Do You Need A Mat For A Standing Desk?

Using a standing desk has several potential benefits, including decreased risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. But standing at your desk for several hours can make your joints feel achy and sap your energy reserves. This begs the question, "Do you need a mat for a standing desk?"

This guide will explore everything you need to know about anti-fatigue mats for standing desks. You can use this information to make an informed decision about whether an anti-fatigue mat might be a wise investment.

We'll also explore a few top-notch options, helping you choose a mat that fits your budget and preferences. Without further ado, let's discover if anti-fatigue mats for standing desks work to keep you feeling comfortable and energised throughout the day!

What Are the Benefits of Anti-Fatigue Mats?

Standing desk mats (also called anti-fatigue mats) offer many benefits. Still, some of the most notable benefits of these padded mats are:

• Reduced pressure on joints

• Improved blood circulation

• Increased comfort

• Higher energy levels

When you're standing at your desk, gravity compresses the veins and joints in your feet and lower legs. While this might be immediately problematic, it can lead to achy joints and poor blood flow, especially when standing for several hours.

No matter how comfy your shoes or carpeting might be, standing for long periods can also cause widespread discomfort, particularly in your feet, ankles, legs, knees, and hips. The effort to remain standing may also lead to early afternoon fatigue and sleepiness.

Standing desk mats are designed to target all of these issues. They provide a padded area for your feet, reducing the amount of pressure on your feet. This cushioning can also improve blood circulation throughout your feet and legs, reducing the pins and needles feeling that often comes after several hours of standing.

But one of the most notable benefits of anti-fatigue mats is right there in the name—lessened feelings of exhaustion! Remember, sitting burns an average of 95 calories per hour, while standing consumes an average of 150 calories per hour. Consequently, using a standing desk requires more energy than sitting.

If you add impaired circulation or joint pain to the mix, feelings of fatigue are essentially unavoidable. That's because consistent pain and poor circulation can make you feel tired in no time.

But supportive and comfortable standing desk mats help combat midday exhaustion by decreasing joint pressure and encouraging better blood circulation.

Do Anti-Fatigue Mats Help Back Pain?

Prolonged standing can lead to back pain, as gravity continually drags downward against your spinal column, compacting the squishy cartilage between each vertebra. Gravitational forces are so strong that they can make you slightly shorter throughout the day!

Unfortunately, the gradual compaction within the spine can put pressure on the nerve endings throughout your back, triggering pain. This sensation can arise while sitting and standing, making chronic lower back pain a common problem for those who work at desks.

Standing desk mats may help reduce painful sensations throughout your back, as the padding inside them pushes upward against your body. This action reduces pressure on nerves throughout the spine.

These padded mats also absorb pressure, reducing shock to the joints and decreasing the likelihood of developing spinal aches.

Do Anti-Fatigue Mats Really Work?

Padded standing desk mats can reduce pressure on the joints, thus lessening a person's fatigue while working at a sit-stand desk. However, these mats typically aren't powerful enough to eliminate joint pressure, lower back pain, or fatigue that results from prolonged standing.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to increase the effectiveness of a standing desk mat and reduce discomfort when standing for long periods.

For example, you can take small breaks (every thirty minutes or so) to walk around the room, stay hydrated throughout your workday, and continually shift your weight while standing. Try exercises at your desk as well. But a cushioned desk mat encourages movement and can alter your standing routine, which is a huge advantage.

Are Anti-Fatigue Mats Necessary?

A standing desk mat isn't necessary for a standing desk setup, but it's incredibly beneficial. That's because cushioned standing mats are made of a shock-absorbent material that raises users off hard floors, resulting in a more comfortable standing position.

Still, if you'd rather work your leg muscles and increase blood flow while using a standing desk, you can also invest in a desk foot rocker or stationary elliptical machine. These accessories encourage users to make small movements to keep their balance or improve blood circulation.

How Thick Should an Anti-Fatigue Mat Be?

An anti-fatigue mat should be thick enough to separate the user from the flooring. Typically, this equates to a thickness of between 13mm and 26mm.

But there are a few things to consider when choosing a standing desk mat's thickness. Firstly, there's the level of support. Thicker padding means more support for your joints, reduced pressure on your knees and feet, and more comfort.

However, thicker mats can also pose a tripping hazard for those struggling to lift their feet more than a few centimetres. That's why you'll also want to consider the mat's edges.

Some standing desk mats have sloped edges that make them easier to transition onto. These sloped edges are also chair-friendly! Overall, individuals with significant nerve damage throughout their legs or feet may prefer to use a standing desk mat with sloped or bevelled edges.

Can You Put Anti-Fatigue Mats on Carpet?

Standing desk mats often feature non-slip backings. As such, you can put these desk mats on a hard floor, thin carpet tiles, or plush carpeting. If you notice that your standing desk mat moves around during use, you may want to invest in a larger mat or a thick mat that's slightly heavier.

How Do You Use an Anti-Fatigue Mat With a Chair?

It's entirely possible to use a standing desk may with a chair. However, you might not want to. After all, rolling an ergonomic office chair on and off a padded mat can create stubborn indentations in the cushion material and reduce the mat's lifespan.

We recommend storing your desk mat beneath your desk when you're not standing. That said, you could also push the standing desk mat slightly under the desk and place your feet there while sitting at your desk.

Choosing flat mats can also make it easier to use a standing mat with a chair. A flat mat may not provide all the benefits of a thicker floor mat, but it's less likely to develop signs of wear and tear when paired with an office chair.

Which Is the Best Anti-Fatigue Mat?

Now that you're familiar with the benefits and uses of standing mats, it's time to explore some high-quality options. No matter your budget or personal preferences, there's a good chance that one of our top picks is the best standing desk mat for your office setup.

Anti-Fatigue Rectangle Standing Mat

This standing desk mat offers an astounding level of support, keeping you comfortable even after hours of standing. Unlike other, thinner floor mats, this model is about 19mm thick. As a result, it's thick and wide enough to keep you off hard surfaces like flat floors.

Its rectangular design also allows you to use it while standing and sitting. The horizontal position is ideal for standing, but you can shift it to a vertical position for sitting. In addition, the minimal edge degree makes it easy to slide your desk chair on and off the mat.

Are you worried about slipping around while standing on this mat? Don't be! This option has a slightly textured surface that grips onto bare feet and shoes. It also features a non-slip bottom and weighs an impressive 4.41lb.

If you're someone who enjoys keeping their water bottle or coffee nearby during work, you'll also appreciate this mat's waterproof exterior. So if you happen to spill your favourite beverage while standing at your desk, cleanup is as simple as wiping away the liquid. Crumbs also bounce off this floor mat's surface and are easily vacuumed away.

We believe this is one of the best standing desk mats available, due in no small part to its relative thickness, hefty weight, and vast surface area. But, of course, the only way to find out is to try it for yourself!

Ball Anti-Fatigue Standing Mat

The best standing desk mats incorporate physical activity to improve blood flow and keep you feeling energised. Some do this by offering a wide surface area ideal for shifting weight from foot to foot, while others have slightly unstable bottoms that require users to keep their balance.

But this floor mat has a slightly textured surface that encourages movement, plus a small ball in the centre designed for standing foot massages. This firm ball massages pressure points throughout the foot, improving blood flow while stimulating nerve endings.

Because the massage ball is in the centre of the mat, users also have to move their bodies to use it. This tiny increase in physical activity might not seem like much, but it requires you to stand on one foot.

While balancing, you'll need to use more muscles (such as your core muscles) to remain stable. Not only can this balancing routine promote good posture, but it could also lower your risk of developing specific health problems, particularly heart disease.

Even better, this option has low bevelled edges that allow you to use it with an office chair. So, when you're ready to take a load off and have a seat, you can continue to massage the balls of your feet with this standing mat's unique pressure point massager.

Anti-Fatigue Stool Standing Mat

Are you looking for a standing desk mat that pairs well with desk stools? If so, you'll want to check out this unique standing mat! It's ideal for sitting and standing, making it one of the most capable options.

That said, this flat mat is slightly thinner than other options, with a width of about 16mm. Consequently, it might not be the best choice for extended periods of standing.

But its curved edge and flatter design ensure that stools fit neatly against it, allowing you to rest your lower body with ease. Additionally, this floor mat is compact enough to fit beneath small desks, making it an excellent choice for tight workspaces.

Overall, this is a good standing desk mat for anyone using a desk stool at their adjustable sit-stand desk. Besides, due to its smaller size, it stores away easily when not in use. What's not to love?

How Long Do Anti-Fatigue Mats Last?

The lifespan of an anti-fatigue mat varies depending on usage frequency and material.

For example, a standing desk mat that's used for several hours each day and features thinner padding of 12.7mm might only last about half a year. Alternatively, thicker mats that enjoy infrequent use are likely to last a year or more.

But it's crucial to note that anti-fatigue mats for standing desks are often affordable. Consequently, you don't need to shy away from using your padded mat in an attempt to help it last longer.

Chances are, you'll be able to purchase a budget-friendly replacement mat when your current one wears thin.

Is An Anti-Fatigue Mat Worth It?

Having an anti-fatigue mat beneath your feet is an excellent way to keep yourself energised and comfortable while working at a standing desk. Many of these mats are also compatible with office chairs, making them multipurpose surfaces that are well-suited to adjustable sit-stand desks.

Even better, anti-fatigue mats for standing desks are incredibly affordable, with many costing less than a hundred dollars. So, if you're thinking of investing in a standing desk or making your standing desk experience more comfortable, be sure to select an anti-fatigue mat from Desky today!