The American Mat Story

American Athletic has been a producer of innovative, high quality, high value mats for 35 years. We are one of the pioneers in the development of modern folding mats back in the 1960's. These innovative products ushered in a new era of lightweight, easy to handle products with superior protection and performance. American was one of the first companies to use polyethylene foams, vinyl coated fabrics and Velcro fasteners. We later introduced cross-linked polyethylene foams that became the industry standard.

SC-8 and SC-12 Skill Cushions These mats are designed to be used as teaching aids for skill development during training and practice sessions. • Softer core of 50 ILD polyurethane foam provides more cushion • 18 oz. knife coated vinyl for top and bottom covers • Nylon mesh side panels that breathe, allowing air escape on landings • Double stitched handles aid easy portability 416-661 SC-8 4’ x 6’ x 8" (1.2M x 1.8M x 20cm) 416-662 SC-8 4’ x 8’ x 8" (1.2M x 2.4M x 20cm) 416-663 SC-8 5’ x 10’ x 8" (1.5M x 3.0M x 20cm) 416-669* SC-8 8’ x 10’ x 8" (2.4M x 3.0M x 20cm) 416-670 SC-8 6’ x 12’ x 8" (1.8M x 3.6M x 20cm) 416-665 SC-12 5’ x 10’ x 12" (1.5M x 3.0M x 30cm) 416-664* SC-12 6’ x 12’ x 12" (1.8M x 3.6M x 30cm) * Folding Mat
Throw Mats Approved for use in FIG, USAG, NCAA and NFHS competitions. • Top and sides material is 18 oz. knife coated vinyl •Nyloplast bottom accommodates rapid air release and reduces slippage •Filler is 4” (10cm) 70 ILD polyurethane 416-017 Throw Mat 4’ x 8’ (1.2M x 2.4M x 10cm) 416-018 Throw Mat 5’ x 10’ (1.5M x 3M x 10cm) 416-019 Throw Mat 7’ x 10’ (2.1M x 3M x 10cm) 416-020 Throw Mat 8’ x 15’ (2.4M x 4.5M x 10cm) ** Folding Mat
Sting Mats Approved for use in FIG, USAG, NCAA and NFHS competitions. • Cover material is lightweight navy polyester • All mats have a core of 1-1/2" (38mm) PCA foam, except the 7’ x 10’ (2.1 x 3M) model, which is made of polyurethane filler • Mats roll up for storage, with VELCRO® brand fastening straps 416-085 Sting Mat 3.5’ x 3.5’ (1M x 1M x 38mm) 416-082 Sting Mat 3.5’ x 7’ (1M x 2M x 38mm) 416-083 Sting Mat 4.5’ x 10’ (1.5M x 3M x 38mm) 416-084 Sting Mat 7’ x 10’ (2.1M x 3M x 38mm)
Modular Training Pits All AAI modular pits are designed for maximum cushioning during the training of new skills. • Pits are 32" (81cm) thick, utilizing the combination of 50 ILD polyurethane logs and foam sections, providing an optimum combination of softness and maximization of foam life • 18 oz. vinyl covers the bottom and sides, with a mesh top that allows air release upon landings • Zipper fastener permits easy inserting and checking foam • 2" (50mm) web handles aid portability 416-450 Modular Pit 5’ x 10’ (1.5M x 3M) 416-451 Modular Pit 7.5’ x 12’ (2.3M x 3.7M) 416-452 Modular Pit 8’ x 16’ (2.4M x 4.9M)
Training Pit • Designed for safely teaching gymnastics and cheerleading skills • Zipper fastener for easy foam insertion and inspection • 18 oz. vinyl covers the bottom and sides with a mesh top that allows air release upon landing • 4' x 5' x 32' • 2" web handles aid in portability 534-703 Training Pit

Quality Equals Value
To our customers, quality in American mats has always meant greater value through better protection, better service and longer life. This "quality = value" equation, for all mat products, should be measured in two ways. The first is protection. The second is useful life.

Protection
Protection is shock attenuation, shock absorption - the amount of energy the mat will absorb when someone takes a fall. Shock attenuation is not a "feel good" issue. Some mats "feel good" when you press down on them but often do not provide much protection. The same is true for a "springy" or "lively" mat.

When you fall on a mat with good shock attenuation or shock absorption it might not feel soft and springy but it can provide superior protection. That's because it absorbs the energy of your falling body, rather than immediately returning the force back to you. A "springy" mat might feel softer for a split second, but when the foam inside quickly springs back or rebounds, it transfers much of the shock to you. This adds up to less shock protection.

Useful Life
Mats that may be less expensive, but need to be replaced often, do not represent good value for your money. This is why at American, we use only the highest quality materials and workmanship. The longer our mats last in your program, the greater the value of your purchase. Countless American mats have been on continuous use for 10 years - some for up to 30 years and are still going strong.

New Products, Features and Specifications

The new American Athletic line of folding mats features new products, new materials and innovative combinations of materials.

Foams
We are using foams and combinations of foams to increase performance, protection and value. The new line features new polyethylene foams used singly and in combinations to produce superior results. Our mat interiors contain several kinds of cross linked and closed cell polyethylene and several densities of polyethylene foams.

Vinyl Covers
We have also added a new 18-ounce vinyl coated fabric cover option on most models. Our standard is a 14-ounce laminated fabric, a style that has proven extremely durable. If you want an even longer wearing, tougher cover for a very high traffic program, the 18-ounce vinyl is the one to specify. The 14-ounce cover is available is 17 standard colors, the 18-ounce vinyl is available in 14 colors. Both fabrics contain anti-fungal and antibacterial compounds, and all vinyl covers can be washed off with soap and water. Products that are attached to architectural structures contain agents that meet current fire protection codes.

Velcro
We offer most of our mats in two Velcro configurations with 2" wide Velcro fasteners on the two ends of the mat (V-2) and with 2" Velcro fasteners on all four sides of the mat (V-4).

Custom Made Mats
American Athletic also makes custom designed and configured mats for our customers. Most of our standard mats are also priced by the square foot so that our customers can order them in virtually any size and configuration. We are also equipped to design and build protective padding for almost any indoor or outdoor application. Inquiries and requests for prices on custom made products are always welcome.

This model comes in all standard sizes and is available in custom made dimensions and configurations. The cross link polyethylene foam is 1.4 inches thick. It is covered with either 14-ounce laminated or 18-ounce knife coated vinyl fabric in any single, any two or any combination of our standard colors. This model has one foot wide panels and folds every two feet. Velcro is two inches wide and applied in two standard configurations - on two ends (V2) or on four sides (V-4).

Velstick^® Wall Molding
This dual purpose mat accessory allows convenient hanging of folding mats for storage or protective purposes. Velstick^® is constructed of 2-3/4" wide aluminum extrusion into which a 1-3/4" wide piece of plastic backed Velcro is inserted. Standard Velstick^® supplied with pile Velcro, hook velcro available on request. Suggested mats to be used with Velstick^® : EM, CM, and IM Models.