| Aerial Hoop Crash Mats

Safety During Aerial Hoop Training: Essential Considerations

Safety during aerial hoop training depends on several factors. These include the quality of the equipment used, experience, type of activity, the thoroughness of the trainer, and safety measures. One of the fundamental pieces of training equipment that undoubtedly ensures safety is the crash mat. It is hard to imagine a comfortable and successful training session without this incredibly important accessory. Thanks to it, the risk of injury is significantly reduced, and dangerous falls are almost entirely prevented. Additionally, this applies to nearly every discipline: from gymnastics to aerial acrobatics. Moreover, a good sports mat is perfect for use at home, as well as in pole dance schools, fitness clubs, or aerial studios. It is one of the essential pieces of equipment for any athlete who deals with gymnastics or acrobatics. For children, it can be a great place to play. You can find tested, safe, and high-quality crash mats for various disciplines in the Flying Rose offer.

Choosing the Right Crash Mat:

The type of crash mat should be tailored to your preferences and type of activity. A completely different product is recommended for pole dance and another for children’s play in a home gym. Pay attention to the thickness, size, firmness, filling, and material.

Each training mat should be matched to the size of the room and activity. The standard size is considered to be a mat measuring 200x120x10 cm. This product allows the performance of most exercises and works well during various training sessions. However, slightly different standards should be adopted when an acrobatic mat is needed, e.g., for aerial hoop and aerial silks. In this case, crash mats of standard dimensions or round ones with diameters ranging from 1 m to 1.5 m are used. As for thickness, it mainly depends on the height at which the equipment is suspended. The minimum thickness recognized is 10 cm. For frames and higher rooms, mats with a thickness of 20 cm are recommended.

Pole dance mats have different characteristics. They are usually round, with diameters ranging from 120 to 160 cm and thicknesses between 5 and 15 cm. Pole dance mats must have a notch to allow the mat to slide over the pole. At homes, foldable mats are popular as they are easier to store between training sessions.

Each crash mat also has the appropriate hardness. Soft mats are recommended for light training, stretching exercises, and for children. In aerial acrobatics, soft mats may "hit the ground" and not sufficiently cushion, hence in this case, a hard option is recommended.

The ideal filling of a training mat does not deform or clump. It is most commonly polyurethane foam, which, combined with good material (PVC or faux leather), retains its properties for a long time.

In our store, there are two types of mat coverings: PVC (otherwise known as plawil) and faux leather. Both are waterproof and can be cleaned with water. Faux leather works great in home conditions, while PVC is more durable, making it suitable for outdoor training and crash halls.

How to Care for a Sports Mat?

After training, every crash mat should be cleaned and disinfected. The care method should be adapted to the material of the product, but a universal method is cleaning the mat with a soft cloth soaked in mild detergent. The product must dry thoroughly before being folded and stored away.