What To Bring To A Hot Yoga Class

Ready to Try Hot Yoga?

If you haven’t yet experienced a hot yoga class, we’re here to inspire you to give it a try! Hot yoga draws people in for many reasons whether it’s the physical challenge, the endorphin boost, the way it loosens tight muscles, or simply the joy of sweating it out.

Class environments can vary from pleasantly warm to “Wow, it’s really hot in here!” Humidity may rise as the session goes on, even if the room starts off mild. With the right equipment and a little confidence to explore a new style of yoga, you’ll be ready to enjoy your practice to the fullest and experience all the benefits hot yoga has to offer.

Here are our recommendations on what to bring, and wear, to a hot yoga class: 

Yoga Mat 

Choosing the Right Yoga Mat for Hot Yoga

Understanding your mat’s construction is key when selecting the right one for hot yoga. One of the most important things to know is whether your mat or a studio’s loaner mat has closed-cell or open-cell construction.

Closed-cell mats (like the PRO, eKO, Begin, or X Mat) keep impurities sweat, dirt, dust, and bacteria on the surface, so they’re easy to clean with just a quick wipe-down. Because these mats don’t absorb moisture, pairing them with a full-length yoga towel is essential to maintain reliable grip in hot, sweaty environments.

Open-cell mats (such as the GRP) offer exceptional grip, which is great for hot yoga. However, they do absorb moisture and impurities more deeply, meaning cleaning takes more effort and you can’t fully remove all dirt, sweat, or dust. If the mat is yours and isn’t shared, this usually isn’t a problem. But for shared studio mats, think of open-cell mats like a toothbrush you can wipe them down and refresh them, but they can’t be fully deep cleaned.

When using your own mat, you have a lot of flexibility in materials, size, weight, and density. The main thing is to consider how your mat will perform in heat and sweat, so you can stay comfortable and stable throughout your practice.

Mat Care Guide: How to Clean Your Yoga Mat →

Hot Yoga Towels

Your Secret Weapon

A great towel can completely transform your hot yoga practice. Whether it’s a hand towel or a full-length mat towel, an absorbent towel brings comfort and confidence. At the very least, it helps keep sweat out of your eyes and off your body. But a full-sized towel can do so much more it provides traction for slippery hands and feet, and you can even fold it into a pillow for a more comfortable savasana.

Not every studio provides loaner towels, so bringing your own gives you the freedom to choose the size, color, and performance features that suit your practice. Manduka offers absorbent towels in two styles and sizes: hand towels and full-length towels, each with its own unique benefits.

• eQua® Hot Yoga Towels feature a soft, suede-like microfiber that becomes grippier as it gets moist lightweight, absorbent, and versatile.

• yogitoes® Hot Yoga Towels offer a variety of prints and feature non-slip silicone nubs on the bottom, keeping the towel firmly in place on your mat so you can stay grounded throughout your flow.

Shop the yogitoes® Hot Yoga Towel →

Shop the eQua® Hot Yoga Towel →

Learn More About Towels →

Apparel

What you wear in hot yoga comes down to personal comfort and preference. Some yogis like to keep it minimal with just a sports bra and shorts, while others opt for fitted tees or longer pants to provide coverage or extra grip for arm balances. Whatever you choose, sweat-wicking fabrics are your best friend they help move moisture away from your body and keep you feeling dry and comfortable throughout class.

Water

Hydration is essential. Make sure you’re well-hydrated before class and keep a water bottle nearby to sip as needed. Depending on the pace, temperature, and humidity, you might sweat more than you expect. Taking a quick break to rehydrate or rest is completely normal and your body will thank you for it.

Now, grab your towel, roll out your mat, and get ready to get hot!