Now that martial arts is rising in the UK, roll-out mats have become an essential training aid. According to the 2021 report by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, approximately 750,000 residents of the United Kingdom participate in one or more forms of martial arts, with Karate, Taekwondo, and Judo being the most predominant forms practiced in all regions.
In addition to the dojo, rolled-out mats readily enable one to do martial arts even in the confines of their house. When practicing karate or even throwing some grappling techniques in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a roll-out mat covers any area by creating space for training. These mats are also light so that practitioners can carry them for training sessions held outdoors. Hence, training can be done in gardens and parks all over the UK.
However, roll-out mats can be used for numerous other activities.
Do you want to know them? Keep reading. This article lists numerous ways you can use roll-out mats.
1. Roll out Mats in Major Competitions
Roll mats are used mainly for individual training all over the UK. Nevertheless, they are becoming more important for large-scale competitive events. In such events, athletes are allowed to wrestle at all levels—from the highly kinetic and aggressive takedowns that are common in wrestlers to the very complex chokes and holds witnessed in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo—so none of the skills combined will go to waste.
Benefits of using roll-out mats in competitions:
- Level Playing Field: With many matches occurring simultaneously in large competitions, it is important to maintain uniformity and safety for all the participants. Roll-out mats ‘even the playing field’ by providing a similar surface, thus enhancing the degree of grip and impact absorption that may be advantageous.
- Used in Different Types of Fighting Venues: Many wrestling, MMA, and Jujitsu events take place in different types of venues, especially sports halls or even convention centers. Roll-out mats provide the option to meet diverse requirements, making it easy for the organizers to create numerous competition areas quickly. This is a great advantage in the United Kingdom because there are few appropriate martial arts facilities.
- Protecting The Competitors: High-intensity contact sports such as boxing and karate require a fighting surface that cushions shock and protects the athletes from hurt. Roll-out mats provide essential padding, reducing the likelihood of knee injury, concussions, and cuts on the skin during aggressive pickups, slamming, and wrestling actions.
2. For Your Home Workouts
Due to the growing popularity of online gym classes and home exercise, roll-up mats have become necessary in most homes in the UK. Sport England reported in 2023 that 29.5 million adults in England take part in physical activities every week but engage in them indoors.
Benefits of using roll-out mats for home workouts:
- Improve Your Form: A roll-out exercise mat primarily provides a well-defined area for workouts. However, other benefits associated with the mat include improving exercise performance. Practicing oneself on a roll-out mat, its friction-based surfaces enable the exercisers to carry out the routines without changing location or losing grip, eliminating any risk concerns.
- Protect Your Floors: You should be concerned about your carpets or hardwood flooring where using blocks or any additional workout apparatus is concerned. This aspect is much more prevalent in the UK since most residents live in very old houses with delicate decor as well as in rented accommodations, so one has to be careful to prevent damage.
3. Comfortable Camping and Picnics
There are wide areas in the UK, including countryside and coastal regions, that can be used for camping and picnics. However, their use may be affected due to the ever-changing British weather. Provided that a roll-out mat will come in handy to keep you comfy and dry regardless of the weather.
Benefits of using roll-out mats for camping:
- Ground Insulation: While camping or having a picnic in the UK, a roll-out mat will be your only savior from the damp, unusable ground that can be encountered even in summer. A mat warms up the surface area in contact with your body by providing insulation from moisture and cold, which is especially useful in the UK, where summer seasons have chilly nights.
- Hygienic Place for Meals: A good, often food-safe antibacterial mat will do just that: prevent slipping and provide a clean area for one to enjoy their picnic with as little chance of mud pests.
- Extra Padding for Seating: Sitting on a packing beach, thick bush, or uneven tidal flats can be challenging. A foldable mat can be useful when backpacking chairs are hard and uncomfortable, or the ground is bumpy, improving outdoor enjoyment.
4. Child-Friendly Play Area
Although roll-out mats are perfect for providing a serene setting for adults, they are also useful in creating an active and safe environment for kids. Roll-out mats are an excellent solution for parents, creating play areas in confined spaces, as in the UK.
Benefits of using roll-out mats in child play area:
- Soft Landing for Playtime: The cushioning helps to prevent injuries such as bruises and cuts from occurring to active children since playtime is outside for most families. This includes homes with very hard flooring, the most common in the UK.
- Designated Play Zone: Apart from providing safety, a roll-out mat acts as a barrier, signaling the beginning of a play zone. This helps encourage children to restrict the playthings and activities to that specific section.
- Easy to clean: It is very important to keep a play area for children as clean as possible; a roll-out mat enables this. The mat is easy to maintain since all that is required is to wipe it with a wet cloth. This is quite important, especially in the UK, where allergies are common among many children.
Conclusion
Roll-out mats have also found multiple practical uses and useful applications even outside the gym. These mats may be used for several things, such as providing comfort when working out indoors and outdoors, enhancing home fitness activities, and even for children and pets in the house, making them a must-have collectible in every household in the UK.
Appreciate their versatility and learn how roll-out mats can add value to your daily routine, whoever you are or whatever your hobbies are.
