The foot playground from Blackroll
14.8.2019
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Thomas Kunz
With the "Smoove Board", Blackroll brings movement to the desk. People who work standing up should be able to get through the day more actively, with more concentration and less pain. The whole body benefits from the playful foot workout.
He rocks forwards, pulls the ball over the grooved board with his sole and guides it back into its hollow. No doubt, it must be Nico. In the open-plan office, it's not just his standing desk that catches the eye, but also the square foam piece underneath it. My colleague Nicolas Pulfer is a passionate sportsman, which unfortunately doesn't automatically protect him from back pain. I'm looking for him because he has a height-adjustable workstation. And more recently the "Smoove Board" under his feet.
A smart move, especially without shoes
"Smoove" stands for "smart move". The "healthstyle company" Blackroll likes to merge concepts. And products. The board contains a Blackroll Mini, a ball and a Twister for selective stimulation. "I mainly use the ball and roll it back and forth a lot," says Nico, who normally wears trainers or Birkenstock sandals at work. The board can also be used with shoes, although the integrated toy is then less interesting for your feet.
Nico leaves his shoes in the corner. He climbs onto the "Smoove Board" in socks, which he finds soft and comfortable. It is made from SmartLite foam and is designed not to lose its elastic properties over time. The board looks like an oversized running shoe sole in the shape of a bathroom scales.
"I find the surface area suitable, I wear shoe size 45-46 and have enough space," says Nico. The grooves are designed to activate the soles of the feet and the larger curvature invites you to occasionally stretch your calves a little.
Active standing? AMAZING!
Blackroll is also an agile company and is trying out new things. With the "Smoove Board", it has ventured onto the crowdfunding sites Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Anyone who throws around the usual platform vocabulary ("Active standing will make your body feel AMAZING!") and convinces the community of their product will receive free input, praise and critical questions from all over the world from day one in addition to start-up funding.
Excerpts from the question-and-answer game on Kickstarter: Is the board broken because the mini-roller comes loose from its anchorage? No, it can be removed so that it can be used separately. Does the board have a weight limit? No, it is practically indestructible and can easily withstand 200 kilos. One thing is clear after the crowdfunding campaign: there is interest in the topic. And that's understandable. After all, just as you should change your position from time to time when sitting on an office chair, the body is grateful for stimulating, relieving and stretching movements when standing.
"I like this feeling of counter-pressure under my feet," says Nico, who keeps catching himself playing ball and demonstrates the various applications to me. "You can also use the mini roller on the desk for your forearms." In theory, you have more options for targeted massage with these little tools than your working day allows. Unless you have nothing else to do.
First impression
More movement and relaxation, less pain, better concentration. The "Smoove Board" promises a lot. Does it deliver or is the thing under Nico's feet a product sample without value that he is happy to give back? "Despite the rather high price, I'll probably buy one," he says. It has improved his day-to-day work: "It means I can stand at my desk for much longer, which my back appreciates."
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
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