SPORT-THIEME 0422702 Exercise Mat Tips User Guide

: June 9, 2024
: SPORT-THIEME

Table of Contents

Decision-making factors for mat types
SINKING DEPTH
FOR YOUR SAFETY
GYMNASTICS MAT ACCESSORIES
Safety in sports halls
GYMNASTICS MAT CORES
GYMNASTICS MAT SURFACES
GYMNASTICS MAT UNDERSIDES
Transport and storage
Maintenance
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

SPORT-THIEME 0422702 Exercise Mat Tips User Guide

Decision-making factors for mat types

The decision as to which type of mat to use should be based on the following criteria:

Age group / body weight (primary or secondary education)
The pupils’ performance level
Exercises they will undertake
The jumping/falling height
Type of landing

The mat should have optimal shock-absorbing qualities but also be suficiently firm.
Decision-making factors for mat types

DENSITY

This is an indication of the foam’s quality, given in kg/m³. The density tells you the
foam’s weight per m³. The higher the density, the better and longer lasting the mat.

SINKING DEPTH

The sinking depth is the ability of the mat to change shape on impact, and to maintain the gymnast’s stability. It is divided into the following 3 levels:

Low sinking depth:

Artistic gymnastics mats, types 1-3
Floor gymnastics mats, types 1-3

Moderate sinking depth with a flatter footprint:

Mats, types 4-6, e.g. landing ma

High sinking depth:

Soft floor mats, types 7-10

FOR YOUR SAFETY

Always use gymnastics mats for their intended purpose and, above all, ensure that you have enough shock absorption in line with the European standard.

Gymnastics mats for diferent requirements

Gymnastics mats for diferent requirements

The entire range of products online at: sport-thieme.com /mat

GYMNASTICS MATS

Gymnastics mats are versatile. In artistic gymnastics, they provide important fall protection and absorb the impact after dismounting or vaulting

They provide a padded surface for floor exercises. In toddler groups, gymnastics mats form a soft, insulating surface that small children can feel comfortable

on. Due to their low shock absorption properties, gymnastics mats are only suitable for use with jumps from a maximum height of 60 cm.

LANDING, SOFT FLOOR AND HIGH JUMP MATS

Regardless of whether they are for use in artistic gymnastics, high jump or playful exercises in children’s gymnastics, soft floor and landing mats are a must-have in any sports hall. Soft

floor mats are the ideal fall protection for use in artistic gymnastics and optimally absorb the impact when landing after uncontrolled dismounts and vaults. For controlled dismounts, we

recommend firmer landing mats. They allow for a safe landing in a standing position.

GYMNASTICS MAT ACCESSORIES

Velcro fastener corners
For connecting several mats together to create a larger surface Recommended: An ideal accessory for gymnastics mats with a low net weight.

Carrying handles
Made from webbing (100% polypropylene), sit tightly against the mat

Recommended: Make carrying mats with a higher net weight easier.

Leather corners
For protecting mat corners

Safety in sports halls

In order to be able to guarantee safety during the everyday use of gymnastics mats, the series of European standards EN 12503 was developed through years of collaboration between the European standardisation and testing institutes as well as numerous experts. Basically, in EN 12503-1 mats are divided into 10 types depending on their intended use. The corresponding classif cations can be seen in the table below. The corresponding type of mat listed should be used for each area of use described. The mats are subject to strict testing criteria.

Types that comply with EN 12E03-1 standards Classification by typesand areas of use| Safety requirements on absorption properties|
---|---|---
Type| Typical use| Max. braking acceleration g (1 g = 9.81 m/s)| Sinking depth (mm)| Restore coefficient % (rebound height)| Exercise use| Area of use|
1| Mat for floor exercises without vaulting (beginners)| ≤ 80| Not required| Not required| Floor exercises| Nurseries, pre- and primary schools|
2| Mat for floor exercises with vaults (floor exercises mat, 4 cm)| ≤ 6ł| ≤ 3ł| 20 – 60| Floor exercises, rhythmic gymnastics| Schools and clubs|
3| Mat for floor exercises with a vault for landings(gymnastics mat, 6 cm)| ≤ 40| ≤ ł0| ≤ łł| Floor exercises,landings from max. 60-cm drop height| Nurseries,schools and clubs|
4| Mat for simple dismounts from apparatus with controlled landing (landing mat, 12 cm)| ≤ 40| ≤ 110| ≤ ł0| Landing from more than 60 cm drop height| Schools and clubs|
ł| Landing mat (landing mat, 1ł cm)| ≤ 2ł| ≤ 110| ≤ 30| Landing from more than 60 cm drop height| Schools and clubs|
6| Mat for difficult dismounts (competition landing mat,20 cm)| ≤ 14| ≤ 10ł| ≤ 1ł| Landing from more than 60 cm drop height| Schools and clubs|
7| Soft floor matfor simple exercises (30 or 40 cm)| ≤ 3ł| ≤ 18ł| ≤ 2ł| High jump, max. drop height 2 m| Schools and clubs|
8| Soft floor mat (30 cm), density 22 kg| ≤ 20| ≤ 2ł0| ≤ 2ł| High jump, max. drop height 2 m| Schools and clubs|
9| Mats for high jump| ≤ 10| ≤ 70| ≤ 20| High jump, max. drop height 2 m| Schools and clubs|
10| Mats for high jump (competition)| ≤ 10| ≤ 60| ≤ 20| High jump, max. drop height 2 m| Schools and clubs|

Sport-Thieme gymnastics mats

PROVEN QUALITY

Sport-Thieme mats
Our mats continually undergo inhouse quality control checks. This is the only way to guarantee that the quality the customer demands is

Upon request, we will take back your old gymnastics and soft floor mats when you buy new mats from us. The foam core will be recycled and used again in the manufacturing process. Please enquire about collection costs in advance.

GYMNASTICS MAT CORES

Composite foam

Foam from foam flakes that have undergone a special pressing and gluing process
Particularly resistant yet also flexible
Density: 80, 100 or 120 kg/m³
Use: gymnastics mat

Light foam

Expanded polypropylene foam, mainly sealed foam particles
Good resilience to static and dynamic loads
Density: low
Use: gymnastics m

PE foam

Several layers of polyethylene foam glued on top of one another (sandwich design)
Highly stable yet lightweight
Density: 30 kg/m³ (for gymnastics mats)
Use: floor exercise mat

PU foam

Polyurethane foam
High shape stability
Density: minimum 20 kg/m³
Use: soft floor mat

GYMNASTICS MAT SURFACES

Polygrip mat material

Grained structure
Non-slip
100% polyester
Tensile strength: 2,500 N
600 g/m

Textured mat material

Non-slip
Pimpled structure
Protects against skin grazes
100% polyester
Tensile strength: min. 2,500 N

Canvas

No wrinkling due to a strong bond between the core and cover
No burns
Skin friendly
Stable underfoot

GYMNASTICS MAT UNDERSIDES

Polygrip mat material

Non-slip

Textured mat material

Particularly non-slip thanks to special pimpled surface

‘Wafile’ design

Extremely non-slip

SAFETY

GYMNASTICS MAT UNDERSIDES

Particularly safe: concealed zip improves safety!

Transport and storage

Storing and transporting mats appropriately, as well as using them as intended, extends a mat’s service life and functional use.
Mats should not be subjected to buckling or bending loads, as this can damage the internal structure of the mat We therefore recommend that mats are stored flat – preferably on a mat trolley.
Whilst being stored, mats should not be subjected to extreme changes in temperature or high levels of humidity and should also be protected from exposure to direct sunlight.

GYMNASTICS MATS

Storage: On a mat trolley (observe the manufacturer’s information on max. load) that is suitable for the size of the mats (no overhangs); up to a maximum of 12 gymnastics mats per trolley.

Transport: Using mat trolleys; loading and unloading on the narrow side. In primary school usage, a minimum of four students is required to carry mats whilst in secondary schools a minimum of two students is required. Only carry mats vertically.
Transport and storage

Appropriate mat trolleys can be found online at: sport-thieme.com/ mat- trolleys

LANDING, SOFT FLOOR AND HIGH JUMP MATS

Storage: Optimally stored flat, alternatively they can be stored vertically against a wall and secured with 2 straps. The mats should not sag.

Transport: Carried vertically or transported on a special trolley.

FLOOR EXERCISES MATS (RUNNERS)

Storage: Rolled up around a core with the felt covering on the outside and secured with a belt or Velcro strap. Can be stored standing or can be hung up.

Transport: Carried vertically or transported on a special trolley

Maintenance

MAINTAINING MATS YOURSELF

In order to check whether the mat material is still fi for landings, the mats have to be inspected regularly. The checks detailed in the checklist on page 7 are easy to perform and give a quick indication of whether the mat isfi for use

VISUAL CHECK RECOMMENDED EVERY 3 MONTHS

Mat cover
(rips due to wear and tear): Does the cover of the mat have any visible damage or soiling?
Leather corners (completely stitched):
Are all of the leather corners still fully stitched? CAUTION: Accident risk!
Mat surface:
Does the mat have any obvious deformation or holes in the landing area? CAUTION: Accident risk!
Carrying handles/loops
(completely stitched): Are all of the carrying handles/straps still securely stitched? Handles cause damage to the mat if torn off !

Note: Carrying handles/straps must not be used to hang mats!

CHECKING THE FILLING RECOMMENDED ONCE A YEAR

Tears in the foam: Has the foam developed tears?
The foam is no longer uniform or has split into pieces: Is the foam still a solid block, or has it split into individual pieces?

CHECKING THE ZIP RECOMMENDED AFTER EVERY USE

Correct:
Zips must be completely closed.
CAUTION:
If the zip bulges outwards and some of the teeth no longer interlock, you can solve the issue by doing the following: carefully pull the zip pull back to the start of the zip and then close the zip once mo

Note: The zip pull can often be found under a flap. If it is not possible to pull the zip pull with yourngers, a small pair of pliers or a paper clip should help.
GYMNASTICS MAT UNDERSIDES

MAINTENANCE AND CARE

Cleaning:
We recommend cleaning dirty mats with water and soap-based detergent
Care:
When looking after your mat, you should use care products suitable for use on plastic.
If the mat shows any signs of wear or damage to the internal core, the mat should be put to one side and no longer used.
Upon request we can send you a suitable replacement mat cover or core. We are happy to advise you!

TELEPHONE SUPPORT

We are here to answer all of your concerns, big or small, on +49 5357 181 503
Mon-Fri 8:00–12:30 and 13:30–16:00

MINIMUM 3-YEAR GUARANTEE

At Sport-Thieme you are buying quality. Guaranteed!
We go beyond the legal provisions and provide a minimum 3-year guarantee – often even longer, up to 25 years! You can nd more information about this in the product descriptions in the particular article and in our terms and conditions at sport-thieme.com/terms-and-conditions Buy from Sport-Thieme with peace of mind:

100-DAY RETURNS POLICY

You can return purchased products within 100 days of receipt without giving any reason. You can nd more information about this in our terms and conditions at
sport-thieme.com/terms-and-condition

We hope you enjoy your Sport-Thieme mats. With this booklet, we aim to provide you with information on [ important decision-making factors] for you to consider when deciding on the right mat for your needs. In addition, this booklet also includes valuable tips about the storage and transport of gymnastics mats which help you to extend their lifespan.

Best wishes

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