Balance boards come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to find one that fits your needs.
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The small stabilizing muscles in your body play a role in pretty much every action you do. But unlike your biceps or glutes, they’re pretty tricky to max out with standard strength-training exercises. Enter: the balance board.
Balance and wobble boards can help build strength in these small muscles all over your body, improving your stability, balance and proprioception (your sense of body positioning), says Winnie Yu, DPT, CPT, a New York-based physical therapist. In the long run, that adds up to improved sports performance and a lower risk of injury.
To help you start building balance and stability, we chatted with Yu and picked out the best balance boards you can buy, as well as what to look for. We chose our top picks based on her recommendations and the following criteria:
- Price
- Material
- Size
- Versatility
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The OG balance ball is ideal for all levels of athlete and all sorts of workouts.
When you think of a balance board, the BOSU (short for BOth Sides Up) is probably what comes to mind first — and for good reason.
“I love the BOSU, because it can be used in so many ways and to train so many different muscle groups,” Yu says.” It’s definitely one of my go-to choices of equipment for my patients at any stage of rehab.”
You can use this trainer flat-side up or dome-side up for strength, stability, flexibility and agility training. And considering it weighs about 8 pounds, you can use it as a strength tool, too.
2. EVERYMILE Wobble Board
At less than 16 inches in diameter, this wobble board is space-friendly and has handles for easy carrying.
Don’t have a ton of free space for a BOSU or two-piece balance board in your home gym? This board is an ideal alternative, according to Yu. It’s a smaller and lighter version at only about 3.5 pounds, so it’s easy to carry around the house.
The textured flat top also helps you grip the surface, meaning you don’t need to worry about slipping off while you work on your balance.
Strengthen your midsection with this unique balance board that utilizes phone games to improve core strength.
Let’s face it: Planks, no matter how beneficial they are, aren’t the most exciting exercise. But this core-training board adds a little fun, according to Yu.
You can place your phone in the cell-sized hole on the board and play games while training your core. Every purchase comes with four core-strengthening games to help keep you engaged (pun intended) and track your progress.
4. ProsourceFit Core Balance Disc Trainer
This beginner-friendly disc helps develop base-level balance.
Yu recommends this balance trainer for anyone who’s trying balance board exercises for the first time. In her physical therapy practice, she uses this type of device for early stages of rehab.
It offers a flat yet unstable surface for you to build foundational stability and strength, she says. And the cushion is safe for sensitive joints like knees and ankles.
5. Revolution Balance 101 Board Trainer
Skilled athletes can use this board to hone their balance and improve reactivity.
This board is best for high-level athletes who want to challenge their core stability or reactive skills, Yu says. Less stable than other picks, this one provides a greater challenge for developing skills in sports like skateboarding or ice hockey.
Unlike standard wooden balance boards, this one has a high-grip, cushioned surface, giving your feet a little extra comfort.
6. Revbalance FIT 3-in-1 Exercise Board Training System
This balance board is great for all fitness levels because you can make it easier or harder to use.
This board includes a cushion, half-rocker base and roller, all of which add a different level of challenge to your balance exercises, according to Yu.
So, instead of buying a new board as your stability improves, you can start with the cushion, move to the half-rocker as you get more comfortable and finally progress to the roller when you’re confident in your skills.
“I like that this board gives users the option to vary their training to match their goals at different parts of rehabilitation and fitness levels,” Yu says.
7. Huku Core Fit Balance Board
Use this beautiful board to develop your balance, work on your core or practice surf skills.
The Huku board is more than just a balance board — it’s a piece of multipurpose training equipment, Yu says. Sure, you can use this board for standard balance and stability exercises. But considering it’s made with soft cork, you can also use the roller for muscle recovery. Plus, the soft material keeps your floors scratch-free.
8. URBNFit Wooden Trainer
Practice your skateboarding skills with this balance board.
Anyone looking to include a higher level of balance and coordination training in their workouts is sure to love the URBNFit, Yu says.
Thanks to its high-grip tape, this skateboard-style board provides a safe surface to practice the skills and body control needed for sports like surfing, snowboarding and (of course) skateboarding, she says.
9. Gentle Monster Wooden Wobble Balance Board
This balance board is kid-friendly and stylish enough to leave out in the playroom.
You don’t have to watch your kids run around the backyard or playground long to know they’re bound to fall down. A lot. But building balance and stability from a young age can help prevent injury. And this wooden wobble board is a great way to do so, Yu says.
“This is a fun, versatile option for postural and sensory development that I would definitely use with a pediatric patient,” she says. After all, helping your kids build good posture at a young age has benefits for years to come.
3 Factors to Consider When Buying a Balance or Wobble Board
Your current balance and stability level is the first thing to consider before you buy a board, Yu says.
For beginners looking to build foundational stability, a BOSU ball or rubber balance trainer are the safest options. They offer more stability than skateboard-style balance boards and are usually made with a softer material for extra joint protection.
Those looking to improve their balance for a sport are probably advanced enough to use a device with a rocker at the center. These are the least stable variety and require quite a bit of strength and stability to use, Yu says.
Tip
If you’re buying a wobble board as a part of an injury-rehab protocol, it’s best to ask your doctor or physical therapist to make a recommendation. That helps guarantee you stay safe and injury-free.
There are tons of different balance boards out there, all with different surfaces and materials. Although there’s no one material that’s best for everyone, Yu prefers either plastic or rubber, rather than wood, because boards made of those materials last longer and offer a little more protection for your floors.
But if the product you like happens to be made out of wood, you can put a towel or yoga mat under your board to protect scratch-prone surfaces.
The best balance boards range anywhere from $15 to $200, so your available budget plays a part in which boards fit your needs.
Tip
A lot of gyms and physical therapy offices already have balance trainers. Play with them! Once you try them out, you’ll have a better idea how much money you want to invest.
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