The following anti-fatigue mat review was written by Darcie Jaremey, a Board Certified Professional Ergonomist and the Owner of ergonomicsHelp. The review was originally published on the ergonomicsHelp website (here).
Just like peanut butter and jam sandwiches, there isn’t a better combination for a standing workstation than with an anti-fatigue mat. There are a variety of reasons why these are such a great addition to prolonged standing including that it's easier on your body’s joints, most notably the lower back, and it improves lower leg blood circulation by reducing blood pooling.
But of course, there is a caveat to anti-fatigue mat use. This is a bit of disclaimer if you use a standing (or sit-stand) desk. No matter the type of mat you have, it cannot eliminate ergonomic risk if you stand for prolonged periods of time. Take a look at this graphic for some context around your standing schedule. Instead of jumping into standing with your sit-stand desk, you might be better off gradually increasing the amount of time you stand, say over a few weeks. This will allow your body to adapt and reduce the likelihood of any aches and pains.
So, I have a question for you: if you have a standing (or sit-stand) desk, do you use an anti-fatigue mat? There are a variety on the market today, and in this post I am going to review one of them – AcroMat’s Anti-Fatigue Mat.
For this review, Ergonomist Darcie Jaremey reviewed the AcroMat 100-1 Series, constructed from 100% nitrile rubber foam. The AcroMat 100-ESD Series and 100-Cleanroom Series are also made from pure nitrile rubber foam.
REVIEW: AcroMat Anti-Fatigue Mat
Robust: This mat meets the ergonomic criteria for an anti-fatigue mat in its thickness, beveled edges, and that it’s a good size for the required task (i.e., mostly standing still in one spot). Technically speaking, many anti-fatigue mats on the market today will meet this criteria. But what sets this mat apart is that it is quite robust to stand on; it holds its shape very well. This means that after standing in one location for a while the mat doesn’t flatten and doesn’t require you to relocate your feet to get cushion and relief.
What sets this mat apart is that it is quite robust to stand on; it holds its shape very well. This means that after standing in one location for a while the mat doesn’t flatten and doesn’t require you to relocate your feet to get cushion and relief.
–Darcie Jaremey, Ergonomist, Owner, ergonomicsHelp
Good For Long-Term Standing: This is where quality anti-fatigue mats shine when compared to cheaper models or even using something else that is soft to stand on, like those bright-tiled mats you would frequently see in a toddler’s play area. In my experience, it may seem like you are saving money by buying a cheaper mat, but in the long-run cheaper mats affect the standing experience. It’s similar to the idea of buying a quality pair of running shoes if you are a frequent jogger; a pair of loafers will not give you the foot support required to run long distances. The same is true with investing in good a quality anti-fatigue mat for a standing desk.
Good Balance: A good anti-fatigue mat will have a good balance between enough cushion and instability, and such is true with this mat. Remember, there needs to be enough cushion to be comfortable for our joints yet have enough of an unstable surface to activate the venous pump (required to improve lower leg circulation). Mats with too little instability will likely not activate the venous pump. On the other hand, mats with too much instability would likely be extremely fatiguing to stand which could affect concentration at work.
Reasonably Priced: The cost of this product is under $100, which is quite reasonable for the marketplace. Often, anti-fatigue mats of a similar quality would be priced well over $100.
AcroMat offers one of the better anti-fatigue mats I have tried on the market today. From an ergonomic specification standpoint, all the typical requirements are met and surpassed.
–Darcie Jaremey, Ergonomist, Owner, ergonomicsHelp
Cons
Slide-Ability: This is a general concern when working with anti-fatigue mats and standing desks. Anti-fatigue mats are not designed to have a chair sit on top of it, so the mat must be physically moved when the user wants to go from standing to sitting. Depending on the type of flooring you have, it will effect how easily the mat can be moved between sitting and standing periods. In an ideal situation, you would only need to slide the mat along the ground to make space for the chair, as this would eliminate an awkward body position. With this type of mat, it is very simple to move on wooden or tile floors, but if you have carpet you will have to lift the mat to move it. This is more of an inconvenience than anything.
Slightly More Difficult To Clean: During my review period I noticed that paper, dirt, dust, etc. tended to stick to its surface. This is definitely not a deal breaker, although it is good to be made aware of.
Related: AcroMat Care & Cleaning Tips (FAQ)
Overall
AcroMat offers one of the better anti-fatigue mats I have tried on the market today. From an ergonomic specification standpoint, all the typical requirements are met and surpassed.
One Last Thing: Remember, anti-fatigue mats work hand-in-hand with standing (or sit-stand) desks; they entice employees to use their standing desk more often throughout their workday because it adds value to the employee experience. Considering the high cost of a standing desk, adding an anti-fatigue mat (at a fraction of its cost) should be a no-brainer.
Disclaimer: AcroMat sent me this mat for a review, although they did not pay to do this.
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Related: AcroMat Client Testimonials
Related: Do Anti-Fatigue Mats Work?