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Best Cheese Mat for Gymnastics – For Kids, Juniors & Beginner Gymnasts
Tumbling and gymnastics have become even more popular lately. It is not just a sport that you have to do on an organized team at a gym. But you can enjoy gymnastics in the comfort of your home. To do this safely, you must find the best cheese mat for gymnastics.
Cheese mats have the special wedge shape and the right amount of padding to help control impact. This is important so that you don’t get hurt while practicing at home. This is a great investment for beginners.
Durability is essential when choosing the right mat. Wedge mats have tear-resistant surfaces for long-lasting use.
Not only are these mats safe and durable, but they are also convenient. When not in use, you can easily fold and store cheese mats.
The days of waiting until your lessons or having access to a gym or facility are over! With a gymnastics cheese mat at home, you have the opportunity to work on your gymnastics skills whenever you want.
There are so many gymnastics wedge mats on the market, but which ones are the best? In this article, we will focus on the best incline gymnastics mats for home use that are great for children, juniors, and beginners.
Best Cheese Mat for Gymnastics – Our Top Picks
Folding Cheese Mat Reviews
Tumbl Trak Cheese Mat
At the top of our list is the Tumbl Trak Cheese Mat. This is one of the best high-quality mats on the market. If you are looking for a premium wedge mat with longevity, this is your choice.
All of the materials on this mat are made of quality materials. The foam is constructed of a PU base foam with a strong EVA topper. This is important for enhanced safety and impact control.
Also, the vinyl cover on this mat is durable and one of the best on the market. What sets this cheese mat apart from others is its innovative smart design. The mat connects in a manner that ensures the elimination of shifting while in use.
There is Velcro on the top of the lower half of the mat and the two halves of the mat can be velcroid together. This is the extreme stability you need to help with a safe practice session.
For the price, you get tremendous value. The look and appeal of the product are phenomenal, it comes in three different color combinations. Furthermore, each of the inclines on the mat has strong handles for easy transport and placement.
Pros
- Excellent durability – you can expect to use this product for years
- Great value for the price, the best high-quality mat
- Available in three sizes (small – 24x48x14 in., medium – 30x68x16 in, large – 60x84x16 in.)
- All materials meet CSPIA standards
Cons
- Some customers wish the mats were longer to perform back handsprings
Editor’s Choice
This mat is by far the best cheese mat for gymnastics. The quality and reputation of Tumbl Trak speak for itself. This is a company that knows gymnastics. Therefore, when you purchase products from them you know that industry experts have given their seal of approval.
The Tumbl Track folding incline mat is a must-have piece of equipment. It was chosen as an editor’s choice for its quality of materials, strength and conditioning capabilities, Velcro system, its use as an incline or block, and overall brand reputation. This is our top pick.
Jump-Life Editors
We Sell Mats Gymnastics Incline Mat
Versatility is important when perfecting your gymnastics skills. This We Sell mat has an incline wedge design that is great for in-home training.
It is available in two color schemes. A notable feature of this mat is that it comes in Medium, Large and XX-Large. You will have ample space to practice tumbling or gymnastics.
Practice as much as you want with this mat. The anti-tear vinyl surface resists ripping. Just like the mats at the gym, these incline blocks are highly durable and made from commercial-grade materials.
The We Sell Mats Incline Mat is ideal for beginners and young gymnasts. Although you will use this product in your home, safety is still the priority. The angle position and cushioned padding on this product provide safety.
Extra padding and cushioning are also a reassurance measure for beginner gymnasts that are not yet totally confident about their moves and still learning basic gymnastics skills.
Also, the high-density foam absorbs impact. This helps to support joints, knees, legs, wrists, and back while practicing.
Check current price at Amazon here.
Pros
- Good for athletes of different levels, the mat can be used for training and competitive purposes
- The mat is easy to carry and clean-up
- Lightweight gymnastics mat
- The vinyl surface is tear-resistant
- Versatile in size, available in 3 sizes (medium – 60x30x15in, large – 72x36x16in, large plus – 84x36x16in)
- Durable and affordable
Cons
- Some customers reported that the mat is too firm for their liking
- Pay attention to sizing, the wedge incline may be too high or small for certain gymnasts ability
Giantex Folding and Non-Folding Gymnastics Wedge Mat
If you are looking for a cheese wedge mat in multiple sizes, this is it. The mat is available in small, medium, and large. The small mat 33”x24”x14.” Great for younger gymnasts. The medium mat measures 47”x23.5”14”, and the large at 60”x30”x14.”
No matter if this is your first time doing gymnastics or you are experienced, this mat has an ergonomically designed wedge that fits the needs of all levels.
A great feature of this mat is its smart fold-up design making it easy to transport and store. The mat can be folded into a square cube. This makes training 10x better because you can use it in different areas inside your home or even outside.
With frequent and continued use, sometimes mats can wear down fast. This is not the case with this mat. Fortunately, it has anti-tear fabric that will not break easily.
The overall design of the mat is exceptional with superior craftsmanship. Durability was placed at the forefront of this product. The stitching pattern on the edges is sturdy and will not fray easily.
Pros
- Zip seal design. Great for changing the mat padding as needed
- Easy to clean the outer surface
- Smart folding design for easy transport and storage
- Affordable price and good quality
- Versatility in colors and sizes
- Anti-tear surface
Cons
- The actual size of the mat may be smaller than pictured. Take into consideration the measurements and not the picture size
Matladin Folding Gymnastics Incline Mat
When it comes to durability and efficiency, this is a great gymnastics wedge mat. You can compare this mat to commercial-grade products that you see in professional gyms.
A nice added feature to the mat is the reinforced edge stitching. The very detailed craftsmanship on the design makes this a tough and built to the last mat. You will not experience easy tearing or cracking.
Speaking of durability, the mat has superb 840D vinyl. This is vinyl with an anti-tear surface. Denier vinyl is top-quality and better than some of the material comparable products are made from. Ultimately, this will help enhance the life span of the mat.
Inside the mat is eco-friendly EPE foam. The foam helps with better resilience. As for quality, all of the materials and the design are top-ranked. The mat only comes in one size (unfolded – 58x29x14 inches), but it is available in two color schemes.
Extremely beginner gymnast friendly. The mat is designed ergonomically to meet the needs of gymnasts at different levels.
Check current price at Amazon here.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Portable handles to carry and move
- Durable environment-friendly foam
- Overall lightweight
- Commercial grade construction
- Foldable for convenient storage
Cons
- For younger kids, the drop may be too steep. There is about a 2-inch difference to the floor.
Z Athletic Cheese Wedge Inclines for Gymnastics, Tumbling, and Cheerleading
The perfect gymnastics mat. This large incline mat is great for gymnasts in their early stages that want to perfect their skills. The mat is 72 inches long, 30 inches wide, and a 12-inch incline. That is the standard measurements for this product, but it also comes in other sizes.
Z Athletics are known for high-quality features. The mat is topped with a 1-inch layer of cross-linked foam. Closed-cell foam is a top industry standard material. This type of topping allows for a firm mat that has minimal sinking.
Don’t worry, the mat still has a softcore for a relaxed comfortable landing. Do you need to work on your back handspring? This is the perfect mat to practice your precision at home.
Around the cross-linked foam is a cloth shell. The shell is made of 18 oz vinyl. Heavy-duty vinyl is sturdy and easy to clean. All you need is soap and water to clean the mat.
You can easily move the mat; it is fairly lightweight. Also, the mat has handles and folds for easy movement and storage.
More images and reviews at Amazon here
Pros
- 2-year factory warranty included
- Great incline mat for children
- Excellent size and professional quality
- Both stable and soft for protected landings
- Comparable pricing and quality
Cons
- Depending on the surface, it is a possibility that there may be some slipping of the mat. Be sure to only use on slip-free surfaces.
ZENOVA Incline Cheese Mat for Gymnastics
This mat is one of the most affordable options on the list. It is available in multiple color variations. The smallest size is approximately 33x24x14 inches. This is a good size for younger children or beginners. The mat goes up to size 59x30x14 inches.
An ergonomically designed gymnastics wedge mat allows users of different skill levels to safely and comfortably use the mat. Specifically, this mat is ideal for tumbling, back-bends, stretching, backhand springs and other gymnastics movements.
If you are not quite at the level of an experienced gymnast and need a little more support, this mat is a great starting point. The mat is covered in high-quality vinyl. It is also filled with environment-friendly EPE material. You can expect firm support with this mat.
Not only is this a good starter gymnastics incline mat, but it will also stand the test of time. The reinforced stitching reduces tearing and cracking. Durability and longevity are two key features of this brand.
Pros
- Built inside handles for easy movement
- Zip design makes it convenient for storage
- Includes a 1-year warranty with the purchase
- Soft and flexible
- Good quality, excellent price
Cons
- No major cons, only warnings to supervise younger children while using the mat because of the incline.
Wedge Mat for Gymnastics – What Do You Need To Know
Before buying a gymnastics cheese mat, you need to know some basic information. Use this information to guide you during your buying process.
But, let’s start with the very first:
What is a cheese incline mat?
Cheese mats are functional and versatile mats used for gymnastics, cheerleading, and exercising. The mats come in a variety of sizes.
You can practice gymnastics skills such as tumbling and back-bends with a cheese mat. These types of mats are using firm, but also soft enough for protected landings.
Cheese mats are a safe way to improve gymnastics skills.
What are some other names used for cheese mats?
When shopping for a gymnastics cheese mat, you may come across other names. Cheese mats may be referred to as:
- gymnastics wedge mats
- gymnastics incline mats
You may also see the term “folding” or “foldable” before each name. No matter what it is called, it has the same function, to help beginner gymnasts learn.
Cheese mats have nothing to do with cheese. Their shape resembles a wedge, so someone decided that the mat looks like a wedge of cheese and hence the name stuck over time. This is how the name originated.
What is a cheese mat used for?
Cheese mats are not only limited to practicing gymnastics. It has a variety of applications. You can use cheese mats to help with uphill vaulting and transition training on bars. In this case, the cheese mat can serve as a protective barrier for falls and mishaps.
Additionally, you can use a cheese mat to work on basic floor tumbling and conditioning. Most incline mats can be folded into a block for training purposes and to work on additional skills as a spotting block.
What techniques can you use a wedge mat to master?
So, what exactly can you do with a cheese mat? This is a difficult question because there are countless things you can use a cheese mat for. We will highlight a few for this article.
Kickers and Walkovers
The wedge on a cheese mat is a great way to help younger uses learn how to flip forward and backward. It serves as a safety measure.Back Extension Rolls
You can start at the top of an open wedge and rolling down helps with learning back extension rolls safely. The cheese mat gives the user leverage during this exercise to help improve their form.Back Handsprings
Incline mats are perfect for learning the technique of doing a back handspring. A cheese mat can act as a platform and the wedge helps learn back handsprings.
These are some basic gymnastics techniques you can do with a cheese mat.
In the video below you can see examples of these gymnastics exercises done on the incline mat from Tumbl Track.
How to Clean an Incline Mat
An incline mat can easily be cleaned. Most incline mats are made from sturdy vinyl material. In this case, simple soap and water will do the job.
Use a washcloth and gently clean the incline mat surface. Some mats come with a removable cover, to make the cleaning process even easier.
Overall, soap and water usually do the job to keep your mat clean.
Safety Tips
A gymnastics wedge mat is a great practice tool for gymnasts, but some safety tips should be considered while using.
Always supervise kids while using an incline mat. Even if they are experienced gymnasts, there should be supervised at all times.
Use the mat on flat surfaces. This mat should never be elevated or used on uneven surfaces. It is also important to make sure the mat is stable and on non-slip surfaces. If the mat can freely move around and slide, change the location of the mat.
Keep an eye out on the quality and material of the mat over time. It may begin to wear, and tear and you want to ensure the safety of the users. Lastly, choose a mat that accommodates the size of the user. Avoid having small children train on mats that are too large.
What to look for when choosing the incline mat?
Now it is time to choose the best gymnastics incline mat, consider the following before your purchase.
Sizes
Choose the correct size for your athlete. A folding incline mat should be as long as your athlete is tall when they have their arms by their ears.
This will provide enough space for training. Pay attention to the dimensions of the mat.
Materials, Colors
The key is to purchase a mat that is made from durable materials. This will improve the safety and longevity of the mat. Decide on a color scheme for your athlete, there are many to choose from.
Features
Incline mats can have added features like handles and Velcro flaps. Handles make it easier to transport the mat. Also, Velcro flaps provide a more secure and stable mat surface.
Consider the anti-tear features of the mat. Mats that have anti-tear and scratch resistance last longer. You will potentially get more value for your money.
Accessories
Some cheese mats include accessories, but you may also have to buy them separately. A carrying bag is a great accessory for easy transport.
Repair kits help if you have a tear or scrape on the mat. A pump can help add more firmness to the foam.
Best Gymnastics Cheese Mat – Wrapping Up
Incline mats are an essential part of learning gymnastics. It is the one training tool that can help take your athlete to the next level.
Each of the mats listed above is excellent examples of quality beginner mats, but the very best option in our opinion is the Tumbl Trak Cheese Mat.
We hope this information helps guide you on your journey to find the best cheese mat for gymnastics.
Last update on 2024-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API