Balance. Something we all strive for, both in life and when exercising. Finding it though can be tough! Maybe this is part of why the best balance boards have become such a hot trend.
Working on our balance is important, especially as we age.
Maintaining and improving our balance can be tricky, but can positively impact our regular workouts, our performance in activities and sports outside the gym. It also keep us healthy and safe as we get older.
There are countless balance boards on the market. They’re another fitness extra, like resistance bands, that can break up the monotony in the gym and up the challenge of our workouts.
Let’s be clear, I’m not advocating that you start lifting weights on balance boards all the time. Nope. I need you to strength train with a focus on gaining muscle and strength!!
Balance boards are for specific times and uses. Luckily being small and often cheap, they’re a great addition to a home gym and can be used in a variety of ways.
With so many to choose from, it can be hard to figure out which one is right for you. In this article, we’ll give you some of the best balance boards for your needs! Before we get to that though, let’s learn a bit more about balance boards.
What Are Balance Boards?
Balance boards are devices that can be used to improve balance and coordination, and can even be used in fall prevention training. They provide an unstable surface and target muscles that are often otherwise difficult to engage and strengthen.
If you’ve ever been to a physical therapist’s office, you’ve probably seen some various balance boards and devices. They’re also common at gyms and are easy to purchase online for your at-home use.
Balance boards are often made of wood or plastic with a flat area on one side. The other side is often domed or curved giving the object its instability.
I also often see them used by professional athletes when they share videos of their training. Lindsey Vonn, a retired professional skier, is someone who regularly used balance boards in her training. Google her and balance boards and lots of videos come up!
4 Benefits of Balance Boards
There are numerous benefits to including balance boards in your training and workouts. In fact, there are even studies showing that using a balance board while working can be a good thing.
A 2018 study showed that using one while working increases energy expenditure without lowering work productivity.
It’s easy to assume that only people who surf, snowboard/ski, or SUP would benefit from balance board work, especially given the shape of them and how they move. But they do offer a lot of benefits when incorporated into workouts, and as I’ve said, even while you work.
Increased energy expenditure
Whether using these in a workout or at your desk, because you’ll be activating muscles and potentially raising your heart rate, you’ll burn more calories.
This is part of what intrigues people about adding it to their standing desk routine. We know that movement throughout the day is key to weight loss, not just what we do in they gym.
Core strength
Our core is integral to our balance, stability, and all of our movement. Adding a balance board to your core work and other exercises can really amp up the intensity.
- Try doing push ups with hands on a balance board
- Doing glute bridges with feet on a balance surf board
- Single leg exercises with an unstable surface
Proprioception
This is our body’s ability to know where it is in space. When we operate in an unstable environment, such as on a balance board, we teach our body to recruit the necessary muscles to keep us stable and balanced.
Aging safely
Falls are a major concern for aging adults. A couple small studies have shown that balance board work with geriatric adults can improve balance and potentially decrease fall risk.
This can be as simple as starting to add in practice of standing on one leg with the unstable surface.
What Type of Balance Board is Best for You?
With so many options on the market now, you may be at a loss at where to start. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re shopping:
- Material – Most are made of wood, rubber, bamboo, or plastic.
- Durability – These need to be able to support your weight. You should also consider the flooring you’ll be using it on and how the materials may interact.
- Dimensions – Make sure it fits you, your space, and what you’re using it for. You need the size of the deck to work with your height.
- Tip Direction and Range of Motion – Some boards only tip front and back, while others can move in any direction. Some move a lot and some don’t move as far.
- Purpose – Do you want to use the balance board at your desk? Are you looking to add additional challenges to your lower body workouts? Do you want to focus on core strength?
- Stability Level – Consider your current ability level. If standing on a flat floor is challenging, stick with that until you’ve advanced and then look for a beginner board or boards with attachments that can increase the challenge as you progress.
- Budget – There are a wide range of balance boards and they come in a wide range of prices. Consider how much you want to spend.
10 Best Balance Boards
I’ve compiled some of my recommendations for balance boards based on specific categories. Again, there are countless different types of balance boards on the market today but hopefully this list gives you at least a good place to start!
Best for Standing Desk – StrongTek Antifatigue Balance Board
As we all know, sitting for long periods is not good for us. Thankfully, standing desks have become common in the workplace and even our home offices. While standing has its benefits, to up the ante even more consider a standing desk balance board (or rocker board in this case).
I like that this is not something you have to focus on because the tilt is small AND you actually benefit from changing positions. So you can tilt to one side or balance in center, no worries about falling.
The StrongTek Antifatigue Mat and Balance Board engages your core muscles and legs with its nearly 9-degree tilting angle. An added bonus are the trigger points on the board providing a gentle foot massage.
At only 18” long, the Strongtek mat is portable and its high-density latex makes it durable for everyday use.
- Material: High-density latex
- Weight: N/A
- Price: $56
- Max Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
- Size: 18” x 13.9” x 2.2”
Best for Overall Workouts – Bosu Pro Balance Trainer
This one is bound to be one you’re familiar with as they’re popular in gyms, including in circuit-style classes, pilates, and more. It’s like they cut a swiss ball in half and attached it to a solid and flat base.
This I would classify as more of a Balance Trainer, than a balance board that you might have at your desk. But many folks see them as one in the same.
The Bosu is versatile. You can use it with either side on the floor and you’ll find it challenges your strength and stability. There are countless ways to incorporate it into your fitness routine. The dome side has a lot of give, while the platform is sturdy and non-slip.
A downside is the price with it usually starting at about $130 and going up from there depending on the seller. Be sure to shop around.
- Material: Rubber
- Weight: 19 lbs
- Price: $129+
- Max Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
- Size: 26” in diameter
Best Budget – Yes4All Wooden Wobble Balance Board
I could’ve actually fit the Yes4All Wooden Balance Board into a number of categories, but it’s a surefire win for a balance board on a budget. At just $18, it can’t be beat!
If you’re just curious about this kind of training, it’s the perfect entry level way to start.
This circular wobble board has a textured surface for grip and offers 360-degree rotation and a 15-degree tilt angle. You can go in any direction challenging your core, legs, and ankles and even tackle a stretch routine.
It is lightweight and portable and on the smaller side at less than 16” in diameter. An added bonus is that it comes in several colors.
- Material: Wood
- Weight: 3 lbs
- Price: $18
- Max Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- Size: 15.75” in diameter
Best for Single Leg Balance Work – Prosource Fit Exercise Balance Pad
Another affordable option, but one that wins for most comfortable is the ProsourceFit Exercise Balance Pad. It’s made of textured TPE foam, making it super lightweight, non-slip, and water resistant.
It can be used in a variety of ways by providing an unstable surface for core-specific exercises or to stand on to strengthen the feet, ankles, and knees. This is actually my go to recommendation for runners who need to practice standing on one leg! It’s a key piece of injury prevent, that applies especially as we age.
It comes in three colors and two sizes and is great for all skill levels.
- Material: TPE Foam
- Weight: <1 lb
- Price: $20
- Max Weight Capacity: N/A
- Size: L – 15.5” x 12.75” x 2.25”; XL – 18.75” x 15” x 2.25”
Best for a Challenge – Yes4All Surf Balance Board Trainer
While this balance board may look similar to more advanced models, it has some differences that make it a great option for those new to balance training. Trust me, I know it looks scary!
The board has three stopper options controlling how far and fast you can roll. The roller itself is small and lower to the ground compared to more advanced models, which limits the range of motion.
It has padding to protect floors from scuffs and it has an anti-slip surface. While more expensive than our budget and comfort models, it’s still one of the more affordable options.
- Material: Wood
- Weight: <10 lbs
- Price: $69
- Max Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
- Size: 29.5” x 11” x 5”
Best for Advanced – Urbn Fit
The first thing you might notice is that this board looks a lot like the Yes4All one, but a key difference makes it a great deal harder.
The rolling length of 26”, aka how far the roller can go from one end of the board to the other, is longer than similar boards and that makes it more difficult to find your balance and control. It doesn’t have the stoppers that the Yes4All one has.
It comes with a workout guide to give you some ideas on how to incorporate it into your routine, has a non-slip surface, and is portable.
- Material: Wood
- Weight: <10 lbs
- Price: $97
- Max Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
- Size: 26” long
Best for Foot Strength – Mobo Board
I’ve previously reviewed the Mobo Board and I still love it for focusing on foot and ankle injury prevention.
This natural wood board boasts a unique cutout that requires you to use various muscles in your feet to strengthen and stabilize. Its fins are designed to mimic the axis of pronation and supination.
It’s a great tool to reduce muscle imbalances and improve foot mechanics and proprioception.
With the Mobo Board you focus on one foot at a time. You can also incorporate the use of bands, dumbbells, and kettlebells.
- Material: Bamboo
- Weight: N/A but lightweight
- Price: $90
- Max Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
Use the mobo board discount code MOBOSTACEY for 10% off your purchase
Best for Athletes – Revolution Revbalance 101
If you’re into surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, or a multitude of other sports, the Revolution 101 is a great option for you. It is similar in design to other models in that it is a skateboard-like board that sits on top of a roller.
Now the price is going up with the intensity of the work.
This one comes with a full app and tons of information to help you get the most out of your investment.
The Revolution 101 boasts a non-slip but cushioned surface and the rolling distance is easily adjustable with stops that can be removed to make it even more advanced. It has one of the highest weight capacities of the boards included in this list.
Not a recommended starting point for most of us. But if you’re looking for challenge, then upping your game to a balance surf board will do it!
- Material: Composite
- Weight: 6.7 lbs
- Price: $150
- Max Weight Capacity: 400 lbs
Best for Kids – Kinderfeets Kinderboard
If you’re looking to give your kids something to do that will engage their active bodies and minds, check out the Kinderfeets Kinderboard. It’s durable is designed for both indoor and outside use.
Its u-shaped design limits its range of motion, but it can be used in a variety of ways from a seesaw to a slide to a balancing toy, and more. While designed for kids, it’s 485 lb weight capacity means even adults can get in on the fun.
This is a great way to add little bits of movement to the day. Kids more naturally have better balance with their lower center of gravity, so they’ll catch on quickly and it may just help them in all the sports and movement they continue to do with age!!
- Material: Bamboo or Beechwood
- Ages: 18 months+
- Weight: N/A but lightweight
- Price: $99
- Max Weight Capacity: 485 lbs
- Size: 32” x 12” x 7”
There are cheaper plastic versions of this which you may have seen at Wal-Mart. Rock on with those if you want to! The wood seems to last longer and it just looks nicer when laying around.
All right, hopefully this breakdown of the best balance boards gave you something to think about! Like how would you integrate it in to your training and what do you need?
Looking for more fitness tips?
- Best Ankle Strength Exercises for Runners
- How to combine running and weight lifting
- Best running shoes for overpronation
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