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Anti-fatigue mats(gel mats)

10 years ago

I'd like your input on this topic, please. Is one brand better than another? There's so many different ones out there, at all price points. Does thickness matter? How durable are they? Do I just sponge them down when they need to be cleaned?

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scotttyb

10 years ago

Hello,

I work from home using a "Stand-up" desk, so I have also been on the hunt for an anti-fatigue mat. After some research I decided on a wellnessmat.com mat, especially after reading all the great things people are saying on Amazon about them. But I haven't tried one in person. I recently went into a Bed Bath and Beyond and tried out a Gel-Pro mat and I think an Imprint mat, and I thought the Gel-Pro didn't add much cushion, not much different than standing on carpet over standard carpet padding and the Imprint, like many others, presses down flat like memory foam does. I just ordered a brown Moire pattern 2 x 3 Wellness mat from Brookstone today (they had free shipping, compared to Amazon or Wellnessmat.com that didn't). I will post back on here my opinion once I've received the mat and have had some time to try it out.

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Comments (6)

cearbhaill (zone 6b Eastern Kentucky)
10 years ago
How long do you stand?
That will influence your choice.

I stood up for a living 8-10 hours a day when I was working- we had the expensive ones, I don't know the brand but a 3x5 was too heavy to even believe.

I use good shoes when at home- I ruined one foot standing barefoot on a tiled floor while cooking Thanksgiving dinner in 1991, won't do it again.
That foot hasn't been right since- a lifetime of barefeet in Florida helped the breakdown, though.
Good shoes are good :)

Found the link below for you while trying to find what brand mats we had- hope it helps!

Here is a link that might be useful: 9 Essential Questions to Consider Before Buying any Anti-fatigue Mat
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I have had a gel pro mat on the laminate floor in my kitchen for several years, with no problems whatsoever. But there isn't any tacky material in a gel pro mat. I think the only problem with the anti-fatigue mats would be if you get water (or something wet) underneath them and then don't clean it up, the wetness would probably warp the laminate pretty quickly. I also have a regular area rug in front of a side entry door. I had to put an anti-slip mat on the floor under the rugs - without something anchoring them they slid out from under your feet pretty dangerously! (It made bringing groceries in quite exciting. :) ) Anyway, there is residue stuck on the laminate there from the rubber mat....but I've never even tried to clean it up, because I'll always have a rug there so I'm not too worried about it.
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"I buy a cute little rug from Target to hide the ugly mat. After the cat pees on the rug, I throw it out and buy a new one." Breezygirl - I am cracking up here! I am glad to hear you do ths - I have tried really hard to come up with another long-lasting floor that would be softer, but let's face it, softer means not as long lasting. I don't intend to do this again in my lifetime, which means according to actuarial tables I need the floor to last 30+ years. Sounds like ceramic to me :) I think I am going to order an anti-fatigue mat (am looking at Gel-pro and Wellness mat websites) and tape down (mayb velcro??) a thin kilim-type rug on top of it - I would like some really pretty oriental rugs in this kitchen. Puppeez, I hear you. My DD has a scar on her face from tripping over one of my throw rugs when she was a toddler. I am going to try to station this double comfort rug extravaganza in one, maybe 2, work zones in the kitchen, not in a traffic area or doorway. I will be super careful - falling on this floor could kill me and mess up my calculations!
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We're not in Dallas. I'm not sure why it linked to there, unless it somehow picked up that that's where you are from. The mats seem very nice, and comparable to the one I got my mom at H. Depot a few years ago (she loves hers.) We really, really like Aldi. I do most of my grocery shopping there. It's helpful to ask them what day their produce is delivered to know when it's freshest. You'll want to take your own shopping bags, and a quarter for the cart, which you'll get back when you return it to the cart holder. ***I think we ought to let this thread die. I'm going to try to post it with a more informative title.
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I purchased 2 beige color anti- fatigue matts from kohl's half off a few years ago. I think on sale $20- 25 ea. They are warmer than standing on the floor, and softer, but they are not attractive and after a while show some wear and one even has a small cut. Neither rug seems to stay where I put it and always seem to be crooked, maybe the family kind of kicks them around as they are rather high. I moved one to the bathroom for standing in front of that sink and due to the height of the matt and the inswing of the door- it has to be off center. It has stood up to wet feet for a family of 5 for a while, and is warmer and softer than the vinyl floor. I really only use them in the wet spots by the sinks. The kitchen rug my family prefers now is a gray indoor/ outdoor carpet for $10. I replace them after a year or two and it is much warmer to the feet than just the small matt by the sink.
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scotttyb
10 years ago
Follow-up:
I purchased a 3' x 2' brown anti-fatigue mat (brand: wellnessmat.com) and I love it!! Costs about $126 and well worth it. On top of that it is very stylish looking, not industrial looking at all. I work from home and stand all day in front of my computer (standup desk) and am just about to put hard wood floors to replace the carpet, so needed something I can stand on, versus standing on wood all day. I found my perfect mat!!! The mat is 3/4" and is very cushy, but doesn't bottom out. I would recommend this mat to anyone!!!
wekick
10 years ago
Gelmats can be a tripping hazard and are in a limited area. Buy really good shoes even if it means seeing a pedorthist. My last job I was on my feet 12 hours at a time and sometimes standing in one place.
imagemats
9 years ago
The thickness level of anti-fatigue mats vary, also the texture and support capacity. That is why durability depends. Aside from gel, these are also made from different materials : vinyl, rubber, foam etc. Among these, the rubber is the most durable.

Here is a link that might be useful: rubber matting
benmar
8 years ago
thickness matters alot in my openion...

you have to check it thouroghly

Here is a link that might be useful: gel pro coupon

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