Written by Steve Theunissen | ISSA: CPT & Fitness Nutrition
Fact checked by Tyler DiGiovanni, BSBM
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Balance training entered the fitness mainstream in the late 1990s with the introduction of the Indo Board®, as fitness magazines reported on the proprioception training methods of professional athletes. Today, all manner of balance products and programs are being marketed to improve coordination, balance, and performance, as well as for remedial balance training.
This article reveals the five best balance boards on the market. We'll also examine the science behind balance board training and answer the most common balance board training questions.
5 Best Balance Boards
- Overall Best: Revbalance Fit
- Budget Pick: Yes4All Wooden Wobble Board
- Most Adjustable: Yes4All Premium
- For Standing Desks: FEZIBO
- For Core Strength: BosuElite
SFS Pick
Revbalance Fit
SFS Budget Pick
Yes4All Wobble
SFS Adjustable Pick
Yes4All Premium
1. Overall Best Balance Board: Revbalance Fit
The Revbalance Fit board is not just a balance board; it's three boards in one. That's because you get three different rollers to use with the board platform:
- a round roller
- a rocker roller that has a flat side
- a wobble disc roller
The variety of rollers makes this probably the most versatile balance board on the market. However, it is an unattached system, so beginners may still be better off with a fixed fulcrum board on other balance boards.
Your purchase of the Revbalance Fit 3-in-1 balance board system comes with a digital guide that walks you through getting started on the board to advanced balance training exercises.
The Revolution FIT board measures 32" L x 14" W and has rounded, smooth edges.
The unique Dura-Soft grip on the board's top will make standing barefoot or using your hands more comfortable. In my experience this was one of the more enjoyable features that we've come across with balance boards. I've used multiple boards myself and with my clients and from now on I'll be recommend this option for the user-friendliness it offers
The board's bottom has two detachable roller stops that prevent the roller from moving away, thus adding more control and safety. In addition, the stops can be detached for a greater range of motion and more challenging exercises.
The weight limit on this board is 450 lbs. These boards are handcrafted in the USA.
Pros
- Three rollers provided
- Durasoft grip
- Digital guide
Cons
- Expensive
Athletes and fitness gurus alike use the FIT to strengthen both body and mind. Carve core muscle groups and improve stability, flexibility, reflexes, recovery speed...
2. Best Budget Balance Board: Yes4All Wooden Wobble Board
The Yes4All Wooden Wobble Board is a round balance board that allows for 360° rotation and has a max incline angle of 15°. It is constructed from high-quality timber and can handle a maximum user weight of 300 lbs.
The anti-slip surface of this wobble balance board has a diameter of 15.75", so it will accommodate most users. The board has a fixed base and is suitable for everyone, from beginners to advanced-level users. Yes4All also offers a kid-friendly version of this board.
The Yes4All Wooden Wobble Board is lightweight and portable, so you can take it to the gym or when traveling.
This is a very budget-friendly wooden balance board option. It is available in at least nine color schemes, each selling for less than $20. A 12-month warranty even covers your purchase.
Pros
- Excellent price
- 360° range of movement
- 15° tilt angle
Cons
- Some reviewers note that it is slippery on some wooden floor surfaces
The Yes4All Wooden Wobble Board Core Trainer helps you develop core strength, stabilize the muscles, improve balance and coordination by hundreds of exercises like...
3. Best Adjustable Balance Board: Yes4All Premium
The Yes4All Premium balance board is designed for more advanced users than their budget model board. This is a two-piece designed board with a separate platform and roller. The platform is constructed from 15-ply pressed premium wood. A thick layer of TPE covers the roller, ensuring that it won't scratch or damage your floor.
The platform is in the standard skateboard shape and features an antiskid PEVA grip on the surface to provide a better grip. It has dimensions of 30" x 11". The max user weight of this balance board is 350 lbs.
It is fully equipped with two removable stoppers and four screws to help you adjust the distance for your preferred level of use; 11", 16", or 22". Advanced users can easily remove the stoppers, so there is no limit on their range of motion.
Pros
- Low center of gravity
- Antiskid surface
- Quick remove stoppers
Cons
- Limited angle tilt may restrict advanced users
This Surfing Balance Board is fully equipped with 2 removable stoppers, 4 screws to help you adjust the distance for your preferred level; For beginners, there are 3 different...
4. Best Balance Board For Standing Desks: FEZIBO
The FEZIBO board is a standing desk balance board with a curved base that creates an 8.5° tilt on either side. It features a textured surface with nodules that provide your feet with a gentle massage as your body adjusts to the constantly changing balance requirements.
There is no setup required to use the FEZIBO balance board. Simply place it under your standing desk and get to work. It is suitable for standing desks from 30" to 42". The maximum user weight of this board is 320 lbs.
This balance trainer is made from a thick, hardy rubber material and weighs just 6.39 pounds.
Your purchase is supported with an impressive 7-year warranty.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Max user weight 320 lbs
- Textured surface to provide gentle foot massage
Cons
- Some users mention that it has a strong odor when new
FEZIBO Balance Board is ideal for performing balance exercises and creates low-impact rocker movement to keep your mind and body engaged while you’re working. It not only helps relieve...
5. Best Balance Board For Core Strength: BosuElite
The BosuElite balance board is one of the most popular balance boards used in commercial gyms. It looks like half a Swiss ball, featuring an inflated half-sphere and a flat base. The ball can be used with the flat side down for standing instability work and with the spherical side down to add an element of instability to exercises like push-ups.
The inner material of the BosuElite is designed to push back against the resistance you put against it. This coil-like feature has been shown to help to prime the nervous for explosive power moves. That makes using the BosuElite as part of your warm-up to your weights workout a smart idea.
The BosuElite features a high-density dome for pressurized resistance. There is also a honeycomb non-slip power one for increased traction. With a 26" diameter, this board is suitable for even the tallest of users.
When you purchase the BosuElite, you get access to an extensive online video library of training materials. The board has a 450 lb weight limit and a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- Dynamic resistance
- Textured power zone
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- Quite expensive
The BOSU Elite's improved dome offers the perfect marriage between resistance and stability, opening the door for a whole new dimension to BOSU ball training...
What is a balance board?
A balance board is a platform that is designed to create instability. You can improve your balance, stability, proprioception, and core strength by standing on the board and performing various movements.
There are many different balance board designs. They may also be known as wobble boards and rocker boards. Most boards are constructed from timber or hardened plastic material. The surface you stand on is usually flat, while the base is curved to create instability.
Benefits of using a balance board:
Physiotherapists first used balance trainers as a rehabilitative tool to improve people's balance, core strength, and stability. Since entering the fitness mainstream a couple of decades ago, there has been quite a lot of study into the benefits of using a balance board. Here's a roundup of the research-backed benefits of using a balance board.
1. Improves balance
Three bodily systems control balance:
- Visual
- Vestibular
- Proprioceptive
Balance board training improves proprioceptive balance. This relates to your body's awareness of its positioning concerning space. The better your proprioception, the better you will be able to recover if you begin to fall.
Balance board training has been shown to do a good job of improving ankle proprioception. As well as strengthening the ligaments, muscles, and tendons of the ankle, balance board work also increases their ability to coordinate to improve stability.
A recent meta-study showed that balance board training reduces the risk of ankle injuries. Other research has shown that balance board training significantly improved balance in stroke patients in comparison to other stroke victims who did not do balance board training.¹
2. Strengthens Leg Muscles
Strength involves more than just working out with heavy weights. Instability training works the minor stabilizer muscles that cooperate with your larger muscles, especially in the legs.
The tiny stabilizer muscles are utilized immediately when using a balance board for exercise. They are forced to constrict to steady you due to your body position's imbalance. Your larger muscles are simultaneously working to keep you stable. These muscles are not used when exercising on a flat surface, like the ground.²
3. Increases Motor Skills
Your ability to concentrate and pay attention to a subject improves as your balance and posture improve. Your sense of space with the environment around you is referred to as vestibular processing.
Dr. Jean Ayers, a pioneer in vestibular processing enhancement, used a balance board to assist those suffering from sensory integration disorder. Dr. Ayers' clinical studies demonstrated that balancing training enhanced eye control, coordination, language development, and focus.³
4. increases Core Strength
The core muscles support the torso while also stabilizing the spine. Our capacity to move depends entirely on our stability and core strength.
Your core is continually tested while using a balancing board to exercise. The intercostals, abdominals, and infraspinatus continue to contract as you make little changes to maintain your upright posture because of the disproportion in your body position. Your trunk's stabilizing muscles become stronger as a result.
You'll become less prone to injuries thanks to the increased core strength you gain from using a balance board. Your limbs won't be under as much stress, and you'll keep injury-prone areas such as your lower back protected.⁴
5. Injury Prevention/Rehabilitation
Balance board training's ability to improve a person's bodily awareness has been shown to reduce the risk of injury. In addition, the enhanced proprioception that balance board training develops allows you to quickly adjust if you lose your balance or slip. This makes it more likely that you will be able to recover.
Balance board training also improves your reaction time. This will also help you to avoid injury. Balance boards are used extensively in ankle rehabilitation as they allow you to target the strengthening of the ankle muscles, tendons, and ligaments.⁵
What to look for when buying a balance board:
Balance boards come in all shapes and varieties. Knowing what to look for when you enter the market will make it more likely that you'll end up with the right board to meet your training needs. Here are five areas to take into account when buying a balance board.
1. Type
There are four main types of balance boards:
-
Rocker - a rocker board consists of a flat platform with some type of cylinder underneath to create instability when you stand on the platform. The most challenging type of rocker board has a separate cylinder from the platform. Unless you're a skater or are very confident, we recommend starting with a fixed rocker that connects the cylinder to the platform.
-
Wobble - wobble boards feature a large half-sphere base connected to the flat platform. The most popular wobble board brand is Bosu.
-
360 Sphere Boards - these boards consist of a flat platform and a ball. A guardrail around the bottom edges of the platform prevents the ball from rolling away.
-
Half Balance Boards - these boards have a flat base and a half-sphere top. They are usually constructed from an inflatable material.
2. Build Quality
The most common balance board materials are timber and plastic. While a timber board may last a little longer, people often find a plastic surface more comfortable to work on. In addition, plastic boards are lighter and generally less expensive than wooden boards.
3. Features
Rocker boards are the least versatile type of balance board, as they have a fixed angle and can only rock from side to side. These are ideal for beginners who struggle with coordination. Balance boards usually come in a one size fits all format. If you are taller than six feet, you should look for a board that is longer than standard.
You can buy wobble boards with or without surface grips. A ribbed surface can improve grip and traction, but this is a personal preference.
4. Price
Balance boards vary quite a lot when it comes to price. Wooden boards are more expensive than plastic versions. The five boards reviewed on this page range from less than twenty dollars to ten times that amount.
5. Reviews
By reading verified user balance board reviews on sites like Amazon, you will get a good gauge of the functionality, ease of use, durability, and value for money of a balance board. You should also take note of the level of customer service supporting the product.
Balance Board FAQs
What does a balance board do for you?
A balance board will improve your balance, coordination, and proprioception, which is your ability to control your body through 3-dimensional space. A balance board will also increase your strength and your lower body muscles and improve core strength.
Is a balance board a good workout?
A balance board is a good workout to improve your balance and coordination and strengthen your lower body joints. However, if your goal is overall strength, fitness, or weight loss, you should do other forms of exercise and balance board training.
What age is a balance board good for?
Balance board training is beneficial for people of all ages. Children as young as eight months of age can use modified balance boards to develop their spatial awareness. Seniors can also develop confidence by using a balance board to enhance their proprioception, making them better able to recover rather than fall if they stumble or slip.
What's a good balance board for seniors?
A good balance board for seniors is the Yes4All Wooden Wobble Board which features a 360° rotation design, has an anti-slip surface, a 15° tilt angle, and a large 15.75 platform diameter.
Summary
Balance boards improve your balance, stability, coordination, and core and lower body strength. They represent a portable, affordable, home-friendly piece of training equipment that will benefit any training environment.
The best overall balance board on the market is the Revbalance 3-in-1 Exercise Balance Board training system, which provides you with three different interchangeable bases and features an exclusive Durasoft patented surface to enhance comfort, even when training in bare feet.
Athletes and fitness gurus alike use the FIT to strengthen both body and mind. Carve core muscle groups and improve stability, flexibility, reflexes, recovery speed...
Looking for more functional home gym equipment? Check out our post on the Best Push-Up Boards on the market.
Research
- Rivera MJ, Winkelmann ZK, Powden CJ, Games KE. Proprioceptive Training for the Prevention of Ankle Sprains: An Evidence-Based Review. J Athl Train. 2017 Nov;52(11):1065-1067. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-52.11.16. Epub 2017 Nov 15. PMID: 29140127; PMCID: PMC5737043.
- Hyun SJ, Lee J, Lee BH. The Effects of Sit-to-Stand Training Combined with Real-Time Visual Feedback on Strength, Balance, Gait Ability, and Quality of Life in Patients with Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Nov 21;18(22):12229. doi: 10.3390/ijerph182212229. PMID: 34831986; PMCID: PMC8625418.
- Fujiwara, Katsuo; Shigeiwa, Michie; Maeda, Kaoru (2005). "Relationship between improvement in cognitive function by balance board training and postural control adaptability in the elderly". In Tsuji, Sadatoshi; Tobimatsu, Shozo; Kakigi, Ryusuke. Unveiling the mystery of the brain: neurophysiological investigation of the brain function: proceedings of the 8th International Evoked Potentials Symposium held in Fukuoka, Japan between 5 and 8 October 2004. International Congress Series 1278. pp. 329–32.doi:10.1016/j.ics.2004.11.051. ISBN 978-0-444-51780-7.
- Biscarini A, Contemori S, Grolla G. Activation of Scapular and Lumbopelvic Muscles During Core Exercises Executed on a Whole-Body Wobble Board. J Sport Rehabil. 2019 Aug 1;28(6):623-634. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2018-0089. PMID: 30222492.
- Cain MS, Ban RJ, Chen YP, Geil MD, Goerger BM, Linens SW. Four-Week Ankle-Rehabilitation Programs in Adolescent Athletes With Chronic Ankle Instability. J Athl Train. 2020 Aug 1;55(8):801-810. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-41-19. PMID: 32577737; PMCID: PMC7462179.
Steve Theunissen
Author