The 5 Best Balance Boards for Your Standing Desk

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Sick, sore, and tired of sitting at your desk all day? Standing desks have already taken off as a healthier alternative, offering a more engaged, energetic, and natural way to work. But the latest addition to the ergonomic crew is the balance board, which is a (literal) step up from simply standing. Place one under your standing desk, and use it when you work to feel more like you’re working out than working in.

The sensation is akin to trying out a new hoverboard or learning to skateboard, rather than whiling away the hours in a chair. That said, balance boards do come in many shapes and sizes. Whichever model you pick, though, you can expect to expend a little (to a lot) more energy throughout your work day. You’ll even enjoy it more, thanks to those extra endorphins!

Improved posture and comfort, boosted metabolism, and a mini core muscle workout, are just a few other reported health benefits. You can even double-up, using your balance board after hours, while working out at home or at the gym, or while you are away on vacation.

Our Top Balance Board Picks for Standing Desks

Ready to buy, but still trying to decide which model to pick? We’ve rounded up the best balance boards for standing desks that are also hard-wearing and durable.

1. FluidStance Plane® Cloud

Read our full hands-on review: FluidStance® Plane® Cloud Balance Board

One painful aspect of standing all day is equally sore feet. Foam-cushioned balance boards, such as the FluidStance Plane® Cloud aim to alleviate a little of that stress. To compensate for the foot pain, most standing desk users shift from leg to leg (hanging off the hip), which is a far-from-ideal posture, and one major plus of this board is that its multi-directional movement deters you from doing so.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking this will be easy on you, though. With a 360° tilt, this board offers a little challenge, albeit a fun one. If you tend to struggle to sit still, this may be the balance board for you. Any slight shift in balance sets it in motion, unlike some limited-direction balance boards, which may only tilt when you move from side to side or back to front.

A number of customers with back, hip, and joint issues have reported feeling much better using it, vs sitting or standing on the floor. Thanks to its textured, cushioned, naturally non-microbial surface, using it barefoot is also enjoyable (and odor-friendly). Despite being made of rubber and plastic, this board will be appreciated by the eco-friendly, since it’s 100% recycled (and recyclable).

2. FEZIBO Wooden Wobble Balance Board

U-shaped balance boards, such as this FEZIBO Wobble Balance Board, were some of the first to hit the market. Due to their gentle tilt and single-direction, side-to-side movement, they’re not too challenging to use. Featuring a slight 8.5° tilt, this model is particularly beginner-friendly.

Fans of massage will adore its beaded surface, which offers both grip and resistance. Use it with shoes, barefoot, or while wearing socks — whichever way you choose, it’ll be comfortable and invigorating. The ergonomics don’t end there, either. The board features a neat little hole to make carrying or hanging it up a breeze. Simply attach a hook to the side of your standing desk, and you can store it close by for your convenience.

You can choose from three colors; obsidian black, denim blue, and altostratus grey, depending on your chosen décor. Speaking of which, FEZIBO sells a number of stylish standing desks to match. This balance board’s latex and rubber backing ensure that it’s easier on your rugs, carpets, and flooring.

3. FluidStance Level

FluidStance balance boards are some of the most stylish and durable out there, so it’s little surprise that their modern balance board, Level, featuring a genuine wood top deck, made the list. Available in natural wood, walnut, and limited-edition black finishes, this board is made from a host of premium materials. A unique, cut-out base, fashioned from military-grade, die-cast aluminum, is the star of the show.

Place it on its stand, and you will be forgiven for assuming this board belongs in an art gallery — or the latest sci-fi blockbuster. From a practical perspective, the base also adds strength. As a result, the Level is able to handle an extra 50 lbs load compared to most other FluidStance and competitor boards. To improve cushioning and grip, you can place a compatible UPmat foam mat on top.

If you’d like to notch up the burn, add a FluidStance Challenge Cap. When fitted on the base of the board, the cap elevates it, making standing and balancing a little more difficult. Style and comfort aside, many customers with back, leg, and hip injuries and conditions reported improvement after using it. The Level may be pricey, but it’s certainly one of the most ergonomic, eco-friendly, and hard-wearing balance boards out there.

4. UPLIFT Desk – Bamboo Rocker-X

Bamboo is an even more eco-friendly option than wood, and often more low-cost and lightweight, as well. The Bamboo Rocker-X from UPLIFT Desk shows this versatile material off in the best light. Stylish, ergonomic, and durable, it has a slatted, full-bamboo deck that makes it stand out. However, it can also be topped with a compatible UPLIFT Desk Comfort Mat for extra grip and luxury.

Underneath, the Motion-X Board features a molded plastic base that enables side-to-side movement only, making it easier to balance on. It also has rubber bumpers to minimize scuffing and noise, and improve stability. If you’re a business owner or office manager, you’ll be excited to know that you can buy a bundle: Get six UPLIFT Desk Bamboo Motion-X Boards, optional matching mats, and a stand for a discounted rate.

Another feature that makes this balance board a worthwhile and smart buy is its 15-year warranty. In fact, most of UPLIFT Desk’s products, including balance boards, office desks, chairs, and accessories, come with this generous warranty, so be sure to check out their store if you’re in search of any other durable, ergonomic office necessities.

5. Trobing Standing Desk Balance Board with Rollerball

Getting a massage is often the antidote to walking around or working all day on your feet. Rolling both into one, like the designers of this Trobing Balance Board did, is a pretty smart idea. Not only does this balance board feature a beaded anti-fatigue cushioned mat, but it also has a rollerball to iron out any unwanted kinks.

This board is ideal for fidgeters and barefoot workers alike. That said, it’s equally suitably constructed and grippy for footwear and socks. Made from premium, durable materials, including a wooden board, genuine leather hook, and sponge/rubber mat, it comes with a 5-year warranty for your peace of mind. Another bonus? Considering its construction, you can expect to pay a reasonable price for it, compared to competitor boards of similar quality.

The board is perfect for work, as it features a gentle, 8.2° tilt that is challenging enough without being exhausting. You can grab it in two sizes — regular and large — both of which can handle a 350 lb load. That’s around 100 lbs more than your standard balance board can take. It has a rubber mat that ensures your floors are protected, and will prevent you from slipping around.

What To Know Before Buying a Balance Board

A balance board is a novelty buy, for sure. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to brush up on some facts. For example, the types of boards available, extra features to expect, and some lesser-known info about them, are all useful things to know. Here’s the scoop…

Balance Board Types

Your main consideration when selecting a balance board will be the various designs on offer. While many boards are designed for exercising, the best balance board for a standing desk should be a little less challenging. Look for a gentler tilt and ergonomic features.

The four main types of balance boards:

• Balance trainer: also called roller boards, these are some of the most challenging balance boards on the market. Comprising a board balanced on a separate cylinder, these are often used to train beginner surfers.
• Rocker boards: named for their shape, this type of board features a semicircular base. Just like a rocking horse or crib, it rocks from one side to the other, but usually only in one direction.
• Wobble boards: generally circular in shape, this type of balance board is decidedly more challenging to balance on. This is because it features a narrower foot space, and moves in all directions.
• Ergonomic boards: built for extended periods of use, ergonomic options make the best balance boards for standing desks. Your movement contributes more to your destabilization than any inherent imbalance. Ergonomic boards often feature extras to improve comfort, which makes them all the more suitable for long days of work.

Padding

Wood and bamboo balance boards are some of the most durable, but not always the most grippy or comfortable to stand on. Regardless, whether you plan to use yours barefoot, with socks, or with footwear on, extra cushioning and grip are a necessity. Luckily, many balance boards feature foam, rubber, or similarly soft padding to reduce foot pain and improve traction. If not, you may still be able to buy a compatible mat separately.

Tilt & Movement

Balance boards can move and tilt in a number of ways, depending on their design. A gentler tilt, below 10°, is best for all-day use, as is single-direction movement. Most ergonomic balance boards move from side to side, but you can also find models with 360° movement. Ultimately, if it does move in multiple directions, the difficulty can be offset by a gentler tilt.

Floor Protection

Due to the pressure being applied on a small area when you stand on a balance board, wear and damage to your flooring are possible. The best balance boards should feature a rubberized under-mat, or something similar, to ensure stability and prevent stress on your floors. Bumpers and rubber feet also ensure that the board will stay steady, and limit scuffs and scratches.

Care & Precautions

Keeping your balance board clean and operational is a must. Be sure to follow the usage and care instructions, and particularly, any load limits. No matter how well-designed a balance board is, it could still damage your flooring over time, so protecting the floor is a must. Ideally, you should place a floor mat made of foam (similar to exercise mats), thick carpeting, or similarly-insulating material under your balance board.

Accessories

Balance boards can come with, or be complemented by, a number of accessories that are sold separately. Stands, floor mats, cushioned pads, and even add-ons that can make the board less or more challenging to use, are examples of useful accessories. Do check before you buy, as these accessories can make your board more usable, last longer, or be more versatile.

Warranty

The best balance boards for standing desks — at least, as far as durability goes — should come with a good warranty. Because yours will be handling a lot of pressure stress from long hours of standing on it, do look for one featuring a longer (5 years +) warranty. That way, you will know that it’s both backed by the company that made it and insured for at least that period of time. After all, balance boards can cost upwards of $100, meaning they are a more invested buy.

Conclusion

With so many balance boards to choose from, the decision simply comes down to making a worthwhile choice. Taking durability and quality into account is a sure way to select a board that you’re happy with, and for a long time, to boot.