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Standing desks are now a common sight in most offices. And they have a wide range of benefits. But they still provide some problems when used alone.
Sitting in a chair hunching over your desk for 8 hours a day might be what most of us do. But it definitely isn’t the best position for your body. Even if you sit correctly at your desk, you can still experience backache and poor posture.
Standing at your desk can help with these issues. But, as you can imagine, standing up for 8 hours a day also isn’t great for your back and legs. It can cause a great deal of strain on your lower back, knees and other joints, and your feet.
So, one option to balance this out is to change between sitting down and standing at your desk. But, another option is a balance board. Balance boards will help you to keep moving and will also give you a great core workout without you even noticing (which is the best kind of workout).
To help you find the best option for you, we’ve put together a list of the best balance boards for standing desks. Read on for the best options available and for some useful tips for the buying process.
Top Pick
Tired of your aching back and clicky knees? Skip the browsing and check out our top pick for the best balance board for a standing desk.
OUR TOP PICK
Our top pick for the best balance board for standing desks is this anti-fatigue mat from FEZIBO. If can be easily used by beginners. But will still provide a noticeable difference for more experienced users.
This balance board is great for use with a standing desk as it has been designed for this specific use. Some balance boards are marketed as being suitable for both exercise and standing desks. But this isn’t always the case.
The concave nature of this balance board is very slight. The board itself is thin and it won’t take too much effort to maintain balance.
If you don’t have very much core strength or a good sense of balance, this is a great balance board for you.
It will provide you with a small amount of resistance that will have many benefits. But won’t make you feel as though you’re doing an intense workout while also working.
The surface of this balance board is quite different from some other options available.
Rather than a rough sandpaper-like material, this balance board has a series of raised dots and lines. This provides a good level of grip. Almost in a converse way to how the grooves on the base of a shoe provide grip.
Unless your standing desk is in your private home office, chances are that you will be wearing shoes on your balance board. This means that the raised rubber will allow your shoes to grip onto them.
These raised pieces also help to prevent fatigue. While you gently rock on this balance board, the raised areas will provide your feet with what is almost a massage.
This will help with circulation and stop your feet and legs from becoming tired and achy.
Pros
- Available in 3 colors
- Thin and easy to use
- Eases fatigue
- Innovative design
- Ergonomically engineered design
Cons
- A little more expensive than average
EDITORS CHOICE
At first glance, this might seem like a pretty standard skateboard. And this is intentional.
But when you look underneath, you will see three round balance points. Some balance boards are curved and sit directly on the ground.
But this board is different. This balance board is only slightly curved at the ends. And is much thinner than most other options.
It has one large balance ball in the middle. And two smaller balls on either end for additional cushioning. These two smaller balls act as a buffer to stop the hard wood of the board from hitting the ground.
This design makes the Whirly board a little more difficult to use. This is because the board provides slightly less support.
Due to less surface area touching the floor. But, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
In fact, this board will provide even more of a mini workout at your desk. And will require more core engagement.
That said, it won’t be so intense as to distract you from your work.
This is a great way of getting in some exercise. Without even noticing it. The one downside to this design is that it is difficult to rest.
To stop the board from moving, you will need to touch one side all the way to the ground. This will cause the other side to lift up quite high.
Pros
- Unique design using three balance balls.
- Provides a more intense workout.
- Can be used at a desk or as part of a workout.
Cons
- Can be difficult to use for beginners
BEST VALUE
Compared to other, more hi-tech and modern versions, this is a very simple balance board. But this definitely isn’t a bad thing. This balance board is as simple and as complex as any balance board needs to be.
If you are simply looking for something that has a flat surface and a curved underside, this wooden balance board is ideal.
It has no unnecessary hi-tech features that get in the way of a balance board’s primary function. (And which drive the price up).
The surface of this balance board will provide a good amount of grip and friction. It is covered in a sandpaper-like material that is similar to the surface of a skateboard.
This is ideal as it will be suitable for any shoes and will definitely stop you from slipping off.
But, if you have your standing desk in your private at-home office and like to kick your shoes off when you work, this material will be quite uncomfortable for your feet.
One feature of this balance board, which is surprisingly unique, is that it comes in three different sizes.
This isn’t a common feature of balance boards. But it is a useful one as it means you will be able to find the right balance board for your stance.
Pros
- Simple
- More affordable than most other options
- Strong non-slip surface
- Available in multiple sizes
Cons
- Hard surface may become uncomfortable
RUNNER UP
This is a balance board that looks as though it is better suited to a gym. But it will be just as good for your standing desk.
The surface of this balance board is quite unique as it has a series of raised bumps. This will help with grip and will help to stop you from slipping. But it will also help with circulation.
It will also provide a massage to your feet as your stand. So the need to remain balanced will help keep you focused. But this massage will help you stay standing for longer.
It will provide more support and movement for your feet, legs, and joints. This will stop them from locking as you stand and from becoming strained.
Another unique feature is the balance board’s overall shape. Most balance boards are rectangular, especially those with raised rubber surfaces.
So this is a very unusual style. But this definitely isn’t a bad thing. The shape of this balance board means that it will be better suited for someone who has a relative degree of core strength and balance.
This is also due to the fact that the curved base is quite high. 3.75” might not seem like a lot. But it will definitely make a difference when you are standing on it. But, the circular shape of this balance board will give you a greater range of movement.
Unlike a rectangular balance board, this circular board will allow you to move around a whole 360°. If you need to turn around on a rectangular board, you will need to step off it.
Pros
- High load-bearing capacity.
- Circular shape allows for 360° range of motion
- Raised surface provides massage as well as non-slip grip
Cons
- Better-suited for more experienced users
RUNNER UP
This balance board is by far the most expensive option on our list. But, there is are good reasons for this. The main reason is the eco-friendly nature of the materials used.
The surface is made from 100% recycled low-emitting rubber tires. The underside rocker is made from recycled plastic. Almost the entire balance board is made from recycled materials.
And is itself almost entirely recyclable. This is very impressive. And it’s an excellent way of buying something new that is of high quality but is still sustainable.
The rocker itself is a little thicker than other similar balance boards. This means that it will be a little more difficult than the average.
But not so much that someone will find it difficult if they haven’t developed much core strength.
FluidStance promises that this balance board will improve productivity and use 19.2% more energy than sitting down. This is a large amount compared to sitting down.
But it isn’t so much more that you will feel as though you’re working out while working. You won’t be distracted by the exercise element.
This balance board can be used in most situations, including in general exercise, but it is specifically designed for use at a standing desk.
It will keep you focused, be more comfortable than sitting, and keep you active.
Pros
- Almost 100% recyclable.
- Available in multiple colors.
- Uses 19.2% more energy than sitting.
- Specifically designed for use at a standing desk.
Cons
- Expensive
Buyers’ Guide
Balance Board Benefits
Every few years, there seems to be a new piece of equipment that promises to make your working life healthier. These have included treadmill desks, exercise balls instead of chairs, and now it’s standing desks and balance boards.
So, are these a fad or do they actually have a benefit? Fortunately, standing desks and balance boards have been proven to positively impact your physical health and your productivity.
If you’re not yet convinced, here are the best benefits of the balance board and standing desk combo:
- Improving posture
- Improving core strength
- Improving productivity
- Improving overall fitness
- Helps to reduce lower back pain
Improving productivity is perhaps one of the most surprising benefits of a balance board.
The first few times you use a balance board, it might be a little difficult to get used to. This can cause you to be a little distracted from your work. But this won’t last for long.
Balance boards can improve productivity as they keep you focused. A balance board can help to keep you awake and bring you back into your work if you zone out.
As you will also be focusing on trying to remain balanced, your mind will be kept active as well as your body.
This might sound counterintuitive but it can help to keep you awake and focused. (But, that said, don’t forget to take breaks when you need to!)
Shape
Most balance boards come in two shapes: rectangular and circular. Rectangular balance boards are much more common and popular as they are easier to use.
Circular balance boards are better suited for those who already have a good level of core strength and balance.
Balance boards are also used in intense workouts. They are used by people who want more resistance and intensity in their exercises.
This includes standing on balance boards for squats or using balance boards for shoulder taps or planks. This provides extra intensity as the effort needed to remain balanced adds an extra layer of difficulty.
Standing on a balance board isn’t itself particularly difficult. But it adds an extra layer of difficulty to a normal movement.
This means that using a balance board with your standing desk won’t feel like you’re working out. But it will help with your physical fitness.
If you’re considering buying a balance board for the first time, a rectangular board is the way to go. This is because a rectangle better mimics the shape of your stance. It will work with the way your body moves when it is standing.
On a circular board, you won’t have the same kind of support. The circular shape will continue to move around when you lose balance. Whereas a rectangular board will tilt to the side and stop. This makes a circular board more difficult.
Overall, if you want a general bit of extra exercise at your desk, choose a rectangular board. If you want to be challenged a little more, or already have a good level of balance and core strength, try a circular board.
Grip and Material
The material of a balance board can vary greatly. The most common materials are wood, plastic, and rubber.
Circular balance boards are more commonly made from wood with a sandpaper anti-slip top. These materials are similar to those of a skateboard.
But, rectangular balance boards, which are more common than circular boards, can also be made from wood and other materials.
These are even closer to a skateboard. Some rudimentary balance boards are shaped like skateboards without wheels. They instead have a large tube beneath the middle of the board.
An anti-slip design or material on the surface of a balance board is very important. This is especially true if you have a board made from plastic or polished wood.
It won’t matter how strong your core is or how good your balance if the balance board has a slippery surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should you stand on a balance board?
This is a great question as balance boards are great for your health. But too much of anything is bad for you.
If your job involves working at a desk for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, then you need to be moving around. This means that you should spend some time standing, some time sitting, and some time on a balance board.
We’re definitely not suggesting that you should spend all 8 hours on a balance board. The general consensus is that it’s best to stay on your balance board for around 15 minutes at a time.
But you will benefit from regularly moving on and off your balance board. Try to stand on your balance board for around 15 minutes every hour.
A balance board should be incorporated into your regular movement. So it’s important to also take breaks to walk around and sit down as well.
Are balance boards safe?
Absolutely! But, just so long as you use them properly. Before you start using your balance board at your desk, try standing on it a few times at home.
Otherwise, you might find yourself wobbling around and becoming distracted (which is counterintuitive to its purpose).
Balance boards are great for your overall health and productivity. But you can hurt yourself if you use them too regularly.
As you will with any kind of exercise equipment. Balance boards are absolutely safe and can do so much for your health. We’re not telling you to use one all day every day. But incorporating it into your life will definitely have its benefits.
