Whether you’re chopping pounds of vegetables for an elaborate meal or washing the world’s biggest pile of dishes, your hips and lower back can start to ache due to prolonged time on your feet. If you’re looking for some relief, the best anti-fatigue mats reduce the stress on your joints when you’re standing on hard flooring. For most home cooks, the Gorilla Grip Anti-Fatigue Mat is the best for the job—it’s made from durable high-density foam that provides comfort and support.
The best anti-fatigue mats are designed to reduce the fatigue and stress on joints when standing on hard flooring, like cement or tile.
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With anti-fatigue mats, the benefits are multifold: Along with alleviating achiness, they can provide lumbar support and improve your posture, keeping you pain-free as you work in the kitchen. What’s more, they “encourage a gentle swaying movement to engage the foot and leg muscles in an effort to minimize swelling and create small postural changes throughout the day,” says physical therapist Lara Benavides, MScPT. While mats come in a variety of materials, the most supportive are made from high-density foam. And though thickness matters, keep in mind that thicker doesn’t always mean better. You want a mat you can stand on comfortably—not one that makes it difficult to keep your balance. Ahead, here are the very best options for all kinds of home cooks.
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Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Here are Forbes Vetted, we know it’s hard to work efficiently when your joints ache. Therefore, we’re always on the lookout for products such as ergonomic office chairs and anti-fatigue mats that can keep you comfortable while you go about your daily tasks. For this piece, we consulted sports chiropractor Trevor Vander Doelen and physical therapist Lara Benavides for their insight into reducing fatigue when on your feet. Additionally, Micah Siva, the author of this story, is a chef and new mom who spends most of the day on her feet, washing dishes and bottles.
How We Chose The Best Anti-Fatigue Mats
To choose the best anti-fatigue mats on the market, we started by consulting our expert sources to better understand what to look for (and avoid) in the world of anti-fatigue mats. We then surveyed the marketplace for top picks and brands. Once we narrowed it down to the most popular options, we evaluated the material, ease of cleaning, durability, color choices, sizes and price. We also factored in customer reviews to make sure that the top picks scored top marks in the real world.
What To Look For In The Best Anti-Fatigue Mats
To choose the best anti-fatigue mat for your needs, consider the material, ease of cleaning and durability.
Material
Most mats and made from standard or high-density foam, which provides your joints support as you go about your tasks in the kitchen. For safety purposes, some mats have rubberized bases to keep them in their place and prevent you from slipping. Additionally, some but not all mats are water- and stain-resistant.
Ease Of Cleaning
Living on your kitchen floor, your anti-fatigue mat is going to get messy—in other words, you’re going to have to clean it regularly. If you want something that’s easy to clean, look for a mat with a smoother surface, as grooves and indentations can harbor spilled foods and residue. Additionally, lighter-colored mats may stain more easily than darker options.
Durability
Because you’ll be spending a lot of time on your mat (and your dog might use it as their second bed), you want something that will stand up to your, well, standing. While anti-fatigue mats don’t last forever—you can expect to get around three or so years out of a mat—options made from high-density foam are popular for their durability (among other qualities).
