Why are mats important to martial arts training? I train in taekwondo so I don't need mats for grappling unless I fall for some strange reason. I currently have 8 Puzzle mats that about 2ft X 2ft individually and when put together, form an 8 X 8 square. These mats are slowly but surely getting chewed up by my dog. The damage right now is minimal. However, I have to migrate 16 mats between my room and my garage every time I need to train. I do this so my dog wont chew them. I've found that traditional korean taekwondo temples use puzzle mats. I have this need to stay traditional. I have the money to buy a Zebra Roll-out mat which would make it easier to take the back and forth between my room to garage and to set up. So this need to stay traditional is the only thing keeping me buying the Zebra Roll-out mats. So before I go buy some mats, I want to know why they are so important and if I should keep my puzzle mats or but a Zebra Roll-out Mat.