Different types of mats

Many martial arts can be done on a hard surface but judo needs to be done on mats because the high amount of throwing that gets done.

Since I decided to get our club our own mats I have been doing a bit of research on mats. There are three basic options for judo mats:
a) roll-out mats
b) tatami mats
c) jigsaw mats

Each type has its pros and cons. Here are the key things you need to know about each.

Roll-out Mat

These are the most convenient when your classes are held in a multi-purpose hall. When you need the mats, you roll them out and when you're done, you roll them up (just like a carpet). They can be held together via velcro connectors.

Cheerleaders use these mats too and their version usually has a carpet finish. For judo, you'd want a PVC finish, ideally with a tatami-grain texture. In terms of thickness, 4cm is good for judo although it's possible to get them in 5cm too.

The main drawbacks of roll-out mats are
(i) they are very expensive, often more costly per square meter than even judo tatami mats
(ii) while their lengths can vary according to your liking, their widths are usually fixed at 1.52m or 1.83m because of the machines that make them. You can request that the manufacturer trim the width, for example down to 1m, but you would still have to pay for the original width, so it's a costly proposition.

Tatami Mats

These are usually favored by judokas because tatami mats are what we are used to. However they can be quite costly and they are meant to be fixed mats. If you use a multi-purpose hall, tatami mats are not suitable as they can weigh up to 15kg each. The mats will also need to held in place, usually with some kind of wooden frame otherwise they will fall apart. The mats typically come in 2m x 1m configurations although you can get 1m x 1m pieces too.

Jigsaw Mats

Jigsaw mats are the most versatile because they come in 1m x 1m pieces and can be easily configured to fit every nook and cranny in your room. They are also the cheapest option, typically half the price of a tatami mat per square meter.

Many judokas don't like jigsaw mats for two reasons. Firstly, there is the impression they don't provide enough cushioning for throws. But that's because the jigsaw mats we are used to in Malaysia are usually 2cm or at most, 3cm thick. Many gyms in Malaysia use jigsaw mats for their martial arts areas but since those martial arts are usually not judo, the mats are very thin. For judo, you'd want to get 4cm, which needs to be imported.

The other reason judo players might not like jigsaws it that they can sometime feel a bit slippery. That's because of the texture of the surface design which comes in various forms but not usually tatami grain (at least not in Malaysia). But it is possible to request for a tatami-grain texture on jigsaw mats if you order them from overseas. That should help with the slipperiness issue.


So, which mat is ideal?
Actually that really depends on your circumstances. If you have a dedicated room that is a perfect square or rectangular in shape (no odd shapes), I'd say go for tatami. If you are sharing a room and have to remove the mats after practice, tatami won't do. Go for roll-outs or jigsaws depending on the dimensions of the room and your budget. If the dimensions are a bit odd, jigsaws would be better as the come in small 1m x 1m pieces and can be cut if necessary. Rollouts come with fixed widths that are rather odd (1.52m and 1.83m). They too can be cut but it's a costly proposition. So, if you have an unusually shaped room or if the dimensions of the room are uneven, you'd do well to go with jigsaws. Budget is also another key consideration. Roll-outs are the most expensive types of mats. Jigsaws are easily half their price per square meter.

As a judo player, I would like tatami the most but it doesn't look like it will be feasible for KL Judo Centre to have those because we will not have a dedicated room but rather will be sharing a space with other activities. So rollouts or jigsaws it must be. I like rollouts because of the convenience factor but the dimensions of the room we are looking at does not fit well with the fixed widths of the rollout mats. It might have to be jigsaws. But if so, I will get ones that are at least 4cm and a tatami texture.