It’s a well-established fact that desk jobs can be detrimental to your health. Studies show that sitting for hours at a time takes years off your life. Standing desks are a good start, but just standing isn’t enough. You’ve got to move! Frustrated by the lack of effective options, entrepreneur and JumpSport founder/CEO Mark Publicover designed the Wurf Board: a superior – and more comfortable – way to take a load off your feet, back and joints. Wurf’s reactive air-spring surface encourages micro-movements increasing circulation and oxygenation to keep your thinking sharper at work.

You may not know Publicover’s name, but kids in backyards across America are using at least one or two of his inventions. The owner of approximately 40 patents, Publicover’s first invention was the trampoline safety net. All trampoline nets use his technology, protecting millions of kids every day. Additionally, Publicover’s patented no-tip arched leg, quiet-bounce fitness trampoline is now the number one choice of clubs and fitness professionals.

Now he’s invented the Wurf Board, the first air-spring anti-fatigue mat where you control the firmness, simply adjust the pressure with the included pump. It has helped many desk workers with health issues to stand pain free at their desks.

Dude! Feels like you’re surfing at work

One of the first things people notice about Wurf Boards is the cool retro surfboard designs. The newest Maui design, is quickly becoming a top seller. Rocking back and forth on the Wurf Board gives the feeling of surfing. Many users say it feels like you’re standing on a cloud of air. The lightbulb went off for Publicover when he saw a high-end inflatable paddleboard made with drop-stich materials.

“We had to do some significant re-engineering to use the drop-stich technology for constructing an anti-fatigue mat,” he explains. “Drop-stitch paddle boards are typically used on the water a few times a week. Wurf Boards had to be much stronger, because they’re used four to eight hours a day, five days a week on hard, unforgiving surfaces, not water. The result is impressive durability at a price that’s proportionally competitive with mid- to high-end inflatable paddle boards.”

The Wurf Board was invented out of personal necessity

Publicover is very familiar with the science showing the benefits of standing. “A Texas A&M study found that when customer service and sales people stand, their productivity rises 45 percent. A Stanford study found that people standing at work were 75 percent less likely to report bodily discomfort,” comments Publicover. “But it’s also important to practice active standing, and that’s why I invented the Wurf board.” When you stand still for longer periods of time, your heart rate drops and blood starts to pool in your lower legs. This causes stress on your veins.” To counteract this problem, the reactive air-spring surface of the Wurf Board stimulates continuous micro-movements in your lower legs to increase your heart rate and promote a healthy blood flow.

Publicover already used a sit-stand desk, but realized he needed to move more. Balance boards caused his legs to tense up and get stiff. Traditional foam anti-fatigue mats caused his heels to sink in and bothered his back, and were cumbersome to move out of the way when he wanted to sit. “Foam mats are okay if you are stepping on and off regularly, such as in a kitchen or active work area. But in an office, you may be on them two or three hours at a time without moving much. You need something to stimulate movement even when standing in one place. Most anti-fatigue mats merely absorb pressure; they don’t have reactive or responsive surfaces. They don’t encourage you to make the micro-movements which cause your blood to pump, keep your legs healthy and engage your core. Wurf Boards encourage you to make the next move, unconsciously.”

At one point, he also tried shortening the legs on a fitness trampoline. “That felt really good! It kept me moving but I couldn’t pull it in and out from under my desk easily. So, I engineered something more lightweight and mobile.” He’s ecstatic with the result. “After using the Wurf Board the first time for four hours, my legs felt as comfortable as if I’d just gone on a walk.”

What should you look for in an anti-fatigue mat?

Publicover enjoys teaching people about movement at work, and fielding questions about shopping for the best anti-fatigue mats. Some typical questions include:

What are the benefits of having an adjustable mat? “You can adjust the firmness to fit your needs. When you take air out to make it squishy, any movement causes you to have to balance yourself. Softer also engages the core. That’s why a lot of top athletes prefer them super soft. It’s a safe way to have the benefits of a balance board. I like it firmer, which makes it easier to rock back and forth.”

Should I look for sloped or rounded edges? “Look for rounded edges if you think you might enjoy standing over the edge to massage the arches of your bare feet.”

Is it okay to use a Wurf Board for lunchtime workouts? “Absolutely! As long as it’s the right size and firmness for how you intend to use it. In addition to stimulating small muscle contractions and encouraging better blood flow than any similar device on the market, you can also do quick squats and other more strenuous exercises on the Wurf Board to get your heart rate up. And because it’s so mobile, you can take it outside with you.”

Should price be a consideration? “With anything related to your health, safety and durability are essential. Wurf Boards come with a higher price tag because they we're reengineered using stronger materials and are also free of heavy metals, unlike inflatable paddle boards.”

Should weight and size be factors in selecting the right anti-fatigue mat for my purposes? “Yes, look for one that’s the right size for your need. One size doesn’t always fit everyone’s needs. Weight becomes a consideration because you want something that slides easily in and out from under your desk using your feet so you don’t have to bend over. This is especially important if you have back problems.”

What about portability? “Consider whether you are okay with something that is either hard and bulky, or floppy and heavy. If these choices are not appealing, remember Wurf Boards are light and portable. Carry it under your arm around the office or to your car; or you can just deflate, roll up and you’re ready for travel. You can’t do that with a foam mat.”

What’s next for the prolific inventor? Publicover is already working on a smaller non-inflatable version called the Wurfie. “We are very proud of our “Wurfie4Kids” program. For every Wurf Board we sell, we will donate a small Wurfie to a school or to a charity that supports school-aged children,” he says. “We also have a second school related program, 1For1ForSchools that allows a buyer to donate a product to a specific school. The school can use that product for itself or for fundraising events, like auctions. Wurf.com/Programs has the details.”