7 Best Anti

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From the kitchen to your standing desk, take the stress off your lower body with these comfortable standing mats.

Whether you're a masterclass home chef or a staunch believer in standing desks for getting your work done, chances are you're spending a lot of time on your feet as you work. While standing may help improve your posture and productivity, it can also place stress on your joints and the lower half of your body. That's where anti-fatigue mats come in. They have a cushiony texture that helps to counterbalance the additional strain on your joints, and some even feature textured surfaces to encourage movement.

The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing and researching the the key players in the anti-fatigue mat world to pick the most durable, useful and aesthetically pleasing mats out there. Our testers used mats as they went about their daily work at the Institute, noting each mat's comfort and stability. Our pros also looked the number of designs and sizing variations available for each mat, the materials and ease of cleaning and any standout features and claims the mats had. These are the mats that rose above the rest, according to our analysis.

Stick around till the end of our list for more information about how we anti-fatigue mats, and information about the benefits of anti-fatigue mats and what to look out for when shopping for anti-fatigue mats according to Theresa Marko, P.T., D.P.T., a board-certified orthopedic physical therapy specialist based in New York City, as well as Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.S.O., C.D.N., NASM-CPT, Deputy Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Nutrition Lab. Want to integrate more standing into your day but don't have a standing desk? Consider a standing desk converter to help you get on your feet.

While many anti-fatigue mats come in more subdued color palettes, The House of Noa shows us a different path. Its standing mats are adorned with beautiful patterns, many of which more closely resemble ornate rugs than the easily-conjured image of a black rectangle. They also come in a variety of sizes so you're likely to find one that fits your kitchen or home office setup, and they even make play mats for young ones.

All of this doesn't come at the price of functionality or durability however. The staff of G H's Test Kitchen and Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab has been using these mats for the past month and love the comfort they provide while not compromising on looks. "They're soft and don't move around so you don't trip. I love the variety of designs to choose from." says Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab director Nicole Papantoniou (who spends a lot of time on her feet!). While we love the stylish designs of these mats, we also noted that their light colors were susceptible to staining, so be sure to opt for a darker variation if you tend to spill.

Though we love the utility of anti-fatigue mats, many of them can have prices well above $50 that might dissuade novices or first-time standing desk owners. This mat manages to provide both support and cushioning at a fraction of many of its competitors prices. It's made of polyvinyl chloride too, so cleaning it is as easy as wiping it down with a damp cloth.

Though we weren't able to get hands-on with this mat, we appreciate how accessible the price point makes anti-fatigue mats and the slew of colors available. Our sentiments are echoed by more than 3,000 5-star Amazon reviews, many of which attesting to the relief it brings for the price. If you have pets though, you may want to consider other mats as some reviewers pointed out that it isn't very resistant to clawing from furry friends. At the price however, replacing a well-loved mat isn't much ado.

ComfiLife's mat is so plush it's shocking it doesn't cost more. Coming in several color options from understated to bold, this mat impressed our testers with its slip-resistance and softness. "It's very soft, sleek and understated" says Papantoniou, who was also impressed with the slip-resistance of this mat, which hasn't moved as she's used it under the sink in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation lab.

While we appreciate the plushness, Marko warns that it may not be for beginners. "Something to consider about a softer standing surface, however, is that it does challenge your balance more, causing your core musculature to activate since you are standing on an 'unstable' surface," she says. "I view this as a good thing as it helps you build strength. However, after some time you might feel tired from working, so you might need to ramp up your usage on the mat until you build strength."

The Gorilla Grip Anti-Fatigue Comfort Mat is a simple and effective option for your standing work. This foam mat has a rubber backing that helps to prevent slipping and comes in a good range of sizes such that you'll be sure to find one that fits your home's needs.

Although we didn't get the opportunity to test this mat in our Labs, we appreciate the deeply beveled edges to prevent tripping and the swath of muted color options that complement any home office. Though we love the options, some reviewers noted that the colors and patterns were slightly different than depicted once they arrived, so be sure to check some review photos before picking your favorite.

If you find your dogs barking after standing for a long time, CubeFit's TerraMat might be your solution. Whereas many textured anti-fatigue mats simply have protrusions to encourage movement, the TerraMat's are designed to massage your feet as you stand. The two mounds on the side are intended to be sole massagers, and the checkered pressure peaks at the front are meant to stimulate feet with your shoes off.

While we didn't get to try this innovative mat ourselves, we couldn't help but be impressed by the design of this mat, perfect for the stressed multitasker. A bevy of glowing reviews also encourages our suggestion, with some describing how the mat is firmer than others but doesn't reduce comfort. Some however noted a strong plastic smell upon receiving their mat, though many said it dissipated with time. Marko also notes that less-wide mats like this one may not be suited for work wherein you need to move around a lot, as you'll want to ensure you remain on the surface as you complete your tasks to reap the benefits.

"It's important to try to change your position frequently throughout the day when possible to mobilize the body. Even shifting weight between your feet can prove to be effective in reducing discomfort." remarked Sassos. The beveled sides and central ball of this mat encourage you to move without feeling uncomfortable, and there's also sufficient flat surface area for when you want to keep still.

Consumer testers liked the cushioned feel and remarked that the varied surface helped reduce the strain of standing still while working upright. "I'd avoid using it in the kitchen," Papantoniou, who pointed out that the raised surfaces can be a tripping hazard (definitely something you don't want around hot oil and sharp knives).

Amazon Basics offers an anti-fatigue mat with all of the simple and necessary functionality and none of the frills, making it a great pick for in the garage or shed. It's made of foam, which Marko prefers in anti-fatigue mats, noting that it provides better cushioning than rubber. It also cleans easily with just soap and water. The beveled edges and slightly textured surface also help to reduce tripping as walking onto and passing by the mat. It's also lighter than some of our other picks, clocking in at only 2.6 pounds.

Though we didn't test this mat in Lab, we liked the simplicity it offers in getting you started on your upright journey. We also like that it's sold in multipacks if you're looking to cushion multiple areas in your home, office or garage, or have friends who are on their feet a lot. Over 6,000 5-star Amazon reviews speak to this mat's efficacy, though some note that it's durability leaves a bit to desire as it may start to curl after shorter periods of time than other picks on this list.

To test anti-fatigue mats, first we considered their design, dimensions, comfort, durability and any additional features. We assessed the available sizes of various standing mats to ensure they're compatible in different home office and kitchen configurations and consider the appearance of the mat.

To assess comfort, we asked testers to use the mats throughout their workday and provide feedback on how cushioned they felt and if they noticed any potential hazards, like the mats slipping or curling up. We also asked testers to utilize additional features like 3D protrusions and speak to their efficacy. To assess durability we ask staffers in Good Housekeeping's Test Kitchen to use them over an extended period of time and take note of scuffing, textural irregularities and predisposition to showing dirt after use.

✔️ Material: According to Marko, "Mats might be rubberized or made of foam. Rubber is going to be a little bit harder and more of a dense feel and not provide as much cushion, whereas foam mats are going to be more springy and provide more of a softer standing surface." She says that soft standing mats may challenge your balance, causing your core to activate which is good for strength-building, but may cause fatigue at first.

✔️ Thickness: Any amount of thickness under your feet will help to reduce stress on your joints, however Marko recommends mats that are at least half an in thickness.

✔️ Size and shape : The size and shape of your mat will be dictated by the amount of space you have and the kind of work y0u're doing.If your work involves moving left and right, Marko recommends a rectangular mat for more freedom of movement. If you have a more stationary workspace, a square mat might work for you.

"Anti-fatigue mats are designed to alleviate some of the discomfort and lethargy that occur in sore feet, legs and hips after lengthy periods of standing." says Stefani Sassos. While they can help alleviate some tension, she continues that, "Ultimately, anti-fatigue mats won't completely eliminate discomfort and soreness," recommending movement like walking and changing positions frequently throughout the day to help further alleviate these maladies. Some standing desk mats encourage this movement with different protrusions designed to have you constantly reposition your feet as you work.

Nikolas Greenwald is no novice to anti-fatigue mats, having used them for years in both academic and corporate labs where he spent countless hours on his feet. He spent over 15 hours researching, evaluating and standing on different mats to pick the best ones, giving special attention to their cushioning, design and utility throughout the workday.

As the lab assistant at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Nik (he/him) works with all of our Labs to develop testing protocols and manage data collection and analysis. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Nik worked in the labs of MIT and Regeneron, working on projects ranging from chemical inventory and reporting to the development of bioassays. He holds a degree in chemical engineering from Northeastern University.

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