There are so many benefits to using a standing desk, but adding a balance board to the mix can really amp things up! Here we’ll discuss the various ways to use a standing desk balance board effectively for optimal results. Results that can include things like enhancing flexibility, reducing fatigue, and improving posture and focus. By the end, this article will equip you with the understanding to determine if a standing desk balance board is the right choice for you and how to maximize its potential in the office.
Benefits of Using a Standing Desk Balance Board
According to various studies, using a standing desk alone is already a great investment in your health. Incorporating a balance board into your standing desk routine can provide even more benefits for both experienced balance board users and newcomers alike. Remember that old phrase, “Killing two birds with one stone”? Well, we’re certainly not after any of our feathered friends here, but we ARE trying to find ways to accomplish two things at once. Getting a little extra work done with enhanced focus at your desk while also taking care of your body is something few products can help you do. Let’s take a deeper look into the various benefits of a standing desk balance board.
1. Improve and Maintain Good Posture
Using a balance board at your standing desk helps promote proper body alignment by requiring you to maintain good posture while you’re using it. The unstable surface of the board automatically engages all of the core muscles, which in turn supports spinal health. A strong spine and back muscles make keeping and maintaining good posture much easier.
2. Enhance Balance Skills and Coordination
Not surprisingly, the use of balancing boards also increases balance coordination skills. These skills are essential for various sports activities such as skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, etc., making balance boards popular among athletes seeking additional balance training. Balance and coordination training isn’t just for athletes, though! When you play ball with the kids or climb a ladder to clean your rain gutters, that’s using your balance and coordination skills. As with anything involving our bodies, the more you practice, the better you become and the stronger you stay.
3. Engage Multiple Muscle Groups Simultaneously
For those of us who never have enough time maximizing everything, including workouts, is important. One of the best ways to do that is by incorporating exercises that work several muscle groups at the same time. Luckily, that’s one of the biggest benefits of using a standing desk balance board. Ready to feel the burn? Here’s the areas that this exercise will target.
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- Leg Muscles: Using a balance board provides a great low impact strengthening workout, all while you’re standing at your desk. It requires constant engagement from leg muscles like quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and glutes.
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- Core Muscles: Maintaining stability on balance boards activates abdominal and back muscles (all part of the core) necessary for maintaining proper posture. This is especially important if you spend long periods sitting.
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- Ankles, Knees, Hips, and Shoulders: Everybody knows that as you age, your joints tend to wear down. However, the muscles around all of the joints used in balance and stabilization can be strengthened through balance training. When the muscles around those joints are strong and healthy, they can better support the joint.
4. Reduce Fatigue with Anti-Fatigue Boards
An anti-fatigue balance board like the Gaiam Evolve or a Fluidstance balance board can help alleviate tiredness by encouraging subtle movements that keep blood flowing and muscles engaged. The gentle rocking motion also helps reduce pressure on joints, making it easier to stand for extended periods. For someone with limited balance skills, these boards can be a good place to start.
5. Increase Your Focus
Many people find it hard to stay in one place all day for various reasons. Physical movement can do so much for not only our bodies but also our minds. Chances are, if you’ve already purchased a standing or sit/stand desk, you’re someone who benefits from fidgeting. And studies (like this one from The National Library of Medicine) are showing that physical movement while working or studying can dramatically increase focus. Adding a balance board to the mix can take this concept a step further by allowing for free and repetitive movement throughout the day that leaves your hands available for typing.
Key Takeaways
Incorporating a standing desk balance board can improve posture, engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, increase focus, and reduce fatigue. It also enhances coordination skills essential for both everyday life and several sports while promoting proper body alignment and spinal health. Whether you’re an experienced user or just getting started on your journey towards balancing health and wellness through movement-based solutions, there’s no doubt that regular use of a balance board will provide lasting benefits. Want to learn more? Keep reading for tips on how to get the most out of your new investment.
How to Use a Standing Desk Balance Board
You’ve taken the first step of getting yourself a standing desk balance board, but now what? While each board is a little different, the concepts are basically the same.
Step One: Positioning The Board
Place the balance board on a flat surface in front of your standing desk. Ensure there is enough space around you to maintain stability while using it.
Step Two: Finding Your Footing
Step onto the balance board and place feet shoulder-width apart. Experienced balance board users may prefer different stances depending on their comfort level and goals. If you’re a beginner and feeling extra nervous, consider adding a standing desk balance board mat or stabilizer ring to your set-up.
Step Three: Maintaining Good Posture
Stand up straight with your shoulders back and engage your core muscles. This will help you to maintain your stability and increase your confidence. Always remember, there’s no shame in using a hand on the desk to help you maintain balance if needed.
Step Four: Balancing Practice
Start by shifting weight from one foot to another or gently rocking side-to-side. As you get more comfortable, you can start to change it up and add new movements.
Key Takeaway
To properly use balance boards, like the Whirly Board, position it on a flat surface in front of your standing desk, find your footing, and maintain good posture while practicing basic balancing techniques. Remember, practice makes perfect – over time, your confidence will increase. When you’ve mastered the basic balance, try these next ideas to keep things moving.
Engage Your Body With a Standing Desk Balance Board
When you’re ready for it, a standing desk balance board can do so much more than basic balance and coordination. It can be a veritable Swiss army knife of office equipment. Taking regular breaks throughout the day to practice will ensure you get maximum benefits from using a standing desk balance board.
Heart Pumping Exercises
Options like the Whirly Board offer a unique balance challenge that goes beyond traditional balance boards or rocker boards. Try these exercises on yours to get the blood pumping on your next lunch break. It may help you climb over that 3pm fatigue wall with a little more grace.
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- Squats: With feet shoulder-width apart on the board, lower yourself into a squat by bending at the knees and hips. Keep your chest lifted, maintain good posture, and engage your core throughout the movement.
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- Lunges: Place one foot on the center of the balance board while keeping the other foot flat on the ground behind you. Descend into a lunge position by flexing both knees to 90°, making sure your front knee does not surpass the toes. Push back up to the starting position and repeat for a few reps before switching legs.
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- Single-Leg Stands: Stand on one leg with the other slightly raised off the board’s surface. Hold yourself on one leg for as much time as you can (with a target of 30 seconds) before alternating sides. For an even deeper challenge, try lifting your leg towards your chest while maintaining balance.
Stretch It Out
It’s always important to stretch your muscles before and after each workout. Doing so helps limit muscle soreness and cramps. To get started on improving flexibility with your standing desk balance board, try these easy and effective stretches.
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- Hip Flexor Stretch: Place one foot on top of the balance board’s pivot ball while keeping both hands firmly planted on your hips or office desk for support. Gently push forward until you feel a deep stretch in the front part of your thigh (the hip flexor). Hold this position for 20-30 seconds before switching sides.
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- Leg Stretch: Place your board on the floor in front of you. Place one foot on the top and rock the board back towards your body. With your leg straight, and foot against the board at an angle, lean forward to feel a deep stretch in the back of your calf.
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- Calf Raises: Stand on the board with feet hip-width apart. Lift your heels as high as possible, then lower them back down with control. Repeat this exercise for 10-15 reps to stretch out plantar muscles in the foot.
Incorporate Foot Massage Into Your Workday
Standing desks alone may not be enough to prevent muscle fatigue throughout the day. With a high-quality ergonomic design such as that found on Whirly Boards, your muscles remain engaged during use – helping reduce stiffness all over the body caused by long periods of standing stationary.
The versatile design of the Whirly Board’s standing desk balance board also enables users to flip it over for an invigorating foot massage using the pivot balls. This feature provides relief from sore feet while simultaneously promoting circulation throughout the lower extremities, making it an ideal addition to any standing desk setup.
Key Takeaway
Using a Whirly Board as a standing desk balance board can provide multiple health benefits by engaging different parts of the body. It helps improve posture and core strength, promotes muscle activation, enhances balance and coordination, and even offers a nice foot massage. Overall, it’s an excellent addition to any standing desk setup for improved fitness levels and overall wellness.
Get the Most Out of Your Standing Desk Balance Board
Maximize your standing desk balance board experience with these helpful tips and tricks.
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- Start slow: If you’re new to using balance boards or have limited experience, begin by spending short periods on the board throughout the day. Gradually increase usage as you become more comfortable.
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- Maintain proper posture: Keep your shoulders back, chest open, and core engaged while balancing on the board. This will help in improving posture and maintaining good spinal alignment during use.
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- Vary foot positions: Experiment with different foot placements to target various leg muscles and prevent fatigue from remaining in one position too long.
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- Incorporate breaks: Give yourself periodic breaks from balancing to avoid overexertion or strain on specific muscle groups. Everything in moderation, right?
Picking the Right Balance Board for Your Needs
To get the best results from using your standing desk balance board, you have to choose one that suits your needs. Consider factors such as weight capacity, ergonomic design, stability level (wobble boards vs rocker boards), material quality (wood vs plastic), when selecting a suitable option. For example, Whirly Board offers high-quality wooden balance boards perfect for experienced users seeking an engaging workout tool that also works with their standing desks. Some popular alternatives include:
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- The Fluidstance Balance Board, known for its sleek design and smooth motion.
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- The Gaiam Evolve Balance Board, featuring an anti-fatigue board surface for added comfort during use.
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- Roller boards, which provide a more challenging unstable surface compared to wobble or rocker boards.
Accessories Make Everything Better
In addition to selecting the right balance board, consider adding accessories. Options such as stabilizer rings, mats to protect your floor, poles for help with balancing, weights to add a little fire to your workout, or a sticker from your favorite coffee shop! Choose the items that will add the most value to your standing desk balance board goals.
Key Takeaway
Maximize your standing desk balance board experience by starting slow, maintaining proper posture, varying foot positions, and incorporating breaks. Choose the right balance board for your needs based on factors like weight capacity, stability level, and material quality. Enhance your experience with accessories like a balance board mat or pivot balls to massage your feet while working at your desk.
FAQ’s About Standing Desk Balance Boards
Do Standing Desk Balance Boards Actually Work?
Yes, balance boards are an effective addition to standing desks. They promote subtle movements and micro-adjustments that engage core muscles, improve posture, and increase overall body/spatial awareness. This can lead to reduced fatigue and discomfort while working at a standing desk.
What Are the Benefits of Standing on a Balance Board?
Standing on a balance board offers numerous benefits such as improved core strength, better posture, increased stability and coordination, enhanced focus and concentration during tasks, reduced risk of injury from sedentary behavior, and decreased lower back pain issues caused by prolonged sitting or improper ergonomics.
Why Use a Balance Board with a Standing Desk?
Using a balance board with your standing desk encourages constant movement which helps prevent muscle stiffness associated with static postures. It also activates various muscle groups in your legs and core area providing additional health benefits compared to using the standard flat surface underfoot.
How Often Should You Use A Standing Desk Balance Board?
It is recommended to start using the balance board in short intervals (5-10 minutes) throughout the day when first starting. Gradually increase usage time based on comfort level but aim for 20-30 minute sessions several times every day as this will provide optimal results without causing excessive fatigue or strain.
Balance At Your Desk
Are you ready to stay motivated and moving your body throughout the day? Check out our Whirly Wide Board. We designed this board with comfort in mind making it a little bit easier to balance while you focus on what’s most important.