I've had mine for years and literally couldn't do without it. It h as helped preserve my hands!
My cutting station is a folding kitchen cart that is just the right size and height. Guess where my Alto's usually is? I store the Alto's under my media center in my living room, where my cutting station is.
I can access all 4 sides of the cart without problems. Of course I do use my other mats and all too.
ali