For all the attention that standing desks have received over the past decade, there’s a problem with them that doesn’t get discussed as much: standing still for hours isn’t meaningfully better than sitting still for hours. The body needs movement, not just a different position. That’s the core premise behind the Backboon, a German-designed standing aid with a built-in rocking mechanism that keeps the body in gentle, continuous motion throughout the workday.
The Backboon — a Stehwippe in German, roughly translated as a “standing rocker” — was developed by Volker Groß, a 67-year-old furniture designer from Apensen, Germany, who spent years studying research on the health consequences of prolonged sedentary behavior. The product gained wider attention in October 2024 when Groß presented it on Die Höhle der Löwen, the German equivalent of Shark Tank. It’s now available through select European office furniture retailers.
The problem it’s designed to solve
Groß has been clear about what motivated the design. As he explained during his television pitch: “Früher haben wir siebeneinhalb Stunden am Tag gesessen, inzwischen sind es über zehn Stunden am Tag!” — or in English: “In the past, we sat for seven and a half hours a day; now it’s over ten hours a day!”
That shift — from roughly half our waking hours to well over half — tracks broadly with what occupational health researchers have documented over the past two decades. Prolonged sitting is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal problems, and reduced circulation. Standing desks address part of this by removing the chair, but static standing creates its own set of issues, including lower-body fatigue and pressure on joints.
The Backboon’s answer is a gentle rocking motion. As Groß described it during a live demonstration: “Mit dem Wippen aktivieren Sie die gesamte Muskulatur im Körper” — “With the rocking motion, you activate the entire musculature in the body.”
What it is and how it works
The Backboon is not a chair, a stool, or a conventional lean-stand. It’s closer to a standing version of a rocking chair. The user stands on a flat foot platform connected to curved solid-wood rockers at the base, which allow smooth forward-and-backward movement. A padded back-and-pelvic support — adjustable in height — is positioned behind the user and provides a lean point for the lower back and hips.
The combination of the rocking base and the support panel means the user isn’t simply standing at a desk. They’re in a semi-supported upright position that shifts continuously with small postural adjustments, engaging the core, leg, and back muscles that go dormant during seated work. The motion is described as gentle and unobtrusive — not like an exercise device, but enough to keep the musculature from going fully passive.
The product is intended for use at a standing desk or high worktop, where the user can lean into the backrest while working at screen level.
Build and materials
The Backboon is constructed around a welded steel frame with a black powder-coat finish. The rockers at the base are made from solid 35mm Tauari wood — a certified hardwood — and include a leather strap underneath for floor protection. The padded back-and-pelvic support measures 50 × 20 cm (approximately 19.7 × 7.9 inches) and features 20mm of cushioning covered in black eco-skin faux leather. A velour carpet tile measuring 36 × 36 cm (about 14.2 × 14.2 inches) is included for the foot platform, providing traction and cushioning underfoot.
The back support adjusts vertically to accommodate different users, and assembly of the backrest section requires four Allen key screws, with no professional installation needed.
Specifications
The Backboon is designed for users between 140 and 210 cm tall (approximately 4 feet 7 inches to 6 feet 11 inches), with a stride length range of 65 to 105 cm (roughly 25.6 to 41.3 inches). The weight capacity is 120 kg, or approximately 265 pounds.
The full unit measures 115–130 cm tall (45.3–51.2 inches), 45 cm wide (17.7 inches), and 120 cm deep (47.2 inches). A minimum working surface depth of 80 cm (31.5 inches) behind the desk is recommended to give the rocking motion room to operate freely. Delivery is by freight carrier, and the packaged unit ships in a 120 × 140 cm box.
Color options
The Backboon is available in nine standard frame finishes: matte black, matte grey, matte white, matte red, matte beige, matte green, matte dark red, matte yellow, and matte light blue. Additional colors and materials are available on request through the manufacturer.
Who it’s designed for
The Backboon is positioned for environments where people spend extended hours on their feet or alternating between sitting and standing: office workstations, home offices, school settings, retail or reception areas, and waiting zones. It is available in various sizes and configurations to accommodate both adults and children.
Its depth footprint — 120 cm — means it requires more floor space than a standard standing mat or lean stool, which is a practical consideration for smaller workspaces. The recommended minimum desk depth of 80 cm behind the unit also means it’s better suited to dedicated standing workstations than compact setups.
Pricing and availability
The Backboon is currently sold primarily through European office furniture retailers. In Germany, it is listed starting from €1,169 including VAT. At current exchange rates, that converts to approximately US$1,360, though pricing will vary with exchange rates and any applicable import or shipping costs for buyers outside Germany. Delivery lead time is listed at 35–40 business days from order.
The manufacturer behind the product is Volker Groß / Möbelvertrieb, based in Apensen, Germany. The product does not appear to have established U.S. retail distribution at this time, though international inquiries can be directed to the manufacturer. More information is available at the official Backboon website.
Product page: Backboon
