Whether you’re new to a standing desk setup at work or you spend a lot of time on your feet at home, an anti-fatigue mat can reduce aches and pains by providing support and encouraging movement.
Here are a few key things to know about these accessories and whether one might be right for you.
How Do Anti-Fatigue Mats Work?
Anti-fatigue mats aren’t usually full of many bells and whistles. But here are a few critical features you can expect to find in an effective option.
Anti-Slip Protection
An anti-fatigue mat needs to stay put so that you don’t slide around or lose your balance.
That’s achieved by a grippier texture and/or slip-resistant coating that prevents feet from sliding around on top, and a slip-resistant backing that stops the mat from shifting around on the floor.
Supportive Foam Material
Anti-fatigue materials are crucial for anti-fatigue mats. This material is usually made of some kind of foam combination, and has a thickness of at least .75 inches.
An ultra-plush sinking feel could feel sublime at first, but it’s not a great long-term prospect. But a firm, slightly floating feel is the sweet spot.
You can expect to feel propped up a bit, but your feet should also be cradled yet supported by the foam in the way a mattress molds to and props up your body.
Beveled Edge
Another protective feature to look out for is a beveled edge.
Standing on a completely even rectangle might seem like a fine idea, but the slightly beveled edge prevents tripping.
If you’ve ever tripped on the corner of a runner or an area rug, you know what we mean.
Design Accents
While most anti-fatigue mats are rectangular and relatively plain, some models offer distinctive flourishes with different benefits.
For example, ErgoDriven offers a squarish mat with peaks and valleys for the feet to explore while standing. Some of the more three-dimensional areas offer massage and target pressure points.
While others just look great and look like an intentional design choice, if that’s important to you.
What Do Anti-Fatigues Mats Do?
An anti-fatigue mat’s sole purpose is to lessen the impact of standing, helping you feel less tired and maybe even boosting your productivity.
Sure, the foam material feels more comfortable under feet than regular flooring, but there’s more to it. The foam material also prevents muscle fatigue, ironically, by requiring you to make minor shifts and movements to keep your balance.
Mats with more dramatic variable textures provide even more built-in opportunities for movement and stretching, both of which can go a long way toward reducing foot and back pain.
Less achy feet could also prevent some of those posture slumps that happen when overly fatigued.
The FlexFit Standing Mat offers plenty of space to shift positions.
Lifewire / Yoona Wagener
Do You Need an Anti-Fatigue Mat?
Comfort is a pretty subjective feeling, but if you’ve ever felt some nagging aches after a day of standing, or your feet are worse for wear, an anti-fatigue mat might be ideal for you.
Using discomfort as a metric, but also considering how much you stand while you work from home, your break schedule, and the quality of your rest, you might find that a more advance anti-fatigue mat could be the more desirable option.
It’s a personal decision, but if you’ve been trying to stand and your body’s not having it, add a standing mat. You’ll only know if you try whether it’s right for you.
But it’s safe to say anyone and everyone who stands at all for work or play can benefit from this extra support.
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