Anyone who spends a notable amount of their day on their feet will appreciate anything that claims to ease discomfort. While there are many items available, one thing is becoming more popular in businesses: anti-fatigue mats. But do they really work?

What is an anti-fatigue mat?

An anti-fatigue mat aims to alleviate leg and body weariness caused by prolonged standing on a hard, flat surface. They are located directly beneath your desk and should be easily accessible as you transition from sitting to standing. These mats can also be used to safeguard your desk area, prevent accidents, and for other purposes. Prolonged standing is essential in many jobs, which can cause soreness and exhaustion in the feet, legs, and lower spine. Prolonged standing has been associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal problems and other concerns such as varicose veins and locked joints. Researchers have looked into various interventions, including anti-fatigue mats, to reduce the associated hazards and discomfort for the employees. 

When workers are required to stand for extended periods on hard concrete floors, anti-fatigue mats are commonly used. Compared to concrete flooring, anti-fatigue mats are associated with better-reduced soreness ratings in most trials. The majority of these trials lasted 4 to 8 hours, and subjects were instructed to fill out a questionnaire concerning their experienced exhaustion and pain. 

Why use one?

The gains of using standing desks are numerous. Standing for extended periods hurts your health as well. Moreover, a scientific study suggests that employees who work while standing burn 20% more calories than their seated counterparts. After only 90 minutes of standing, you will notice tension and pain in your lower limbs. This happens when your muscles are compressed, which reduces blood supply to your legs. Other body parts that can be harmed by prolonged standing include: 

● back

● neck

● shoulders

You will begin to feel exhausted, which will lead to pain and, ultimately, a decrease in productivity. Anti-fatigue mats can assist you in dealing with this issue. When you stand on these mats, your legs move subtly. Your muscles are attempting to compensate for the instability of anti-fatigue mats. This helps to maintain blood circulation in your body and forces you to shift your posture, which is an excellent approach to combat fatigue.

How to choose an anti-fatigue mat?

There are multiple kinds of mats marketed as "anti-fatigue" mats. Consider the following while selecting a mat:

● Softer and thicker isn't necessarily preferable. Choose a mat with some elasticity but is not so squishy that it prevents a person from standing correctly.

● When selecting anti-fatigue mats for standing desks, consider what benefits are most important to you.

● Mats should have sloped edges and not slip or present a trip hazard. Sloped edges are much less likely to cause trips and enable trolleys to roll over them more easily. Mats may require cleaning. It will be critical in some areas, such as food preparation, to effectively clean the mats.

● Because workers typically wear supportive shoes, you should choose thinner standing mats for industrial situations. Thicker kitchen mats are appropriate for use in the office or at home, where you may wear slippers or flats.

FlexiSpot has two types of anti-fatigue mats to help wake up tired feet and promote blood circulation.

● Standing Desk Anti-Fatigue Mat MT1

This standing work remedy has been created for your pleasure, guaranteeing that you feel fantastic and work more effectively no matter what job. Enjoy a padded layer of support that suspends your body weight when standing in the kitchen or doing domestic tasks to minimize tension and tiredness. With its no-skid texture that keeps slippage to a minimum no matter what surface you're standing on, the MT1 mat reduces the discomforts of conventional anti-fatigue mats. The mat's beveled corners prevent it from curling up with time, and the flat surface is simple to clean with a damp towel.

● Ergonomic Anti Fatigue Mat DM1

With 32.3” x 20.5” dimensions, the DM1 anti-fatigue mat provides more than enough room for you to walk around and change positions all through the day. Because of the massage spots and bumps, your natural body movements encourage a continuous foot massage while standing on the DM1 anti-fatigue massage mat. Standing on this mat can assist your tired feet to wake up, stimulate healthy blood circulation, and improve physical and emotional relaxation. With a thickness of 0.98 inches, the DM1 mat is our most padded and relaxing anti-fatigue mat. The deep cushioning distributes gravity's power more evenly when you stand, minimizing strain on your feet and increasing comfort. You get the perfect combination: a mat that moves easily with a press of your foot but won't slip or skid while you're standing. The DM1 has a no-skid design with a skid-proof grooved bottom that allows you to transition from sitting to standing while preventing accidents comfortably.

Pros

Increase productivity

Employees who are in good health are more productive. They are more likely to work with enthusiasm and concentrate when they do not have to take time off or spend time at home due to injuries. As a result, the business grows significantly.

Fewer absences from work

According to research, employee absenteeism was dramatically reduced after the implementation of anti-fatigue mats at the workplace. This positively impacted the office's general situation and efficiency, which significantly benefits anti-fatigue mats because a small investment allowed staff to provide their best effort.

Save money

True. They may be able to save you money. anti-fatigue mats minimize the risk and diseases, resulting in less work leave, healthcare costs, and paid absence. These factors may have an impact on the company's overall performance.

Alleviate burning and itchy feet

Anti-fatigue mats not only provide short-term relief, but their long-term use is also helpful to the muscles and joints. Those who suffer from blisters, bumps, or heel spurs will heal faster if they devote most of their time placing their feet on a soft textured anti-fatigue rubber/ foam mat. This would also not cause them any problems if they had to stand for an extended amount of time at work or in the kitchen while preparing dinner.

Reduce fatigue and improve health

According to research, utilizing a mat to stand on at work can reduce fatigue by 50%. Employees will also have a lower chance of having joint pain, heart illness, varicose veins, and pregnancy complications.

Durability

Anti-fatigue mats are more resilient than standard rubber mats. An anti-fatigue mat has an average life of two years at most. However, some brands claim that their mats have an expected lifespan of about ten years. That is another fundamental benefit of anti-fatigue mats.

Decrease accidents

Anti-fatigue mats have rough surfaces that keep them from slipping under your feet. This ensures that you will never trip or fall while working at your standing desk.

Easy to clean

Although some anti-fatigue mats lack this feature, all of these rubber mats are effortlessly washed and wiped down. This is a huge benefit for all kitchen workers because they won't stress cleaning their anti-fatigue mat using complex procedures.

Cons

Not enough stability and instability balance

To produce enhanced blood flow, the mat must be sufficiently unstable for someone to make appropriate alterations to their posture. However, if there is too much – as a result of a too-soft mat – it might produce balance issues. As a result, the body has to overcompensate, adding to the tension.

Too soft or too hard

They will not provide much relaxation if they are too hard. An excessively soft mat may force your body to work harder, increasing discomfort.

Sinks easily

If your anti-fatigue mat is composed of a foamy material, it will shortly bottom out. Anti-fatigue mats are not intended to withstand large loads. If weighted equipment runs over them more frequently, they may wear out sooner. This is a significant disadvantage of utilizing anti-fatigue mats.

Won't stay put

Some anti-fatigue mats are not flush with the floor and are vulnerable to permitting dust to build beneath them, increasing their likelihood of slipping. Lightweight mats can also easily move, posing a tripping danger.

Won't respond to movements

When someone adjusts or moves, a high-quality anti-fatigue mat instantly returns to its original shape. If there is a lag, the mat is not doing its function adequately. This means it will most likely wear down faster and need to be replaced sooner.

Anti-fatigue mats have become vital in our current day, where employees like to work on standing desks. By providing these mats at workstations, you can protect your employees' health while also expecting them to be more successful. As a result, it will increase your company's revenue.