'In the Kitchen' Archive Fridays: GelPro REreview

Welcome to 'In the Kitchen' Archive Fridays!  Today I'm going back to the archives of Everything 'In the Kitchen' Up Close to feature a review I did for GelPro.  Make sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post for an update on my experience with the product between the time I reviewed it in 2009 and now!

Enjoy!

"Standing in the kitchen for long periods while cooking or cleaning up, can often lead to sore legs, back, neck and/or joints. When I found out about a great new product created by GelPro that provides comfort and style, I was interested in learning more. GelPro creates floor mats that make standing in your kitchen for long periods much easier and more enjoyable.

GelPro realizes that many people in the world love to cook, but unfortunately, many also experience pain in their feet, legs, and joints after standing on a hard floor. GelPro came up with an anti-fatigue mat that “looks as good as it feels!” Each GelPro mat is made from a “soft, shock-absorbing gel core.” This easily turns any style of floor (even polished concrete and hardwood) into one of the most comfortable places to stand in your home.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the number of ailments and conditions GelPro mats can help:
-arthritis
-leg, neck and back pain
-plantar fasciitis
-diabetes (by increasing blood flow)

Since each of these problems can worsen after standing on a hard surface for long periods of time, it is no wonder that the soft gel core in the GelPro mats is an ideal solution!

“Fatigue resulting from cooking is something GelPro Mat founder and engineer, Robb McMahan is especially familiar with as it was his direct inspiration for developing the GelPro Mat. Robb’s wife Lisa complained about her fatigue and pain after cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the family. Relying on his innovative spirit, Robb designed a solution for his wife that has grown into a product that pros like Martha Stewart and the Barefoot Contessa depend on in their kitchens.”

I love that GelPro mats are extremely diverse. Besides being used in the kitchen, they can also be used on any hard surface that you stand on for extended periods of time, such as your laundry room, bathroom, or even your garage floor. In addition, GelPro has developed many different sizes, patterns, and colors to ensure you will be able to find the perfect GelPro mat to match your needs and décor!

ReviewI was so happy to find out that I would be receiving a GelPro mat to try out in my kitchen! After standing for long periods, my legs get tired and my joints sometimes start to hurt. I was really looking forward to trying the GelPro mat to see if it would help with alleviate these problems.

GelPro sent me their Cordoba mat in Truffle (Size 20” x 36”) to review. This size and style of GelPro mat regularly sells for $124.95 USD on their website.


When I was first asked to choose a mat I liked and that would go well in my space, I honestly had no clue what to pick. Sometimes I find it so hard to choose items sight unseen, especially when it comes to trying to match colors off a computer screen. Luckily, GelPro makes it extremely easy to choose the right color. When you go to the GelPro products page and choose a style, then a color, a description of that color will appear. In the description, GelPro suggests types of colors and hardware that go well with the style and color of GelPro mat you have chosen. For example, here is what the one I chose said, “Truffle infuses hints of red with warm dark coffee brown. Rich and alluring, it is strong enough to satisfy the needs of those wanting heavier accents. Truffle is a perfect velvety neutral for all color schemes that beautifully enhances oiled bronze hardware.”

Since our flooring is a darker brown with hints of red, I figured the Cordoba Truffle would compliment my kitchen perfectly. And, I was right! When my Truffle Cordoba mat arrived, I took it out of the box and set it up. I was happy to see that the color looked exactly like what was shown to me on the GelPro website. As soon as I placed it on my kitchen floor, I knew I had made the right choice. It looked wonderful!

For people who are still unsure about the color, they can order fabric sample kits to match against their floors, hardware, appliances, etc. There is a $10 charge (+ $1 shipping) for the sample but when you do order your mat, this $10 fee will be reimbursed. This is a foolproof way to ensure you get the right color! **Note: “up to one fabric sample rebate per mat ordered.”

When I was first setting up the GelPro mat, I also noticed that the mat was quite a bit lighter that I thought it would be. It was very easy to pick up and move around if need be.

Next came time to step on it (I was so excited)! As soon as I did, I was shocked. The GelPro mat was so much softer than I originally thought it would be. Even though I knew it would be soft, in actuality, it exceeded my expectations. I immediately began looking forward to cooking in the kitchen that evening.

Later that evening, I was able to try out the mat while making super. I placed the mat in the corner of my kitchen where I do all my prep work. Since my kitchen is quite small, the size of this mat is perfect because it fits well right in front of my prep space and range. As I prepared our supper, I noticed how soft and luxurious the GelPro mat felt on my feet. It felt much more relaxing than standing on our hard kitchen floor. After I finished cooking, my feet still felt relaxed and my legs and joints were not sore at all.

Another aspect I loved about the GelPro mat was how easy it is to take care of. Because of the outer material/fabric used for the mat, it does not stain and it is simple to clean. When I spill something on it, all I need to do is wipe it with a wet cloth, then, it is as good as new again. For me, something that is low maintenance is a high priority in my house!

I have been using the GelPro mat for just over a week now and I am very satisfied with it! I am so happy that GelPro gave me the opportunity to test their product. I love that this mat is comfortable, prevents pain, and looks stylish at the same time. Whether you are in need of a place to relax your feet while you cook or you suffer from acute or chronic pain, the GelPro mat is the perfect solution! I believe that a GelPro mat is a must-have accessory for every kitchen. I would highly suggest this mat to anyone. Now that I have one that I love, all I have to do is buy another one for in front of our kitchen sink, and possibly a couple for Christmas or birthday gifts. I have several family members who I know could benefit from a GelPro mat!"


Update:
Two years later and yes, I am still using my GelPro mat in front of my kitchen sink.  It is an item that I have really appreciated having in the kitchen, especially when baking, cooking lengthy recipes, or when pregnant!  This mat is really comfortable and definitely makes my joints a bit happier.  Since I received one of the smaller mats for review, my husband and I have discussed getting another one (and I have joked about how great it would be to cover our entire kitchen floor with GelPro).  However, since it isn't a priority, we haven't been able to justify getting another one yet.  Although, it is something that we may have to add to our Christmas list this year. 

After using the GelPro mat for an extended period of time, there is only a couple of things I noticed that could be improved.  First of all, the mat tends to slip if you step or move on the mat the wrong way.  This seemed to be a particular issue for me during pregnancy (perhaps a bit clumsier) when I managed to throw my hip or back out a couple of times after stepping on the mat the wrong way.  Because of that, I'd love to see GelPro add a non-slip bottom to their mats.  Also, over time, the edges of the mat have started to curl slightly.  This isn't a huge deal since it doesn't affect the usability of the mat at all and things like that are usually expected over time.

All-in-all, I have loved using my GelPro mat and I would recommend it.

Since reviewing this mat, a few things have been added to the GelPro website.  GelPro now has two new lines of products: GelPro Plush (an added layer of foam for extra comfort) and NewLife (an eco-friendly option).  In addition, GelPro now has a clearance center on their website, which allows you to save 20% or more on their products.