U-M Taekwondo Club Trains Confidently on Greatmats Martial Arts Mats

The University of Michigan Taekwondo Club was founded in 1964 and has trained students from across the world. The largest martial arts club on the University of Michigan campus, the club is student-run and is open to students and faculty.

Lidia C., club treasurer, explains that the Taekwondo Club experienced continual growth and needed additional practice space as a result. Since the club had previously purchased about 125 of the Pro Taekwondo Martial Arts Mats, it made sense to buy more. “They have been phenomenal for our club,” Lidia says of the taekwondo mats, “so we are seeking to supplement our supply to cover a larger surface area for an increased practice space. These mats also allow for increased safety and prevention of injury for our athletes, which is why they are such a great investment for our team.”

The Experience of Working with Greatmats

Lidia first heard of Greatmats through word of mouth, and the club’s experience buying from Greatmats the first time was so positive that they decided to purchase additional mats from Greatmats.

“Greatmats products have stood out to us largely due to their durability,” Lidia says. “We operate in a shared space, meaning we reassemble and disassemble our mats every practice (5 times a week). Over the several years of owning our approximately 125 mats, they have experienced minimal surface wear from hundreds of hours of practice, and the connector pieces have not broken despite being ripped apart and reassembled hundreds of times. This durability, combined with ease of assembly, ease of cleaning, and the increased safety they provide for our athletes, has made this a great investment for our organization.”

The Process of Installing the Taekwondo Mats

The mats are installed over hardwood in the college intramural sports building, and their ease of installation proved to be a valuable benefit to the team.

“The installation process for us has always been very smooth,” explains Lidia. “Since we assemble and disassemble our mats every practice, we can attest to not only the ease of installation but also the durability of the product from repeatedly being built and taken apart. The process takes us less than 10 minutes to build a 10x12 area.”

The interlocking puzzle mats can simply be aligned and then pressed together, making them extremely easy to install. Measuring 1x1 meters each, the mats are easy to carry and store, but they also quickly cover a larger area of floor. Each mat also includes four border pieces, so a dojo or university can create an installation with clean, finished edges.

Since the mats are modular, the University of Michigan Taekwondo Club was able to simply add them to their existing mats, extending the dimensions of the flooring. The club could customize the size and dimensions of their floor depending on their training needs at the time. Plus, since the mats are so quick and easy to install, the club can make use of their shared practice space, removing their flooring at the end of each practice.

How the Taekwondo Mats Increase Comfort and Safety

Mahir, a University of Michigan Taekwondo Team member, explains that the whole team really likes the mats. “I’ve been on the team for three years, and we do all of our practices on it,” he says of the floor. In addition to the mats holding up so well, they also offer the benefit of helping Mahir practice comfortably with shin splints, alleviating his pain. “I still get to stay with my team and do all the extras that I want while still having a good time, pain-free,” he says.

The mats’ design is key to optimizing athlete safety. The mats feature a waterproof EVA foam for shock absorption, but their firm surface also supports quick movements. The surface prevents athletes from sinking into the mats while standing on them, but it also helps prevent injuries during throws and takedowns. The tatami surface won’t cause skin burns, while the thatch texture is durable enough to withstand shoes and boots.

“Since purchasing our Greatmats, we have experienced increased safety at practices, including easing the burden on athletes' joints, preventing falls, and making the effects of falling significantly less,” Lidia says in her testimonial. “Further, we have noticed an increasing ability to perform due to the grip the mats provide athletes.”

A Recommendation of the Pro Taekwondo Martial Arts Mats

In her review, Lidia praised not only the experience of working with Greatmats but also the taekwondo mats themselves. “Our experience has been wonderful working with Greatmats, and we plan to continue being customers well into the future,” she says. “We highly recommend this product for its durability, increased safety and performance qualities for athletes, and its ease of use.”

Contact Greatmats for Your Taekwondo Mats Needs

In addition to these Taekwondo mats, we’re proud to stock an excellent selection of other martial arts mats. Many of these mats fit together just like puzzle pieces, allowing teams and dojos to expand their training space as needed while creating a safe area for athletes to practice. Contact us today with any questions; our customer service team would be happy to help you determine which product is best for your needs.

University of Michigan Taekwondo Club

Ann Arbor MI