I’m asking because, i’m thinking about doing a little part time job as a pizza maker on one day of the week because 1. i FRICKIN LOVE PIZZA and 2. i need to do something physically demanding as an contra to my office job which is only mentally exhausting. Just doin good old sport would be an option yes, but getting the same result through doing something would be way better. Thanks for every shared experience!
Any kitchen work demands muscles you never even knew existed.
Your legs will hate you, but get some good, proper shoes with insoles.
Your back will hate you, try and find a place that has kitchen mats, instead of bare floor.
Your arms will hate you, and they will just have to get used to it…
The thing is, you’ll work steadily and THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN EVERYONE HAS AN ORDER NOOOOOOWWWWW and you run yer nuts off, and finish & go home, genrally buzzing from the adrenaline, which is why so many cooks, chefs and staff drink excessively…to shut down the noise…so be wary of that
Your body will adapt, go have fun.
What’s the difference with mat or no mat?
Shock absorption/dampening with every step. Most kitchen floors are going to be concrete so every step has no give and the shock of the impact has no where to go but into your joints and bones.
Imagine banging your head against a brick wall over and over. Shoes are like wearing a helmet, the pads are a pillow against the wall.
It’s not the same thing but the comparative lameness of it is kinda the point. I have a home office, carpeted. I bought a desk that can be used to stand because I sit way too much and it gives me back problems.
My feet started to really hurt because I was standing so much. In comfortable shoes (corrective ones that I need), on carpet.
I bought a ‘fatigue mat’ and now I stand all day without noticing any pain. Just about an inch of rubbery foam stuff has made a huge difference.
So I can imagine that someone working far longer shifts than I do, on likely cement floors would massively benefit from matting.
The mat (along with) good shoes and insoles cushion impact on your legs/back. It also creates a non slip area that is important if you’re working with oil (hot or cold).
If you have several mats running along a line it’s customary to take plastic wrap and tie the ends so they all are one piece and don’t scootch away from each other during the shift.
#protip
Thanks for sharing!