Category Archives: News

Croatia Silver Medallists in World Cup 2018

Croatia were the runners up in a nail biting contest against France. After an almost perfect run in the 2018 World Cup in Russia and what was one of the best finals in living history the French side were victorious. They were able prevail in somewhat controversial circumstances which saw the Croatian side lose the only one game in this years world cup, albeit in the final game.

The Croatians dominated the game from the start. Croatia had over sixty percent of possession of the ball in the game and showed real classes. However a dubious penalty close to the box saw the first penalty against Croatia. What was clearly a dive by the French player was then converted into a goal when the ball touched the head of the Croatian player and then went into the goal for an own goal against Croatia.

Croatia then retaliated by scoring a brilliant goal which saw the game equalised to 1-1. The goal was truly great and served to lift the Croatian side.

Another corner to France saw another dubious penalty awarded to France in front of the box when the ball touched the arm of the Croatian player and a hand ball was awarded. What would normally would have been dismissed was counted as a hand ball after it went to the new VAR technology which saw the referee award the penalty to the French side which they converted.

With the Croatian side stunned the French quickly converted two quick goals which saw the valiant Croatian side on there back foot and 4-1 down in the competition. A brilliant goal from Mandžulic saw the game go to 4-2 and the momentum quickly turned back to Croatia. Just as the side started to reassert itself a couple of streakers ran onto the field from the Russian protest group “Pussy Riot” which again sapped momentum from the Croatian from which they never recover with the game going to the French 4-2 in the end.

Souther Cross Mats is please to know that both sides apparently use gym mats and jigsaw mats as part of there training. They are used in indoor training sessions to minimise injury. Although these are unconfirmed by an independent source it only makes sense that a professional sporting side would want to reduce the chance of injury to their players.

The Southern Cross Tatami mats have been a top choice among our more popular products we have. The high-quality training high above the quality standard make sure that any dojo or training facility with different programmes will have no problems using them. The Southern Cross Tatami mats is not just for regular uses in dojos, but it is perfect as flooring for your home! We guarantee that with this choice, all of your standard flooring needs will be to your satisfactory.

Of course, the Tatami mats are praised for their durability and stability-ensuring texture, but one of the more interesting reasons is that the Tatami has enjoyed a cultural status and importance. The ancient Japanese Dojo keepers and masters throughout the ages have hailed the Tatami flooring as a sacred symbol. It is well-known that the Tatami mat has had a cult status throughout the ages.

We will have a look-see into the detailed history of the Tatami mat and examine how the Tatami has gotten its sacred status and importance in Japan’s culture. It has a fascinating and lush history, from the days when the idea for the ancient Japanese flooring was thought of, through the days when the technique for manufacture was improving to this day.

With a long-held tradition and a flawless quality to boot, the Tatami is one of our most demanded flooring products and it is a high-quality material which guarantees absolute satisfaction. Whether its house flooring you want, or you require it for your dojo, the Southern Cross Tatami mat is all you need.

Certainly, the Tatami mat has had its fair share of history, and has been hailed as an essential component in every Japanese home and the greater part of the Japanese architecture, furniture, and ancient Japanese art. Today, in this modern day and era, there’s not much difference either. The Tatami is valued greatly among the masters of ceremony in Japan today.

The whole manufacturing procedure in making of the Tatami mat used eight thousand pieces of rush, a specific type of grass. The sturdy woven grass texture was supposed to be rolled around rice straws, which were used as a core. The grass is called “Igusa”. This rather intricate weaving technique has been evolving since day one, and the Japanese Tatami masters have been thinking up ways to hasten the process and make the material even tighter and more stable. Nothing beats nice and tight, and highly durable like a good trial-and-error hand manufacturing.

The Japanese industrial cities like Fukuoka and Hiroshima are known for their surrounding areas of rich Igusa grass. These cities are well-known in Japan as the leading industrial zones for rush production used for Tatami mats. Vast industrialization and today’s modern technological advances just keep hastening their production and manufacture rates.

Historically speaking, Tatami mats have been used since the mystical 8^thcentury, the Nara Period of Japan. The etymology goes with the word “Tatami”. The word Tatami is old so much that the the oldest record of the word’s use is written in one of the oldest history books of Japan, the Kojiki books. With the coming of the Heian period around the 9^thcentury, until the 1200s the Tatami mats were getting rather popular, and in the Muromachi period, the Japanese masters were making Tatami mats even thicker and more comfy. Soon enough, Japanese noblemen started using the flooring as an absolute necessity.

It escalated very quickly around the late Muromachi period of the 16^thcentury. You could see Tatami mats in every home, not just in the homes of the noblemen. Every floor was covered in Tatami, along with intricate patterns of cut up Tatami mats. Superstition and mysticism started sprouting up along with any cultural anomalies. It was an ill omen if you used odd arrangement patterns for your Tatami, as there was only one or two “proper” ways of setting up your Tatami mat.

The people believed that bad luck will follow the family if they placed their Tatami mats wrong, instead of a very strict and traditional order, as told by the grandmasters and noblemen. The Tatami mats weren’t all equally measured, one of the Tatami mats were half measure, and using very strict arrangement patterns, the Japanese would place the Tatami mats accordingly. “Zashiki” was the name of the Tatami rooms, in which they were used as guest rooms or living rooms. “Zashiki” meant “spread rooms for sitting”.

Around the Muramachi era of majestic Japanese lifestyle and culture, a very distinctive style of art known as Shoin-Zukuri style started to emerge on the popular furniture and architecture fad of Japan. It is regarded as a groundbreaker and a staple in traditional Japanese art, as well as fashion. Paper screens became highly popular with intricate artwork and expensive wooden frames, along with square wooden pillars, and finely arranged Tatami mats.

We should mention the great martial arts masters of Japan, who saw the Tatami texture as something sacred and protected its dignity with rules, regulations, and traditions. They showed absolute respect, and an almost fleeting notion of worship. They follow a very strict code and etiquette towards the usage of the Tatami mat.

The zen masters of Japan never treat the tending and cleaning of the Tatami as a simple chore, yet as a noble act, as a ritual, and a sacred duty. They keep their Tatami mats nice and tidy, and they frown upon bad mannerisms. The great masters of the martial arts, throughout the ages, have showed nothing but absolute respect and almost a feeling of worship to the sacred status of the Tatami.

The Southern Cross Tatami mats are a true staple of Japanese flooring. They are available in 40mm thickness and a density of 230kg/cbm. They measure 1m x 2m on the surface and they have a Tatami texture and finish with an inner compressed sponge and an anti-skid bottom. It should be noted that the Southern Cross Tatami mat does not use genuine Tatami straws but they are made of heavy duty vinyl. The compressed sponge is for comfort and the rubber bottom makes sure that the Tatami mat stays in place.

They can be separately ordered as 1m x 1m also. Our Tatami mats are a perfect choice if you need proper dojo flooring material. They effortlessly withstand high-impact activities and sports. They have the durability of ages, all thanks to the meticulously structured material.

Here at Southern Cross Mats, as one of the top suppliers in vinyl mats and MMA flooring, we work hard to supply your dojos and exercise centres with high-quality wall mats, yoga mats, gymnastics mats, MMA mats, and of course, Tatami mats. We have warehouses and shops in Sydney and Melbourne. Our valued customers can always choose the mats which they need the most. Please consult our sellers or you can contact us to see which mat suits your needs best.

Our Southern Cross Tatami mats are undoubtedly a perfect marriage between the traditional and the modern. The technological advances of today sped up the process and smoothened out the quality of the mats to high ends, it’s fine to the touch and absolutely safe. It goes without mention that our Tatami mats have a very pleasant smell while the smooth surface ensures no skin burns.

Basically, the Southern Cross Tatami mats are the essential flooring material for your dojo or martial art centre. They are known as the fundamental part of the traditional Japanese home, as the home itself is nothing without the comfortable support of the Tatami. They make every home a pleasant abode. Just the same, it goes for any martial arts center or dojo, as the comfort the Southern Cross Tatami mat provides is unmatched.

Despite the decline of Tatami mats around the 20^thcentury, the noble Tatami flooring is still a distinctive part of the Japanese identity. It’s well-cemented in popular culture. We value and deeply respect the sacred status of the Tatami mat. It is an object of great importance in Japan’s history. This durable material and high-quality flooring will never fail to impress even the most stern dojo masters. If you are in need for some very durable and quality flooring material for your abode or dojo, look no further!

Karate Tournaments Still Prefer EVA Foam Mats

Karate is still an immensely popular sport practiced by people all over the world. There are hundreds of styles in existence both traditional and modern. Karate is practiced by people of all ages and style. Some just practice for health and fitness. All of them need karate mats in their dojo.

Other practice it as a competitive sport. When they practice it as a competitive sport then many chose to attend tournaments where they can test their skills against others. When they do they more than likely fight on EVA mats or puzzle mats.

Karate Mats for Karate Tournaments

Tournaments have long been a popular way for practitioners to test their skills in a safe environment. Karate tournaments can be found on a weekly basis in many cities and suburbs. Whilst karate is not an olympic sport such as tae kwon do, it is not short on people willing to fight one another in an organised competition.

Gone are the days when people would simply challenge one another (sometimes to the death). Nowadays people are more inclined to want to compete with other people in a safe setting. Most tournaments have strict rules, and doctor and more importantly karate mats.

Safety mats such as karate mats, EVA mats, jigsaw mats and foam mats are an integral part of providing a safe place for people to either compete or train. In fact not only will you find these mats at karate tournament, you are just as likely to find them at the karate dojo. No school or competition is complete without some kind of karate mats on the floor to provide practitioners protection.

Donald Trump And The Effect on Fitness Equipment

The below article is part of a press release that Southern Cross Mats put out regarding the effects the recent trade friction between the USA and its trading partners might have on world trade. Of particular interest is the effect to will have on fitness equipment. As Southern Cross Mats is a major supplier of jigsaw mats and gym mats in the Australian market they are closely monitoring what effects it might have. It is also important to keep the market in touch with things that may effect it.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump’s trade tariff announcements have caused significant concern for numerous countries around the world. That response may be expected, but there is a potential consequence no one could have predicted: Australian fitness fans could find themselves unlikely victims of Trump’s quest for a trade war.

The Down Low on Trumps Tariffs

President Trump seems determined to enter a trade war with China — he describes trade wars as “easy to win” — in an effort to increase manufacturing output and create jobs in the USA. Trump has stated he plans to place tariffs of a wide range of goods imported from China into the US. This news has been met with global dismay, with many experts seeking to point out that trade wars are rarely “easy”, and are more frequently a zero sum game.

At the present time, Australia has not earned the US President’s ire directly, but the consequences of Trump’s actions could have an impact on the trading relationship and supply chain prices between Australia and China. As a result of the US tariffs, China may be forced to raise prices on a number of products for all countries, with items that may be impacted including gym mats— and that’s where the problems begin for Australian fitness fans.

The Impact of Tariffs for Fitness fanatics

On a one-off basis, the average Australian customer is unlikely to notice an increase in these prices that have risen as a result of President Donald Trump. Individually, customers who are buying products from the likes of Southern Cross Mats are unlikely to notice too much of a price difference, so it may be tempting for individuals to dismiss any knock-on impact from the tariffs.

For customers who spend a lot of time at the gym, there may soon be a rise in gym subscription costs as a result of the US tariffs on Chinese goods. The reason for this is simple: gyms need to keep their facilities full of equipment, which is usually achieved by buying high-quality, low-cost EVA mats from China. If the manufacturers in China raise their prices to deal with the impact of the Trump tariffs, then it’s likely that gyms will need to raise their subscription prices to cover the cost.

The cost to fitness gyms and users

Fitness experts have warned that the tariffs are bad news for anybody intending to step inside a gym in the foreseeable future, as the POTUS seems determined to extend the — already more than 1000 lines long — list of items that the US will be collecting tariffs on. Even if China cuts its trade with the US to lessen the impact, there isn’t a country in the West that will escape some blowback.

With these tariffs certain to have an effect on the price of gym equipment such as jigsaw puzzle mats and similar essentials that are imported from China, fitness fanatics here in Oz could soon be counting the cost of Trump’s decisions.

For these reasons it is sure that the effect of such actions are of great concern to consumers of all types of goods the world over. What’s more countries and financial markets will be on edge as they wait to see what the outcome of any negotiation might be between the USA and trading partners such as the EU and China. Stay turn for more new in coming weeks and months.

Kid’s Friendly Flooring From Direct Mats

Foam mats are the simplest and easiest way to make a floor a secured and nice-looking. One of the most popular flooring materials, jigsaw foam mats. They are considered to be the most kid’s friendly floor material nowadays. With greater safety appeal and a flexibility this type of flooring materials is gaining popularity both in home and professional environments.

Unfortunately, not every flooring specialist deals with jigsaw foam mats. If you are living in Australia, then you need to go for a jigsaw mats specialist shop to find out your desirable jigsaw mat. And if you are considering of buying foam jigsaw mat or interlocking mats for home, then Southern Cross Mats is the best and most renowned store in Melbourne. We also have a warehouse and store in Sydney so we can service customer Australia Wide.

Since the start, Southern Cross Mats has stocked several types of gym mats and foam mats in Australian. Whether you want to buy directly from one of the stores or simply purchase online while sitting in the comfort of your home, Southern Cross Mats has you covered. You can book your jigsaw mats over the phone and directly pick it from the store or can place your order and we can arrange delivery to your doorstep.

Why Southern Cross Mats?

Being a customer-centric company, it always aims at offering the products and services that will address the exact needs of clients and give them a highly professional experience while working with the staffs of the firm. Besides of selling jigsaw mats and foam mats, it also assists clients to get a perfectly installation service. By providing the expert guide for installing jigsaw foam mats. The mats are easy to install so with a bit of guidance you shouldn’t have any trouble.

Jigsaw foam tiles are the best option for safe and soft flooring and has become the most favourite choice for schools, children psychotherapeutic clinics, homes, playrooms, and more. Owing to this cause, Southern Cross Mats has covered up a vast range of products and options for catering the needs of every client easily. Jigsaw floor mats from Southern Cross Mats are available in ranges of thicknesses, and colours sizes. Whether it is your kids’ room, your workshop, your playroom or any other place, you can get mats for suiting all sized and designer rooms, decorations and interiors.

Southern Cross Mats carries foam floor mats in several bright colours, gentle shades and wood pattern designs that can complement any home decor. Most of the interlocking mats, foam jigsaw mats, and martial arts mats are flexible for a variety of uses.

Mats are designed to be on floor and so Southern Cross Mats always focuses on giving clients the best quality products. Though they are made of EVA foam, they are also durable enough to withstand regular contact with shoes and feet. This is the reason we use only quality materials so that a client can enjoy long-lasting benefits from the mat.

Beside of sizes and colours, Southern Cross Mats also gives a cost-effective price approach for our customer. All products offered by Southern Cross Mats are cost-effective and comes to suit any budget. We alway strive to be the most competitive supplier in the market. So if you need kid friendly flooring at a budget look no further.

Daniel Cornier Fights Stipe Miocic at UFC 226

As you may have already heard Stipe Miocic is set to defend his UFC heavy weight title against Daniel Cornier at UFC 226 on July 7th. The fight will take place somewhere in the USA and is set to be a excellent fight between to opponents. The fact that they are two seasoned fighters and experienced wrestlers makes the fight even more exciting.

Daniel Cormier wrestled at Oklahoma State University prior to making the U.S. Olympic team in 2004 and then again in 2008. His interest in wrestling is so great that he has accepted a head-coaching role with the wrestling program at Gilroy High School, which is located south of San Jose, California, USA. Stipe Miocic was himself a seasoned wrestler who wrestled while at Eastlake North High School. So the fact that both have spend considerable time on wrestling mats will make for a very interesting match indeed.

It is interesting to note that Miocic was a Gold Gloves boxing champion while in college before making his mark in MMA. Cornier current training at the American Kickboxing Academy which means that they are both very competent stand up fighters as well. It is no doubt that they have spend considerable time on their gym mats training for this fight. Hopefully it will be a great fight and bring lots of enjoyment. It is sure to be watched by a large audience and we all look forward to it.

Understanding What Tatami Mats Are

Traditional Tatami mats are made of cloth and rush and are of Japanese origin. These woven mats are used in homes as well as commercial settings in that country. We at Southern Cross Mats have taken inspiration from these traditional mats and offer our customers an excellent range of Tatami Mats that can be used in commercial and home gyms, playrooms, fitness centres, martial arts centres etc.

Features of Tatami mats

The difference is that our Tatami mats are made of vinyl but look like their traditional counterparts.
These products have an anti-skid underside.
Their inner layer is made of sponge that has been compressed to provide cushioning and comfort.
There are tatami mats of different densities.
We can customise the sizes for you.
They are an ideal flooring solution for areas where gym activities or contact sports such as martial arts are being performed.
They are also used in physical training, aerobic and competition sport zones.
The mats are typically available in grey and black shades but other colours can be made available too.
You can order Tatami mats in the thickness you need.
It is very easy to pivot while performing kicks in judo and karate sessions.
Tatami mats have a good absorption rate and are great for big judo throws.
They are a “forgiving” floor and are very suitable for martial arts centres where kids will be training. Parents feel more comfortable knowing that the flooring provides a certain amount of cushioning.
They are easy to maintain and extremely durable.
Cost effective solution for all types of gym and physical training areas or any other high activity area.

While these mats are very resilient, you need to acquire them from credible suppliers. For top quality Tatami Mats the only company you need to come to is Southern Cross Mats. For more information, feel free to call us at 1300 168 828. You can also use this Contact Us form to get in touch with us.

Why Jigsaw Mats are a Great Option for your Gym Floor

If you own a commercial gym, you know exactly how competitive the space is. There are a number of different sizes of gyms that offer various amenities to attract more members. With this in view, it becomes important for you to choose the best equipment, fittings and fixtures and facilities at your gym. While most owners focus on all these things, many tend to forget that the flooring in their gym needs as much attention as any other feature or installation.

Jigsaw mats- the perfect gym floor material

Tiled floors are a no-no because they don’t provide the kind of cushioning required in a gym environment. The people that use gym expect a floor that will be comfortable to work out on and firm at the same time. This is where Southern Cross Mats’ jigsaw mats come in. These mats are a great solution for your commercial gym because:

Strong and durable-They are extremely resilient and are able to endure the wear and tear a commercial gym sees. These mats are dense enough to withstand all that beating and still stay looking good for a number of years without any trouble.
Aesthetically appealing– Our jigsaw mats are available in a variety of colours and you can use either a single colour or multiple colours to create a pattern on the gym floor. We also have black and grey coloured jigsaw mats of if you want a more rugged look in your gym.
Economical– Our mats are very cost-effective and since they are very durable, the cost of ownership is lower well.
Comfort– Jigsaw gym mats are soft and comfortable, yet firm and become the ideal flooring solution for all areas of your gym.

For top quality jigsaw mats the only company you need to come to is Southern Cross Mats. For more information, feel free to call us at 1300 168 828. You can also use this Contact Us form to get in touch with us.

Need Mats For a Home Gym? – Try Interlocking Mats

When you are setting up a home gym, you want products that will be durable, long-lasting and aesthetically-appealing. Its why you take a lot of care while choosing your gym equipment. In addition to the actual equipment, you also need to ensure the space is well ventilated, has sufficient light and the right type of flooring. This is where interlocking mats come into the picture.

These mats are made of EVA foam and are the ideal flooring solution for home gyms. EVA or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is a soft material that provides a certain amount of firmness when you are standing on it. There are different qualities and thicknesses of EVA mats and we at Southern Cross Mats have a wide range of them.

There are a number of benefits to opting for interlocking mats such as:

They create a very safe flooring surface that provides the right amount of cushioning.
The mats have insulating properties and dull the sound of metal equipment.
Interlocking mats are very easy to install and the pieces fit into each other to form very smooth and stable flooring.
These mats are available in a variety of colours and add to the aesthetics of your home gym.
Our mats are available in a variety of thicknesses and this allows you to choose products that match your requirement and budget.
The mats don’t need to be glued down to the floor to keep them in place as they have an interlocking design. This also makes it easy to relocate the pieces if you need to.
Since the installation is so easy, you can manage it yourself and it can be done very quickly as well.

For top quality interlocking mats the only company you need to come to is Southern Cross Mats. For more information, feel free to call us at 1300 168 828. You can also use this Contact Us form to get in touch with us.

Gym Mats- The Varieties to Choose From

A gym mat is a great surface to work out on and is commonly used in home gyms, fitness centres as well as commercial gyms. They provide a firm yet cushioned surface to stand on and are perfect for light as well as heavy workouts. Since they are soft, they help prevent impacts from injuries and also reduce the amount of strain that people generally experience when they work out on hard surfaces.

When you are purchasing gym mats you need to ensure that you purchase them from reputed suppliers like us at Southern Cross Mats. We have been operating in this space for a number of years and have been supplying the best quality mats to commercial as well as individual customers. Regardless of what your requirement is, we are the company to come to for all your gym mat needs.

Gym mat varieties

There are a number of different types of gym mats to choose from such as:

Rubber mats are an economical option in comparison to vinyl and are extremely sturdy and durable. They are the perfect solution for any gym or fitness centre and can endure high foot traffic.
Vinyl mats are made from a mix of materials such as vinyl and compressed foam and they are great for gym spaces. They provide sound insulation and cushion impact as well.
EVA jigsaw mats are widely used in gym settings and can be installed in rooms of any size and shape.

The gym mats you buy from us will always be of the highest quality. If you aren’t too sure about the types of mats you need, all you have to do is call us and speak with our experts. They will provide you all the information you need about these mats and help you find products that match your needs and fit into your budget.

For top quality gym mats the only company you need to come to is Southern Cross Mats. For more information, feel free to call us at 1300 168 828. You can also use this Contact Us form to get in touch with us.

Gym Mats For Christmas

That time of the year is coming around again and after a year of hard work it is some to take a break and celebrate the festive season with our loved ones. Now we get to put up our feet and have a BBQ or two in the warm Australian summer. But before we get to relax we first need to think of what we will be buying our friends and families this Christmas as gifts. This is not always an easy task.

A great Christmas gift for anyone is a set of gym mats. Gym mats are a great way to burn off a little bit of Christmas cheer and to continue to shed some weight in the aftermath of what is usually a time of eating and sitting around by the pool or watching cricket. Gym mats are also a great way to tell your loved ones how much you care about their well being and to give them incentive to get up and do some exercise. There is no greater hint then giving a piece of exercise equipment like gym mats.

Gym mats are made from EVA foam which gives them the absorbing qualities needed for vigorous training. Foam mats, as they are otherwise know, are a great way to minimise the impact that hard training can have on your body. Foam mats are available in a number of thicknesses so they can be tailored to whatever activity you may need them for. They also come in different colour options to match with your surrounding.

Foam mats are not only good for training areas but can also be used for play areas as well. If you have setup an indoor play area for your kids they are a great way to reduce injury when kids are playing. Whilst they can’t protect against all mishaps and falls and are no substitute to adult supervision they can definitely reduce the impact when a child falls down. You can either use our standard foam mats for a kids area or purchase specialised kids mats which come in colourful patterns and alphabets.

So if you are looking at a good practical present for your family this Christmas then look no further the our foam mats and gym mats.

Gym Mats For a Safe Training Environment

The gym mats we provide offer safety and adaptability. It’s up to you how you use them, and they’ll be sure to meet your specific needs. But why are mats so important? When exercising, carrying out practices or doing drills, you need to have the security and safety that a good gymnastics mat provides.

No matter what kind of routine you have and follow, you need to be sure that you can rely on the mat underneath you. Without that peace of mind, your routine might be disturbed because your mind will be focused elsewhere. And the worst case scenario, you can even get hurt unnecessarily. There is no need for anyone to get hurt when exercising and doing gymnastics routines.

We make sure that each of our gymnastics mats is made using the best quality materials possible. This provides buyers like you with a product that can be relied on in any given situation. Have confidence in your mat of choice, and stop worrying about whether or not it can offer you the support you need. When you buy from us, those worries will quickly become a thing of the past.

Roll Out Mats

We have three different sizes of roll out mats that you can purchase. The smallest is our 3-meter roll out mat. It’s a size that will be more than big enough for the majority of gymnasts and buyers out there. But if you need something bigger, you might want to consider our 6-meter or 12-meter options. These provide far more room, and, therefore, they’re more adaptable and offer a few more possibilities.

All of our roll out mats are blue, and they’re made from EVA foam and felt. They’re 35mm thick, meaning that they offer plenty of protection for you when carrying out your routines. As far as we’re concerned, our roll out mats are the ultimate mats, and they’re all you’ll ever need. The felt finish makes them attractive and pleasant to the touch. You won’t find a gymnastics mat that’s more suitable for your gymnastics needs, no matter how hard you look.

One of the great things about these mats is that they are so easy to roll up and store. They might be big when they’re rolled out and ready to use. But that doesn’t mean that they have to take up space at other things. This is something that you should keep in mind and be aware of. You can carry them to and from where you train very easily as well. As any gymnast or trainer will know, that’s a major blessing in itself.

Fold Mats

Our 3-fold mats offer something a little different, and these mats can be very useful for a variety of different uses. Many people use these mats in the home when they want to get active. They come in a variety of different colours. You can choose between black, blue and red options. They weigh only 3.5 kg, meaning they’re kept lightweight and easy to carry around. The dimensions of these mats are 60 x 60 x 16 cm.

There are three separate parts to the mat, and it’s this that allows them to be folded up neatly and simply. They can then be stored very easily and simply in the home. That’s something that’s really important, so take it into account when you’re making your choice. This is what makes them so appealing to people who want to use them around the home. They can be used for yoga, home judo, pilates and many other activities that you prefer to do around the home too.

Their use is not simply confined to use around the home, though. They can also be used in the gym and wherever you want to get active or do some gymnastics. Their tough design and high-quality materials mean that they can handle heavy usage and being moved around a lot. Take advantage of this and take your 3-fold mat wherever you need to and wherever you want to use it. There is no limits to what you can do with it.

If you have anything else that you want to know about our mats, you should get in touch with us. Our team is always more than happy to answer any questions you might have and give you all of the vital information about the mats we’re proud to sell. We can even help point you in the direction of the mat that will be best for you.

Get Fit With Gym Mats For Summer

This time of year is here and it is time to get ready for summer. All of us will be looking at starting some extra training to loose some of the weight you accumulated during winter. Whilst those extra pounds are ok when you are wearing jumper and coats it is another thing when you put on a bikini or your budgy smugglers. Before you start planning your training regime it might be a good idea to think of the equipment you will be needing to hep you through your training sessions. You might particularly want to break out some gym mats as they will definitely help you prolong your training.

It is all and good to ramp up the training leading up to summer but you might also want to protect your body by purchasing some gym mats. Gym mats are aways a great way to help combat the fatigue that comes with hours spent training and doing your vigorous exercises. Fortunately gym mats come in a variety of thicknesses to be tailored to the intensity of the activity you are doing. While some light exercise may only require the thinner mats if you doing more intensive then you might want to consider some thicker mats.

Foam mats are aways an excellent addition to your training area as they help assist with limiting injury and fatigue. Foam mats are used by people all over the world for all sorts of activities. With foam mats you really are helping ensure that your time spent training won’t come with an injured or fatigued body thereby allowing you to train longer and harder.

Foam Mats for all Your Training Needs

We often get asked the question of which are the better mats for this activity or that. The truth is the type of mats you use for any given activity depends on what you are going and what the out come of your training needs to be. Also the type of area you are using can play a major role in what you might choose to use for your train area. The bottom line is that where you are engaging in a vigorous activity you should probably look at getting some safety mats the help mitigate any risk your activity might attract.

That said I am a big fan of foam mats. Foam mats, as the name implies, are made from compressed foam which is then die-cut into a jigsaw pattern. The die-cutting of the foam mats means that the size is uniform and that each piece will easily slot in to the next, therefore creating a continual surface. Also now as puzzle mats, foam mats are easy to manufacture and transport which makes them and idea product. If you are considering laying some training mats in your dojo or training area then you really can’t go any further then foam mats.

The other benefit of these mats is that they are easily cut. All you need is a Stanley Knife or box cutter and you will easily cut through an EVA mat. This is handy during the installation process as it allows you to fit your mats in non-square corners or to cut around furniture or other obstacles. Foam mats are a truly versatile product.

Dollar Down After Disappointing Inflation Data

The Australian dollar was down this morning after weaker then expected inflation data. The rate of inflation came in at 0.2% instead of the expected 0.4%. The core rate was 0.5% which was in line with expectations. Although the RBA is more likely to take core inflation into account, the announcement spooked traders which saw the dollar fall by 0.3%. Immediately after the announcement it found itself just above the $0.79 mark.

We don’t expect the current fluctuation of the AUD to have a dramatic effect on the price of gym mats. The dollar has been relatively high in the past few months which has kept the price of gym mats low. In any case suppliers like Southern Cross Mats are competitive and usually absorb any currency movements. It would take a serious shock to the market to cause a large drop in the AUD and therefore have an effect on imported goods.

The other factor to consider is the price of oil. As you may very know foam mats are manufactured using EVA which is a petroleum bi-product. Any change in material costs has an effect on the finished product. The price of foam mats has stayed low because the cost of oil has been stable. What’s more any rise in the cost of USD denominated raw materials would have been off-set by the rising AUD which has acted like a buffer. As such we can expect the cost of foam mats to stay low.

Order your jigsaw mats whilst the AUD is good value. You know you will be able to buy your jigsaw mats at a good price when the Australian Dollar is so high. The price of jigsaw mats is much higher when the dollar is around the $0.72 mark. We have heaps of stock of jigsaw mats at the time so order now. We also have a shipment coming regularly.

30mm EVA jigsaw mats are also know as puzzle mats

How Jigsaw Mats Got Their Name?

It is always interesting to find out how certain products got their name. Sometimes it is a vague connection with how a product got it name like Pina Collada. Who would ever know how that drink got its name. I have tried to find out and have had scant success. And what about that movie La La Land. I watched it the other night and I have no idea how that got its name either. I don’t know if it is because it was based in LA or if is about an industry that is so “out there”. Nonetheless it is a puzzle to me (I wonder if they used any puzzle mats in the film).

Which brings us to jigsaw mats. How did jigsaw mats get their name? Whilst it may allude many people to me it seems quite obvious. If you have ever seen a jigsaw mat then you would have noticed that it resembles a jigsaw puzzle. The main difference is that with a jigsaw puzzle the pieces all fit together differently. This is because it is a game to see if you can find the right pieces to fit together. With jigsaw mats it is not a game. It is serious business. When people buy these mats they don’t want to be mucking around trying to find the right piece. They want the convenience that comes with having interlocking mats that fit together.

So whilst jigsaw mats got their name from a game we at Southern Cross Mats take it quite seriously. For us it is not a game as we love to please our customers and make sure that they get the best deal possible when sourcing their training mats. So if you are also serious about your gym mats then give Southern Cross Mats a call.

Why EVA Mats For Martial Arts?

Customers always ask me why EVA mats are so good for martial arts training. It is a good question as martial arts mats are in high demand now, especially since MMA and BBJ has taken off in the past years. There is a number of answers to this question which I will explore in further details below.

EVA mats are a puzzle mats which is made from expandable foam. The main feature of EVA is that is has absorbing qualities which make it idea as an anti-fatigue mats. EVA can come in a variety of thicknesses depending on the application. It is ideally used to make mats but it can also be used for other applications in both sports and industry. EVA can be dyed into any colour and can even have multiple colours such as our jigsaw mats.

EVA mats are also light weight. As they are made from expandable foam there is no need for any other material to be used in combination which the mats. They don’t need an additional protective coating as they are easy to clean and are very durable. It is there very durability that makes them so appealing. We have supplied these to all sorts of organisations such as police tactical response training who put them through vigorous work outs in a daily basis.

Lastly EVA mats are cheap. They are the most inexpensive anti-fatigue mats you are likely to find. As EVA is just an petroleum bi-product it is a material which is in abundance and is easy to obtain. The inexpensive quality of these mats makes them the ideal product for any organisation that needs to stick to a budget.

Interlocking Gym Mats For Convenient Training

There is nothing worse then having to pack and unpack huge and heavy mats ever time you want to do some training. It is even worse when those same mats come apart while you are training. Apart from the convenience it is also dangerous are your toes can get caught between the gaps which can lead to strains and broken bones.

This is why interlocking gym mats are such a great option. These mats are also referred to as jigsaw mats and foam mats. Interlocking mats are great for a number of reasons and you are sure to experience the benefits once you have tried them.

Easy to assemble – The interlocking nature of the mats make them very easy to assemble. Just like a jigsaw puzzle the pieces fit snuggly into one another forming a perfectly smooth surface. The mats can then be easily taken apart when they are no longer in use.

Easy Storage – These mats are incredibly easy to store. As they are only 1m x 1m they cab be stacked up when they are not in use. And as they are light weight you don’t have to worry about them toppling over and injuring someone.

Light Weight – There mats are very light weight. Each mats weights only 1.5 – 3kgs depending on the thickness. This is extremely light when you take into consideration the size of each mats.

So if you are looking to buy a good gym mat for your training area look no further then EVA interlocking gym mats. They are a great solution for any train area.