Be in good physical condition and improve your stability and balance. Those are two basic recommendations for every skier and snowboarder. All year long, on-season and off-season, you should work on both mentioned skills. There are plenty of practice strategies and tools to reach the aim to be prepared for skiing and snowboarding when winter comes. One of them is the Balance Board. It has several advantages and many possible ways to use it. Let’s read our guide to the best balance boards for everyone.
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The Best Balance Boards – Our choice
| Yes4All Wobble Balance Board | StrongTek Rocker Balance Board | URBNFit Wooden Roller Balance Board | WODFitters Vew-Do Zippy Balance Board |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
| Wobble Balance Board 8 color variations 15.9 in (40 cm) diameter | Rocker Balance Board Made of wood Size: 17.5” x 13.5” x 3” Strong and stable | Roller Balance Board Board Made from pine and poplar wood Cylinder made from PVC with stoppers on the bottom edges | Roller with Rail Balance Board Board Made from 9-ply North American maple Hardwood base rock Rail system to keep the deck on the base rock includes a foam teeter |
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Content:
what is the balance board
history
balance board advantages
types of balance boards
– rocker
– wobble
– roller
– roller with rail, sphere-and-ring
how to choose the right balance board
exercise videos
What is the Balance Board
The balance board is a tool for sports practice, and it is also used for many non-sports purposes.
The user stands on the balance board with feet on opposite sides of the board. The user aims to stay balanced enough not to fall off the board and keep the balance board edges from touching the ground.
The first and primary purpose is to develop your core strength, balance, and coordination skills. It is a good practice mainly for surfers, snowboarders, and skiers. However, it is also used for training by many other athletes and also for rehabilitation after injuries for non-athletes.
Moreover, the balance board usage expands beyond sport. It can be used for training in communication of your left and right hemispheres, and developing cognitive skills for people with disorders. Dancers and yoga practitioners commonly use the balance board.
History
Everybody saw it in a circus; in their slang, it is called rola bola. Rola Bola is part of a circus performance when the performer balances during some dramatic act.
The balance board was officially born in 1953 when Stanley Washburn Jr. filed a patent for a recreational balance board. Currently, there are many different types and sub-types of balance boards available.
Advantages of Balance Boards
Flexibility
The most significant advantage of balance boards is their flexibility. They can be used in many different ways. They are suitable not just for athletes but also for non-athletes, people with varying coordination problems, or people in need of rehabilitation after injury.
Price
Balance boards are not expensive. The cheapest boards can be bought for little more than $20. Even the most costly design-specific balance boards are just slightly over $100.
Size
All types of balance boards (except long surf training boards) are small and easy to transport and store. Wobble boards are usually up to 40 cm wide. Roller boards are up to 85 cm long and 30 – 35 cm wide.
Place to use
You can use your balance board everywhere. At home in your room, on the balcony or terrace. You can take your balance board into nature for practice in the fresh air.
Types of Balance Boards and their usage
Rocker Balance Boards
The rocker balance board is a primary type allowing just one basic movement. The board is attached to the fixed cylinder. It is used mainly for rehabilitation and recreational usage for people of all ages. The board is usually just a few inches above the ground, and the risk of falling off is reduced.
Risk of injury: Very small
Made of: Plastic (or wood)
Suitable for: Kids and older adults, for rehabilitation purposes
| StrongTek Rocker Balance Board | Fitterfirst Professional Rocker Board | Trademark Innovations Balance Board |
|---|---|---|
|  |  |
| Rocker Balance Board Made of wood Size: 17.5” x 13.5” x 3” Strong and stable | Rocker Balance Board Made of plywood 20 inches wide | Rocker Balance Board Size: 15"L x 14"W x 4"H up to 200 lbs user weight |
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Wobble Balance Boards
Wobble balance boards are boards where half of the ball is stuck on the flat board’s bottom. They are more challenging to use compared to rocker balance boards. Wobble boards can move in all directions (360 degrees). That requires better coordination of the body and feet.
Wobble boards can be used like usual boards with users standing on them or for push-ups or sit-ups.
Risk of injury: Small
Made of: Plastic (or wood)
Suitable for: Beginners, balance training, fitness training, yoga, rehabilitation
| Yes4All Wobble Balance Board | EveryMile Wobble Balance Board | bintiva Inflated Stability Wobble |
|---|---|---|
  |   |   |
| Wobble Balance Board 8 color variations 15.9 in (40 cm) diameter | Wobble Balance Board 4 color variations 15.7 in diameter two handles | Inflatable Wobble Balance Board 9 color variations 33 in (33 cm) diameter free pump included |
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Roller Balance Boards
Roller Balance Boards are the traditional balance boards. They are made of flat (or slightly curved) board and separate cylinders (tubes). Users should stay in balance on the board that is placed on the tube. Roller balance boards require much better coordination of the body and the ability to balance.
Some roller balance boards are made with stoppers on the bottom edges of the board. They prevent the cylinder from shooting out from under. It also limits advanced users in performing unusual tricks.
Risk of injury: Medium to High
Made of: Wood
Suitable for: Intermediate and advanced users, skateboarders, skiers, snowboarders, surfers
| URBNFit Wooden Roller Balance Board |
|---|
|
| Roller Balance Board Board Made from pine and poplar wood Cylinder made from PVC with stoppers on the bottom edges |
| CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
Roller with Rail & Sphere and Ring Balance Boards
Roller with Rail and Sphere and Ring Balance Boards have guard rails attached to the board’s underside. The board is then placed on the rubber ball or cylinder. The user on the board can move in various directions. The different sizes and shapes of the roller and the size of the board behave differently.
This type of balance board requires perfect physical conditions and excellent body and foot coordination. It allows advanced snowboarders, surfers, and skateboarders to practice different tricks.
The rail ensures that the ball will not shoot out from under and reduces the risk a bit. However, this balance board is associated with the highest risk for the user.
Risk of injury: High
Made of: Wood
Suitable for: Advanced users, skateboarders, skiers, snowboarders, surfers
| WODFitters Vew-Do Zippy Balance Board |
|---|
|
| Roller with Rail Balance Board Board Made from 9-ply North American maple Hardwood base rock Rail system to keep the deck on the base rock includes a foam teeter |
| CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
How to choose the right Balance Board
First of all, you need to pick a type of balance board that suits your needs.
Then you need to choose if your board should be plastic or wooden. Plastic balance boards are generally cheaper and also lightweight compared to wooden ones. Wooden balance boards are heavier and a bit more expensive, but they will last longer.
Plastic balance boards also tend to have a user weight limit. If you are a robust person, you should consider buying a wooden board. In case you are wearing more oversized shoes, you should consider purchasing an extra wide board.
| Yes4All Wobble Balance Board | StrongTek Rocker Balance Board | URBNFit Wooden Roller Balance Board | WODFitters Vew-Do Zippy Balance Board |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | |
| Wobble Balance Board 8 color variations 15.9 in (40 cm) diameter | Rocker Balance Board Made of wood Size: 17.5” x 13.5” x 3” Strong and stable | Roller Balance Board Board Made from pine and poplar wood Cylinder made from PVC with stoppers on the bottom edges | Roller with Rail Balance Board Board Made from 9-ply North American maple Hardwood base rock Rail system to keep the deck on the base rock includes a foam teeter |
| CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON | CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON |
Exercise Videos
“Practice makes perfect!”
There are many different exercises you can do and try with your balance board. You can spend hours and days on youtube looking for inspiration.
Basic Wobble Balance Board Exercise
Roller and Rail Balance Board Exercise for surfers and snowboarders
Go to the best balance boards choice
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