The dimensions of a wrestling mat will vary depending on the level of the wrestlers involved. There are different mat requirements for high school, college and international wrestling. Mat requirements pertain to the minimum dimensions and many schools will use larger mats than are required.

Wrestling is one of the most popular high school sports among boys in the United States -- with more than 270,000 boys from public and private U.S. high schools participating in the 2012 to 2013 school year, along with about 8,700 girls -- according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.

In wrestling, the object is to pin your opponent's two shoulders to the mat for five seconds. There are a number of moves used to achieve a pin. You must be in good physical shape and practice the pin moves until you become proficient enough to do it successfully in competition.

Fasting, severe calorie restriction, excessive exercise and dehydration may help you get into a lower wrestling weight class, but you'll pay a steep price. You may feel fatigued, unfocused, weak and downright sick as a result of such extreme, unhealthy tactics. None of these side effects help you win a match.