The Ultimate Guide to Gratz Pilates Mats: Why the Right Mat Matters

If you’ve ever done Pilates on a roll-up yoga mat and wondered afterward why your backbone felt bruised and abused, you’re not alone!

Mat Pilates is meant to be practiced on a supportive yet cushioned surface that protects your spine. Gratz Pilates Mats are built for exactly that.

Gratz Mats are designed with Joseph Pilates’ intentions in mind, providing the perfect balance of support, resistance, and stability, making every movement more effective.

But did you know there’s more than one type of Gratz mat? From Low Folding Mats that store easily to High Mats that allow for more exercise modifications, each has unique benefits depending on your needs.

Let’s break them down—and I’ll show you how to choose the best ones for your needs.

Pilates Low Folding Mat

The Low Folding Mat is a staple in my studio, and I keep one at home as well. It’s the perfect blend of classical details but folds in half for easy storage.

According to Joseph Pilates’ original design, it comes with removable handles, moonboxes, and a strap, providing extra assistance and support.

See it in action on Pilatesology: Back to Basics Mat - Learn how to use the foot strap for assistance in the Roll-Up, the moonboxes in Spine Stretch Forward, and the handles for the Swan.

Pilates Low Rigid Mat

The Low Rigid Mat is exactly the same as the Low Folding Mat without the fold. It’s all about pure, Classical Mat Pilates, without extra height, making it a great option for sliding under a bed or leaning against a wall when not in use. If you prefer a seamless mat without any creases, this is an excellent choice as it's one solid piece.

• Great for:

  People who don’t want a crease but still need to store the mat easily.
  

• Key features:

  One-piece, seamless design with all the classical features: strap, moonboxes, and removable handles.

See it in action on Pilatesology: The Power of 3 Workout – Flow seamlessly through the original sequence with expert Kim Reis.

Pilates High Rigid Mat

A High Rigid Mat is exactly what it sounds like—it’s raised off the ground, allowing for exercise modifications that can make all the difference in your practice. For example, if you have tight hamstrings, it can be difficult to get your pelvis upright in exercises like Spine Stretch Forward. To achieve this, you can simply place your heels on the floor or sit on one of the moon boxes for added lift. This versatility makes the High Mat the workhorse of most Pilates studios! It comes with classical features: handles, strap, and moon boxes.

• Great for: 

  Those who need more versatility in order to modify exercises

• Key features:

  Raised surface, handles, strap, and moon boxes

See it in action on Pilatesology: The High Scissors Workout – Discover every feature of the high mat, from handles to moon boxes to the strap with this advanced Pilates workout.

Pilates Contour Mat

The Contour Mat is similar to the high mat but includes an amazing extra: the equivalent of a Small Barrel built into the end of the mat. The hump or barrel has higher dowels (handles), which are wonderful for those with tight shoulders. If you’ve ever struggled to reach the handles on a traditional High Mat, the Contour Mat is your answer. Additionally, the barrel at the end of the mat can be used in many ways: to open hips, stretch the upper back, support the neck if needed, and much more. The Contour Mat is also longer than other mats, making it ideal for tall clients. It’s not a mat you want to store away between sessions, but it’s a teacher’s favorite for its variety of options.

• Great for: 

  Taller practitioners, those with tight shoulders, and those needing a Small Barrel
  
  

• Key features: 

  Built-in Small Barrel, raised handles for better accessibility, plus all other features including moon boxes and a strap

See it in action on Pilatesology: Ignition Mat – Explore the Contour Mat's unique features in this dynamic workout session.

Which Gratz Mat is Right for You?

Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

• Want a versatile, foldable mat with support? → Low Folding Mat

• Prefer a minimalist, traditional experience? → Low Mat

• Need extra support, handles, and a raised surface? → High Mat

• Struggle with tight shoulders or are on the taller side? → Contour Mat

No matter which mat you choose, Gratz Mats give you the perfect amount of resistance, stability, and authenticity for your Pilates practice. If you’ve never worked on a Gratz Mat before, trust me—you’ll feel the difference in the very first session.

Ready to experience it for yourself? Check out the Pilatesology classes above and feel the magic of practicing on the right Pilates mat! Use code GRATZ30 to extend your Free Trial from 14 to 30 days.

See you on the mat!

—Alisa

Alisa Wyatt is a renowned Pilates instructor and co-founder of Pilatesology, the leading online resource for classical Pilates. With over 25 years of teaching experience, Alisa is dedicated to preserving and sharing Joseph Pilates’ original method worldwide, helping practitioners achieve strength, balance, and transformation.