Harlequin Practice Mat

[Astrid]

Has anyone got this? Could they explain - is it cushioned or is it just a vinyl roll? I am weighing up if the new 2m x 1m size practice mat is worth the investment in terms of protecting feet when practicing or is it more of a non slip surface? It is made of Harlequin Cascade. It says it can’t be used on carpet, but on hard floor. 

DD is currently doing all her online classes in our carpeted playroom, but we have a hard floor kitchen she could use the mat on if this was better? I have never really had to think about dance floor before, but I (like my daughter) have really high arches and have previously done damage to my feet when running on pavement (and my shins)! Over the last few days been suddenly concerned about her doing the same sort of damage on home floor. Am I being a bit over the top? Or is this a good investment anyway.. 

would be great to get opinions! 

thank you! 

[Colman]

We just got one: our vinyl is too slippy for pointe work. It’s a 2x1 slice of proper dance floor vinyl with the traction  you’d expect. Not padded at all: would be very careful jumping on it. 

[DreamChaser]

We used Dance and Stage ballet flooring 2.5mx2m which was £150 inc delivery when we revamped my dds room last year.  We have used Harelquin for ballet barres before but found the flooring over priced.  Vinyl would be just as good if budget an issue but for us a great investment as my dd spend a lot of time training at home.

[sunrise81]

29 minutes ago, DreamChaser said:

We used Dance and Stage ballet flooring 2.5mx2m which was £150 inc delivery when we revamped my dds room last year.  We have used Harelquin for ballet barres before but found the flooring over priced.  Vinyl would be just as good if budget an issue but for us a great investment as my dd spend a lot of time training at home.

I'm just about to order one from Dance and Stage 1.5x2 for my dd. Is it good quality? 

[DreamChaser]

2 hours ago, sunrise81 said:

I'm just about to order one from Dance and Stage 1.5x2 for my dd. Is it good quality? 

Yes, really pleased with it would recommend 👍

[BalletMumOfOne]

I’ve just recently purchased the portable harlequin practice mat, it’s slim, but a durable vinyl mat. We have laminate flooring in lounge and when placed on this it does not slip at all. Extra fast delivery too, think it came next day.

 

Yes, you cannot put this on carpet, best on to wood, tiled, or a hard floor Surface.

 

My daughters feet were slipping out of position on our flooring (even applying hairspray to the soles of her shoes didn’t help) but she has had pointe classes and Other 1-1 zoom classes and says the mat is perfect, no slipping at all. 
 

It comes rolled up, so the side that has the logo on does curl slightly around the edges but you can buy tape From them too which does not leave residue if you Wish to stick this down more permanently to a hard surface. We just use it the other way and it lays perfectly flat. It’s not cushioned, so I couldn’t imagine it would be ideal for long periods of jumping if on hard floors, but for short lessons or practice it seems ideal at the moment. It’s not the cheapest, but as it’s portable I’m hoping my DD can pop it in the carry bag and take it with her to her nans, or wherever she’s wishes to practice, so hopefully worth the ££ xxx

[Ruby Foo]

The upsides of the mat is that it is non slip. The downside is that it is rather small and some students in my Dds class have found that an issue as their feet get stuck doing tendus. The plastic tape they provide helps but if you can afford a slightly bigger piece it’s well worth it. They do have off cuts which they sell half price but still very pricey.

The other downside is there is no cushioning whatsoever and in fact it feels slightly harder than our wood floor. Not suitable for much allegro.

[Astrid]

Thanks everyone this has helped a lot. Has totally helped me work out what this actually is. I have just ordered the same size for a lot cheaper from dance and stage (on pre order anyway as it had sold out). She isn’t on pointe, it’s more to stop her slipping on the kitchen floor. The space in our kitchen is larger than the room she is currently in but floor slippier. what would be amazing is a cushioned floor but that is just way out my price range for what this is for. maybe when she is older..I will just have to make sure she isn’t doing a lot of jumping...

Thank you! 

[Peony]

If you have a modern house the first floor is likely to be kinder to jump on as the floor will be suspended rather than the ground floor which is concrete. whatever you put down on a concrete floor it’s not going to be particularly kind to the joints!

[shygirlsmum]

I read somewhere that wet room liner was a good alternative to dance flooring, I think it was an American article so no idea if it is readily available in uk (or how price compares to proper dance floor).

 

i think this is the product:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shower-Pan-Liner-Kit-Oatey/dp/B00BAZ6FRG

 

has anybody used anything similar?

 

 

 

 

 

[Pas de Quatre]

That liner just looks like thick plastic.  I am teaching in a tiled conservatory with good space and light.   But the Karndean floor is rather hard although not slipppery.  However I did see in some of the Zoom clips of RB dancers that they were jumping on yoga mats, Yasmine Naghdi even had hers doubled over.  This was for jumps at the barre, it might risk being a bit slippery otherwise.  So I tried it and it did feel good.

[Pixiewoo]

A friend of DDs is using those big foam jigsaw mats to dance on. 

[Mrs Brown]

not really planning to use it for ballet but we have just ordered (and waiting for it to come in stock) a bit of flooring from www.softfloor.co.uk We want it for tap and flamenco practice mainly but they have a few different ones and they look quite thick so I am not sure if that might help. They can go over carpet too because of the thickness. but I haven't got it to try it yet and see.

[Mrs Brown]

https://softfloorkids.co.uk/category/dance-tiles/

 

we have ordered the budget one. It does say they can be used for ballet

[ponklemum]

Would anyone recommend either of these please?  
 

https://www.gaffatape.com/multi-purpose-dance-floor-harmony-professional/

https://www.gaffatape.com/foam-sprung-ballet-floor-sonata-foam-sprung/

 

[Peanut68]

Ha - so many ‘brands’/suppliers suddenly emerging once we look for emergency homeschool flooring!

The second link looks the identical product (& I think price though could not tell how much delivery cost would be without putting in info...) to one I just ordered from danceandstage.co.uk following recommendation from forum contributors (I think in Q about flooring in for sale/wanted section?) 

I ordered 2m x 2m & it should arrive mon/tues next week. If you can hold off ordering I’m happy to give you our verdict on product after first days use! 

 

I’ll be gutted if I could’ve got it cheaper....

The company I used were very helpful when I called with Q’s...

[ponklemum]

5 hours ago, Peanut68 said:

Ha - so many ‘brands’/suppliers suddenly emerging once we look for emergency homeschool flooring!

The second link looks the identical product (& I think price though could not tell how much delivery cost would be without putting in info...) to one I just ordered from danceandstage.co.uk following recommendation from forum contributors (I think in Q about flooring in for sale/wanted section?) 

I ordered 2m x 2m & it should arrive mon/tues next week. If you can hold off ordering I’m happy to give you our verdict on product after first days use! 

 

I’ll be gutted if I could’ve got it cheaper....

The company I used were very helpful when I called with Q’s...

That would be brilliant thank you. The second one 2x2 would be £116.34 with next day delivery.

[sunrise81]

I have got mine from Dance and Stage and DD loves how she feels more secure on it.....and not about to go ice skating on the laminate.

 

But I think we need some underlay under.it.to make it.more.....springy?

 

Any ideas? Will thick carpet underlay suffice?

Edited May 2, 2020 by sunrise81

[Peanut68]

3 hours ago, ponklemum said:

That would be brilliant thank you. The second one 2x2 would be £116.34 with next day delivery.

I think I paid £124.....delivery 2-3 days....so you’ve scored a better deal! How did you find that company as the name isn’t one you’d think of for dance flooring!! 
Hope it comes Monday & will post DD’s verdict!

[Peanut68]

1 hour ago, sunrise81 said:

I have got mine from Dance and Stage and DD loves how she feels more secure on it.....and not about to go ice skating on the laminate.

 

But I think we need some underlay under.it.to make it.more.....springy?

 

Any ideas? Will thick carpet underlay suffice?

Which did you get? The regular or what they call the premium? The latter is what I am awaiting; I spoke & it has a certain thickness ‘shock absorbing’ cushioning....

[ponklemum]

14 minutes ago, Peanut68 said:

I think I paid £124.....delivery 2-3 days....so you’ve scored a better deal! How did you find that company as the name isn’t one you’d think of for dance flooring!! 
Hope it comes Monday & will post DD’s verdict!

I googled dance flooring and Lemark Floors came up. Whist I was looking on that it it gave an option of “also available as dance mat” so I clicked on it and it took me to the gaffatape site. 
 

I’m not going to order until Tuesday so hopefully you’ll have yours by then and can tell me what it’s like. 

[Dancing Kitty]

We have the thicker one - bought from another company but definitely the same flooring as they use the same picture.  It sits on a wooden floor.  It gives good support for ballet including point work.  Safe for pirouettes.  My daughter is really happy with it.

 

9 hours ago, ponklemum said:

Would anyone recommend either of these please?  
 

https://www.gaffatape.com/multi-purpose-dance-floor-harmony-professional/

https://www.gaffatape.com/foam-sprung-ballet-floor-sonata-foam-sprung/

 

 

[sunrise81]

1 hour ago, Peanut68 said:

Which did you get? The regular or what they call the premium? The latter is what I am awaiting; I spoke & it has a certain thickness ‘shock absorbing’ cushioning....

We just got the home practice ballet mat.

[Peanut68]

12 hours ago, ponklemum said:

I googled dance flooring and Lemark Floors came up. Whist I was looking on that it it gave an option of “also available as dance mat” so I clicked on it and it took me to the gaffatape site. 
 

I’m not going to order until Tuesday so hopefully you’ll have yours by then and can tell me what it’s like. 

Will do! I did the same & saw Lemark  too but guess I was a sucker for seeing word ‘Dance’ in company name so only looked at products there & on the well known make Harlequin! 

Guess it’s only a small saving I’d have made...a rounding error in context of the huge grocery bill increase having all at home all the time & mostly using just the (very well stocked but yes, dearer....) village shop!

[Astrid]

@sunrise81 we just got our ballet practice mat from the same company, and we have been using it with 3 yoga mats lined up under it, which has been working fab (for us anyway, she is only 8, so we aren’t doing anything advanced on it, just her classes). 🙂

[stressedbeyondbelief]

On 02/05/2020 at 13:09, ponklemum said:

Would anyone recommend either of these please?  
 

https://www.gaffatape.com/multi-purpose-dance-floor-harmony-professional/

https://www.gaffatape.com/foam-sprung-ballet-floor-sonata-foam-sprung/

 

We ordered from Lemark the one stated for ballet. Dd recommends 😊

[Peony]

Has anyone found anything to use over carpet?

[Peanut68]

We are using over carpet.... I called & discussed at length with supplier Dance and astage Flooring.

No flooring product other than like a spring wood panel system would be recommended over carpet (this company soon doing, Harlequin already do -but hugely expensive) 

I felt after discussing it was worth buying to try as better than current dire surface the thicker (it’s quite solid & heavy, not squishy) the ‘premium ballet mat’ (2m x2m size c£124 with delivery) Our ‘carpet’ is very thin, no pile, without underlay so more like a carpet tile straight into concrete floor. If I had thick pile carpet with lush Cloud 9 underlay I’d be less sure placing over this would be a good/safe solution....rather would be tempted to try roll up carpet from an area large enough to provide at least a barre work area (2mx1m minimum is think needed) Wouid still then but this shock absorbing floor rather than the thinner if it’s into concrete. If wood underneath then the cheaper thinner options probably fine.

DD likes the surface. Huge improvement to her working environment; able to do turns & pointe again now. Wish I’d got 3m x 2m....live & learn! 

Good luck! 

https://www.danceandstage.co.uk/premium-practice-ballet-mat

(It or similar might be available from other stockists too - see back in this thread - hso could shop around...but I felt happy buying from a firm specialising in dance floors as I’d expect more ‘support’ if there are any future problems) 

Good luck!

[BalletMumOfOne]

5 hours ago, Peony said:

Has anyone found anything to use over carpet?

My daughter uses the 1m x 1 m portable floor From here In her bedroom Approx £50 https://softfloorkids.co.uk/category/dance-tiles/ 
it comes in separate click together tiles, So you can buy the length/width you need It has rubber/plastic backing And edges , and has wood affect surface, so doesn’t ruin carpet beneath but provides a sturdy base to dance on, this was fine for barre work and practice for ballet, and great for tap too, It does slide on wood flooring, but we bought the harlequin practice mat and she now uses this on top of the soft floor in her bedroom to give a smoother surface to turn on, but I’m sure a piece of Lino would do taped down with some floor tape 😊

[Mumofballetmaddaughter]

My (teacher) daughter,  like Peanut was also advised against using the flooring over carpet but as she couldn't find any other reasonably priced solution decided to go ahead and order the multi dance flooring in a 2m x 2.5m size. She's really pleased with the quality of it and it does give some sound proofing too. It moved a little when she first used it but she has since been using some double sided carpet and rug tape (no residue) from Amazon and this is holding it completely still. 

[SMabbutt]

Was that the professional one or the cheaper version? I've concluded we need to take the plunge and invest in flooring but we have carpet 

On 09/05/2020 at 17:28, Mumofballetmaddaughter said:

My (teacher) daughter,  like Peanut was also advised against using the flooring over carpet but as she couldn't find any other reasonably priced solution decided to go ahead and order the multi dance flooring in a 2m x 2.5m size. She's really pleased with the quality of it and it does give some sound proofing too. It moved a little when she first used it but she has since been using some double sided carpet and rug tape (no residue) from Amazon and this is holding it completely still. 

Was that the professional one or the cheaper version? I've concluded we need to take the plunge and invest in flooring but we have carpet over floor boards. I don't want to spend more than I have to but equally want to be sure it will be useable.

[SMabbutt]

On 09/05/2020 at 17:21, BalletMumOfOne said:

My daughter uses the 1m x 1 m portable floor From here In her bedroom Approx £50 https://softfloorkids.co.uk/category/dance-tiles/ 
it comes in separate click together tiles, So you can buy the length/width you need It has rubber/plastic backing And edges , and has wood affect surface, so doesn’t ruin carpet beneath but provides a sturdy base to dance on, this was fine for barre work and practice for ballet, and great for tap too, It does slide on wood flooring, but we bought the harlequin practice mat and she now uses this on top of the soft floor in her bedroom to give a smoother surface to turn on, but I’m sure a piece of Lino would do taped down with some floor tape 😊

I was looking at the softfloor but I'm concerned that you had to put another floor over it for turning. Is it not a good turning surface for pirouettes etc?

[Peanut68]

38 minutes ago, SMabbutt said:

Was that the professional one or the cheaper version? I've concluded we need to take the plunge and invest in flooring but we have carpet 

Was that the professional one or the cheaper version? I've concluded we need to take the plunge and invest in flooring but we have carpet over floor boards. I don't want to spend more than I have to but equally want to be sure it will be useable.

I bought the ‘professional’ or premium mat - paid c. £124 incl vat & delivery for size 2m x2m

As said earlier a thin ‘top floor’ layer only wouid definately not work in our situation as I think - even if taped - could slide/raise etc. I don’t think I’d be placing even this thicker floor over a high pile with thick cushioned underlay carpet for serious dance practise.. I would instead be looking to carefully roll up some or all of the carpet & underlay temporarily.

Am happy with the flooring - even if we’d had fairly even floorboards or Lino or similar I think I would have bought the premium more expensive product....