Mats - Anyone used these?

MartinC2006

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SHOCK-ABSORBING-TRAINING-MATS-MARTIAL-ARTS-KARATE-JUDO_W0QQitemZ190133611681QQihZ009QQcategoryZ101711QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Has anyone had experience with these?

I know they are no good for a Dojo but I am considering these for the garage coupled with some carpet underlay. They would be for rolling mainly but it would also be good if they could take the odd takedown in sparring. They seem a very reasonable price and they guy has nearly 2k all positive feedback on these alone. At 12mm thick would they be any use though? My garage floor currently has a fairly uneven concrete base.

Advice Welcome.

Martin.

kenpo_dave

Mats like that are perfect for grappling and stand up, whether its in the dojo or at home. Only thing not ideal for is throws and takedowns, though they are better than nothing
Even the ones Smiths sell are good enough.

http://www.toys.ie/product_details.jsp?npc=D05294

Roper

KO Martial Arts is fitted out with those. We've used them for about 4 years now and while they are a bit tough on takedowns without the extra padding we use, they're not bad either. Just don't slam, but then again, I've never been slammed and liked it on any surface!

I use 20mm matting with 20mm aeroboard insulation underneath in a timber frame and they're about as cushioned and impact absorbant as tatami mats IMO, with a bit less give underfoot which I think is better for stand-up sparring. The insulation is cheap- €40 will get you about 20 square metres.

MartinC2006

Many thanks for the replies folks.

Roper, is this the stuff you’re talking about? http://http://www.aerobord.ie/prods_building/prods_building_FRAME.html

Can’t seem to find a supplier on Google, any idea where I’d get it up north? Failing that I suppose I could go back to the Carpet underlay idea.

I’m planning to cover a fairly large area, about 20*14 so I want to do it right. Do you think I should go for the 20mm stuff or would the 12mm eBay stuff do the job?

Also do you think it’s worth the hassle leveling the floor? It’s a bit lumpy but by only a few mm’s.

Again many thanks for the replies.

Martin.

mark.leonard

I got a much better price on them from a direct supplier in Galway, though transport might be an issue, it would be worth giving them a ring - Easy Fix, Noel - 087-283 7183
Just tell them Point Blank sent ya........then when he doesn't know what you are talkign about say Mark Leonard sent ya.....then when he goes WHO? Just say the guy with the 24 CTU ringtone

Roper

20mm areoboard is available at any builder's suppliers and possibly even B&Q Marty. I'd love to be doing a garage gym- great craic when you've a few people over I'd say- you know, like your in-laws.

MartinC2006

Excellent.

Cheers for the info Mark, I’ll give him a buzz from home later. Could you give me a rough idea what you paid and what type of mats? I’d be paying a fair bit in shipping from England anyway so it may work out worthwhile taking a van down to Galway for a good price.

Checked B&Q yesterday Barry, no luck  the guy tried to sell me some spray foam instead and didn’t understand that I didn’t want it for my walls.
In fact it will be good craic when the in laws come round. The Father in law boxed for years and enjoys telling me at length that nothing but boxing is effective and that everything else is dancing around or man hugging. Thus far I’ve not tempted him into attending training with me though

Roper

Yeah you'd probably have to get it from a Builder's Providers. Most will have no trouble selling it to you. A bale will cost you about €40 non-trade price.

weemate

I'll have to take a trip to your place Roper to see this mat set up you have.Kyoujin mma will be moving house in the near future and I want to put a fixed matted area down.
Peter

Roper

I'll be doing a joint training session soon Peter so maybe I'll organise it for a day that there's a competition or fight night on as well so you guys are in Dublin.

As for the mats they're nothing special, its just in our old place we had a wooden floor with joists under it so there was an extra bit of give on the takedowns. But when we moved to this place and the concrete floor... OUCH! The aeroboard was cheap and did the job just right, and it's cheap enough so that when the spring goes on it after a couple of years I'll be able to just whip up the mats and replace it for a couple of hundred.

weemate

Happy days mate,Organise it for a sunday and I'll have a few of the guys come down.We'll have a yarn about it on saturday at the show if you're there.

Roper

The price for going to SBG summer camp in Sweden is that I don't get to go to Ring of Truth on Saturday... damn it!

mark.leonard

Roper wrote:

The price for going to SBG summer camp in Sweden is that I don't get to go to Ring of Truth on Saturday... damn it!

No WAY! Man its tough to balance everything, you do know that ROT is not broadcast on Bravo on Sunday night, right?

mark.leonard

MartinC2006 wrote:

Excellent.

Cheers for the info Mark, I’ll give him a buzz from home later. Could you give me a rough idea what you paid and what type of mats? I’d be paying a fair bit in shipping from England anyway so it may work out worthwhile taking a van down to Galway for a good price.

Give me an email info [at] mmaleague dot com

MartinC2006

Done.

Cheers.