I'm looking at some great deals at the moment on puzzle mats and the question that I have is, are the 3/4 in thick puzzle mat suitable for falling techniques and for throws and rolls???

I use a 7/8" puzzle mat and even with a softer mat I wouldn't recommend a steady diet of falling unless you know how to land.

 

[Dirty Dog]

I use a 7/8" puzzle mat and even with a softer mat I wouldn't recommend a steady diet of falling unless you know how to land.

And of course, you can't learn how to land if you don't have a steady diet of falling...

 

[Earl Weiss]

If the mat is really good for throws and falls it may likely not be so good for kicking, The support foot may sink to an extent that twisting is tough and lead to twisting knees and ankles. The only solution is aa "Sprung Floor" where the surface doesn't give but the whole floor moves. Trained on a gymnastics floor used for floor exercise and it was the best. Cost is high. Was at a Aikido school where he had a stiff mat over softer mats with a similar effect. Also saw a guy who laid plywood over tires with mats on that for a similar effect.

 

[StuartA]

We use 4cm Tatami jigsaw mats at our school. They are soft enough for throwing.. (of course, thats with students that know how to fall properly.. but beginners seem okay on them too), and firm enough for kicking and sparring on. Occassionally, someone may twist a toe (ouch!).. due to the rubber gripping.. but its rare TBH.


Stuart

 

[Instructor]

I bought two 5 foot by 10 foot wrestling mats from http://www.matsmatsmats.com/wrestling/wrestling-mats.html

I love them....they just feel good under the feet, can't describe it. They sell puzzle mats and stuff too. Personally, I will never go back...it's wrestling mats for me from here on out.

 

[Instructor]

The gym where I teach uses these:

http://www.matsmatsmats.com/wrestling/liteweight-wrestling-mat.html

They are quite thick, firmer than my wrestling mats, after an hour of tumbling on them I am a little sore. Not hurt, but achy.

I may just be getting old though. The advantage to these is they are easily rolled up.

 

[WaterGal]

3/4" mats are fine if you're already comfortable falling. But I really don't think they'd be enough for new students. I learned on a wrestling mat like Instructor linked to, and that was pretty good.