Challenge Your Core With the Best Balance Board
-
Fitterfirst Professional Balance Board -
Fitterfirst Classic 16inch Balance Board -
URBNFit Balance Board -
Revolution FIT 3-in-1 Trainer System Balance Board -
BOSU Ball Balance Board -
Thera-Band Wobble Board -
Buyer's Guide
Balance boards are functional pieces of fitness equipment that may not seem entirely useful to the naked eye, but there’s a reason they continue to grow in popularity in functional training. These boards are killer core strengtheners and mind-muscle connection builders suitable for the average Joe and professional athletes alike.
The best balance boards of 2022 on this list were chosen as the best of the best because of their durability, their multi-functional uses outside of core training such as sport-specific training and leg strengthening, and their ability to increase the difficulty of other exercises. Take a look at our top picks and buyer's guide below.
URBNFit Balance Board
- The board's grip is great, which improves stability
- The surface is non-slip and ergonomic
- Its small size, mobility, and lightweight make it ideal for travel
- Lack of support may make squats impossible in some situations
Best Balance Boards Worth Considering in 2022
Fitterfirst Professional Balance Board - Best Balance Board Overall
This workout device is in a league of its own and can be considered a standalone own home gym. For one, this balance board has sliding feet which not only increase the challenge of balancing, but also make the cross trainer the only balance board with intrinsic cardio capabilities. This board can be used as a wobble board as well as a rocker board and is the most versatile balance board available.
This board can be used a skier for cardio capabilities, but can also be used for all kinds of challenging total body exercises from squats to pushups. Unlike other trainers, the added sliding capability contributes even more challenge to your workout. This balance board is an awesome space saver and can double as a cardio machine for people with small living arrangements.
Fitterfirst Classic 16inch Balance Board - Runner Up
The Bongo Board by Fitter First has been around for ages and remains one of the most popular balance boards available to date. It’s a true roller board offering all the benefits of a roller board, but much more safely than other models like it. The Bongo Board is designed with edges on either side of the undercarriage to stop the roller from flying out from underneath you as well as giving rocker board-like capabilities.
Bongo Board is built out of proven materials that will last a life time including the maple plywood board, polypropylene runner, and urethane roller. While this roller doesn’t offer a ton in the way of exercises outside of balance training, it can be used to plus up squats and pushups for more elite athletes.
URBNFit Balance Board - Best Quality
Those looking for a board with an intermediate balance might check out the URBNFit Balance Board. You may put up to 300 pounds of weight on it because it's made of high-quality wood. Slipping and an anti-skid cushion on its surface prevents falls.
- The board's grip is great, which improves stability
- The surface is non-slip and ergonomic
- Its small size, mobility, and lightweight make it ideal for travel
- Lack of support may make squats impossible in some situations
Despite being created from wood, it's remarkable how light and long-lasting this board is unique. Use this wobbling board for floor exercises, balance development, and working at a standing desk to get the most out of your training. The top of the board is made of slip-resistant material, while the board itself is made of high-quality wood.
Revolution FIT 3-in-1 Trainer System Balance Board - Honorable Mention
The Fit by Revolution has so many impressive qualities that it’s nearly impossible to decide where to start. The board is extra wide to accommodate all sizes of users and supports an impressive 350 pounds thanks to super strong hardwood construction.
The comfort top material on the top of the Fit offers great grip for footing, but is still comfortable even with your shoes off. The urethane roller is extremely durable and its smooth design allows the board to move extra fast to challenge you with every workout.
What really sets the Revolution Fit apart from competitors is it can be used as a roller, rocker, and wobble board in one. This opens up all kinds of fitness opportunities for you with three ways to train your core making it a home gym in a box by offering challenging variations to exercises like pushups, squats, and sports specific jumping exercises.
BOSU Ball Balance Board - Consider
The Bosu Ball isn’t what you would call a traditional balance board, but it does everything a balance board does and more. The Bosu Sport is a slightly smaller version of the traditional Bosu which makes it easier to transport, while made from the same high-quality, latex-free, burst resistant material. Bosu Ball can be used as a wobble board or a rocker board as well as a stepper, jumper, and all around core/balance trainer to challenge your legs or upper body. Another feature of the Bosu Ball is its difficulty can be adjusted slightly by adding or removing air in the ball.
Thera-Band Wobble Board - Best Balance Board
Thera-Band has been in the business of rehabilitation for decades so they know how to make an exceptional balance board. Their wobble board is a dynamic device which allows movement on all planes which makes it more chaotic than a traditional roller board and more versatile than a rocker board.
This board isn’t great for upper body exercises but it does make lower body work like steps and squats much more challenging. Unlike other balance boards, the wobble board is much more efficient at building ankle stability and calf strength for better posture.
The board is one solid piece of molded plastic meaning it will never come apart at the seams. The top is soft and pliable so it almost feels like you’re stepping in grass when using it barefoot.
Buyer's Guide
Balance training has been a staple of physiotherapy and advanced athletic training for years. Balance board training has gained popularity in recent years among the general fitness community as a way to get healthier, tougher, less vulnerable to illness, and better in sporting events. Here is all you need to know about getting the finest balance board for your money.
Types of Balance Boards Available on the Market
There are five different types of balancing boards, each with its unique difficulty level:
Rocker board
A rocker board is made out of a flat wooden or plastic board with a fulcrum connected below it. A single curving platform is used on certain rocker boards, notably those built for youngsters. On a rocker board, you can only glide in two ways: front to back and horizontally. The direction is determined by where your weight is placed on the board. These are the least difficult of all the balance boards and are an excellent introductory board for anyone who's just starting with balance training.
Wobble board
You have more possibilities with a wobble board than with a rocker board. You may now move through a full 360-degree range of motion rather than just tilting up and down and side to side. Your goal while on the board is to balance and transition without letting any of the edges hit the floor. Most wobble boards feature a semi-spherical balancer with a curved half on the surface, as various variants have varying fulcrums.
Rocker roller boards
Most rocker roller boards have a deck that looks like a skateboard's foundation. The fulcrum of the board can move in relation to both the board and the surface. As the cylinder rolls under the board, the pivot point between the deck and the roller shifts. The breadth of the cylinder is usually the same as the width of the board's deck.
Sphere and ring boards
The detached fulcrums of a sphere and ring board are comparable to those of a rocker roller board. A rubber ball serves as the fulcrum on the sphere and ring board, whereas a cylindrical roller serves as the fulcrum on the rocker roller board. To hold the ball trapped, a ring around the underside of the deck functions as a protective shield. With a little change of their body, the user can go from edge to edge, back to the front, or sideways.
Spring boards
The springboard's fulcrum is made out of heavy-duty springs sandwiched between a platform and the deck on which the user stands. The springs shrink when someone stands on the board, making the surface unsteady. The user must re-establish their equilibrium while navigating the board, which is a difficult task. The user may move the board in whatever direction they like by altering their weight distribution.
What Are Some of the Advantages of Using a Balance Board?
Injury prevention
Your joints will be strengthened if you exercise on a Balance Board regularly. This will enable you to tolerate joint stresses that may otherwise result in a sprain or worse. Athletes who use a balance board have been found to have fewer ankle sprains, especially someone who has already had an ankle injury.
Improved proprioception
Proprioception is a continually occurring subconscious action that keeps our body grounded in place. It is our knowledge of our surroundings. We usually do not consider it until it fails us. Impaired proprioception is characterized by poor balance, so equilibrium exercise will enhance your proprioception, enabling you to better regulate your body in situations where your balance is tested. Hence, you'll be less likely to have a balance-related accident.
Increased strength
Most of the time, we try to grow stronger by focusing on individual muscle groups. The ability of all of the body's muscles to work together is the key to operational capability. This includes the tiny stabilizer muscles, which are frequently overlooked in typical strength training. Because you're always in an unbalanced position, these stabilizer muscles are continuously compelled to contract. To keep you balanced, they function in tandem with your bigger muscle groups.
Development of the core
All movement is centered on the muscles that make up your core. They serve as a connection between your upper and lower body. The abdominal muscles, deep lateral stabilizing muscles, and erector spine muscles make up the core. You will become immeasurably stronger, more coordinated, and more capable of handling the duties that are imposed on your body by strengthening your abs.
Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Balance Board
Select one that offers room for growth
Wooden stoppers (which prevent you from slipping off the roller), a grip deck, and a wide breadth are all features that make balancing boarding simpler. Riding boards with no stoppers, a smooth roller, and a smooth surface are more difficult.
Prioritize durability
Cheap balancing boards, especially when used by adults, are prone to breaking. One constructed of robust materials, such as strong wood or tough plastic, is ideal. The weight restriction for balance boards is usually about 300 pounds.
Select the appropriate size
The more space you need to roll around on your surf balance board, the bigger it gets. Clear a large area around the place where you'll be using your board, so you don't strike anything if (or when) you fall.
Crucial Details to Look at in the Best Balance Board
A balance board is a fairly basic item. These boards, however, might vary considerably between manufacturers, providing very distinct experiences. So, it is vital to consider a few things before choosing the right board.
Material
The balance board's construction material will have a big influence on your entire experience with it. The board's strength and longevity and how it looks, feels, and responds to movement are all influenced by the material. While balancing boards are almost typically constructed of wood, there are a variety of other materials available.
Size
A large enough board to be comfortable to use and curved enough to allow for simple rocking is ideal. If the board is too flat, you won't be able to develop your balance since it will be too steady. The board will rock too much if it is excessively curved, and it will not be suitable for some applications.
Weight capacity
The weight capacity of every balancing board is restricted. These boards can generally support a substantial amount of weight, usually about 400 pounds. Some boards constructed of thinner, less durable materials are unable to support such a huge load. Pay attention to this and make sure the weight capacity corresponds to your requirements.
Smooth or anti-skid
The balance boards come with either a smooth wood finish or an anti-skid traction mat on top. Depending on your needs, both are viable alternatives. Grip pads make it simpler to balance on the board and make it safer for kids to use. Their capacity to rock and slide, however, may be limited. Smooth boards are more difficult to balance on yet more flexible.
Best Balance Board FAQs
Q: On a balance board, how long can you stand?
A: Sessions don't have to be long— 10 to 15 minutes is roughly the right amount of time. In addition to utilizing your balance board on a regular basis, you should actively seek out other opportunities to improve your balance throughout the day.
Q: Is it true that balancing boards are beneficial?
A: Balance boards are a useful training tool for persons of all ages who want to avoid sports-related injuries and falls. Improved balance and coordination are further advantages of utilizing a balance board. Lower leg muscles get stronger too.
Q: Standing on a balancing board burns how many calories?
A: Using a balance board keeps your central, back, and leg muscles engaged all day. It also works your little stabilizer muscles, which may help you lose up to 100 calories per hour.
