Do you wear shoes on anti-fatigue mats?

Spending more time on your feet doesn't have to mean back pain or sore legs. There are some people confused: can I wear a shoes on  standing mat? or shoeless will be better?

Dr. Nigg explains that standing on a firm surface for long periods of time is not ideal because certain parts of your body will bear the entire burden of standing and that, over time, this may cause problems in those areas. 

On the other hand, standing on a soft surface provides an unstable base that requires your muscles to change their activity constantly and prevents that kind of constant load on particular parts of your anatomy. An additional positive effect of using a soft mat, says Dr. Nigg, is that the small muscles crossing the ankle joint are exercised and strengthened, improving your stability in general.

But if going shoeless, is really not an good option for your workplace, what shoe should you wear for standing at your desk?In the standing desk community,  there seem to be two conflicting opinions: barefoot/minimalist shoes or shoes with great arch and/or ankle support. 

In fact, Comfort is the best! what is comfortable for some people will be uncomfortable for others and vice versa.so it comes down to personal preference. 

Ideally, no. Feet are built with solid, flat surfaces in mind and the arch is exercised and maintained by standing on them. Try to find a super soft anti-fatigue mat like this one from NOVA so that you don’t wear out your feet.

If you’re in a busy office and don’t feel comfortable going barefoot, you’d want to buy shoes with a good arch, or sole inserts with an arch.It's suggest that you should wear a shoe with plenty of room in the toe, to allow the foot to move around.Someone with no foot issues should simply wear what they are comfortable in and that lots of shoes would be fine for wearing at a standing desk, from everyday casual shoes to walking shoes to running shoes. 

“More important than the shoe is probably what the worker does with his or her feet while standing,” It's recommends that standing workers get in the habit of doing three exercises throughout the day: periodically raising themselves up on tiptoe; raising the forefoot to balance on the heels; and alternating standing on one foot at a time – like a flamingo – for short periods.

It is often a good idea to change shoes during the course of the day since one pair of shoes will wear out in the same spot. 

The takeaway from all of this seems to be that when it comes to what to wear on your feet while you work at a standing desk, it’s a matter of trial and error. Pick a pair of shoes that is comfortable for you, or a couple of pairs, and try them out.

Don't forget comfort is the best!


E：cara@atreasure.com.hk