Concrete Floors

[Gene Howe]

As I age, it's becoming a back and hip killer! 15 minutes of standing at a bench requires another 15 minutes in a chair. If anyone else has had this problem, what sort of mats or other cushioning works for you? I was thinking of doubling up some of those flimsy HF mats but, they are a PITA to keep together, as they crumble up after a while. I'm sure there are better solutions and, figured someone here has found it. If so, please point me to it. Thanks in advance for your suggestions! 

[Cal]

I feel your pain Gene, quite literally!  I have three types of mat in my shop.

The first, best and "most permanent" is a thick, hard cattle mat.  It's pretty thick and I actually cut it length ways with a chain saw!  Even sawed in half it is a job if I have to move it.  But I can stand on this all day.  Park it in front of the work bench and leave it!

 

 

The second type I have is the HF mat with the jigsaw edges.  That's ok and I have one piece that I can place where I happen to be working.  As I work around the workbench I can keep moving it with me.

The third mat I have is actually a hard plastic kneel pad that has a (probably) closed cell foam top.  It measures about 12"x18" or so and I use this wherever I might be kneeling to work on something.  In the house, the yard, or in the shop this is my grab and kneel on.  I would rather use this than knee pads.

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

I have a handful of those jigsaw mats, though I don't think I got them at HF. Mine are probably 12+years old and still seem to be in good shape (some of the "teeth" have broken off) but they've been stored the last 5 years. That said, I've seen the cattle mats suggested quite a few times and may try to get some of them the next go around. In terms of durability they seem to be in different league. They go by various names, Tractor Supply calls them "stall mats" and the price is quite a bit higher than the jigsaw mats.

Edited November 10, 2021 by Fred W. Hargis Jr

[Gene Howe]

Thanks, Cal and Fred! Looks like less than $100, will get me 3 of the 1/2" thick ones. If they don't do the trick, I can supplement them with a couple of those HF ones. Cut to fit and hot glue them under the stall mats. 

@Cal, btw, what are those nice looking blue, orange and, white thingies in your shop picture?

[DuckSoup]

 Gene I have had these in my shop for over 5 years and the have held up well. They have 20% off at least once a month. Patti just put 3 in the kitchen, said they are better than the off the shelf kitchen mats everyone sells.

https://www.rockler.com/build/setting-up-a-small-space-workshop/rockler-anti-fatigue-mat

 

[Cal]

On 11/10/2021 at 8:16 AM, Gene Howe said:

btw, what are those nice looking blue, orange and, white thingies in your shop picture?

 

Fold up deck chairs.  First go failed at the rear leg joints, as I expected.  Second go I used BB plywood for that seat-rear leg piece.

They sit a bit low for me, but the daughter is happy with them and she helped me with the build and paint, so I wasn't going to just junk them

 

 

[Gene Howe]

They sure brighten things up. Nice build and a nice paint job.

[Cal]

Hey @Gene Howe - I thought about this yesterday.  Before I got any of the floor mats I got some Dr. Scholl's shoe inserts:

 

https://www.drscholls.com/t/custom-fit-orthotics-kiosk-locator/?utid=S_S_B_BIN_US_ENG_DSCFO_X_BMM_X&&msclkid=ec2dc03684281aca7a7da1b8e45d6e77&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=S_S_B_BIN_US_ENG_DSCFO_X_BMM_X&utm_term=%2Bdr %2Bscholls %2Binserts %2Bmachine&utm_content=Kiosk | BMM&gclid=ec2dc03684281aca7a7da1b8e45d6e77&gclsrc=3p.ds

 

It was go to Wal Mart and step on a machine that "read" your feet to determine which of several different inserts you would use.

It made one heck of a difference, right from the get-go.  They took a couple days to get used to, but I use them in every pair of shoes I use now.  Wouldn't be without them.

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

They (Dr. School's inserts) are good, and if you happen to not like they have a full money back guarantee. I use them in my walking/jogging shoes.

[Wichman3]

I got this mat:

https://www.vari.com/standing-mat-34x20/MT-MT3420.html

at Officemax two years ago for use with the scroll saw. It is holding up well and is very comfortable, a bit pricey, but it's worth it. They do make a slightly larger mat.

I used the HF jigsaw mats for 20+ years at my full time job. The mats are still there and starting to look their age.

 

[Gene Howe]

After pricing horse stall mats and ones like Witchman showed, the HF jisaw mats, doubled up, are looking real attractive.

[Wichman3]

20 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

After pricing horse stall mats and ones like Witchman showed, the HF jisaw mats, doubled up, are looking real attractive.

It comes down to a personal choice, but what is comfort worth to you?

I have those same aches and pains. After a trip to a chiropractor two years ago, X-rays showed that I have arthritis all through my lower back, bone spurs through the mid back and functional scoliosis (meaning it can be improved with PT) in the lower back. The x-rays also show that I broke my back (one of the "wings" in the upper back) ten to fifteen years ago, never knew I had a broken bone.

The PT and the floor mat have greatly improved my outlook (less pain) and I can stand at the scroll saw for much longer periods than before.

[Gene Howe]

My longest stints of standing in one place would likely be at the band saw. Work bench time requires...for me.. lots of moving around. I sit at the scroll saw...at least I did when I had one. But, walking around on concrete, not only just standing, really gets to my back and hips. A Mueller back brace helps a little. 

My son spends a lot of his work day on concrete and he swears by these. https://www.amazon.com/Copper-Fit-Insoles-Standing-Support/dp/B08X68T8ZP/ref=sr_1_24?crid=JPMQ2TVRN9QY&keywords=comfort+shoe+inserts+men&qid=1637323982&sprefix=comfort+shoe+inserts%2Caps%2C979&sr=8-24 It's worth a shot, I guess.

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

You might try those, they may help and not be too expensive. I know Dr. Scholl arch supports made a big difference for me.

[Masonsailor]

Gene I have been using the 5/8 thick interlock type mats in the shop for years. They really do help. HD and HF both sell them in bundles. You have to glue them together or they are a PIA. A little tip is that type 3 titebond glues the together just fine. You don’t have to get crazy just a drop at each of the dovetails will do. Keep in mind as you lay the stuff down you will occasionally ( like once or twice a year) vacuum underneath it.  
Paul

[Gunny]

2 hours ago, Masonsailor said:

( like once or twice a year) vacuum underneath it.  

 

 

Hmmmm, I am thinking once a decade if I am lucky....  

[Gene Howe]

10 hours ago, Masonsailor said:

Gene I have been using the 5/8 thick interlock type mats in the shop for years. They really do help. HD and HF both sell them in bundles. You have to glue them together or they are a PIA. A little tip is that type 3 titebond glues the together just fine. You don’t have to get crazy just a drop at each of the dovetails will do. Keep in mind as you lay the stuff down you will occasionally ( like once or twice a year) vacuum underneath it.  
Paul

Thanks, Paul. I'll check out the HD ones. IIRC, fhe mats from HF are not that thick. 

As to vacuuming....out of sight, out of mind.

[Cal]

Gene, a few years back I participated in a demonstration of arch supports.

Standing with my hands up at chest height, palms out.  The demonstrator then pushed (barely I might add) on my palms.  I lost my balance, just like that.

I then put his inserts in and repeated the test.  No kidding, I was able to "stand my ground" until there was a bunch of force applied to my palms.

I was sold - not on his inserts, they were like $100+!  But I did hoof it down to WalMart and picked up the Dr. Scholl's

 

It took a few days to get used to them, I guess correcting 60+ years of bad posture?  I think without realizing it I was putting most of my weight on one side over the over.  It still bothers somewhat to just stand around on concrete, but I can walk around on it with fewer problems.  And I can pretty much stand on the pads on concrete all day.  I also wear my back brace if I am going to be in the shop all day.

 

My order of preference after using the inserts for 4-5 years is A- good shoes, B- correct arch support inserts, C- floor mats, D- back brace.  Of course, when it's needed that shot in the lower back seems to override all of these, and does help get me back up on my feet!

[Gene Howe]

Thanks, Cal. My arches are virtually non-existent. But, good work shoes, I've got. Redwings. Back brace, too. And it does help....when I wear it!  Next will be the cushioned inserts. Then the floor mats. I've never had a shot, though..other than an occasional shot of Jameson's. But then, it's no more shop time. Getting old is no fun!  

[Cal]

22 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

Next will be the cushioned inserts.

 

Good deal Gene, please report back after you get them in and try them out.

The one's I mentioned I would liken to putting a shim under the table leg