Have you recently taken the plunge and purchased a standing desk? If so, you may now find yourself looking for a way to reduce fatigue and soreness in your feet. This is a common problem for proponents of standing desks, but one that can be easily remedied with a balance board.
The best balance board for a standing desk is the one that fits your body size, budget and balancing abilities.
Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
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Pono Board – Core Activating Level Motion… | 64 Reviews | $158.00 | View on Amazon |
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Professional Wooden Balance Board, Rocker… | 372 Reviews | $33.99 | View on Amazon |
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Gaiam Evolve Balance Board for Standing Desk… | 271 Reviews | $79.98 | View on Amazon |
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Revolution Focus | Standing Desk Balance… | 35 Reviews | View on Amazon | |
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StrongTek Anti Fatigue Balance Board,… | 99 Reviews | $58.99 | View on Amazon |
What is a Balance Board?
Balance boards come in various forms, but the two most common are the rocker board and the wobble board. Both of these options require you to engage your core muscles to maintain your balance.
Balance boards can be used under desks, in conjunction with physical therapy, and even while doing household tasks such as washing dishes, folding laundry or even watching television.
Benefits of Using a Balance Board at Your Standing Desk
Introducing stability training to your daily regimen has been proven to help the body in numerous ways. When used in conjunction with a standing desk, they can help ensure you don’t get sleepy around midday like many people are prone to do.
If you’re searching for a low-impact way to lose some weight, the combination of your standing desk and a balancing board is a good start.
Prevent Injury
Balance boards increase your functional strength, which is the strength required by your body to perform everyday activities such as taking out the trash, walking the dog, playing with your children, and getting through your workday.
When your body’s functional strength is increased, the likelihood you’ll suffer from an injury or fall is lessened.
Balance (or stability) training helps build muscle tissue which strengthens your core, back, glute, and leg muscles. These areas support your body in the performance of its daily activities. Not only that, but your equilibrium improves and you’re less likely to lose your balance and fall. This is particularly true for senior citizens.
Improve Posture
Poor posture is a common problem among office workers. It may be one of the primary reasons you chose to purchase a standing desk. When your body is affected by muscle imbalance, and you carry excess fatty tissue, sitting for long periods encourages poor posture.
By using a balance board, you strengthen your core, back, and shoulders. This action ultimately corrects your posture, resulting in less back, neck, and joint pain.
Reduce Back Pain
Another common problem many office workers face is unwanted (and unpleasant) back pain. Increasing your core body strength not only improves your posture but helps reduce lower back pain.
Stronger abdominal muscles mean your back muscles don’t have to work as hard to support your body. When your back muscles aren’t as strong as they should be, they will tighten up, and your spine may become misaligned.
Improve Coordination
A lack of coordination isn’t just something young children experience. Adults who spend too much time seated are more likely to have improper balance throughout their entire lives, leading to a greater risk of injury.
To stay centered and upright, all of your body’s muscles must work together in harmony. Using a balancing board will improve your coordination and body position awareness.
Balance boards may even result in the following health benefits:
- Lower your risk of weight gain and obesity by burning more calories
- Lower blood sugar levels
- Reduce your risk of heart disease
- Improve mood
- Increase your energy levels
Types of Balance Boards
When choosing a balance board that’s right for your body, consider the type of board, the size of the deck, the design, and your budget. There are various types of boards, but the most commonly used with standing desks are the rocker and wobble boards.
Both of these offer functional and aesthetically pleasing designs that fit any budget.
Rocker Boards
Rocker boards offer two planes of instability, but you’ll only use one at a time. You can rock side to side or back and forth. These boards feature a semi-circular base and a square deck that usually measures less than 20 inches by 20 inches.
These boards are good starter boards for people who aren’t quite ready for the full balancing board experience.
Wobble Boards
Wobble boards provide more freedom of movement, giving you a 360-degree tilt. These boards often have removable, ball-shaped bases, allowing you to switch between a rocker and wobble base. Decks vary between 15 to 20 inches.
Some of these boards will have a tilt angle as high as 20 degrees, which provides an excellent workout for your knees, calves and core muscles.
Top 5 Standing Desk Balance Boards
The following options provide a wide range of choices for both rocker and wobble board styles. These boards are all reasonably priced and vary depending on the brand and design. Regardless of their style, each one provides the health benefits described above.
Pono Board
- Live Balanced – Easy lateral motion Balance Board challenges the Core, not the Mind.
- Boost Productivity – Increase Focus & Clarity with a Standing Desk balance board.
- Core Strengthening – Improve Posture & Decrease Back Pain with adjustable instability.
The Pono Ola is a balance board that challenges “the Core, not the Mind.” This moderately-priced model is designed to minimize the see-saw or teeter-totter effects you feel with other styles. The Pono Ola is a rocker-style board.
PROS
- Amount of movement is variable and can be adjusted by changing the pressure in the balls
- Moves left to right, and back and forth while staying parallel with the ground
- Lightweight at only 5.75 pounds
- Good-sized platform measuring 29.5 inches by 14.5 inches
CONS
- Balls don't come inflated, the owner must use the included pump to inflate the balls
StrongTek Wooden Balance Board
- IMPROVE STRENGTH & CONDITIONING – This wooden rocker board physical therapy is designed to…
- COMPACT, PORTABLE TRAINER – At 17.5” x 13.5” x 3” in size, our lightweight balance…
- SLIP-RESISTANT SURFACE – The top of each rocker balance board features an easy-grip surface…
The StrongTek balance board stimulates your core and improves your agility, reaction time and stamina. All of this is achieved through low-impact exercise. This board is the lowest-priced model of the five reviewed here.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Easy grip surface is gentle on bare feet
- Weight limit of 320 lbs.
- 30-day money back guarantee
CONS
- Small deck measuring 17.5 inches by 13.5 inches
Gaiam Evolve Stability Rocker Wobble Board
- MUST HAVE FOR STANDING DESKS: This durable rocker balance board is the ideal accessory for standing…
- ENGAGE CORE MUSCLES WITH MICRO MOVEMENTS: Fluid rocking motion while standing on the board creates…
- PROMOTES PROPER POSITIONING: Built with an ergonomic design that promotes neutral positioning…
This mid-priced balance board offers subtle motion movements to keep your body and mind engaged. This has been proven to increase productivity in an office environment. The Gaiam balance board is a less-costly alternative to standing desk treadmills.
PROS
- Ergonomic design that promotes neutral positioning between the ankles
- A solid base that won’t damage hardwood floors and stays put on carpet
- Free workout and how-to videos included
CONS
- No warranty offered
Revolution Focus Standing Desk Balance Board
- MOTION AT WORK: Standing in place all day has its limitations, and sitting in place isn’t even an…
- CHALLENGING 2-PIECE DESIGN: This balance board is designed to provide a challenge and actually…
- MAKE WORK MORE FUN: Sometimes those days in the office start to blend together like your morning…
The Revolution Focus is a wobble style board with a 2-piece design. It challenges and engages the entire body by enhancing physical activity while you work at your standing desk. This board is the highest-priced model of the five reviewed here.
PROS
- Air cushion base is fully adjustable, allowing you to increase or decrease difficulty
- Duragrip top deck to maintain traction
- Anti-fatigue cushioning with quiet stop bumpers on the base to make it usable on any surface
- Made from sustainable materials
CONS
- Higher cost
StrongTek Anti-Fatigue Balance Board
- Fortify Core Strength and Stability – This wooden rocker board keeps your legs, core, and body…
- Smart, Ergonomic Design – Our standing balance board slides under your desk at home or at work to…
- Non-Skid Standing Surface – Each balance board for standing desks is made with natural hard wood,…
The StrongTek balance board is a mid-priced, wobble board that keeps your legs, core, and body active while you work. This improves focus, reduces fatigue and relieves tension in your feet. When you’re stuck behind a desk all day, this board is the “smart way to stand up.”
PROS
- Non-skid standing deck
- Made of natural wood
- Anti-scratch rubber base to protect floors
CONS
- Smaller deck surface, measuring 18 inches by 13.9 inches
Which Will You Choose?
Balance boards are an excellent complement to a standing desk. Not only do they keep your feet moving, but they promote increased core strength, better balance, and improved circulation. The benefits of adding a balance board to your collection of ergonomic office furniture far outweigh the minimal cost you’ll incur to do so.
When choosing a board, be sure to consider all of the options and weigh the pros and cons of each model. Because these boards are offered in more than one design, you’ll need to consider which is best for your body.
Once you choose a board, stick with it. It won’t be long before you notice a marked improvement in your balance and core strength.