Not all anti-fatigue solutions are the same. With many variables and factors to consider, Bob Bishop, President of SmartCells, lent his knowledge and expertise to help host Tyler Kern break down the importance of making the right decision regarding anti-fatigue solutions to ensure optimal cushioning and support.
Bishop said there are nine main points that people need to ask themselves when purchasing a true anti-fatigue solution.
“At the top of that list of questions,” Bishop said, “is, ‘Are the mats, or anti-fatigue surface, optimized?’”
A surface that is too hard or too soft can be equally strenuous on the body when standing on them for long periods. People need a “baby bear” solution – one that’s just right.
Comfort is not the only consideration.
“Not all products are suited for all environments,” Bishop said. “It’s especially so when you look at the common materials that make up many anti-fatigue products. Most anti-fatigue products, especially those at the lower end, are made out of foam, gel-based materials. They might have some thin top cover on them, but that wears through easily.”
Bishop cautioned that, in environments where the flooring gets wet frequently, those foam, gel-based mats soak up the water like a sponge, creating hazards and reduced longevity.
“One thing that doesn’t get brought up a lot,” Bishop said, “is the responsiveness of the materials. “SmartCells can take a vertically loaded force, or somebody stepping on a mat, and distribute that energy horizontally. And, because of the material’s rubber, it’s responsive to people’s movement. So when you move on SmartCells, these cells spring up to their original dimensions, returning energy to whoever’s using the product.”