Top Rocker Board Reviews
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A rocker board typically has a flat top surface with a semicircle base. There are many different variations, as you’ll see below, but the common thread is generally limited movement to one plane: forward-to-backward or side-to-side.
Rocker boards are far from the only type of balance boards and different types are best for different activities. We generally break them into four categories:
Rocker boards – Movement usually restricted from side-to-side or back-to-front depending on use, with a base that is basically half of a cylinder.
Wobble board – A wobble board typically is circular with one centered item on the base to allow for a great deal of movement in all directions, making it more challenging than a rocker board.
Balance trainer – A balance trainer is the most challenging type of balance board. It typically is a flat top surface that rests on a separate balancing device, like a cylinder (though many that we’ve reviewed come with a wobble cushion to ease the learning curve). These are also called roller boards. (See our expert reviews of the Top-Rated Balance Trainers.)
Ergonomic balance board – This type of balance board is clearly the best when it comes to working at a standing desk because it allows for a great deal of movement without distracting the user’s focus, and remains inherently stable if the user needs to pause for concentration. It is the user that causes the board to move, as opposed to inherent instability causing the user to pay constant attention to staying balanced. (See our iMovR Gymba review as an example of this kind of board.)
It is possible for one product to fall into more than one of these categories, so don’t assume that any one balance board will only work one way.
Rocker boards can range from those that need a great deal of concentration just to hold still, to ones that hold in place until you start to engage the movement. Obviously, the latter is better to use when you actually have to focus more on work, whether that is typing or precise mouse movements. But if you are performing tasks that are more like watching videos or reading your emails, a more difficult rocker board could help engage more of your core and stabilizing muscles. So be aware of your regular routine to judge which kind of rocker board will be best for your workday. Read our guide on choosing your balance board for more in-depth information.
Check out our full roundup of balance boards for standing desks for more help finding the right board for you.
If you’re interested in exercising with your balance board, we’ve put together a list of our favorite balance board exercises.
The Best Rocker Boards
1. iMovR Gymba
The Gymba is the category winner for balance boards for standing desk users, hands down. It is the veritable Swiss Army Knife of motion boards, combining features that would cost many times more and take up a lot more floor space to replicate with individual purchases, and thus making its $229 price a relative bargain.
We come to this assessment after many man-months of testing, adding up the many different ways that you can use the Gymba to improve your flexibility and general fitness and health while continuing to maintain maximum typing proficiency and overall productivity at your active workstation.
Price: $229
2. Fitterfirst Active Office Balance Board Review
Fitter First Active Office Board is one of the best balance boards that we’ve reviewed this year. Its sturdy construction, adjustable design, and affordable price put it in line with the top ranked decks out there.
Price: $129.95
3. FluidStance The Plane Balance Board Review
The FluidStance Plane is the same as the Plane Cloud other than a cheaper price and different top surface. And that harder top surface is a deal-breaker for us. To cut to the chase, we see almost no reason to pick the Plane over the Plane Cloud.
Price: $159
4. Vew-Do Zone Fitness Stand Up Desk Balance Board Review
Vew-Do is a great balance training system that doubles as a stand up desk balance board. Replaceable bases lend it more versatility than any other product in its category. If you want to improve your balance, this board is definitely the best one for the task, but it may prove a bit too challenging for prolonged use at a standing desk.
Price: $143.95
5. Steppie Rocker Board
Danish designers Gitte Toft and Henrik Andersen were among the first to come up with a balance solution for office ‘sedentarism’ in a form of Steppie balance board. It will give you the stability of a standing mat and a bit of controlled low impact movement, which can be seen as either a drawback or an advantage, depending on what you’re looking for in a board.
Price: $ 89.99
6. TheraBand Rocker Board
Price: $81.44
Summary: TheraBand Rocker Board is a lightweight board made of black molded plastic. It was created specifically for stability and balance training. It can be used in just one plane of instability at a time, meaning it will either rock from side to side or back and forth. It features a special tactile surface for a firm grip and proprioceptive feedback during balance exercises, which can be helpful to those who are going through rehabilitation or fitness conditioning.
Users report weight capacity of the board stops at a 300-lb mark. The board comes with an instruction guide that contains over 37 exercises. One buyer noted that the board is too easy to balance on because of an almost flat base.
7. OPTP Wooden Uniplane Rocker
Price: $79.95
Summary: Interestingly, OPTP’s Wooden Uniplane Rocker looks identical to the Nutraffect’s Calf Stretcher, and costs 20 dollars cheaper. It has a maximum slant angle of 34 degrees and the weight capacity of 400 pounds.
8. CanDo Rocker Board
Price: $42.50
Summary: Unlike all other boards, Cado’s Rocker Board comes with a base made of two legs in a half ball shape. The 15 x 18 inch deck is intended for intermediate users who want to improve ankle range of motion, balance, and joint mobility.
One buyer warns against using this particular rocker board on a smooth floor. We’re guessing that like with any unstable surface, safety and slipping risk might be an issue. It is generally a good practice to first test the board on your floor surface while holding onto something sturdy.
9. Fitter First 20″ Rocker Board
Price: $139.95
Summary: Fitter First is one of the major players on the market of wooden rocker boards and wobble boards. This 20-inch rocker is intended for beginners who seek basic balance training. It has 2 round adjustable disks attached to the bottom; you can remove one to make it more challenging to maintain balance.
The brand has also released an Active Office Board for standing desk.
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