Dance Mat Review (2024)

Arcade dance mats are everywhere in the UK now and kids are addicted to them. Now there are versions to use in your home adults are hooked too. I just had to see what was so great about dance mats and review them for myself.

What is a Dance Mat?

A dance mat plugs into your games console, they’re made for PS1, PS2, Xbox and PC, to replace the hand held controller. You then use your feet to play dance mat games.

How do you play?

All Dance Mat games have slightly different features and settings but all work to the same general rules.

First you select your game mode. This can be practice, beginner, game or workout. Game modes usually grade you on three songs at a time before giving you a final overall grade. Workout modes usually give you that all important calorie counter which works from the level of song and your weight.

Next you choose your song. Most games have a great variety from cheesy pop to dance. Each song can be done at different difficulty levels so you can work to your own standard and pace.

Finally, you begin to dance!

What are the benefits of a Dance Mat?

The best thing about a dance mat has to be how much fun it is. Unlike doing the same workout at the gym every session, the dance mat can provide a different programme each time. With so many games available the possibilities are endless.

Working out on the Dance Mat can burn around 60 calories in 10 short minutes. As it’s so addictive you’ll soon find you’ve been playing for longer than that.

Playing on the dance mat improves your fitness levels and co-ordination. It can be done alone, with a friend or with your children. You can also plug in two mats at the one time and dance against each other. Why not get your mates together and have a Dance Mat party?

The dance mat is easy to set up and put away. They fold up neatly so they can be kept virtually anywhere. No fancy gear is required, not even a good pair of trainers!

What happened when I had a go?

I’m not much of a dancer but had to admit I thought using a dance mat would be simple. You just move your legs in time with the arrows, nothing to it. It turns out that this is not the case. Getting legs and brain to work together was a harder task than I had imagined.

I picked my song and all of a sudden the first few arrows flew up the screen and disappeared before I knew it. I realised I now had to start moving my feet. As I stepped to the beat my arms flapped all over the place trying to help my legs keep in time.

You don’t actually have to move your arms but for some reason mine just move when my feet do! I’m sure it didn’t help that I was laughing uncontrollably at myself most of the time. I could just imagine how funny I might look if people could see me bobbing around like this.

I decided to go back to basics and for my next few songs I chose slightly slower options. This time I also decided to try out the calorie counter setting. You input your weight and while you’re dancing it counts your calories for you. I found myself improving slowly and soon became addicted.

After a few more sessions on the dance mat, I can now complete some of the harder songs. You find that you eventually stop moving your leg out and then back to the middle pad and just move around on the arrows. That’s when you really start dancing, and looking good!

I’ve found that I don’t get out of breath as easily and am more co-ordinated so it’s well worth looking a bit silly to start with. But be warned, it’s addictive!!

Buying A Dance Mat

You need to make sure you get a dance mat that is compatible with the games console that you will be using. You also have to remember as well as the actual dance mat, you will also need to purchase a game to go with it, and although the games aren’t cheap, one game will last for ages as there’s so much to do on them.

When buying make sure you mat has:

  • Start/Select control
  • Hard wearing pressure pad
  • Heavy duty covering
  • Slip resistant construction

Start a Free Trial Today

Track your diet, health & fitness with the Weight Loss Resources exercise diary and database. You can see how many calories you burn and how many you consume. Try it free for 24 hours.

Take our FREE trial »

Dance Mat Review (1)

Need to Lose Weight?

Enter your details to calculate your ideal weight range, and discover how soon you could reach it!

Dancing Exercise

Zumba Dance Workout

Music Improves Exercise Endurance

Christmas Party Games to Burn those Extra Christmas Calories

Pole Dancing - Fun or Fitness?

Dance Yourself Fit (and Slim)

Exercise Equipment Reviews

Rebounding Review

Using Fitbit or Garmin with WLR

Reebok Deck Review

Reebok Mini Stepper Review

Heart Rate Monitors Review

Review: Everybody Steps by Gin Miller

Exercise For Weight Loss

Helen Mirren's Fave 12-Minute Workout

How Elaine Walked Off 12 Stone

Walk the Weight Off Challenge

Swimming for Weight Loss

Burn More Calories

Does Exercise Help You Lose More Weight?

Burning Calories

How Many Calories Do You Need to Lose Weight?

Walking to Lose Weight

Cycling - Burn Calories and Lose Weight

What Dieters Need to Know About Metabolism

Aerobic Exercise

Calories and Kilocalories (kcal)

Workout Reviews

BodyPump

Pilates for Beginners

British Military Fitness Review

Nordic Pole Walking Review

Exercise Favourites

9 Ways to Persuade Yourself to Go for a Walk When You Feel You Can’t Be Bothered

How Much Exercise is Enough to Make a Difference?

Full Answers to Your Exercise Questions from our Personal Trainer

Is Walking for Exercise Every Day OK for Joints and Muscles?

How to Make Progress Using Home Gym Equipment

Strengthening Legs When You're Older or In Recovery

Dance Mat Review (2024)

FAQs

Are dance mats any good? ›

Working out on the Dance Mat can burn around 60 calories in 10 short minutes. As it's so addictive you'll soon find you've been playing for longer than that. Playing on the dance mat improves your fitness levels and co-ordination. It can be done alone, with a friend or with your children.

How to keep DDR mat from sliding? ›

Attach Non-Slip Strips or Rug Grips

Non-slip strips are placed across the bottom of the mat. The non-slip strip or grip is normally made up of a silicone material that creates friction against the floor. The friction it creates is what keeps the mat securely in place.

What age is a dance mat for? ›

Recommended for Ages 3 Years +

How does a dance mat work? ›

A dance pad, also known as a dance mat or dance platform, is a flat electronic game controller used for input in dance games. Most dance pads are divided into a 3×3 matrix of square panels for the player to stand on, with some or all of the panels corresponding to directions or actions within the game.

Can you use a dance mat on TV? ›

#winning Single Player Retro Dance Mat - RCA Connectors Plugs Directly into TV.

Can you use a dance mat with Just dance? ›

No you don't need a dance mat, you hold the controller and follow the moves on the screen.

How to make a dance mat less slippery? ›

If you're fine with leaving the mat in place constantly, you could try duct tape. I never tried it myself though, so I don't know how well it would work. Something that would stick it a bit but let you move the mat when you're not playing might be to get some velcro strips from a sewing store or some such.

How can I stop my mat slipping? ›

Place an Anti-Slip Underlay Down

Perhaps the easiest thing you can do to stop a rug from slipping, whether it is slipping on carpet, laminate, wood or stone flooring is to invest in some anti-slip underlay.

How do you make a mat not slip? ›

Use Double-Sided Rug Tape

All you need is the right double-sided rug tape, which you'll place along the edges of the rug. Then peel the backing off and stick it to the carpet. Since the tape is adhesive, it will hold your mats firmly to your carpet, keeping the rug in place and making it easier to vacuum.

What age do dancers stop dancing? ›

At what age do most dancers retire? Most dancers stop dancing between 35 and 40 years old. Sometimes a dancer may have a specific injury that has forced them to stop dancing and sometimes their bodies are just tired from all the physical strength that is required for ballet.

What is the dance mat for older people? ›

A dance mat-style game that prompts players to step on different arrows prevents falls among older people, probably by improving their strength, balance and reflexes. Our balance naturally declines with age, with falls being a common cause of serious injury among older people.

How many hours should a 10 year old dance? ›

A 13 year old dancer should be dancing 13 hours a week to prepare, and a 10 year old dancer should be dancing 10 hours a week to prepare. These hours can be split up between rehearsals, class instruction, and practice at home as long as the student is consistent.

What games use a dance mat? ›

General information
DeveloperPanels/pad
MungyodanceEmpathetic Gaming (MGD/MGD2) Monakai (MGD3)4
Cyber CoachQuick Controls Ltd8
Pump It Up ProFun in Motion5
StepManiaXStep Revolution3 (Beginner) 5 (Easy, Hard, and Wild) 6 (Dual) 10 (Full and Team)
16 more rows

Why do dancers wrap their toes? ›

Toenail bruising can be caused by heavy pressure on the surface of the nail. This is typically prevented by keeping toenails clipped short, by wrapping tape around the toes, by using padding, or combinations of these. Bruising can also occur on the tips of the toes, especially when no padding is used.

Why do dancers sit on the floor? ›

Floor barre was created by Boris Kniaseff in 1953 as a way to cope with the absence of barres in his studio. He took the common ballet barre exercises and adapted them to be executed on the floor. In a floor barre class, you perform ballet movements sitting and laying on the floor.

What dance floor material is best? ›

The best floor for hip hop, jazz and modern dancing would be a vinyl floor. This type of floor will provide the dancer's needs with the necessary slip resistance, while also allowing for easy sliding and gliding movements.

Do rubber mats work? ›

Rubber matting is mostly used as essential safety flooring equipment to increase comfort underfoot, provide relief from fatigue, prevent slipping and absorb impact. Rubber matting can be used in a number of different locations and applications, from factory matting to stable flooring.

Are gym mats worth it? ›

Rubber gym mats are worth considering if you're looking for a durable, non-slip surface for your home gym or fitness centre.

How long do anti slip mats last? ›

All in all, there is no general rule of thumb for how long your anti fatigue rubber mats will last. On average, mats are designed to last anywhere between 1 and 3 years—but your high footstep mats may last 6 months or less.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edwin Metz

Last Updated:

Views: 6609

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edwin Metz

Birthday: 1997-04-16

Address: 51593 Leanne Light, Kuphalmouth, DE 50012-5183

Phone: +639107620957

Job: Corporate Banking Technician

Hobby: Reading, scrapbook, role-playing games, Fishing, Fishing, Scuba diving, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.