Best BJJ Mats For Wrestling And MMA
There is simply no denying that BJJ, MMA, and wrestling are some of the most exciting and rewarding skills that one can learn today. These are skills that one can not only apply in real-life situations, but you could use them to make a living.
With the rise of popularity in MMA, more and more people are getting into the sport. In fact, it’s becoming as popular as mainstream sports like basketball and baseball. Regardless, these disciplines will teach you skills that will enhance your overall quality and outlook of life while keeping you mentally and physically healthy at the same time.
The only problem is, you can’t practice without the right mats. Choosing a mat won’t be easy and that’s where this guide comes in handy.
Table of Contents
The Different Types of Mats Available
When choosing mats, you’ll quickly notice that there are not only different colors, styles, and makes available, but you discover that there are different types. These distinctive types of mats can make all the difference in the world.
That being said, two of the most common options that you’ll have available to you are the rollouts mats and the interlocking mats. As you can probably tell by their names, each mat has something different to offer. Understanding these different offerings are key to choosing the best mat for your specific needs.
Best BJJ Mats For Wrestling & MMA
MRO Store Roll Out Mat

Just as the name suggests, this is a mat that can easily be rolled out or up, making it the perfect travel companion. In addition to this, these mats also usually come in travel dimensions, which means they are tailor-made for the athlete on the go.
Whether you need to get a quick session at the hotel or in the locker room before a match, these styles of mats will be the perfect option. When you can’t keep a mat on the floor at all times, like at home or in a gym that offers different functions, this will be the best option. There quick roll up and roll out functionality make them perfect for these specific tasks.
That being said, these style of mats usually come with a soft, but sturdy top design that will absorb impact to the fullest without faltering over the years after repeated use.
BalanceFrom Puzzle Interlocking BJJ Mat

If you have an at-home gym that is utilized for training, your best option will be an interlocking BJJ mat This design not only offers support, comfort, and efficiency but also expandability. What role does expandability play in an at-home BJJ gym? First and foremost, it helps ensure the perfect match. What this means is the mat will expand throughout your at-home gym.
Depending on your BJJ training needs and preferences, the BJJ mat may need to cover every inch of your at-home gym. With the interlocking design, these options will be available to you. Most brands include a set of 12 interlocking tiles that will vary in sizes. If you plan on covering the entire floor, the larger design will be suitable and save you some money in the long run.
The 12-inch and smaller interlocking tiles are more suitable for compact spaces. At some point, you decide to expand your training area just purchase more interlocking mats. Yes, it is this simple when working with interlocking BJJ mats right from the get-go.
Z-Athletic Folding Mats

While there are a lot of mats and companies to choose from, it will be hard to find one that is well-known and reputable as the Z-Athletic company. This company has been making mats for a wide range of years, and over this time, they’ve developed a reputation for excellence and dependability. That’s because they use materials, craftsmanship, and techniques that are unmatched.
Just take a look at this 4 ft x 8 ft x 2- inch mat. It is one that is constructed with high-quality polyurethane, providing it with a soft, but sturdy surface that will absorb all the shock in the world without sinking and sagging after repeated use.
10 x 10 Dollamur Flexi Roll Wrestling Mat

This mat might be titled as a wrestling mat, but the 10 x 10 Dollamur Flexi Roll mat is perfect for any of the ground arts. MMA, judo, or BBJ, it doesn’t matter because this mat will sustain anything thrown at it. Its 10 x 10 design makes it a bit bulkier than the Z-Athletic, but it still offers plenty of portability with its roll-up design.
All that said, this is a competition quality mat meaning that it is constructed with the same materials of the mats that are used for official wrestling competitions.
IncStores Interlocking Foam Tiles

This one here is an interlocking-style mat, but it features a foam absorbing material that will provide all the shock absorption that one would ever need in a quality mat.
It’s also constructed with non-toxic materials, so you never have to worry about breathing or inhaling unsafe fumes or odors. And, it’s obviously environmentally-friendly as well.
Benefits Of BJJ Mats
As a wrestler or mixed martial artist, you’ll want to make sure that your gym is perfect. You’ll want to deck it out with the best equipment possible. A mat is one of the most important items in your gym. With a BJJ mat, you’ll be able to make your gym more comfortable and easier to maintain. BJJ mats for wrestling and MMA offer various benefits.
For starters, a BJJ mat is going to keep everyone comfortable. When you’re rolling on the ground and trying to submit your opponent, a hard floor can make your life much more difficult.
The really great thing about this mat is that it not only absorbs shocks really well, but it’ll protect your floor also. It’s plush design make it the perfect instrument for plyometric exercises.
You could put plyometric boxes on tops of the square interlock joints or slam battle ropes on them and your floor would never show a single sign. Backed with a one-year warranty, these 1-foot by 1-foot shock-absorbing tiles are exceptionally good at withstanding punishment.
With a good BJJ mat, you’ll have a comfortable surface to work with. You don’t have to worry about hurting yourself on the hard ground. Whether you’re a wrestler or BJJ practitioner, you can guarantee that a BJJ mat is going to make the experience better.
You’ll also find that one of these mats can make your life easier. Once you’ve finished practicing your armbar submissions for the day, you’ll be ready to clean the gym and head home.
With a BJJ mat on the ground, you will be able to clean much easier. You can grab the mat, take it outside, and watch is off. Once it has been cleaned and dried, the mat can be returned to the floor. It’ll be ready to go for the next training session. When choosing mats, you’ll want to choose one with a no-burn surface.
This ensures that you don’t have to worry about skin burns.
What To Look For In A BJJ Mat
You’ll find that your options are plentiful. Before you can find the one that is best for you, it is pertinent to find out what is important. Should you pay more to get a better mat? Or, should you focus more on the mat’s materials? Are size and thickness important? Below, you’ll learn more about the important factors to consider when trying to track down the best wrestling mat for your gym.
Make sure it’s Portable
This mat might seem small to some, but all in all, it is the perfect size for travel and even at-home use. The 4 ft x 8ft x 2in design makes it light and portable, while also providing the room that you need to work on your ground game.
That being said, this mat might be of the roll-up variety, but it can be expanded if needed. It does feature four connections on every corner so that other mats can be tied in to create one large seamless mat. Combine all these features with its easy maintenance of soap and water, and you are looking at one of the most convenient maps available on the market today.
Thickness
When searching the market for a BJJ mat, you’ll want to find one that is sufficiently thick. This is one of the most vital aspects of any BJJ mat. If the mat isn’t thick enough, you’re going to be rolling on the ground and that isn’t going to help anything.
However, you don’t want a thick mat that feels like a stone. Instead, you should choose a thick mat that conforms to your body. This ensures that the mat will sink in when you land on it.
If you are a jiu-jitsu fighter having a thick mat is the key to comfortable martial arts training and grappling. In fact, mats that are designed for jiu-jitsu are thicker by nature to ensure that they provide enough padding for hard takedowns.
Choose a thick mat that will work well with your body.
Price
When it comes down to it, the price will prove to be one of the most important factors of all. The price will make a big difference. If you choose a low-price mat, there is a good chance that you’re going to regret it.
Paying less means that you’re going to get a lower quality product. It may not offer any comfort. Or, the cheaper mat might break much quicker. With this in mind, you should not hesitate to send a little more. By paying more, there is a good chance that you’ll get a better product that will last longer.
Find out how much you can pay for a wrestling mat for your gym and go from there.
Size – Is it big enough?
Ultimately, you’ll need to make sure that your BJJ mat fits your gym. If you get an oversized mat, you’re going to have a lot of problems on your hands. You won’t be able to fit the mat in your gym so you’ll have to cut it or get rid of it.
This will create a headache and you won’t be able to use the mat until you replace it. To solve this problem, you should try measuring the gym before buying a mat. This will guarantee that you get a perfect size.
Once you have accurate measurements, you’ll be able to purchase the best mat for your gym. Just make sure that you tape the measurements carefully so you get everything perfect.
Material – is it going to last?
At the end of the day, you’ll want to choose a mat that is going to last a lifetime. With this in mind, you have to pay close attention to the material. For the best results, you’ll want a tough mat that can withstand everything you throw its way. For starters, you should choose a mat that has an anti-tear design. This ensures that the mat can be used numerous times without any issues whatsoever.
You’ll also want to buy one with a non-slip bottom. This will decrease the likelihood that the mat is going to slide around.
That will make things much safer for you and your training partner.
Ease Of Maintenance – Easy to Clean
You’ll want to spend more time exercising and training. You’ll want to spend less cleaning your gym. To make this happen, you’ll want to choose an easy to clean mat. You’ll want to make sure that the surface can be wiped down easily.
You’ll also want to make sure that you can move the mat without any issues whatsoever. If your mat features these attributes, you will be able to keep your gym clean without any hiccups or headaches.
Portability
If you are an on-the-go mixed martial artist, you will need a BJJ mat that will support your routine. There are several style mats to choose from but most of these are not suitable for travel. It is not unusual for people training in MMA to do a lot of traveling.
They are constantly traveling from point A to point B to participate in MMA competitions and training classes.
Portability is key to the easy transportation of BJJ mats. In this case, the mat must be lightweight and compact. If only you are utilizing the mat, there is no need for it to be much larger than your body stature. For example, an individual is 6′ tall.
To accommodate this tall stature, the mat should be at least 6′ in length. But, slightly longer will be more accommodating for this size during training classes.
My Verdict On Bjj Mats
Purchasing one of the best BJJ mats for wrestling and MMA can make a big difference in your gym. With a good mat, everyone can wrestle and roll on the ground without getting hurt on the hard floor. Furthermore, the mat will make maintaining your gym much easier.
Once you’ve finished training for the day, you can remove the mat, clean it, and replace it. This makes things much easier for you and your training partners. Just remember that you’ll want a thick mat that offers plenty of padding.
This will ensure that you can remain comfortable during your workouts.