Do they exist? I have left the YMCA where I was teaching my class, downside is I have to provide my own mats, does anyone have suggestions for some affordable but usable ones?

All they would be used for is some very basic takedown, throwing and grappling work, and for the current size of my class I don't think i'd need more than 2 or three.

I looked on Amazon a bit and the prices made me pee a little, it's also hard to tell what you are looking at by the descriptions.

If the price made you pee a little the shipping costs are gonna mean a new pair of pants. Most places will give you a discount for quantity. You generally have to talk with a rep to get any info on discounts or shipping costs.

I used Zebra mats in my basement.

http://www.zebramats.com/puzzle.html

This style is less..

http://www.greatmats.com/products/martial-arts-mats-78.html

Good luck.

Look on EBAY for DOLLAMUR ROLL MAT

I love mine. There is nothing that I have seen more portable and they are good quality.

Oldman, do you think the Zebra mats can be used for throwing, could you say safely take a fall out of a shoulder or hip throw or similar on them?

Anyway thanks for the help guys this gives me plenty to think about.

If you are going to be moving them around alot, you won't want "puzzle mats".
They're ok if you put them on the floor and leave them there.
But the tabs wear out fast if start taking them apart too often.

I also don't like them for Aikido. They're ok for rolling but are too hard for big throws.

Zach,
We do not do any BIG throws. We do practice throws and sweeps but none of us fall well very well so we don't get crazy. I would not like to be thrown hard on them. They work fine for grappling.

B,
Just as a reminder I was referring to puzzle mats from Zebra. Their tatame styled mats are a very good option.

Well i've been shopping a bit, unfortunately the puzzle mats aren't practical for me, i'll need a couple folding ones. Looks like i'm just gonna need to save a bit of cash.

Zach -

Keep an eye out for school/gym closings. Sometimes you can find them very cheap. Try craigslist, too.

don't do puzzle mats, someone broke my collarbone with a hipthrow on puzzle mats with carpeting underneath.

Yeah, I figured out those aren't gonna work for us.

On the subject though, I found a catalog listing "gymnastic mats" and from the picture they good, anyone know what gymnastic mats usually implies?

they sound pretty shock absorbant. they might be a little too bulky though.

I found that the flexi-roll style mats work very well for my home BJJ practice. They're made by Dollamur and marketed by Mike Swain and others. I think you can get 2 5'x10' rolls for about $500,but I'm not sure if that fits your definition of affordable.