Gel Pro Mat Fights Fatigue in the Kitchen: Universal Design

Standing on your feet on a hard surface for a long duration of time can lead to fatigue. You know it when you experience it. Your feet begin aching, your legs feel like they can’t carry your weight. Your hips and lower back may throb painfully. Your neck stiffens.

The kitchen is one place in your home in which foot, leg, hip, back and neck pain and fatigue can occur – because you are standing for extended periods of time. It can happen while you’re preparing meals (specially for holidays. parties and other events) or washing dishes. It can leave you feeling exhausted and in no mood to finish the activity at hand. An easy way to beat the type of fatigue that occurs from standing on a hard surface for too long (and that varies by individual) is to use a floor mat that cushions your body from the harsh forces exerted by hard floors.

There are many floor mats on the market that boasts anti-fatigue benefits but do they really work? Recently we reviewed an anti-fatigue mat from GelPro that promised users:

“will enjoy time spent in your kitchen once again – or on hard flooring surfaces anywhere in your home – without constant foot pain and back pain.”

The GelPro anti-fatigue gel mat  was developed by a former Dell Inc, executive and  engineer to help his wife an avid cook – who would find herself exhausted and fatigued after standing for hours preparing and cooking holiday meals that she was unable to enjoy the festivities.

According to GelPro the gel mat is:

“Scientifically engineered with patented gel comfort technology, GelPro ergonomic floor mats reduce the discomfort of standing on hard flooring. GelPro also features a durable and stain-resistant synthetic fabric surface, appealing to those who value comfort and style in their home.”

So we set out to test the mat  with high expectations in place.

As soon as our review sample, a stylish and fashionable Black Ostrich fabric ergonomic, anti-fatigue gel mat (detail image below),  arrived at our doorstep we rolled it out and started walking on it right away. Our editorial assistant, a 63 year-old woman, has Osteoporosis and serious, and at times debilitating hip pain. No sooner had she stepped on the GelPro mat that she exclaimed that it was like walking on a cloud. A soft, cushy, comfortable cloud and the she wanted to take the mat home. We loved her enthusiasm but insisted that we needed to test the product for periods longer than five minutes. We tested the mat over various time spans while engaging in common kitchen activities. Over a 45 minute period we stood on the GelPro anti-fatigue mat while we prepared lunch. Then for an hour and 15 minutes while we prepped, cooked and cleaned for dinner.

It didn’t take long before all who entered  the kitchen area made a bee-line for the mat in order to avoid walking the short distance to the refrigerator via the tile floors.  They happily walked the short distance on the mat and then back to the floor – stating that it was a shame that the entire floor couldn’t be covered in GelPro mats.   The GelPro Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat was a hit at The Decorating Diva LLC and we think that it will be a hit in your home too. The GelPro floor mat is an excellent and affordable kitchen and bath (it’s anti-skid)  product that embraces the idea of  Universal Design (making life at home easier, happier (less painful) and more productive for all household members).  According to GelPro:

“Everyone can benefit from the comfort provided by a GelPro mat. There are, however, millions of individuals that are especially susceptible to hard, unforgiving flooring. Chief among them ? young and old alike ? are those with painful arthritis, lower back pain, foot pain, plantar fasciitis, and diabetes. According to Arthritis Today magazine, approximately 43 million Americans suffer from arthritis, and Newsweek reports that 65 million Americans suffer from lower back pain. These conditions, along with foot pain, plantar fasciitis, and diabetes are all exacerbated by standing on hard flooring. GelPro mats have unique and unsurpassed ergonomic properties to help counter these irritating and disabling pains. “

Available GelPro Collections  (GelPro mats are available in various sizes to fit your needs)

Images copyright of respective companies.

Home Decor Buyer Resource:   GelPro (Designer Sizes like the one reviewed here are only available at the GelPro online store) – Regular GelPro mats can be purchased at Bed Bath & Beyond