Best Balance Boards
Balance boards are very good at helping improve your overall levels of fitness, even if you suffer from postural problems or are prone to injury. They’re also an easy bit of kit to own, taking up minimal space.
But the tricky bit (besides mastering your balance on them) is finding the right one to buy. You’ve got different types with different methods, and of course different qualities and prices.
We explain what to look for when shopping for a balance board, and point out the ones we found to be the best.
Balance Board Types
Before we start looking at different products, it’s a good idea to be familiar with the different types of board. Generally there are four different types, each of which will offer different benefits and require varying levels of effort.
You’ve got the wobble balance board, rocket, rocker-roller, and the sphere and ring. Don’t panic, because I’ll quickly explain each of them:
Wobble
Wobble boards are pretty much the most common. They have a much shallower learning curve, and so they are well suited to beginners.
They look a little like half-UFOs, with a dome shape to the underside or topside which means it or you can move in 360 degrees of motion. If you are new to balance boards, then maybe go for a board with a larger surface area as this will be easier to use.
Rocker
Rocker boards are generally used by an older demographic or those with the greatest mobility and balance needs. These boards rock forwards and backwards and are generally bigger than other types of boards (especially the curved boards).
Rocker-Roller
Rocker-Roller boards offer a much tougher test of balance as there is no fixed point for the board to pivot on. Instead, the board (which is often shaped similar to a skateboard) rests on a cylindrical base which moves along with the board, which moves sideways along the cylinder.
Sphere & Ring
These types of boards are generally considered the hardest to master. They feature a larger inflatable ball with a ring that sits around the outside.
The smaller the ring the harder the board will be to use so be sure to check the dimensions of the board before purchasing. This board offers a full range of motion and will not be a first board purchase for most people.
Top 8 Balance Boards
Here we’ve got a mix of different types of boards that have all scored highly and, depending on your own personal goals and abilities, could be the perfect option for you.
CoolBoard Balance Trainer
CoolBoard pitch themselves as the world’s number 1 balance board and to be fair, they live up to their claim.
CoolBoard have two boards: the main CoolBoard and their Porto LongTail. Both are great options, but our pick is their standard CoolBoard offering.
There are a few reasons that CoolBoard stand out from the competition and it starts with the customisability of their boards.
There are medium and large boards which both have their different uses, and you can then further customise your order by choosing the type of grip.
We tested both the ComfortTop neoprene grip and the thinner and harder DuraGrip – both were excellent, but for the all-rounder or beginner the ComfortTop is probably best. More advanced boarders might prefer the harder DuraGrip though.
To further customise your order you have three options of ball to choose from – each determining the speed, with quick, standard and slow being the three options available. You can also choose between two ball sizes, with the larger one providing a little more challenge.
Not only does this level of choice allow you to get exactly what you want, but the overall quality of these boards is exceptional. When it comes to balance boards with 360 degree movement, there is nothing better than CoolBoard. Just check out the video of it in action here to see what we mean.
CoolBoard may not be the cheapest option (it’s not the most expensive either), but you get real value for money with this and one of the best forms of core strength exercise you can get – they also stand by their name with incredibly cool looks!
Revolution Balance Board 101
If you are looking for a balance roller board then it’s hard to look past the Revolution 101 board. This board is one of the best-rated in terms of user reviews and it is easy to see why.
The 11-ply hardwood constructed board is used in conjunction with the included roller that features a soft gripped outer. The quality of materials used for this mid-priced board are impressive to say the least.
It can be used on pretty much any surface (including hardwood, laminate and carpeted areas), and you can hop on with or without shoes thanks to the grip afforded.
Revolution also provide you with access to digital workouts so you can work on building up your core strength and balance in no time at all. This is a particularly good board for anyone who is looking to develop strength and balance for surfing, snowboarding or paddle boarding, and can be used by children and adults alike.
The board measures up at 75cm in length and has a width of 28cm. Maximum user weight is 181.44 kg, and the company describe this unit as bomb-proof. It can even be used with extra free weights for more challenging exercises!
All in all, this board balances usability, build quality, and cost perfectly and is one of our favourite boards of all those we tested.
Bosu Balance Trainer
The Bosu Balance Trainer is one of the tried and tested balance boards that has stood the test of time. It may not be the cheapest balance board on our list but it is one that will appeal to people of all skill and experience levels and one that will most likely never need replacing.
Although not strictly speaking a wobble board, the Bosu might be described as a hybrid of a wobble and sphere & ring board.
The Bosu is so highly respected it is often found in gyms across the UK and this is testament to its hardwearing nature.
The large dome to the underside means that the Bosu is suitable for beginners and more experienced users alike, and it even has downloadable workouts as well as a wall chart with more than enough exercises to help you light up your core and start improving your stability and strength.
The Bosu Balance Trainer has a diameter of 65cm and can be used both ways up – although most exercises will see you standing on the dome rather than the flat surface.
There is a maximum user weight of 136kg and the ridges on the inflatable ball really aid with keeping you stable. The Bosu is suitable for anyone looking to improve their balance, flexibility, strength, develop their core or improve their fine motor skills.
The Bosu is the safest purchase if you really are unsure of the best balance board for you – in our opinion, it’s the top all-rounder.
Romix Balance Board
The Romix board is a traditional wobble board made out of wood and comes at a very reasonable price when compared to some of the more expensive options on our list.
The Romix board is primarily aimed at beginner and intermediate users, and is also a great tool to use in the early stages of rehabilitation from injury.
With a diameter of 40cm, this board is small enough to provide a challenge, but large enough to enable newcomers to get to grips with it pretty quickly.
The dome is made from plastic but stands up to its task well, withstanding up 120kg of user weight. With non-slip pads on the base of the board, the Romix can be used with or without trainers and is the perfect home fitness accessory.
If you are considering buying your first balance board and don’t want to spend a fortune, then this is an excellent option.
Indo Board
The Indo board has become one of the best selling balance boards in recent years. This is partly down to its interesting designs, but mainly down to the fact that it is extremely well designed and made from high-end materials.
As a wooden Rocker-Roller type board, the Indo is going to require a little more skill and stability than some of the other boards on our list; but if you are looking for something that is going to push you to your limits then the Indo could be a lifelong fitness partner.
Measuring up at 76cm x 45cm, the board sits atop a large roller. The main deck is made from cabinet grade Baltic Birch plywood and really does have a premium feel and look to it.
In fact, we have seen that some people even hang their Indo Boards to display on their wall at home such is the quality of design and workmanship. We’re not here for home decor, but in terms of providing an excellent workout it really is a top choice.
Like the Bosu board, the Indo comes with a number of training exercises included, and there are a number of resources on the Indo Board website and on their YouTube channel.
Although the Indo Board is a little harder to use compared to a standard wobble board, as far as rocker-roller boards go it is actually suitable for most ability levels.
The reason for this is that the board itself is quite wide at 45cm, and that allows a little more forgiveness. The large width of the board also brings in to play a greater range of exercises for you to perform that can develop your strength, flexibility and balance.
Nalanda Balance Board
The Nalanda board is a rocker-roller that features not one but two rollers. It is also one of the most versatile boards in terms of accessibility for all skill and fitness levels.
The wooden board features a curved design and has plenty of space for your feet. The board’s deck is 74cm long by 30cm wide (at its widest point), and as such it can provide a stern challenge to the most experienced users just by changing the position of the users’ feet or hands.
What makes the Nalanda board so unique though is the changeable stoppers to the underside. These removable wooden stoppers are designed to provide different levels of difficulty or to add some extra assistance for those who need it.
The stoppers are simply screwed on to the bottom of the board and there are two different placement positions for them. Once you progress, you can easily remove them altogether.
One of the rollers is larger and made of plastic, while the other is made of cork and provides a lower height – again, this is perfect for beginners.
The board is made from high quality plywood and can support up to 135kg of weight. The deck surface has a non-slip application for added traction, and has one of the best designs of all the boards we tested.
The Nalanda is a great option if you are a beginner or intermediate who expects to progress in terms of skill and fitness, and you will not need to buy a new board as your skill level increases.
Reebok Core Board
The Reebok Core Board seems to be the marmite of the balance board world. Some people love it and some people just don’t get on with it.
Reebok have designed their own system for their balance board which has two adjustable levels of stability.
It is well made and has one of the best non-slip surfaces of all the boards we tested as the surface is made from rubber.
The biggest sticking point for most people seems to be that it offers too much stability, even on the less stable setting.
The Reebok Core in some ways has more versatility than other boards, but in some ways it has less. We’d suggest that the range of exercises you can perform on this board are more varied than most – due to the fact that you have a bit more stability.
Think of almost any free weight exercise you’d perform on the floor and you can most likely apply it to the Core Board. The problem is that all these exercises are mainly going to focus on your core as well as their main focal point.
If your core is the main development target for you then great, but if you want to really develop those other connections then it might be best to look elsewhere.
Some people have claimed the benefits for rehabilitation from injury with the Reebok Core are excellent and again, this is going to be due to the extra support afforded. This board will most likely also appeal to those with mobility issues or the older generations.
The Reebok Core measures up at 72cm x 53cm x 17cm and by now you will probably have decided whether or not it is for you!
Core Balance Trainer
The Core Balance Trainer is essentially a wobble board with resistance bands built in.
This is quite a novel idea and at first we thought it might be a bit of a gimmick – the reality however is that it provides a real extension and brings resistance training in as a viable option whilst using the board.
We wouldn’t recommend using free weights when using a wobble board, but the resistance bands keep things safe while allowing you to bring in exercises such as lateral raises, bicep curls and more.
If you no longer wish to use the resistance bands then they can be removed. The Core Balance Trainer is available in three different colours and is perhaps best considered a premium budget option.
The diameter of the board is 60cm and so is suitable for beginners and intermediate users. More advance users will probably find the Core Balance Trainer too easy and should look more towards the Nalanda or Indo board.
The dome can be used either way up and adds a little more versatility to the exercises you can perform, and both sides have an anti-slip design.
If you are looking for a full body workout from your balance board then this offering from Core Balance is hard to beat.
Why Use A Balance Board?
These types of wobble boards or balance boards can help to restore our equilibrium (centre of balance). The daily activities that we undertake can have a large impact on our equilibrium over time, and this can lead to postural problems and in turn can make us more prone to injury.
Those of us who have sedentary jobs will often have more postural issues, but even those of us in quite active jobs can benefit from a balance board.
In addition to having postural repair capabilities, balance boards can help improve co-ordination and reaction speeds, help develop core muscles, and can be particularly effective at helping to prevent injury to joints such as the knees, ankles and hips. They can even help rehabilitate from injuries to these joints.
Balance boards are easy to add to your existing fitness regime. They are generally very portable and do not take up a lot of space, so most people will choose them as a home workout option.
With most balance board workouts needing no longer than 10-15 minutes, it is something you can undertake on a daily basis if you so wish as there is no way of overtraining unlike with isolation exercises.
