Anyone who wants to improve their coordination or balance will benefit from a balance board. Whether you’re an athlete wanting to fine-tune your skills, an elderly person who wants to stay nimble, or someone just looking for a way to get quicker and more responsive/agile, a balance board is the ideal piece of equipment for you. Using a balance board helps you know your body’s movement better, and helps you become more aware of the way your muscles and joints all work together.
Buying Guide
To use a balance board, you stand on it with your feet shoulder-width apart and try to balance. The concept is simple, but it’s actually not all that easy to do. At first, you’ll likely wobble a little bit but, with practice, you’ll gain more and more control and eventually see improvement. You can also try to turn to board from side to side or front to back to get a little more practice.
While this sounds like a really easy concept, there are some things to keep in mind before you buy a balance board. Before we get into our 6 top balance boards of this season, let’s take a look at what you need to know before you buy one so you can figure out what is the best kind for you.
Top Balance Board Comparison Chart
Styles
There are a few different styles of balance boards to choose from. When deciding which is best for you, think about what you’re trying to do. Are you an athlete hoping to hone some skills that you’ve already developed? Are you realizing your coordination just isn’t what it used to be and looking for something to help? Or are you just looking for something new to incorporate into your workouts? Once you know what your goal is, you can decide which of the following types will work best for you:
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Rocker
This is the most common type of balance board. It consists of a board that sits on top of a cylindrical rocker. To use it, you stand on the board with the rocker in the center and balance, trying to keep the rocker from rolling around underneath you. A tip for buying this kind of board: the longer the board, the easier it will be to balance. So, if you’re new to the concept of balance boards, try to find one that is on the long side. These boards can be tricky to use sometimes because it’s possible that the rocker cylinder can slip out from underneath you. Use caution when using one of these types.
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Rocker with Rails
This is a kind of modified version of a rocker board. Instead of the board just sitting on top of a rocker, a rocker with rails has a track on the bottom of the board and a rocker with a channel that fits into the track. It’s the same concept as a rocker, but a little more stable and secure. It’s also a little safer because it’s harder for the rocker to get out from under you, but this one is also a little more difficult to balance on. These are primarily used by athletes as they can be designed to replicate the motions used in various sports. They’re popular among surfers, gymnasts, and snowboarders.
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Wobble Boards
Instead of a cylinder-shaped roller, 360 Rockers have what looks like half of a ball attached to the bottom of them. You can balance a little but this type is mainly meant for spinning and turning. These are relatively safe and probably the easiest to learn of the four types of balance boards which is probably why it’s often used for physical rehab and injury recovery.
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Parallel Rockers
Where rockers and rockers with rails have the roller positioned so that it sits across the width of the board, parallel rockers have the roller going down the center of the board lengthwise. This is not a very common type of balance board, but it’s a great way to improve skateboarding or surfing skills.
There are a few balance board sets out there that let you use one board in multiple ways by changing the roller or adding an inflatable base so the board can wobble. If you’re unsure about what kind of balancing board to get, you might consider one that will let you experience more than one kind.
Safety
Before you buy a balance board, you need to really consider the safety aspects of using one. Balance boards can, in fact, be very dangerous. It’s not hard to see how easy it would be to fall off of one and get seriously injured. Depending on the kind of surface you’re using your balance board on and what objects are surrounding you, you could easily break an arm or hurt your head or spine.
It is possible to make balance boarding just a little bit safer.
First, start with the wobble board. They’re typically easier to balance on and it will allow you to get the feel for it. Use the same safety equipment you would for biking – a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads.
When you’re just starting out, stand near a wall or a tall, solid piece of furniture so you can hold onto something while you work on balance. As you get better, do it by a chair, ladder, or anything else at a comfortable height for you to grab onto if you feel yourself start to fall. These precautions won’t necessarily stop you from falling, but if you have something there to grab onto, it lowers the chances.
If you get a balance board with a roller that doesn’t have stoppers or a track on the board, the rollers can roll out suddenly at a pretty high speed. They have the ability to cause some severe damage. It’s worth considering looking into a more stable kind of balance board if you’re a beginner.
Tips
Use your balance board on a carpeted surface or invest in a mat. There are a few reasons for this. First, concrete, asphalt, or other hard surfaces will damage your balance board more than something softer will. Also, it will help to dampen the sound that balance boards can make when you lose your balance.
If you’re looking for a board that will grow with you, look into buying a set that lets you adapt the board from roller to wobble to parallel. This will give you a lot more options once you do get comfortable and are ready to tackle something a little more challenging.
Best Balance Board Reviews
Okay, here’s a gem! Our #1 choice is a recent startup company’s product that was made to offer much more than any other balance board style on the market, for no extra cost! It’s a one-man operation (and his wife of course) right here in America. The Whirly Board was born out of one man’s desire to have more fun and versatility in a balance board. He basically cut out a piece of wood like a big skateboard, the attached half a bowling ball in the center. Then, he hacked a pool ball in half and attached each half on either end fo the board so the bottom had 3 half domes in total (the big one in the middle). It offers much more than any standard balance board, and it’s made in a garage right here in the USA – Wisconsin to be precise! It’s a dude with a young family. You can check out his story in this video;
Whirly board came to life in July of 2014 as a new and fun way to improve balance, agility, and spatial awareness. The spinning of the Whirly Board provides endless possibilities for tricks and progression. Another part of the inspiration for the Whirly Board has been to help people steer clear of repetitive and predictable gym exercises which not everyone likes. The Whirly Board will develop a wider variety of muscles better than most exercises and also better than other balance boards which are either too small, or only work on one axis.
There are LOTS of details on Amazon and don’t forget, Whirly Board offers a LIFETIME guarantee is offered. Crazy!
AND, be sure to check out all the videos on Amazon – I think you’ll like this board!
Pros:
- Solid construction
- No tracks or grooves so the user has superior control
- Works a greater range of muscles better than other boards
- Made in the USA by a young dude in his garage while supporting a wife and kid!
Cons:
- Can scratch hard flooring
- Risk of injury, especially for those just starting out
- No instructions
The Give A Damn Initiative Wooden Balance Board is a wobble style board that is good not only for helping with balance and coordination but also great for anyone who needs rehab or to recover from an injury. A lot of people who reviewed this used it because they needed it for some kind of health reason, whether it was for physical therapy or some other ailment like plantar fasciitis.
The board is made out of lightweight birch and measure 14-inches across and weighs in around 3 pounds. It’s really meant to be portable and carried in a tote bag. There are foot grips on the top to help you get traction and keep your footing when balancing. It’s designed for both kids and adults with a weight limit of 330 pounds. While some balance boards wouldn’t be appropriate for younger children, this wobble board would probably be great for school-aged kids so long as the proper safety equipment was used and they have supervision.
With this balance board, you’re also given access to online resources and instructions that will teach you how to incorporate the balance ball into your regular routine or learn some new exercises. One thing that users did complain about was that there were minimal if any directions that came included with it.
It also features a 30-day money back guarantee and a 1-year free replacement warranty.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Portable
- Access to online exercise resources
Cons:
- Lack of directions included in the packaging
Indo Board is a big brand when it comes to balance boards. Their board designs go back to the 1960s. This is one of the originals and it’s great not only for someone experienced but also for beginners. And, as a bonus, it comes is a variety of bright patterns and colors to make it truly unique. In addition to being functional, Indo Boards are just generally beautiful to look at.
The wooden deck is long with a slightly textured grain which makes it a little easier to balance on and keep your footing. The bottom has wooden stoppers to catch the roller. It won’t get away from you but pay attention to the room you have and prepared for the roller to stop suddenly.
The Indo Board Balance Board also comes with an inflatable cushion you can place the roller in so you have a little more control over how much it moves. If you inflate the cushion a lot, the roller won’t move very much. Basically, the more it’s inflated, the more stable the roller is and the more control you have over the roller. This is a great way to get a feel for the board if you’re just beginning.
Pros:
- One of the original balance boards
- Comes with inflatable cushion to control roller movement
- Good for all skill levels
- Comes in a variety of patterns and colors
Cons:
- Expensive
The Goof Board Classic is unique in that it’s a parallel rocker, making it a great balance board for someone who is into surfing or paddleboarding to use to hone their skills. The Goof Board brand actually claims credit for inventing this type of balancing board, which is why it’s the best of this kind out there. And it’s really long at 44 inches, which makes it the longest balance board you can get
The board itself is designed as a little surfboard while the roller is a cardboard-like material, reinforced with steel. This is a balance board that can get away from you if you do it in the wrong conditions, so avoid hard floors and make sure there’s something you can grab onto if you feel yourself begin to fall.
This board feels a lot like surfing. You use similar muscles and it can keep you in shape when you aren’t able to surf.
Pros:
- Parallel rocker, great for surfers
- Very long
- Roller can get away from you if you’re not careful
Cons:
- Expensive
This URBNFit Wood Balance board trainer system is a high-quality board that gives you the quality of a pricier board at a way more palatable price! Amazon knows that and that’s why they’ve officially made it their balance board of choice.
The URBNFit Trainer is made of a heavy-duty multi-layered Poplar and Pine wood. It has a good grip on the top of the board so you can use it with or without shoes. The weight limit on this beast is impressive at around 2 times more than some competitors. You can stick 800 pounds on this board no problem, though I’m not sure you’ll be able to do that unless you wear a very heavy vest while training!!! The roller itself is a very strong PVC material which comes with a fabric coating to protect floors!
This roller board doesn’t have a track or any grooves, so you have all the control when using it. There are roller grips and stops on the underside to help you get the board to do what you want it to do. This is a great board for surfers, skateboarders, or snowboarders to try, although anyone looking for a challenge will find it quite useful.
This roller should be used on a carpet or a pad. Don’t use on hardwood floors or any other smooth, hard surface unless you use the fabric coated roller.
Also note that the system comes with a digital and paper workout guide! Very cool.
Pros:
- Versatile
- Digital workout guide available
- Fits a wide range of skill levels
- Good grippy surface so can be used without shoes
- Includes fabric-covered roller
Cons:
- Be careful when determining what surfaces on which to use the board – can be slippery and tricky to maintain balance on slick surfaces
It’s smaller, lighter and lower to the ground! That’s what makes this package for kids and not adults. However, I’m guessing this works for everyone – especially if you’re a beginner. This model is really just a smaller version of the Indo Board Standard Original model. The Mini Original Kit features a 28″ X 15″ Cabinet-Grade Birch wood deck with a non-slip surface, a really tough 5-inch diameter plastic roller, a 14-inch Inflatable, totally adjustable INDOFLO cushion, a two-sided exercise poster and an instructional DVD with over two hours of helpful content.
We like the IndoFlo Cushion as it adds a unique dimension to the board. It’s an inflatable, round, black, tough cushion that inflates to various capacities to offer more or fewer challenges when you place your board on it. It’s really a graded system that works with you as you develop.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering why kids need a balance board, let me enlighten you! They’ll get a WAY better grounding and start to their development for sports like all board sports (ie. surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, etc.), ice skating, martial arts, gymnastics, dancing and a whole lot more!
Pros:
- Two boards in one
- Can use as a standard rocker or with the IndoFlo cushion
- Great for surfers and snowboarders
Cons:
- Expensive (ish)
Wrap-Up
And that sums up our list of the six top balance boards for this year. There really are a lot of options and each of our picks differs from the others. Every one of our choices has something to offer you, so take some time and figure out which of these is perfect for you.
For someone who’s use a balance board before and feels comfortable without grooves or tracks, try the Revolution 101 Balance Trainer. This one comes highly rated and is a good choice if you want to be in total control of the board. Just be aware of how quickly a roller can get away from you.
If you’re in the market for a wobble style board, look into the ProFitness Wooden Balance Board. Because wobbles are the easiest style boards to use, this one is recommended for new users and anyone who needs a balance board to use for therapy or recovering from an accident or injury.
For a classic option from a trusted brand, they the Indo Board Balance Board Original. It has a long wooden deck and wooden stoppers to catch the roller if it tried to get away. It also has an inflatable cushion to help slow down the movement of the board for beginners. Simply inflate the cushion, put the roller in and the board on, and you’ll find you have a little more stability.
The Goof Board classic is a parallel balance board made by the brand that claims to have begun the parallel board trend. The 44 inch board is a great one for surfers to use as it mimics the same motion and balance.
If you’re really serious about getting into using balance boards, perhaps you’ll want to invest in the Revolution Fit 3-in-1 Balance Board Training System. This allows you to alter the board to three different types: basic rocker, wobble, and roller. This one board alone will allow you to work through various levels of difficulty.
The Rolo Balance Board Original Training Package is a two in one, allowing you to use it as a roller and a parallel board. This is another one that is great for surfers, but it will work just as well for anyone who just wants to work on agility and strengthen their core.
As you can see, each of these boards is unique. We recommend choosing the one that best lines up with your needs. If you’re a beginner, make sure you follow our tips from the above buying guide to make sure you’re being as safe as you can. It might be best to start with a wobble board or a rocker with rails. They don’t require as much skill to control and will help you get accustomed to balancing.
For anyone who’s a little more advanced, there are a lot of highly rated options here to choose from. A balance board is an ideal way to keep your body trained and in shape for a lot of other sports. Figure out which one will work best for you and make the most of your workouts.