All
  • All
  • Products
  • Articles
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • Conversations
  • Social

Do You Lend Out Your Yoga Mat?

Are You OK With Lending Out Your Yoga Mat?

by 11

Confession: I am a bad friend. This week when a good friend asked to borrow my yoga mat for her Bikram class, I guiltily said no. The idea of sharing something that is so important to me — and that I sweat profusely on — just didn't sit well. I think I was also a little grossed out by the idea of her using it in hot yoga without a towel. I know that yoga mats are easily cleaned, I guess I'm just squeamish about certain things. It's probably the same reason I'm weird about sharing bathing suits and razors. Days later I am still feeling guilty and wonder if I need to find a way to get over my germaphobic tendencies. Tell me . . .

Source: Thinkstock
FitnessYogaPollGermsYoga MatGermaphobeSharing Yoga Mat

11 Comments

Paradox28 Paradox28
I have gone to great pains to teach my six year old step daughter to not touch or step on my mat without asking. She has her own and I show hers the same respect. I just feel that my mat is mine, it is where I work out so much. And I don't want to be doing child's pose where someone else's feet have been. So I think you were justified.
KeLynns KeLynns
I would be OK with it as long as she cleaned it afterward. The few times I've forgotten my mat I've had to borrow one from the studio or the gym and who knows how many strangers have sweat on that!
chloe bella chloe bella
I'm not a germaphobe, and I would lend one to someone going to a regular yoga class, but not to Bikram! My Bikram class requires everyone to place a towel over their mat (otherwise you would just slip and slide around), but even then, my towel is usually drenched with sweat by the end. At my studio, they let people use towels without mats underneath (the mat doesn't really serve a purpose when you have to put a towel over it anyway), which is what your friend should have planned on doing!
I'm less concerned about the 'ew, that's someone else's sweat' and more commited to my mat being a safe space. I'm not gonna catch anything from friend sweat- but I think it's important to look at my mat like a temple. I do a lot of work- physical and emotional on my mat.
sherina sherina
Don't feel guilty, my immediate reaction was "ewww". Like Carrisa said I would let a friend use it for a couple of minutes to try something. I also let my 7-year-old use it for a few minutes. But to lend it out for a full-on sweaty hot yoga class would be out of the question for me. Ick.
sudenmorsian sudenmorsian
Depends on the friend. If it's someone close enough so that the thought of his/her sweat doesn't feel gross then sure but otherwise no, except maybe for something so quick that it doesn't get sweaty.
Asche Asche
So gross. I go to a gym that loans mats to anyone participating in yoga, etc. I'm always astonished by the fact that I'm the only one who ever brings their own mat. I guess people don't see unhygienic public mats are!
I will sometimes allow my fellow Yogis use my mat to demonstrate a pose or if they have a question.... for a moment. However, for a full-on 1.5 hour-long sweat inducing class, not so much! I love Bikram, I love my Mat, I love my friends, but somethings are best loved alone. :)
Spectra Spectra
Ew, that's kind of like sharing headphones or something like that. It's pretty gross.
If it's just a random yoga class- I don't care too much. But if it's for a Bikram class, like in your case, then that's a little gross, since i know that she'll be sweating A LOT on it.
depends on the friend. If I know she is going to use a towel and clean it before she gives it back (which is common courtesy no matter what it is you're borrowing) then sure. Otherwise no. (ps - I wouldn't share bating suits or wetsuits either. That's like sharing underwear!!)
Why It's Important to Wear Sunscreen Every Day
Do You Apply Sunscreen Every Day?
Anna Paquin Talks to Self Magazine About Being Happy With Weight
Are You Happy With Your Weight?