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Balance Board Trainers make for a dynamic addition to any workout regimen as they engage your entire body, including core muscle groups and lesser worked muscles that may be underutilized during regular exercise regimens. These boards are ideal for men, women and even kids and can be used by all skill levels from beginner to intermediate and everything in between.
In addition to improved muscular strength and balance, these boards can help stimulate the mind with the increased concentration needed when working hard to keep yourself situated on the board.
Below are some balance board trainers we have found that will make great additions to any regular workout routine or up the ante on anyone looking to start one. They are also light in weight, travel easily and take up minimal space, making them perfect for around the house or office use.
Our Favorite Balance Board Trainer Worth Considering in 2024
URBNFit Wooden Balance Board Trainer — Best Overall
URBNFit’s Balance Board Trainer is a great way to add some newness to your exercise routine as it engages your entire body, highlighting core muscle groups and lesser worked muscles that are underutilized during conventional exercises. In addition to a full-body workout, you will be stimulating your mind as you work to keep balance and adjust your movements. The balance board works on any surface, has a layer of solid grip tape on the surface to keep your feet safe and in place and easily travels for use at the gym, office or in your living room.
Pros
- An informative paper and digital quick start guide is included to help teach you how to use the board
Cons
- There may be a slight learning curve when first using the board
Whirly Board Spinning Balance Board and Agility Trainer — Runner Up
The Whirley Board is another type of balance board that uses attached spherical shaped balance points allowing you to improve your stability in all directions. This board still works your core muscles while giving you the opportunity to take on rotational training which is a fun and challenging way to change up the balance board routine. Practicing these rotations in a controlled environment will also help build spatial awareness and confidence and can help prepare you for any future snow or water sports.
Pros
- The three balance points allow nearly endless possibilities for core exercises, stretches, and tricks
Cons
- This board does not come with physical instructions
Yes4All Balance Board Trainer — Honorable Mention
The Balance Board Trainer by Yes4All is made for all ages and fitness levels and is an ideal exercise to improve core strength, stability, functionality and a sense of balance for improved sports performance. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use, use of this board will engage the stabilizing muscles of your back, abs, hips, and legs while helping reduce back pain and improving posture. These hardwood boards are also known to help improve your balance and body control for skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, and wakeboarding.
Pros
- The wooden roller works great on different types of flooring including wood, carpet, cork, and concrete
Cons
- While you can easily stand on the board barefoot, shoes with anti-slip soles are recommended for a better grip
Bona Balance Board Trainer — Contender
The Balance Board Trainer by Bona is made of simple, clean and natural wooden materials and designed with a special anti-slip surface, making training safer and more comfortable. This board differs slightly from our other options as it has handles on the side for convenience and its flat throughout its length with no stoppers on the bottom, giving you a more advanced workout. This board is also versatile and can be used practically anywhere, indoors or out.
Pros
- A 30-day no-hassle return and lifetime customer service support are provided for any issues
Cons
- This may take some time to get used to
Driftsun Balance Board Trainer — Also Consider
Driftsun’s Balance Board Trainer is made from 100% hardwood and is a great deck for beginner and intermediate users. Whether you prefer to surf, snowboard or skateboard, you will benefit from this balance board with improved balance skills, coordination, and core strengthening. This balance board is safe and comes complete with a non-skid traction top, high gloss finish and roller safety stops to make training safe all while having fun.
Pros
- Ideal for any fitness program, you can use the Driftsun in the gym, at the office or right in the comfort of your own living room as it works on any surface
Cons
- If purchasing this for a child, plenty of supervision and cushioning is advised
NALANDA Balance Board — Editor's Pick
Nalanda’s Balance Board features a comfortable, ergonomic design and is customizable with its three different adjustable distances for beginners, intermediate and advanced levels. This balance board is light in weight and has a stylish non-slip, bright surface for improved traction to help keep you balanced and safe when standing up. The roller itself is heavy-duty to provide stability and has anti-grip strips, low height and long width for the safety of use and is ideal for outdoor or indoor activities.
Pros
- This board takes up minimal space and can be used anywhere throughout the home
Cons
- Practice makes perfect when it comes to perfecting these balance boards
Buying Guide: Balance Board Trainers
Not all of us are blessed with impeccable balance. If you tend to trip, fall off your feet, and hit the ground more often than others, then you aren’t just clumsy, you’re off balance. For decades now, film and media have glorified imperfections in balance maintenance by passing it off as some attractive trait reserved for the main characters. In the real world, nobody enjoys it! Fortunately, balance board trainers can improve bodily strength and promote better motion control by a large margin. These are intricately designed and enable individuals to practice core regulation both inside and outside the gym. Whether you’re an athlete eager to improve their performance or want to sign up for the local circus as a performer, get your hands on a balance board today!
Why Should Balance Board Trainers Get More Attention
Improve core strength
Do you often break out in a sweat after a few crunches or even five seconds of a basic plank? If you said yes, then it’s no secret you have weak core strength. Managing bodily weight across the abdomen isn’t a fight easily won, especially not when you’re out of practice. While equipment-free exercises such as pull-ups can definitely improve core strength, nothing beats the benefits you get from a balance board trainer. Due to its special ergonomics, you can do countless exercises with additional support that not only reduce the burden on your body but allow you to go at it longer. So, give it a try and see for yourself.
Improves posture
Are you guilty of being a sloucher? It hurts to sit upright for too long so you just end up giving in to the easier alternative. Not many people realize that posture problems are often tied to issues of imbalance. Also, if you let it be, even your standing position can become affected. Drooping shoulders aren’t just unattractive but they also cause severe back problems down the line. Therefore, do yourself a favor and invest in a balance board trainer. This targets different body parts to build resilience so you’re less compelled to slouch!
Prevention of injury
Whether you’re an athlete, fitness enthusiast, or couch potato, you can’t evade possible injuries for the rest of your life. Come that unfortunate slip on the road or a rough twist, you’ll find yourself moaning in pain. However, some injuries can be avoided when you amp up your body the right way. Think about it, if your body’s response to a jerk is to retract rather than to succumb, slight injuries won’t take effect to an extent that’s too painful. With a balance board, you can train yourself to be more flexible and thus, resistant to small injuries. That said, this doesn’t mean you’ll become invincible so don’t go attempting Marvel-level acrobats at home!
Rehabilitation support
Post-injury rehab brings you back to normal faster than lounging on the bed until the body works its magic. If you’ve been in an accident and currently undergoing physiotherapy, incorporating balance board trainers in your regime can be a great idea. Top athletes use these to regain core strength and hasten their journey to recovery. Since this piece of equipment focuses on improving balance, it reduces the strain on your muscles while bolstering them altogether.
Stay fit
Who said a balance board trainer can’t be used at the gym? If anything, this type of equipment is a crowd favorite for many individuals who want to lose weight. You can get into the famous plank position or try reverse crunches with balance boards. They are incredibly effective as well as an excellent support for calorie burning.
Are Starter Balance Board Trainers Easier on the Muscles?
As a newbie getting into the world of balance training, you might not have the easiest time with traditional boards. These are usually more elevated and exert greater pressure on the back. A starter pack, on the other hand, doesn’t have as much height. Needless to say, there are various types within this category. You can either get a board with a rolling pin balanced underneath or a semi-dome-shaped contraption with a flat surface on top.
What to Look For When Buying a Balance Board Trainer for Yourself
Price
Essentially, balance board trainers are a much more sophisticated skateboard with a very unconventional wheel rather than four on each side. It’s just a few feet of wood that shouldn’t compromise your savings. Verily, there’s no point in spending hundreds of dollars on a product that offers decent functionality within a reasonable price range.
Material
Most balance board trainers are made of wood. Only a few varieties lean toward combination plastics but those aren’t worth it! The true difference lies within quality, as the wood used should be hard and durable. Thus, the best way to figure that out is by checking product reviews online.
Dimensions
Buy a balance board too big and it won’t be able to balance itself. Imagine investing in a contraption that can’t do what it claims to. While the product doesn’t strictly have to be the same size, look for something that complements your height. Sizes small to large are available on the market alongside guidelines for height matching.
Are Larger Balance Board Trainers Harder to Use?
Yes and no! If you’re tall and heavy, a large balance board trainer can be the perfect fit. However, smaller versions are more adjustable for petite builds. Why? Because, it’s all about giving your body what it needs. If you’re unsure which balance board is the best for you, talk to the seller or view product details to find your size.
