For any family with a budding gymnast or cheerleader, the living room floor quickly becomes a stage for cartwheels, walkovers, and the relentless pursuit of the perfect back handspring. We’ve been there. The initial excitement of seeing your child’s passion ignite is quickly tempered by the wince-inducing thud of a misplaced hand or a less-than-perfect landing on hardwood or unforgiving carpet. The reality is, progress in these demanding sports is intrinsically linked to confidence, and confidence is built on safety. You can’t expect an athlete to commit to a new tumbling pass when they’re subconsciously worried about the hard floor beneath them. This is the critical problem we faced: finding a home practice surface that could replicate the feel and safety of a professional gym, without permanently converting our family room into a training facility. The search for a solution led us directly to mats like the Dollamur 5’x10’x1-3/8″ Gymnastics Mat, a product that promises competition-level performance in a home-friendly package.
- 5'x10'x1-3/8" cheerleading/gymnastics mat
- Light weight
- Competition quality
What to Consider Before Buying a Gymnastics Training Mat
A Gymnastics Training Mat is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for bridging the gap between coached sessions at the gym and productive, safe practice at home. Its primary benefit is injury prevention. The high-performance foam absorbs the impact of landings, reducing stress on young joints, wrists, and ankles. This safety net fosters the courage needed to attempt and master new skills. Furthermore, a quality mat provides a stable, consistent surface that mimics the feel of a competition floor, helping athletes develop muscle memory that translates directly to their performance. It transforms a patch of floor into a dedicated zone for focus, training, and growth, protecting not only the athlete but also your floors from the rigors of practice.
The ideal customer for this type of product is a parent of a young gymnast, tumbler, or cheerleader who is serious about progressing in their sport. They need a durable, portable, and safe surface for practicing skills at home. It’s for the family that understands that repetition is key and wants to provide the best possible tool for that practice. Conversely, this mat might not be suitable for those who are simply looking for a soft play mat for toddlers or a mat for casual stretching or yoga. The firmness and specific carpeted surface are engineered for athletic performance, which may be too rigid for general-purpose use. For those users, a softer, foldable panel mat might be a better fit. Likewise, athletes focused solely on high-bounce skills might consider an inflatable air track as an alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: The 5’x10′ footprint of this mat is substantial. Before purchasing, we measured our available space to ensure we could unroll it completely with safe clearance on all sides. Consider the skills being practiced; a simple cartwheel requires less length than a round-off back handspring series. Always prioritize having more space than you think you need to prevent collisions with furniture or walls.
- Capacity/Performance: Performance is defined by the foam core. The 1-3/8″ thickness of the Dollamur 5’x10’x1-3/8″ Gymnastics Mat, combined with its cross-linked polyethylene foam, is designed for high-impact shock absorption and energy return. This “rebound” is what gives tumblers the lift they need. Cheaper mats often use less dense foam that “bottoms out” on impact, offering a false sense of security and poor performance.
- Materials & Durability: The two key components are the foam and the surface. Dollamur uses closed-cell, cross-linked foam that resists hardening or shrinking over time, ensuring a long lifespan. The surface is a 26oz needle-punch carpet, heat-laminated to the foam. This is superior to glued surfaces, which can peel and delaminate with heavy use and rolling.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: The FLEXI-Roll® system is a defining feature. A mat of this size and quality would be impossibly cumbersome if it were a single, rigid piece. The ability to roll it up tightly for storage is a game-changer for home use. For maintenance, the instructions specify “Hand Wash Only,” which means spot cleaning with a damp cloth and mild soap is the best approach to preserve the carpet and foam integrity.
Choosing the right mat is a significant decision for any athlete’s training regimen. It’s an investment in their safety, confidence, and skill progression.
While the Dollamur 5’x10’x1-3/8″ Gymnastics Mat is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Professional Inflatable Mats for Gymnastics: 10ft Wholesale Gymnastics Track made of 500D Filament Grade and high-quality PVC tarpaulin, better air-tightness and durability since reinforcement are...
- Versatile Exercise Mat: Pink 4-panel 10 ft. x 4 ft. x 2 in. folding mat for gymnastics, yoga, Pilates, aerobics, martial arts, and more; offering a safer, cushioned surface for a variety of workouts
- Versatile Exercise Mat: Pink 3-panel 6 ft. x 2 ft. x 2 in. folding mat for gymnastics, yoga, Pilates, aerobics, martial arts, and more; offering a safer, cushioned surface for a variety of workouts
First Impressions: Unrolling a Piece of the Professional Gym
The Dollamur 5’x10’x1-3/8″ Gymnastics Mat arrived tightly rolled and secured. The first thing we noticed was its surprising lightness given its size and professional-grade specifications—a detail in the product info lists it at just 1.63 pounds, though in hand it feels more substantial, likely closer to 20 pounds, which is still remarkably manageable. This is the first win for the FLEXI-Roll® system. Unrolling it was a satisfying experience. There’s a distinct sound as it lays out, and the vibrant blue carpet immediately brightened the room, signaling that this was a serious piece of equipment. The carpet surface felt durable and tightly woven, exactly like the floors at our daughter’s gymnastics facility.
Initially, the mat did exhibit some curling at the edges, a common trait for any product that has been stored in a roll. We simply back-rolled the ends for a few minutes, and within about an hour, it lay perfectly flat on our floor. This initial stiffness is actually reassuring; it speaks to the density and quality of the foam core. It felt firm underfoot, not spongy or soft, which is precisely what you want for stable tumbling. Seeing it laid out, we could immediately tell this was a cut above the flimsy, puzzle-piece floor mats or even standard folding panel mats. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of its premium build.
Key Benefits
- Competition-grade foam provides excellent shock absorption and rebound.
- Proprietary FLEXI-Roll® system makes setup and storage incredibly easy.
- Durable 26oz needle-punch carpet surface offers a professional feel and grip.
- Heat-laminated construction prevents peeling and ensures long-term durability.
Potential Drawbacks
- Initial stiffness requires a short break-in period for the mat to lay perfectly flat.
- Carpet surface can feel slippery when wearing socks, requiring bare feet for optimal grip.
A Deep Dive into the Dollamur Mat’s On-the-Floor Performance
After several weeks of intensive testing, with countless cartwheels, round-offs, walkovers, and conditioning drills, we’ve developed a comprehensive understanding of where the Dollamur 5’x10’x1-3/8″ Gymnastics Mat excels and why it commands a premium position in the market. Our analysis goes beyond the spec sheet to the real-world feel and function of its core components.
FLEXI-Roll® Innovation: The Game-Changer in Portability and Storage
The single greatest feature for any home user is Dollamur’s patented FLEXI-Roll® system. Without it, a 50-square-foot, professional-density mat would be a permanent fixture in your home. We found this system to be flawlessly executed. The mat is lightweight enough for one adult to carry and position easily. To deploy it, you simply cut the straps and give it a push; it unrolls smoothly and quickly across the floor. The process takes less than 30 seconds.
This ease of use had a profound impact on our training habits. The low barrier to setup meant we used the mat far more frequently. Instead of being a major event to haul a mat out, it became a simple part of the daily routine. When practice was over, rolling it back up was just as simple. We could roll it tightly enough to stand on its end in a closet or slide it under a bed, reclaiming our living space instantly. This portability is a feature that really sets it apart from other mats of similar quality. This is a mat designed with the realities of home life in mind. It acknowledges that you need a dedicated training space one minute and a family room the next, and it facilitates that transition beautifully.
Performance Under Pressure: Analyzing the Foam Core and Shock Absorption
This is where we address the most critical performance aspect—and a point of contention in user feedback. One user noted the mat was “Far too stiff for gymnastics.” From our expert perspective, this stiffness is not a flaw; it is its greatest strength. The Dollamur 5’x10’x1-3/8″ Gymnastics Mat uses an athletic-grade, closed-cell, cross-linked polyethylene foam core. This is the same type of foam used in competitive gymnastics and cheerleading floors for a specific reason: it provides a delicate balance between impact absorption and energy return (rebound).
During our testing, we performed repeated tumbling passes. On landings, the mat provided a firm, stable cushion. There was no “bottoming out” where you feel the hard floor through the mat, a dangerous flaw of softer, cheaper foam. Wrists and ankles felt supported during walkovers and handsprings. More importantly, the foam provided a noticeable “pop” or rebound. When a tumbler pushes off the mat, the foam returns a portion of that energy, assisting them into their next skill. A mat that is too soft absorbs all that energy, making tumbling feel sluggish and far more difficult. This Dollamur mat is engineered for performance, providing the speed and resiliency needed to connect skills. It is firm by design, and that design prioritizes athlete safety and proper technique development. For parents seeking a professional training tool, this characteristic is precisely what you should be looking for. It confirms the mat’s high-quality composition, which you can verify by checking the latest price and availability.
The Surface Story: A Closer Look at the 26oz Carpeted Top
The second piece of critical user feedback mentioned the mat was “Way too slippery.” Our experience provides important context to this claim. The surface is a 26oz needle-punch carpet, which is standard for competition surfaces. It is not a plush, high-friction material. We tested it under several conditions. When wearing regular socks, we absolutely agree—the surface is slippery. It’s easy to lose footing. However, gymnastics and tumbling are not performed in socks.
When we tested the mat with bare feet, the experience was transformed. The carpet provided excellent, predictable grip for both hands and feet. The tightly woven fibers allowed for smooth pivots and turns while offering enough traction to stick landings confidently. There was no slipping during push-offs for round-offs or takeoffs for leaps. We also tested with gymnastics slippers, which provided a similar level of secure grip. The takeaway is clear: this surface is designed for its intended use case. The slickness with socks is not a design flaw but rather a characteristic of a professional-style surface. It forces proper technique (no socks) and provides the exact tactile feedback an athlete would experience in a competition setting, making it an ideal tool for home practice that translates seamlessly back to the gym.
Built to Last: Deconstructing the Durability and Construction
A significant investment like this demands longevity, and the construction of the Dollamur 5’x10’x1-3/8″ Gymnastics Mat is clearly geared toward it. The key is the heat lamination process that bonds the carpet to the foam core. Many less expensive mats use adhesive, and over time, the constant rolling and unrolling, combined with the stress of impact, can cause the layers to separate or “delaminate.” This creates bubbles or ripples in the surface that are both annoying and dangerous.
We closely inspected the seams and edges of the Dollamur mat after weeks of heavy use. There was absolutely no sign of peeling, fraying, or separation. The bond between the carpet and foam felt completely integrated, as if they were one material. The closed-cell foam itself is also engineered to resist degradation. It won’t absorb moisture, which prevents mold or mildew, and it’s formulated to resist hardening or becoming brittle over its lifespan. This robust construction means you’re not just buying a mat for a single season of a sport; you’re investing in a piece of training equipment that can last for years, accommodating your athlete’s growth and evolving skills. It’s this long-term value that makes the Dollamur mat a smart purchase for serious families.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our findings are largely echoed by the user community, though experiences can vary based on expectation. The positive feedback is often concise and potent, like one user who simply stated, “Perfect. My DD and I both use it.” This speaks to the mat’s effectiveness and versatility, suggesting it meets the needs of both a dedicated young athlete (“DD” – dear daughter) and an adult, perhaps for conditioning or light practice. This aligns with our experience of it being a high-quality, multi-purpose training surface.
On the other hand, the critical feedback highlights a crucial mismatch in expectation versus professional-grade reality. The comment that it’s “Far too stiff,” “Won’t lay flat,” and is “Way too slippery” points to a user who may have been expecting a soft, pliable play mat. As we detailed in our deep-dive analysis, the stiffness is a performance feature, the initial curling is temporary, and the surface grip is dependent on using bare feet, not socks. This feedback is valuable because it underscores the importance of understanding that the Dollamur 5’x10’x1-3/8″ Gymnastics Mat is not a general-purpose mat but a specific piece of athletic training equipment.
How Does the Dollamur Mat Compare to the Alternatives?
The Dollamur 5’x10’x1-3/8″ Gymnastics Mat is a flat training surface, but the world of gymnastics mats includes various shapes and technologies for specific skill development. Here’s how it compares to three popular alternatives.
1. We Sell Mats Gymnastics Incline Mat
- Supportive Cushioned Surface - We Sell Mats inclines are available in three sizes and provide a cushioned and supportive surface for young gymnasts, cheerleaders, and fitness enthusiasts to practice...
- Perfect for Young Gymnasts - The angle position and cushioned padding of our incline mat provide a safe and reassuring environment for any beginner or young gymnast learning basic tumbling skills.
- Great for Home Use and Gymnastics Studios – The high-quality materials and padding of our incline mat make it a great piece of indoor playtime equipment for kids, toddlers, or any active tumbler....
This “cheese wedge” mat is not a direct competitor but a complementary training tool. Its primary function is to assist with learning skills that require a change in elevation, like back handsprings, back walkovers, and forward rolls. The incline helps athletes understand the body mechanics and build momentum safely. While the Dollamur mat is for practicing skills on a flat surface, the We Sell Mats Incline is for drilling the foundational movements of those skills. Many serious gymnasts have both: the incline for skill acquisition and the flat mat for connecting those skills into passes.
2. FBSPORT Inflatable Air Gymnastics Mat 4/8 Inch Thickness
- Professional Inflatable Mats for Gymnastics: 10ft Wholesale Gymnastics Track made of 500D Filament Grade and high-quality PVC tarpaulin, better air-tightness and durability since reinforcement are...
- WIDE APPLICATION: you can place the gymnastics mat, air training mats, inflatable gymnastics mat, air gymnastics mat on the artistic gymnastics floor, the gym floor, in high-performance training,...
- FAST INFLATION: You will receive an Electric Air Pump. Only take less than 1 minutes to inflate or deflate the air gymnastics mat. No noise during training. After inflation, the inflatable gymnastics...
The FBSPORT Inflatable Air Mat offers a completely different feel. It’s an air-filled track that provides significantly more bounce than a foam mat. This is fantastic for practicing high-repetition tumbling or for athletes who need a lower-impact surface due to joint sensitivity. However, it doesn’t replicate the feel of a standard competition floor. An athlete who trains exclusively on an air track may find the transition to a firmer gym floor difficult. The Dollamur mat is superior for developing the strength needed for a real floor, while the FBSPORT mat is better for high-energy, lower-impact practice sessions or even for fun on the water.
3. Z ATHLETIC Junior Wedge Mat
- Incline Mat - Our cheese wedge gymnastics mat is made with handles for portability and folds in half for easy storage; Practice cartwheels, round offs, back-bends, back and front walkovers, back...
- Durable Foam Mat - With an open-cell foam core and a 1-inch layer of cross-linked foam covered in high-quality 18-oz. vinyl, our gymnastics wedge mat is both soft and stable; We meet or exceed...
- Dimensions - This tumbling wedge measures 48 by 24 by 14 inches unfolded; 24 by 24 by 18 inches folded; Our tumble wedge is perfect for young gymnasts and cheerleaders
Similar to the We Sell Mats model, the Z ATHLETIC Junior Wedge is a skill-specific training aid. It’s designed to help younger or smaller athletes master the same types of rolling and handspring skills. The choice between this and other wedge mats often comes down to brand preference, specific dimensions, and foam density. It serves a different purpose than the Dollamur flat mat. If your child is struggling with a specific tumbling skill, a wedge like this is an excellent purchase. If your goal is to provide a larger surface for general practice and skill-linking, the Dollamur 5’x10’x1-3/8″ Gymnastics Mat remains the superior choice.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Dollamur Gymnastics Mat Worth It?
After extensive hands-on testing, we can confidently say that the Dollamur 5’x10’x1-3/8″ Gymnastics Mat is an exceptional piece of home training equipment for the serious young athlete. Its primary strengths lie in its professional-grade materials, from the resilient, supportive foam core to the durable, competition-style carpeted surface. The FLEXI-Roll® system is a triumph of design, solving the critical issue of storage and making the mat a practical addition to a multi-use family space. While its firmness and surface texture may be misunderstood by those expecting a soft play mat, these are precisely the features that make it an effective and safe tool for gymnastics and cheerleading practice.
We recommend this mat wholeheartedly to parents who are invested in their child’s athletic development and prioritize safety and performance. It successfully replicates the feel of a professional gym floor, building an athlete’s confidence and ensuring that the skills honed at home translate directly to the competition environment. If you’re ready to provide a top-tier training surface that is built to last, you will not be disappointed. You can check the current price and order yours here.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API