If you've ever stretched or exercised on a hardwood floor, you know just how uncomfortable it can be when sitting, kneeling, or trying yoga and Pilates exercises. For these activities, exercise mats will offer support and traction, but not all exercise mats are the same. Depending on your activity, the mat you're using could either be helping or hurting your workout-and your body. While many gyms offer a variety of mats, some people prefer to use their own mat at home or in gym classes.

Roll up mats are what you see in most gyms and exercise rooms. They are easy to transport and provide padding and are a barrier between the practitioner and the floor. You can use exercise mats for yoga and pilates and you can use yoga and pilates mats for other exercises and stretches.

Exercise mats can be used for general fitness activities that take place on hard floors or carpet. They offer extra cushioning when sitting, lying, and supporting your body on hands, knees, or elbows, whether you're stretching or exercising. Less expensive fitness mats are made of foam or soft fabrics, but they will compress over time and need to be replaced.

Mats with better cushioning (using air pockets that don't deteriorate) and more traction usually cost more but last longer. Generic fitness mats are too thick for activities like yoga and Pilates and don't offer the traction that is necessary for those exercises.