You're settling into a plank, focused, breathing and the towel under your hands starts to bunch and slide. Suddenly you're thinking about your towel instead of your practice.
A good grip towel fixes it. But they're not all made the same, so here's what I look for when choosing one.
Why use a grip towel?
A grip towel sits over your mat and does two jobs at once. It gives your hands and feet a steady surface, even as you warm up and start to sweat and it puts a clean layer between you and a shared studio mat.
A regular gym or beach towel can't do either well. It shifts, it bunches and it turns every transition into a readjustment. A proper grip towel stays put so you can focus on your form.
What to look for
- Full-mat coverage. Your towel should cover your whole mat, so your hands and feet land on it in every position. Most standard mats are around 180cm long, so look for a towel at least that size.
- Grip on the underside. Silicone grip dots on the back hold the towel to your mat and stop it sliding. This is the biggest difference between a grip towel and a regular one.
- Absorbent fabric. Microfibre soaks up sweat quickly while staying soft under your skin, so your grip actually improves as you warm up.
- Quick-drying. A towel that dries fast is easier to throw in your bag after class and stays fresher between washes.
- Easy care. Look for a towel you can machine wash. You'll be washing it often.
- A design you love. It sounds small, but if you love how it looks, you'll actually bring it to class.
How to use and care for it
- Lay it grip-side down and smooth it out from the centre before you start.
- Wash before first use. It helps the fabric absorb at its best.
- Machine or hand wash cold after each class, and skip fabric softener, which can coat the fibres.
- Hang to dry in the shade. Avoid the tumble dryer to protect the silicone grip.
The towel I designed
I created the Starza Grip Towel because I couldn't find one that ticked every box. At 191cm x 72cm, it covers your whole mat. Silicone grip dots keep it firmly in place and the microfibre is lightweight, absorbent and quick-drying.
It's made for the way you really move, so you can stop thinking about your towel and start enjoying your practice.
See you on the mat, star.
Bella, founder of Starza