Comfort on concrete floor
 

Hi, I am working on reworking my sewing area, have some photos will send soon but want to know what others are doing to make the floor more comfortable to stand on for long periods of time or even short. My floor is concrete with indoor/outdoor carpet and the foam pads you get at Harbor Freight. It is not fun standing on for long time. I have looked at the gel pads but they are priced at about $100. Yikes. Any suggestions? thanks.

I bought an anti fatigue mat from Menards for around $25. It is longer than my ironing board so it sits in front if it. I also got an anti fatigue mat at Meijer (like the kind that you put in front of your sink in the kitchen) for $9 on clearance. It sits in front of my cutting table. I make a point of not standing anywhere in my room for any period of time unless I am standing on one of these mats. It really made a difference in my poor old arthritic knees!

this is like the one I got but cheaper. http://www.menards.com/main/flooring...141-c-6527.htm

I think before tackling the floor issue I would invest In a good pair of Crocs. Not the new versions Crocs but the clunky, ugly ones with the great cushioning. My Crocs are the first thing I put on my feet in the morning and the last thing I take off at bedtime. If I leave the house, I put on my loafers as I don't like to be seen in public with my Crocs on.:D

Oh yeah! I have 2 pair of crocks that I wear around the house all the time! I can't go barefooted at all, even on carpet because of my knees. It's even extra cushion when I am standing on my mats!

This works and I know it sounds crazy but it you change out your shoes through out the day. I have shoes that have a wedge (approx. 2" high in back and 1/2-3/4 in front). I worked in salons with concrete floors for over 35 years from 10-12 hours+ 5 days a week and on the deceased in between. Changing shoes throughout the day makes a difference takes pressure off the feet from being in one position on consistent basis. The flat ones like ballerina slippers are the worst. I never stand in my barefeet for a long period of time. If you do sit down for a few minutes and can put your feet up for at least 10-15 minutes every couple hours do that. Those thong sandals (flip flops(?)are as bad as the ballerina slippers.

check on line for a company called U-LINE they have lots of choices

I live in my Crocs...I finally have a new knee and those are the only shoes I use. Other knee is a pain, too...

I bought anti-fatigue mats from Kohls. The large are about $100 but I got them when they were on sale and then I had my 30% off coupon. They are by the rugs. They are nice and thick and I love how they feel to stand on since my floor is concrete under the carpet and padding. I also use them in my kitchen.

My kitchen floor is tile over concrete, and I invested in a Gel Pro mat for in front of the sink. Got it at Bed Bath and Beyond with a coupon that helped defray the $100 cost. It's a couple years old and holding up like new. Worth every penny!

I use 2 layers of carpet pad with a long runner on top. That really helps with my back. I also raised my machine so I could stand up straighter while quilting. A good pair of shoes makes a lot of difference also.

WOW listening to all you people here is something. I have a total knee which I later broke the femur bone on that leg so now it houses a pin to my hip as well. The other knee is starting to give me trouble. Besides that I have a pinched nerve in my lower back. I have to go barefooted around the house in which I to have concrete floors with tile and standing on those gel mats are not for me at all I guess it really does depend on the individual after all. Even shoes with arches are bad for me I have to take them out or not buy. I did love the crocs but since my back problem I had to give them up. You guys are wonderful here and I am addicted to the board
Good luck to you what ever you choose to do

My girlfriend got a nice mat from Costco..It is big enough and very comfortable. She paid under 30 dollars for it...

Crocs definitely make a difference.

I broke down and bought some Clarks most comfortable shoe I have ever had on my feet. But for me going barefoot is normal I have done it all my life so as soon as I walk in the house the shoes come off.

I agree. And I'd invest in a good pair of athletic shoes (we call them tennis shoes around here). Get something with a good walking inner sole that has good support. Most of my 33 years of teaching was done on medium to high heels or with pointed-toed flats. RUINED MY FEET AND MY BACK. We worked on terrazo floors. I've learned to wear tennis shoes most of the time because of a bad heel. Now I have a hard time sewing in my socks like I used to do it.
I've never worn Crocks but they seem to be so uncomfortable. I know I have trouble walking in backless shoes and the flip flop types.

BTW, I love the idea of propping your feet up occasionally. Good luck with your floors and enjoy that sewing space.

I love my Crocs. Wear them out in public. It's my feet and my life. If other people don't like them, oh well.

Haven't worn crocs since I bought special shoes to go to hospital for left knee replacement last July. Other knee giving me pain too especially since April. May try my crocs again.
Seems like so many have knee pain. Was it always like this or are we just living longer ?????

Big lots had some mats that had edges that fit together, and package of 4 wasn't very expensive--I think $25. or less. I wear Z coils. I know they are expensive, but they take 50% of the impact of every step etc. off your body. They last too. They are really ugly, but you won't care, they are that comfortable.

Glad this topic came up because I've been thinking about trying something different for cooking. For my plantar fasciitis and lower back pain I must wear shoes with supportive arches. I have high arches and need width across the toes, which limit the brands I can buy. I really like the cushioning on Alegrias and the looks of Naots, but best of all are Birkenstocks. I can't find athletic shoes anymore that will lace comfortably across my arch and for some reason they make my ankles swell.

My kitchen has slate floor tiles on concrete slab, so when I have long cooking days, I have lots of pain. I don't know what kind of arch support the Crocs have, but I may give them a try. The gel mats are not an option for me due to my daughter's wheelchair. Ultimately if the Crocs don't work, I may have to use a gel mat just for cooking, then put it away .

I have two yoga mats that I put on top of each other in front of my cutting table. just enough cush, and easy to roll up and move out of the way when I need to clean the hardwood!

With some exceptions (and of course, we each have our preferences!)... but MOST of us really should be wearing good shoes! My spine was curving and twisting once (way too much stress at the time...) went to see a rheumatologist (thought I was arthritic...) turns out my spine was out of whack. She said we're going to do two things: 1) You're going to go get some Rykas (shoes designed by women for women's feet... BEST shoes I've ever worn!!) and 2) physical therapy. Well, BOTH worked! I find that whenever I'm wearing poor shoes, my feet/back/hips/knees/toes.... it all hurts!
just do an online search: Ryka shoes... (I only WISH I had stock!!)

Lots of suggestions here. Thanks for sharing! I will check out those women's shoes~ :)

The idea from ksdot417 ( 2 layers of carpet pad under a runner) sounds like an inexpensive idea worth trying, ie. I will try it! I also bought a rolling elevated chair for my quilting.

I've worn Z-coils too. Really helped feet, knees and back. BUT...the exposed coil got tangled on a cord and I fell landing on mostly my left hand. To make a long story short...spent 2 months in long term hospital after 3 surgeries and more than a year in PT. Arm is still limited in range of motion and is very weak. So the moral of the story is to either buy the coil cover-ups(expensive too) or be very careful.

I bought the util-a-mat from Sam's. 8 tiles is around $22. They fit together like puzzle pieces. I have them on both sides of my longarm, by my ironing board and cutting table. They work great and are inexpensive.

I wear Spiras. They look like regular athletic shoes, but they have coils INSIDE the shoe. They are not cheap, but I can only go without them for awhile. Crocs make my hips ache at night! Anyone know if the interlocking mats (like they sell at Sears..and they come in colors for kids play areas too) work on carpet? I stand at the long arm and am limited w/o more support. Maybe its time to get my carpet replaced!

I bought an anti fatigue mat at Bed Bath & Beyond last week - it was marked 69.99 but must have been on sale because I got two of them for 69 bucks with tax! They seem to be working well.