Buyer’s Guide – Which balance board is best for me?

Selection is not about intended use, it is all about the level of challenge that you want.

‘what’s the best balance board for surfing?’ or ‘I’m a skier, what should I get?’ or ‘I get back ache, what would be best for me?’ are common questions I get asked every day.

Spoiler alert!  It does not actually matter what you want your balance board for.  This idea of one balance board for surfers, another for snowboarders, and yet another for fitness is a great marketing misconception and is utter rubbish.

We all use the same muscles, core strength, joint stabilisers, sense of balance, proprioception and agility whether we’re a skater, surfer, footballer, in rehab, or a silver surfer.  Where we differ is in our strengths and abilities.  So what matters is your ability now, and how much you want to progress or challenge yourself.

You have already found the best balance boards as you are reading this, so the questions is how you want it, with a Ball, a Disc, or both?  And on which of our beautifully crafted Boards you wish to balance?

Entry Level:

If you want to work your balance very safely and without too much challenge go for a Board on Disc with the 40cm Disc, and if you want safety with more challenge go for the 30cm Disc, or go for both 30 and 40cm Discs.  It’s an advanced wobble board, minus the chore, with added joy.

Stepping Up – Dynamic 3d Balancing:  

If you want to challenge yourself, go for Board on Ball, it’s the balance game changer and your efforts will be repaid many times over.

Zero to Hero:

Go for both with the zero to hero 2in1 Ball and Disc combo so you can start gently on the Disc and work up to the Ball.

Is the Ball difficult? 

It is a brief shock to begin with, but with a little instruction and the right support we have had 80 year old grandmothers up and away in just 10 minutes.  Just don’t expect to be a hero straight away, most of us need time to learn, so keep your support close while you do…  and please read the extra instructions in the How-To section if you feel you want some extra instruction.

Which Board?  There is more detail available below and on the product pages, but very simply, Go Large if you are above average size / are adventurous / do boardsports, Go Medium if you are below average size & prefer to err on the side of safety.  Go PortoLT for travel / closest to shortboard surfing.  Go BareBones if you wish to save money and do without some of the niceties.   Most people can manage with any board, the choices are here to make it even better for you and how you want to use it.

Importantly – You can choose to use your balance board in a way that makes your training specific to your sport / fitness / rehab goals.  Some sports require great control with your weight over the ball of your foot, or get you to balance in a specific position, or while holding a racket, ball, stick or paddle.  You can deliberately practice like this, even more so on a CoolBoard because it gives you more options.

Equally pick different exercises to do with your balance board.  Balance board exercises are amazingly and surprisingly effective, on Disc and even more so on Ball – our Push-Ups leave marines in shock and awe!!  So compliment your balancing and throw in some Sliding Planks, a few Pro Dips, and feel so many more muscles twitching away, more joys of 3d!

Below are the most commonly asked questions, click the + to see the answers.

If you’d rather a personal recommendation do get in touch – 077816665069  – [email protected].