Anyone considering upping their home gym game and adding new equipment should consider a balance board. A quality product can help to work on your core in ways that other exercise equipment cannot offer. Everyone has a handful of dumbells, maybe even a treadmill and a weight bench, but a balance board has multiple uses that a lot of people aren’t even aware of.
A lot of skateboarders use them to improve their balance and strength, something a lot of people could benefit from. This is only going to be the case when using a product from a reputable brand, and even then, it can be difficult to pick the ideal model. Because of this, we have created a list of the best balance boards available.
Quick Summary of Best Balance Boards
Reviews
Editor’s Choice: Simply Fit Board – The Workout Balance Board with a Twist
- Can hold up to 400 lbs
- Durable ABS material
- Non-slip
- Multiple uses
- As featured on TV
Best For The Office: FEZIBO Standing Desk Mat with Anti Fatigue Bar
- Can hold up to 320 lbs
- Great for the office and posture
- 8.5-inch tilting angle
- The texture takes a bit of getting used to
Best Affordable: StrongTek Professional Wooden Balance Board
- Can hold up to 350 lbs
- Slip-resistant surface
- Anti-scratch areas underneath
- Sturdy feel
- Can rock more than some people like it to
Also Consider: DEVEBOR Half Ball Sport Balance Trainer(2nd Generation)
- Can hold up to 800 lbs
- Comes with resistant bands and pump
- Anti-slip foot pads
- A good alternative to a board
- Can be a bit pricey for some
Best With Roller: Dailyart Balance Board, Wooden Balance Board Trainer
- Made from 10 layers of wood
- Can hold up to 500 lbs
- Nonslip emery top layer
- Multiple uses
- Can be difficult to learn on
Best With Fitness App: Plankpad – Balance Board & Bodyweight Fitness Trainer with Training App for iOS & Android
- Includes a training ap with games
- Nonslip material on top
- Includes a protective mat
- Can be a bit pricey for some budgets
Balance Board Buyer’s Guide
Without the right posture or core strength, other gym exercises can be more difficult than they need to be. For this reason, and the fact that a lot of people prefer low impact exercises, a balance board is a great exercise tool to have at home. They don’t take up a lot of room, but are highly effective at strengthening key areas of the body, and even improve posture.
This is only the case when using a quality product and since there are so many different shapes and designs to choose from, we have put together the following buyer’s guide. Read on to find the important traits of the better products.
What To Look For In A Balance Board
Max Weight
To be honest, the max weight of most products is more than enough for most people, but in case this is important to you, it is always worth checking. Most brands we reviewed offer at least 300 lbs as maximum weight, with some going a lot higher.
Non-Slip Surface
There might not be a lot wrong with the user’s balance, but a slippery surface can make life more difficult than it needs to be. Most products tend to have some sort of emery board texture or raised grooves that help to make it non-slip. Whatever the method, be sure that the brand you are considering has this covered before you click to purchase.
Lightweight
These products are designed for home use, but some are easier to move out of storage than others. The heaviest product we recommended was around 11.5 lbs which are towards the high end of what we consider easily portable. Wooden products can be light, as can a lot of PVC balance boards. This becomes especially important if taking it to a class.
Quality Materials
The sign of a good product is in the quality of the materials. Most reputable brands tend to boast about their materials, especially if using multiple layers of wood. Ever wondered where these odd-shaped boards get their strength from? It’s all in the materials.
Multiple Uses
A balance board should be able to fulfill its primary function – providing a surface that tips to help tighten the core and practice agility, but the best products are those that have other uses too. A lot of boards can be used for plank exercises as well as yoga poses, and balance training among others.
Warranty
Since these products are designed to be used for uneven movements, it is possible that they may get damaged, which is where a warranty can come in. handy. This becomes especially important when looking at one of the more expensive products out there. For a lot of people, the warranty will be unnecessary, but it’s always good to protect a purchase where you can.
Are Balance Boards Any Good?
For improving core strength they are one of the best pieces of exercise equipment for at-home use. Also, anyone who sits all day for their job can benefit from using them. Switch to a tall desk and stand on a balance board intermittently to improve posture, increase strength, and spend less time sitting in the same position.
Are Balance Boards Good For Your Knees?
One of the main benefits of a balance board is that they help to strengthen the knees and strengthens muscles around the joints. Anyone who suffers from reduced mobility around the ankles can benefit from using one. Everything from the upper legs down to the ankles can benefit and when these are stronger, it takes a lot of the strain off of the knees.
Can A Balance Board Be Dangerous?
When not used properly, a balance board, like any other form of exercise equipment, can be dangerous. This is why it is important to use them for their intended use only and work your way up towards longer uses. Sometimes, it can be good to start training with someone else to help work on that initial balance but a fall off the board can be painful, and in some rare cases, ahs resulted in injury.
How Long Should You Use A Balance Board For?
The first step should be to stay on the balance board in increments of around 15 seconds. Keep working your way up to two minutes and this will be a useful amount of time for practicing balance and agility. Eventually, you should be able to stay on for longer, and don’t forget to put the board to other uses to work different muscles.
What Exercises Can You Do On A Balance Board?
The main exercise is to strengthen the core and work on balance but there are plenty of exercises that a balance board can be used for. Some of the most common include planks, yoga poses, squats, push-ups, and leaning either side among others.
Are Balance Boards For Senior Users?
Because they are considered a low resistance exercise, they can be good for senior citizens. However, some products are better suited to this demographic than others which is why it is important to find a product that doesn’t have a steep tipping point and is designed for gentle use. A balance board can help to regain balance which will benefit the senior generation in their everyday life, but it is something that should be trained gradually, under supervision, and only after discussing with a doctor first.
How Much Does A Balance Board Cost?
Thankfully, these products do not have to cost a lot. It is easy to find a reputable product for under $30. These may lack some of the extras of the more expensive products but are fine for their primary function. Pay a little more and you can benefit from a sturdier board, with better grip, and even one that has an incljuded app.
What Is The Best Balance Board?
After reviewing numerous products we found the Simply Fit Board to be the best. It has a strong feel to it thanks to the sturdy ABS material and this is what allows it to hold up to 400 lbs at any time. We like it because it has so many uses, is simple in design, and only weighs 3.2 lbs.