Balance Training at Your Standing Desk

A standing desk only helps if you keep moving. Standing still for hours has its own downsides, so the goal is to stand actively. A SlackBoard under your desk does that: the line moves slightly under your feet, so your ankles, legs and core make small, constant corrections while you type, read or take calls.

By the GIBBON Team Published Nov 5, 2026 · Updated Nov 6, 2026 · 3 min read

The short answer

The problem with standing still

Swapping your chair for a standing desk feels healthier, but research suggests standing still isn't the fix. A review of the research by NIOSH scientists found that prolonged standing at work is linked to lower back and leg pain, fatigue and discomfort (Waters & Dick, 2015). And a meta-analysis of desk-work studies found that standing for an hour or more didn't produce less low back discomfort than sitting (Work, 2020).

The common thread: your body likes to change position and keep moving.

Why a SlackBoard works at a desk

It moves with you. Unlike a flat anti-fatigue mat, the line gives slightly under each foot, so you're never locked in one position.
It's stable enough to work on. On the SlackBoard Plus, you stand with your feet across both lines, which gives a steady base for typing and calls.
It doubles as a break. Switch to one line for a two-minute balance challenge between meetings, then switch back.
It's low and compact. At 42 inches long and 5.5 inches high, it slides under most standing desks.

Set it up

Raise your desk about 5.5 inches so your elbows stay at a 90-degree angle and your screen stays at eye level.
Place the board on a flat, hard floor, clear of chair wheels and cables.
Start in two-line mode with your feet across both lines, about shoulder-width apart, knees soft.

A simple workday routine

When	What to do	How long
Focused work	Stand across both lines, letting your weight shift naturally	10–30 minutes at a time
Calls	Slow side-to-side weight shifts	Whole call
Between meetings	Switch to one line and balance	1–2 minutes
Every hour	Step off, walk or sit for a few minutes	5 minutes

Start with short stints and build up over a couple of weeks. Mixing sitting, standing on the board and walking around beats doing any one of them all day.

FAQ

Q: Is a balance board good for a standing desk?

A: Yes, if it's stable enough to work on. The two-line SlackBoard Plus is designed for this, and you can switch to one line for a short challenge.

Q: How long should I stand on a balance board at my desk?

A: Start with 10 to 15 minutes at a time and build up. Change position at least once an hour.

Q: Will I be able to focus while balancing?

A: In two-line mode, most people adapt within a few sessions and stop thinking about it. Save single-line balancing for breaks.

Q: Can I use it in socks?

A: Shoes or bare feet give the best grip on the line.

Sources

Waters TR, Dick RB. Evidence of health risks associated with prolonged standing at work and intervention effectiveness. Rehabil Nurs 2015;40(3):148–165. PMC
Does objectively measured prolonged standing for desk work result in lower ratings of perceived low back pain than sitting? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Work. SAGE