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View Full Version : Zebra Mats Thoughts?

MakotoDojo
06-02-2005, 11:07 PM
Hello all,

I will be installing wall to wall zebra grappling mats into my Dojo within a week and a half. Have any of you had any experience with these mats? What do you think? Any advice etc?

Regards,
Aaron T
06-03-2005, 09:22 AM
We line our walls with old straw mats and use Zebra on the floor. I have had the Zebra for about 5 years now and I really like them. One thing I will suggest is that no mat does well on a hard floor (at least for grappling<) so I would suggest springing your floor even just a bit. I have built and used two sprung floors as well as helped a few others on design. If you need any suggestions let me know.

Aaron Fields
www.seattle-jujutsu.org
MakotoDojo
06-03-2005, 11:38 AM
Dear Mr. Elo,

thank you for your reply. What we plan to do is make a frame to hold them in place. We will be matting only about 900sq ft.

Dear Mr. Fields,

thank you for your reply as well. We have a wooden floor, under which is a basement. The floor gives a bit as you jump on it, but not much. Would you recommend still springing the floor? If so any suggestions would be great.

How would you compare the comfort level of these mats in regards to receiving throws as compared to say a thick folding mat?

Regards,
shinbushi
06-03-2005, 05:49 PM
We use them and love them. But instead of mat tape just go to home depot and get carpet tape much cheaper.
MakotoDojo
06-03-2005, 06:05 PM
We use them and love them. But instead of mat tape just go to home depot and get carpet tape much cheaper.


Hi David,

how well do they cushion a fall for newer people? Are they similar to tatami in terms of density? What do you guys use to clean them?

I am going to frame them in, do you still suggest the tape? I will be covering about 900sq. ft

I hope all is well...

-Rick
shinbushi
06-03-2005, 06:39 PM
They are thicker than tatami. Not like a crash pad but soft enough for most throws. If you are framing the area you don't need tape.
MakotoDojo
06-03-2005, 06:47 PM
They are thicker than tatami. Not like a crash pad but soft enough for most throws. If you are framing the area you don't need tape.


Thanks David!

Best,

-Rick
Aaron T
06-08-2005, 11:17 PM
I do suggest springing the floor, though if your floor is wooden it won't take as much.

Aaron Fields
rachmass
06-09-2005, 04:10 AM
I used a heavy carpet pad under mine. That and mat tape to stop them from shifting so dramatically. The carpet pad was on top of carpet on top of concrete. Worked fine although we had to re-shift the mats quite often
MakotoDojo
06-09-2005, 06:07 PM
Thank you everyone for the replies.

I received them today More than 1,000lbs of mats wow! LOL!

A few things I noticed, they are really firm, but yet absorb impact, but not as soft as a thick folding mat, which I actually like better. My newer people don't though LOL!

Next thing I noticed is that my walls are NOT square! From the front, there is about 8" from the mat to the side wall. Go down about 12' along the same line and there is only 1"! This is making it a real challenge to come up with a decent "ascetically" frame.

Oh well..

David, do you spring the floor?

Do any of you have suggestions on how to go about doing that?

Thanks!