Why Jillian Michaels Uses an Extra Large Yoga Mat

By Amos Arvizu

may 16th, 2026

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Watch any serious workout long enough and something starts to stand out. It’s not just the intensity or the pace. It’s how clean the movement looks. Nothing feels restricted. Nothing looks forced.

That usually comes down to one thing people don’t think about.

The setup.

A lot of workouts are limited by the surface underneath you, and yoga mats are one of the biggest culprits. They’ve been the same size forever, so nobody questions it. You roll it out, deal with it, and move on.

But once you notice it, you can’t unsee it.

Hands creeping off the front. Feet running out of space in lunges. Constant small adjustments that break your rhythm. It’s not dramatic, but it’s there the entire time.

That’s where the difference starts.

The Problem With Standard Yoga Mats

Man stretching hips on small yoga mat at home

Standard yoga mats were never designed for the way people train today.

They’re typically around 68 to 72 inches long and fairly narrow. That might be fine for light stretching, but once you start moving through full sequences, you run into limits almost immediately.

Your front foot lands near the edge.
Your back foot pushes off the mat.
Your stance shortens without you realizing it.

Instead of focusing on the movement, you’re adjusting your position.

For taller users, it’s even more obvious. A standard mat simply doesn’t match your frame. That’s why so many people end up searching for a yoga mat for tall people after dealing with the same frustration over and over.

It’s not that the mat doesn’t work. It just doesn’t work well.

Why Size Actually Matters

This is the part most people overlook.

More space isn’t a luxury. It changes everything.

It sounds simple, but it’s the difference between a frustrating session and one that feels solid from start to finish.

Switching to an extra large yoga mat feels different right away.

When you have enough room:

Your hands stay planted
Your feet stay on the mat
You stop thinking about positioning
You actually get into the flow of your workout

You’re not thinking about where your hands and feet are. You’re not pulling yourself back into position every few seconds. You’re just moving.

An XL yoga mat gives you the length and width to complete full movements without running out of space. Lunges feel natural. Downward dog feels stable. Transitions feel smooth.

It removes friction from your workout.

That’s the part most people underestimate. Small interruptions add up. Every adjustment breaks your flow just enough to take you out of it.

With a big yoga mat, those interruptions disappear.

Why Size Matters Even More for Tall People and Active Training

Man performing plank on a yoga mat for tall people

If you’re taller, a standard mat becomes a limitation almost immediately.

Your range of motion is larger, so you need more surface to support it. A proper yoga mat for tall people should match the way your body actually moves, not force you to shrink your movements to fit the mat.

But even if you’re not tall, this still applies.

If your workouts include:

dynamic flows
strength-based yoga
hot yoga or hot Pilates
faster transitions

then space becomes critical.

This is why more people are moving toward extra large yoga mats. Not for looks, but for performance.

Why Trainers Like Jillian Michaels Choose Bigger Mats

Jillian Michaels practicing on an XL yoga mat by Tatago

Title

Experienced trainers don’t use equipment that gets in the way. Everything they use has a purpose.

Jillian Michaels is known for high-intensity, no-nonsense workouts. That kind of training doesn’t leave room for limitations. You need full range of motion, stability, and control.

A small mat introduces friction:

limited space
constant repositioning
reduced stability

An extra large yoga mat removes it.

More space allows complete movement.
Better grip keeps you stable.
The workout becomes the focus again.

That’s why serious trainers gravitate toward XL yoga mats and big yoga mats. Once you experience the difference, it’s hard to go back.

Tatago’s focus on space, grip, and durability has also been featured in coverage from NY Magazine and Miami Weekly, highlighting the shift toward performance-driven yoga gear that actually supports how people train.

review for extra large natural rubber hot yoga mat quotations

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"Huge and thick, and I finally have enough room to stretch out without falling off the edges."

Ali W.

Rolled extra large thick yoga mat with textured non slip surface

Two people using an extra large yoga mat for stretching at home

Woman stretching on an extra large yoga mat with thick cushioning

Bog yoga mat under a standard mat showing XL size and yoga mat thickness

Woman laying on extra long yoga mat thick and wide

Man lying on extra large yoga mat showing 84 by 30 inch size

Rolled extra large yoga mat secured with carry strap

Rolled extra large exercise mat with thick non slip texture

The Big Mat XL

$47.98

$56.98

(Additional 15% off for new customers)

Grip Matters Just as Much as Space

Hands showing the grippiest yoga mat non slip surface

Space solves one problem. Grip solves the other.

A lot of mats feel fine at the beginning of a workout. Then heat builds, sweat kicks in, and everything changes.

Hands start slipping. Feet lose traction. You start holding back without even realizing it.

That’s where material makes a difference. A natural rubber yoga mat with a high-quality top layer behaves differently. It grips better as you sweat instead of becoming slick. That gives you stability when the workout actually gets intense.

When you combine a natural rubber yoga mat with an extra large format, you eliminate two of the biggest issues at once: lack of space and lack of grip.

The difference an extra large yoga mat makes

Man stretching on a big yoga mat with lots of room

Switching to an extra large yoga mat isn’t just about comfort — it changes how you practice.

Instead of adjusting to your mat, your mat adjusts to you.

You can:

fully extend in poses
move without thinking about boundaries
stay centered throughout your flow

For many people, it’s the first time their practice actually feels unrestricted.

Extra long vs standard yoga mats (quick comparison)

Extra Large yoga mat next to small yoga mat comparrison with text listing sizes

Standard mat: ~72" x 24"
Extra large mat: ~84" x 30"

That added space makes a significant difference, especially for taller users.

A larger mat with appropriate thickness often creates the most stable foundation, particularly for home practice.

We have a guide on the benefits of an extra large yoga mat that explains how this affects joint support and stability.

For those who want both extra cushioning and more room to move, a big yoga mat can provide a significantly more comfortable practice space.

Choosing the right Extra Large Yoga Mat Makes A Difference

Man lying on extra large yoga mat next to standard yoga mat for size comparison

Not all larger mats are created equal, so this part matters.

A true extra large yoga mat should be long and wide enough to actually change your movement. Around 84 inches in length with added width is where you start to feel the difference.

Material is just as important. A natural rubber yoga mat provides better grip and durability than basic foam mats, especially in hot or high-sweat environments.

Thickness should offer support without sacrificing stability. Too soft and you lose balance. Too thin and you lose comfort.

And the mat should stay flat and grounded. If it slides or curls, it defeats the purpose entirely.

A good XL yoga mat should feel solid, stable, and reliable from the moment you step on it.

If you have never used a big yoga mat it is a noticeable upgrade.

We talked more about this in our blog on big yoga mats changing modern yoga practice and why more people are switching.

Title

natural rubber extra large yoga mat for hot yoga and Pilates

Natural rubber xl yoga mat shown rolled to display surface and rubber backing - Green

Jillian Michaels using Grand Mat'ster big yoga mat - Green

Extra-large hot yoga mat used during hot yoga class - Green

Non-slip yoga mat showing textured grip and dense cushioning - Green

Extra-long yoga mat shown with height reference for tall people - Green

Best non-slip yoga mat for hot yoga and heated studio sessions - Green

XL yoga mat rolled with carrying strap for studio transport - Green

Long rubber yoga mat shown rolled with a non-slip PU surface - Black

Bikram yoga mat used during a calm Bikram class with seated meditation - Black

Non-slip exercise mat showing PU top layer and rubber base - Black

Oversized yoga mat displayed with full body size comparison - Black

Best non-slip yoga mat for hot yoga and heated studio sessions - Black

Big yoga mat rolled and carried with shoulder strap for studio use - Black

Grand Mat'ster Natural Rubber Pro XL

$89.98

$98.98

(Additional 15% off for new customers)

A Yoga Mat for Tall People

You’ll benefit from a larger mat if you:

are 6 feet or taller
feel cramped on a standard mat
practice dynamic flows or hot yoga
want more space for stretching or floor work

If you train at home this pairs well with what we covered in the blog on the best yoga mat for strength training and home workouts.

The Upgrade Most People Never Think About

People will try new workouts, new programs, new routines.

But they rarely change the one thing they use every time.

The mat.

If your workouts feel cramped, there’s a reason.
If you’re constantly adjusting your position, there’s a reason.
If things feel unstable once you start sweating, there’s a reason.

The mat plays a bigger role than most people think.

Switching to an extra large yoga mat is one of the simplest upgrades you can make, and it has an immediate impact on how your workouts feel.

Why More Space Changes Everything

This isn’t about making things complicated. It’s about removing limitations.

A small mat forces adjustments.
A larger mat allows movement.

That difference shows up in every session.

Once you have enough space and proper grip, your focus shifts back to where it should be. On the workout itself.

That’s why more people are using XL mats. They solve a problem that has always been there.

If you’ve ever felt cramped or restricted during your workouts, it’s not your form.

It’s the surface you’re working on.

Take a look at the extra large yoga mat that changed everything →

You can also check our recent article: The complete guide to choosing the best yoga mat deeper dive into all mat styles.

🧘‍♀️ Bonus: A Free Stretching Guide For You

If these simple stretches help even a little, I want to give you something more.

I put together a free guide that walks through gentle, effective stretches to relieve body pain and reduce stress.

Woman stretching on a XL yoga mat to releive pain

It goes deeper into how stretching supports your back, neck, hips, and shoulders.

I’m offering it free because stretching has helped me manage real injuries and chronic pain, and I want others to experience that same relief.

Inside, you’ll find:

Simple stretch routines for different parts of the body
Clear explanations of why each stretch helps
Gentle movements you can do at home in just a few minutes
Practical ways to reduce tension and stiffness throughout the day

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