How to Choose &Use an Incline Mat
Find the right incline mat size and explore ways to use it for rolls, backbends, walkovers, and gymnastics skill progressions.
Incline mats are a versatile training tool for gymnastics programs, schools, training facilities, and home practice spaces.
Their sloped surface can support rolling, tumbling, flexibility, and skill progressions while providing a padded area for practice. Choosing the right size can make a big difference in how comfortably athletes can move through each drill.
Develop Skills
Incorporate the slope into rolls, bridges, walkovers, and other coached progressions.
Choose Your Size
Match the mat to your available space, athlete, and intended training activities.
Train Multiple Ways
Use one piece of equipment across several gymnastics drills and skill levels.
One mat, multiple ways to train
Incline mats can support a range of gymnastics drills and skill progressions as athletes develop.
The gradual slope can help athletes move through certain skills with added momentum, making incline mats useful for foundational rolls and coached progressions.
Depending on the size and configuration, an incline mat can also be incorporated into flexibility, walkover, and tumbling drills as athletes develop.
Find an incline mat size that fits your training
Follow the two steps below. Your selections will help narrow the size options to a useful starting point.
Two quick choices. One suggested starting point.
Choose what best matches your training goals and available floor space.
View all incline mat sizes
Explore ways to use an incline mat
Choose a category below to see different drills and skill progressions.
Incline Mat Training
Use the slope to work on body position, momentum, and control through rolling progressions.
Forward Roll
Start near the high end and roll down the slope while developing body position and control.
Backward Roll
Use the incline as part of a coached progression through the backward rolling motion.
Dive Roll
Progress from a consistent forward roll toward a more dynamic entry with appropriate instruction.
Back Extension Roll
Build on the backward roll by adding extension, body awareness, and control.
Use the raised surface as another option for flexibility and controlled movement drills.
Bridge
Modify hand or foot positioning while developing strength and flexibility.
Backbend
Incorporate the raised surface into coached backbend progressions.
Walkover
Use the incline during walkover progressions as athletes develop balance and control.
Flexibility Drills
Incorporate the sloped surface into selected positioning and flexibility exercises.
Larger incline mats can be incorporated into selected tumbling drills with appropriate coaching and spotting.
Handstand Forward Roll
Incorporate the incline into handstand-to-roll progressions.
Back Handspring Drills
Use larger mats to provide additional surface area for coached drills.
Tumbling Progressions
Use the incline as one station within a broader tumbling progression.
Skill Connections
More experienced athletes may incorporate the incline into connected drills under instruction.
The right incline mat can continue to be useful as training develops.
Consider both the skills being practiced today and the amount of training space that may be useful as athletes progress.
AK Athletics incline mat shown in blue.
Set up for successful practice
Equipment setup, supervision, and appropriate skill selection all matter when incorporating an incline mat into training.
Use the mat in an appropriate training environment.
Athletes should use equipment appropriate for their size and skill level and perform skills with proper instruction, supervision, and spotting when necessary. Before training, position the mat on a clean, stable surface and allow adequate open space around the athlete.
Incline mat FAQ
A quick recap of incline mat sizing, training uses, folding design, and setup.
What is an incline mat?
An incline mat is a sloped padded gymnastics mat used for rolling, flexibility, tumbling, and skill progression drills.
What skills can you practice on an incline mat?
Incline mats can be incorporated into rolls, flexibility work, and selected tumbling drills and skill progressions.
What size incline mat should I choose?
Consider the athlete, the skills being practiced, and the floor space available when the mat is fully set up.
What incline mat sizes are shown in this guide?
This guide shows sizes from 24" × 36" × 12" through 60" × 120" × 24". Compare the dimensions with your available training space.
How does the slope help during training?
The gradual slope can be incorporated into foundational rolls, flexibility work, and coached skill progressions.
What is the advantage of a folding incline mat?
A folding design can make the mat more compact when folded. Folding capability and available configurations vary by size and model.
Can beginners use incline mats?
Incline mats can be incorporated into developing gymnastics skills and foundational drills. Training should match the athlete’s ability and include proper instruction and supervision.
What should I consider when setting up an incline mat?
Position the mat on a clean, stable surface with adequate open space around the athlete. Use appropriate supervision and instruction during training.
Keep building your training space
Shop incline mats and explore other AK Athletics soft play equipment for gymnastics programs, schools, training facilities, and active play spaces.
