Footrests come in a variety of shapes and styles. So, before you waste precious time and money buying one, you should know what to look for and how to choose a footrest. After all, you might as well buy one that will actually meet your needs and desires. With this article, you can buy the perfect footrest first time round and save yourself some headaches (or foot aches) too! So, let’s get started!
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How To Choose A Footrest?
When choosing a footrest, the primary considerations for most people are that there is adequate tilt and height adjustability to enable good posture. The size of the footrest should be adequately wide and long enough to accommodate your foot size and stance. Massage rollers and an adequately firm surface will also be essential to ensuring you are comfortable while using the footrest. The budget you have available will also need to be considered. Footrests range in prices from $15.99 – $311. However, choosing the cheapest footrest is often a poor idea as you’ll see below.
Once those factors are considered, the remaining items on the below list can also be used to narrow down the perfect footrest for you:
- Adjustability of footrest
- Size of footrest
- Massaging features on footrest
- Level of support of footrest
- Price of footrest
- Durability of footrest
- Weight of footrest
- Material of footrest
There are many factors to consider when choosing a footrest. Consequently, it can be easy to pick a footrest that is unsuitable for your needs. Read on to get a deeper insight into the specifications that you should look for to ensure that you make a wise buying decision first time round!
Footrests are known to improve your posture, reduce back pain and increase blood circulation. Source
1. Adjustability of footrest
When purchasing a footrest, make sure it has enough adjustability to meet your needs in terms of both angle and height adjustability.
Most footrests offer a degree of adjustability so that you can angle the cushioning surface to suit your needs and preferences.
The best angle to position the footrest at is usually between 15 – 30 degrees. This allows your feet to be positioned in the most neutral posture possible while encouraging blood flow through the legs.
Contrary to popular belief, you should avoid tilting the footrest more than 30 degrees unless advised to do so by a medical professional.
Furthermore, there should also be height adjustability built in if your workstation is too large for you.
The larger the range of height adjustability, the more certain you will be that it will meet your requirements.
Not all footrests have height adjustable features!
To put it into perspective, the Mount-It Adjustable Footrest has a huge height range which can reach between 3 – 15 inches!
2. Size of footrest
Footrests come in a variety of sizes but are around 17.28 – 18 inches long and 10 – 14.5 inches wide. In general, larger is usually better as you have more space to leverage.
The size of footrest that you choose will generally be dependent on your foot size and how wide you want the footrest to be.
Pay attention to how wide your foot stance is when you sit down normally. If it’s on the wider side, you’ll probably want a longer footrest, so you’re not constricted.
3. Massaging features on footrest
Some footrests have massage balls provided so that you can massage your feet off them. This is typical in plastic footrests.
These massage rollers are designed to improve circulation, relieve stress and alleviate foot discomfort.
Foam footrests normally don’t have such massage points. Instead, they are usually dome-shaped which means that you can flip them over and use them as a rocker to move your feet forwards and backwards.
This in turn encourages motion and thus greater circulation in your legs.
4. Level of support of footrest
Foam under-footrest footrests are generally the leaders when it comes to offering support. High density foam provides cushioning and supports a good posture to keep you feeling more comfortable. It is also softer to the touch than plastic.
Something you probably won’t want are foam footrests that are too soft and cause your feet to sink under them.
This kind of information can be found out by trying it out or reading the reviews.
Tip: You’ll also want a non-slip footrest so it doesn’t move around underneath you.
5. Price of footrest
Footrests have an average price range of between $15.99 – $311+. The price of a footrest is usually dependent on the quality of the product, the features available, e.g., height adjustability, and the size of the footrest.
Selecting a cheap under-footrest leg rest could mean that you end up forgoing durability, cushioning and quality of the unit.
In addition to considering price, warranty, the brand name and product reviews should also be evaluated. These will help to gauge how reliable the under-footrest leg rest will be.
6. Durability of footrest
The sturdiness of the footrest should be a consideration for most people. The last thing you want is to spend your hard-earned money on a weak, flimsy, sunken footrest that doesn’t last 6 months!
The durability of a footrest can sometimes be linked to the price of a footrest.
If the under-footrest footrest has a low price, then cheap materials are probably used to build it. These materials tend to be of poorer quality than ones used in mid-priced under-footrest leg rests.
Furthermore, they are less likely to be capable of withstanding wear and tear. Plus, they are likely to have a lower weight limit too.
7. Weight of footrest
The weight of the footrest is a factor to consider if you intend to transport the unit on a regular basis.
Footrests have weights ranging between 1.6 – 7.05 pounds which makes them very lightweight and extremely portable.
The weight of a footrest is primarily based on the size and type of materials employed. Foam footrests tend to be the lightest while plastic footrests are generally heavier.
8. Material of footrest
Footrests are made from a variety of materials including:
- Foam
- Plastic
- Leather
The type of material that you opt for will dictate how easy it is to clean and how soft it feels to touch.
If you intend to wear shoes on the footrest, the feel of the surface will have less of an impact.
But if you intend to wear socks or go barefoot, a foam footrest will feel softer and warmer to the touch compared to a leather or plastic footrest.
Ideally, the footrest cover should have anti-microbial and anti-dust features.
Tip: If you have cold feet, you could consider a heated footrest.
Conclusion
Footrests come in a variety of styles, designs and budget brackets which means there should be an under-footrest footrest to suit practically everyone.
Adjustability, size and material will be the key considerations to evaluate when choosing the perfect footrest for you.
However, following some of the simple techniques and pointers listed in this article can be the deciding factor between your dream footrest and a dud!
Footrests are not for everybody, there are also anti-fatigue mats and balance boards too which are a great asset for any standing footrest or workstation.
Here are some other useful articles I wrote that you should go check out:
- How to choose an anti-fatigue mat – 16 essential factors
- Balance Board Pros And Cons – 10 Expert & Helpful Facts!
- Are Anti Fatigue Mats Worth It? 11 Unexpected Pros & Cons!
- Anti-Fatigue Mat V Insole – 10 Factors Plus Quick Comparison
- Anti-Fatigue Mat V Footrest – Top 10 Useful Differences!
Recommended Products:
- ComfiLife Foot Rest (link on Amazon)
- Mind Reader Footrest (link on Amazon)
- Task Master Adjustable Footrest (link on OfficeFurniture2Go)
- Anti-fatigue comfort mat with lifetime warranty (link on OfficeFurniture2Go)
- 5Fold Under-desk Foot Hammock (link on Amazon)
