FL/PE10 Exercise Video - what is the mat?

What is the purpose of the half round mat the guy is using in FL/PE10 Exercise Video?

Is it worth getting one? Been searching online and can't seem to find anything similar....

Hi Ben,

Great questions. The purpose is simply to elevate the athlete's shoulders. This allows his legs to lower below them which increases the difficulty of the exercise dramatically. Any soft, elevated surface will work fine. 

Here is Coach Sommer's focus point from your course library: 

"Elevating the shoulders, while not mandatory, dramatically increases the ROM and intensity of this exercise."

Well I tried a set of mats about 10cm tall, but the hard edge really dug into my back on the descent as you sort of fold over it, so that wasn't a success.

What is that rounded mat called and where do you find one?

It is a piece of equipment for the pommel horse training, you can use a bench, it is a good alternative.

No longer made apparently :-(

"bolster" is another term for these mats, similar things are used in yoga and physical therapy to hold limbs in a particular position.

Googling "half round bolster" and looking at images: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=half+round+bolster&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjFqObkypbVAhWHS7wKHZGiDSIQ_AUICygC&biw=1600&bih=659

There are a lot of them, but you'd need to make sure the bolster is large enough and firm enough.