Specs
| Product name | balans Active Board |
| Brand name | Balans Lab |
| Manufacturer | Balans Lab Co., Ltd. |
| Material | Wooden type: board front (beech plywood) back: polyvinyl chloride Mat top surface: 60% polypropylene, 40% polyester; mat back surface: synthetic rubber foam |
| Size | Wooden type without mat: W46cm x D32cm x H4.4cm, 1.2cm main body thickness Wooden type with mat: W46cm x D32cm x H5cm, 1.8cm main body thickness Mat only: W46cm x D32cm x T0.6cm |
| Country of manufacturing | Japan |
| How to use | Place the balans Active Board on the floor and stand on it to conduct your work. Raise your heels and move your feet slowly, as if you were stamping your feet. When doing this, please do not lift your feet too high or jump. |
| Precautions for use | *Please use on a flat indoor floor. Using on a slope or on the ground may cause it to fall over or break. *Please do not perform any strenuous movements while riding the balans Active Board. There is a risk of falling if you move your body. *Please do not use the product in any way other than its intended purpose. |
| About caring for the mat | To remove surface dirt, soak a towel in diluted neutral detergent and gently pat the dirt out from the inside. Then, to remove any remaining neutral detergent, wipe with a towel soaked in water and pat gently. *Please note that if any neutral detergent remains, it may cause stains. *Please do not scrub too hard. *This item cannot be machine washed. |
Support for swelling and pain in the legs of people who work while standing
The health risks of sitting too long
The health risks of sitting too long are becoming a problem. While more and more companies are adopting a policy of standing work, it is becoming clear that standing for long periods of time is also not good for our health. The important thing is to 'move in moderation'. The balans Active Board supports standing work and telecommuting with a stable sway that does not become unstable.
Sitting for an hour reduces your life expectancy by 22 minutes.
An analysis of national survey data (*) from Australia found that people who do not watch TV at all live on average 4 years and 8 months longer than those who sit and watch TV for 6 hours a day. It is said that "sitting still for an hour reduces your life expectancy by about 22 minutes".
Reference: "Tevision viewing time and reduced life expectancy" article based on a national survey of Australians by the British Medical Journal (BJSM) (British Journal of Sports Medicine) (2011/8/15)
People all over the world are starting to stand up!
In Northern Europe, where there is a high level of health awareness in the workplace, the number of people who work while standing has increased since it was recognized that "sitting for long periods of time can have serious health effects". After being launched in Europe, the balans Active Board sold over 4,000 units in less than a year!
The number of people working while standing is increasing year by year in Silicon Valley companies. The reason for this is that it is comfortable to work in this way, and you can focus your energy on your work all day long.
Companies and educational institutions that have adopted standing work
Rakuten, CyberAgent, Tokyo University Graduate School, Tohoku University Graduate School, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Manulife Life Insurance, Audi
Japanese people sit the longest in the world
Japan, a country where people sit too long
In Japan, where people often work long hours, the health risks associated with sitting too long are becoming a problem.
Research shows that Japanese adults spend more time sitting down on weekdays than people in any other country in the world! The average for 20 countries around the world is around 5 hours, but Japanese people spend 7 hours sitting down.
Bauman AE, Ainsworth B., Sallis j, et al. The descriptive epidemiology of sitting: A 20-country comparison using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).Am J Prev Med 2011 41: 228‐235.
The 5 risks of sitting for long periods of time
As research and studies have progressed in recent years, it has become clear that sitting too long can lead to obesity and diabetes, as well as hypertension, myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, cancer and other diseases, and increase the risk of death.
But doesn't standing all day hurt your feet?
Whether you are sitting or standing, if you remain in the same position without moving, your blood circulation will worsen, causing things like swelling in the calves and pain in the soles of the feet.
It turns out that standing for long periods of time is just as dangerous as sitting for long periods of time.
The Cornell University Human Factors team in the US has pointed out that "there is a risk of atherosclerosis of the carotid artery and varicose veins when standing still and not moving as if you were sitting down".
Reference: "Sitting and Standing at Work" by the Cornell University Human Factors team in the US (September 2011)
The important thing is 'moving moderately'
Draw out the positive effects that standing has on the body, and eliminate the negative effects! The balans Active Board was developed in Norway as a tool to help you “move moderately, without moving so much that it interrupts your concentration, and to distribute pressure and improve blood flow”.
Made with the utmost care and consideration for the user
Achieving "stable swaying" that does not become unstable
Designed to create a stable swaying motion while standing. The swaying motion is not too intense, so it won't distract you from your concentration.
Anti-slip structure
The urethane coating on the wooden parts prevents slipping with a smooth texture. The grip on the back prevents slipping with its fine bumps and grooves.
Thin and easy to store
It's only 1.2cm thick, so you can store it in even the smallest of spaces!
Selectable styles
Wooden version
The design, which originated in Northern Europe, is simple and stylish. In addition to the beautiful grain of the beech wood on the surface, it also uses a material called beech laminated wood, which is durable.
Wooden version with mat
By attaching a dedicated mat (sold separately for 2,200 yen [including tax]) to the wooden version, you can expect to reduce the burden on the soles of your feet.
The mat is designed to be used without being removed, except when it is damaged and needs to be replaced.
How to replace and install
The mat is fixed in place using Velcro (at four points).
Please note that the mat comes with instructions on how to replace and install it, as well as Velcro.
Size
Width: 46cm
Depth: 32cm
Height: 4.4cm
Thickness: 1.2cm
Letters from our customers
I've put on a bit of weight recently... I spend all day working at a computer and don't get any exercise, so over the past year I've gradually developed a metabolic syndrome-type figure and put on 6 kg. At that time, I read an article in a magazine that said that more and more people in Europe have started working while standing up in order to improve their health, so I immediately bought a standing desk and an active board and started working while standing up.
My legs hurt when I first started working while standing, but after a week my body got used to it and I was able to continue standing comfortably using the Active Board. After a month of living like this, I had lost about 1.5kg. I guess I use more muscles than I thought when I'm standing, because my stomach area has become firmer. Since I started working while standing, it feels like exercise, so I think I'll be able to keep it up without any problems
Mr. IT, Fukuoka Prefecture, age 31
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does the board slip when I'm rocking it?
A. The surface is coated with polyurethane, and the underside has a grip with a small uneven texture, making it difficult to slip. It can be used in offices and on hard floors, such as wooden floors.
Q. In what situations can I use it?
A. It can be used at home in the kitchen while washing dishes or watching TV, and recently it has also been introduced in progressive companies with a high awareness of health. It is also being used in conjunction with height-adjustable desks to help people avoid sitting for too long in the office environment.
Specs
| Product name | balans Active Board |
| Brand name | Balans Lab |
| Manufacturer | Balans Lab Co., Ltd. |
| Material | Wooden type: board front (beech plywood) back: polyvinyl chloride Mat top surface: 60% polypropylene, 40% polyester; mat back surface: synthetic rubber foam |
| Size | Wooden type without mat: W46cm x D32cm x H4.4cm, 1.2cm main body thickness Wooden type with mat: W46cm x D32cm x H5cm, 1.8cm main body thickness Mat only: W46cm x D32cm x T0.6cm |
| Country of manufacturing | Japan |
| How to use | Place the balans Active Board on the floor and stand on it to conduct your work. Raise your heels and move your feet slowly, as if you were stamping your feet. When doing this, please do not lift your feet too high or jump. |
| Precautions for use | *Please use on a flat indoor floor. Using on a slope or on the ground may cause it to fall over or break. *Please do not perform any strenuous movements while riding the balans Active Board. There is a risk of falling if you move your body. *Please do not use the product in any way other than its intended purpose. |
| About caring for the mat | To remove surface dirt, soak a towel in diluted neutral detergent and gently pat the dirt out from the inside. Then, to remove any remaining neutral detergent, wipe with a towel soaked in water and pat gently. *Please note that if any neutral detergent remains, it may cause stains. *Please do not scrub too hard. *This item cannot be machine washed. |