Fitness Gear Fitness Accessories The Best Balance Boards to Boost Stability, Flexibility, and Activate Your Core The URBNFit Wooden Balance Board Trainer is a top choice for balance exercises By Lindsey Lanquist Lindsey Lanquist LinkedIn Lindsey Lanquist is a writer and editor specializing in fashion, lifestyle, and health content. Her work has appeared in SELF, StyleCaster, SheKnows, MyDomaine, and more. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 05, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Erin Pereira, PT, DPT Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, PT, DPT LinkedIn Erin Pereira, PT, DPT, is a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr LinkedIn Twitter Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist who has covered technology, finance, sports, and lifestyle. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Verywell / Sabrina Jiang Balance boards are a type of exercise equipment designed to improve balance and stability. A balance board is typically a flat, rectangular surface with a curved bottom that's engineered with the right amount of balance or weight to work in tandem with your body's natural movements. According to Leada Malek, PT, a board-certified sports specialist and physical therapist, balance boards can have a positive impact on "balance, coordination, motor skills, and lower extremity muscle strength." And since you can place your hands or feet on them, balance boards can be a great way to make your workout routine more dynamic. Some of the key features to look for when shopping for a balance board are the material, whether it's made of wood or plastic, and the style of roller. When reviewing balance boards we made selections based on these features as well as durability and range of motion. We also had a physical therapist from our Review Board review this article for accuracy and how to safely integrate these devices into your routine. Based on our research, these are the best balance boards to add to your routine. Our Top Picks Best Overall: URBNFit Wooden Balance Board Trainer at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Yes4All Balance Board at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Beginners: StrongTek Professional Wooden Balance Board at Amazon Jump to Review Best Advanced: EveryMile Wobble Balance Board at Amazon Jump to Review Best Adjustable: Yes4All Balance Board Trainer at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Skateboarding: Revolution Balance 101 Balance Board Trainer at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Surfing: Revolution Swell 2.0 at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Core Strength: Revolution FIT 3-in-1 Balance Board at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Standing Desk: FEZIBO Standing Desk Balance Board at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Kids: Kinderfeets Kinderboard at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected What to Look For FAQs Why Trust Verywell Fit Best Overall URBNFit Wooden Balance Board Trainer 4.7 Amazon View On Amazon Pros Classic balance board design Durable wood blend Includes a workout guide Cons Tape wears down with frequent use The URBNFit Wooden Balance Board Trainer is a versatile balance board you can use for all kinds of exercises, which is why it's our top pick. It's crafted from a sturdy blend of pine and poplar wood with a top surface that’s lined with textured emery tape, for plenty of grip and stability. This textured surface makes the board great for standing, sitting, and other classic balance board exercises. Since the board ships alongside a helpful workout guide, you should have all the exercise inspiration you need to get started with your new piece of fitness equipment. Key Specs:Material: Wood | Style: Rectangular roller board | Rolling Length: 26 inches | Tilting Angle: Not listed Best Budget Yes4All Wobble Balance Board Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros 360-degree range of motion Lightweight, portable design Cons Not beginner-friendly Can be slippery on some surfaces The Yes4All Wooden Balance Board is a round balance board that will help you tackle challenging workouts without breaking the bank. We like that this budget-friendly board is crafted from durable wood with a top surface lined with textured pads that provide plenty of traction. Unlike other balance boards, which sit on top of a roller that slides from side to side, the Yes4All Wooden Balance Board boasts a fixed base. This enables the circular board to wobble like a top, giving you a fuller range of motion to explore. Key Specs:Material: Wood | Style: Round wobble board | Rolling Length: Fixed | Tilting Angle: 15 degrees Best for Beginners StrongTek Professional Wooden Balance Board Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Macy's Pros Easy-grip surface Durable, stable base Rounded edge design Cons Very limited range of motion Looking for a balance board that’s easy to use? We think the StrongTek Professional Balance Board is a solid option. This balance board boasts a more limited range of motion than most, which makes it a great option for beginners. Instead of rolling from side to side, the board simply rocks back and forth—giving you greater control over your workouts. Despite its beginner-friendliness, this board promises to be as durable as any other. It’s crafted from strong plywood, and finished with a textured, slip-resistant surface you can rely on as you get acclimated to your board, perfect if you plan on using it while you work, perhaps alongside an under-desk bike. Key Specs:Material: Wood | Style: Rectangular rocker board | Rolling Length: Fixed | Tilting Angle: 20 degrees Best Advanced EveryMile Wobble Balance Board Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Non-slip abrasion-resistant platform Side handles for portability and pushups Compact and lightweight Cons Smaller than most boards The EveryMile Wobble Balance Board is a versatile wobble board that will help you level up many of your favorite exercises. This wobble board is round and boasts a fixed base, so you can easily rock it in any direction. And no matter which direction you choose, you’ll have a full 15 degrees of tilt to play with. The balance board is crafted from durable plastic, and its surface is textured to give you plenty of grip. We love that you can place your hand on the board during push-ups, sit on it during crunches, or stand on it during squats. With a wobble board this versatile, options abound. Key Specs:Material: Plastic | Style: Round wobble board | Rolling Length: Fixed | Tilting Angle: 15 degrees Best Adjustable Yes4All Balance Board Trainer with Adjustable Stoppers Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Sears.com Pros Adjustable for different skill levels Anti-skid peva grip doesn't scratch floors Can be used without shoes Cons Not beginner-friendly Set up required The Yes4All Balance Board Trainer is a classic balance board you can adjust, based on the kinds of exercises you’re trying to do. The balance board comes with two stoppers you can use to adjust the distance that the roller underneath your board can travel. Set the stoppers to a beginner-friendly width of 11 inches or a more intermediate width of 16 inches. Or remove them entirely for a truly challenging experience. We like that the adjustability makes it easy to scale up the intensity of your workouts as you build confidence and gain experience, allowing you to keep the same balance board for years to come. Key Specs:Material: Wood | Style: Rectangular roller board | Rolling Length: Adjustable (11, 16, or 22 inches) | Tilting Angle: Not listed Best for Skateboarding Revolution Balance 101 Balance Board Trainer Amazon View On Amazon View On Revbalance.com Pros Non-slip, cushioned surface Magnetic adjustable stop system Includes digital workout guide Cons Not beginner-friendly Expensive The Revolution 101 Balance Board Trainer looks and feels a lot like a skateboard. But its versatile design makes it a great pick for all kinds of cross-training. The board is crafted from a composite material that is durable but lightweight. And its top surface isn’t just textured for grip—it’s genuinely cushioned. Thanks to this unique detail, we loved that this board feels comfortable enough to use without shoes. It will also give you an ideal amount of grip without roughing up your floors as much as classic grip tape is likely to do. Key Specs:Material: Composite | Style: Rectangular roller board | Rolling Length: Adjustable (specific lengths not listed) | Tilting Angle: Not listed 7 Best Rollerblades for Every Skating Level Best for Surfing Revolution Swell 2.0 Amazon View On Amazon View On Revbalance.com Pros High weight capacity Longer roller and expanded board size Can use front-to-back or side-to-side Cons Not beginner-friendly Expensive The Revolution Swell 2.0 is a balance board crafted with surfers in mind. This balance board is bigger than most. And it comes with an extra-long rocker that opens up the possibility of front-to-back rocking, as well as classic side-to-side rocking. This versatility allows you to tackle an even wider range of exercises. We recommend using it once you're done running on an elliptical machine to keep your workouts dynamic and interesting. The board is adjustable, so you can limit how far the roller moves in any direction. And if you’re looking for a serious challenge, you can even remove the roller’s stops entirely. Key Specs:Material: Composite | Style: Rectangular roller board | Rolling Length: Adjustable (specific lengths not listed) | Tilting Angle: Not listed Best for Core Strength Revolution FIT 3-in-1 Exercise Balance Board Training System Amazon View On Amazon View On Revbalance.com Pros Comes with three different base rollers Comfortable grip surface Includes digital workout guide Cons Not very portable Expensive The Revolution FIT 3-in-1 Balance Board isn’t just a balance board—it’s a balance board that comes with three different rollers you can use to tackle a range of exercises. Order the set, and you’ll get a wide, sturdy balance board. You’ll also get a classic round roller, a rocker (a roller with one flat surface), and a round wobble cushion (a small disc). We like the fact that each option lends itself to a different form of exercise. The roller offers a classic balance board experience. The rocker is great for controlled movement. The wobble cushion will give you access to a fuller range of motion. Key Specs:Material: Plastic | Style: 3-in-1 roller, rocker, and wobble board | Rolling Length: 24 inches | Tilting Angle: 45 degrees The 20 Best Budget Home Gym Equipment Buys of 2023 Best for Standing Desk FEZIBO Standing Desk Balance Board Amazon View On Amazon Pros Anti-fatigue mat with massage points Includes free resistance bands Portable, no-assembly design Cons Not as durable as others on our list The FEZIBO Standing Desk Balance Board is a balance board that will help you build strength at your desk—without totally disrupting your workday. The board is crafted from durable, floor-friendly rubber and we really like that its textured top surface promises to give your feet a subtle massage every time you stand on it, and can give flat feet the same relief that insoles for flat feet do when worn inside shoes. The board boasts a rocker-style design, meaning it will only tilt from side to side. Also, it offers a more limited tilting angle (8.5 degrees) than many other balance boards. We think these features are great for the office, especially if you have a standing desk, because they’ll keep you challenged during your workday—without demanding too much of your focus. Key Specs:Material: Plastic and Latex | Style: Rectangular rocker board | Rolling Length: Fixed | Tilting Angle: 8.5 degrees Best for Kids Kinderfeets Kinderboard Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Unique design Great for beginners and kids Can be used for multiple purposes Cons Not a classic balance board The Kinderfeets Kinderboard is a unique balance board designed with kids in mind. The board is crafted from heavy-duty beechwood and finished with a water-based lacquer. This finish makes the board suitable for indoor and outdoor use, so you can rest assured knowing it’s a durable and versatile pick. Since the board boasts a U-shaped design, it offers a more limited range of motion than some other balance boards. We think this makes it a great choice for kids, but if you ever feel tempted to try it yourself, you probably can—the board boasts a considerable weight capacity of 485 pounds. Key Specs:Material: Bamboo or beechwood | Style: U-shaped rocker board | Rolling Length: Fixed | Tilting Angle: Not listed Final Verdict The URBNFit Wooden Balance Board Trainer is our top choice for a solid, durable board with a classic shape. A textured surface makes it the ideal choice for almost any kind of balance exercise. Looking for a more advanced balance board that won't break the bank? The Yes4All Wobble Balance Board is a great pick. Since this round board is designed with a fixed base, it gives you more range to play with as you build strength. How We Selected the Best Balance Boards We selected the best balance boards after examining dozens of options from the most popular and trusted retailers. We also consulted with experts, including Leada Malek, PT, a board-certified sports specialist and physical therapist, and Helen M. Ryan, CPT, a personal trainer. Then, we considered the style of each board and which materials they were made out of. We also looked at price, the rolling length, and the tilting angle of the board. Finally, we considered how user-friendly each board was and whether or not it would be good for beginners. What to Look For in a Balance Board Material Balance boards are typically made from wood or plastic. Wood options may be more durable, while plastic options may be more comfortable to use. So, keep your priorities in mind as you shop, and opt for a balance board that suits them. Style There are three main kinds of balance boards. There are roller boards, which consist of a skateboard-style board and a separate small cylindrical roller. There are rocker boards, which consist of a skateboard-style board and a fixed rocker. A fixed rocker looks like a cylinder that’s been sliced in half. And there are wobble boards, which look like large spinning tops and sit on fixed spherical rockers. Rocker boards have the most limited range of motion because they can only rock from side to side and at a fixed angle. They’re typically great for beginners. Roller boards typically only tilt from side to side, but since their base isn’t fixed, they can be pretty unwieldy. And wobble boards can tilt in any direction, so they can also be tough to navigate for beginners. Rolling Length When dealing with a roller board, you’ll want to know how far the roller can move in either direction. Most roller boards come equipped with (removable) stoppers that keep the board from rolling off the roller entirely. And sometimes, these stoppers are adjustable. A shorter roller length means a more controlled and more beginner-friendly experience. Tilting Angle All balance boards tilt in some direction. And a board’s tilting angle can give you a sense of what you’re in for. A greater tilt angle typically means a more unwieldy board—and a more challenging experience. Frequently Asked Questions How to use a balance board If you’ve never used a balance board before, start simply—and slowly. “Begin by standing on the balance board with your feet hip-distance apart and your feet toward the edges,” says Helen M. Ryan, CPT, a California-based personal trainer. “Try to keep the edges of the board from touching the floor if possible.” Ryan also recommends softening your knees a little and picking a point in front of you to focus on.“Make sure you make it easy for yourself to achieve balance the first time,” advises Malek. “Stand next to a wall, use two hands on a rail, carefully step on with one foot and then the other as you find your balance.”Once you’re on the balance board, options abound. You can stand on the board during squats, place your hands on the board during planks, or place your feet on the board during glute bridges. “I like having patients stand with one leg and adding a dynamic challenge, like catching a ball, when the person is able,” says Malek.Ryan says that if you want to make a balance board exercise (like a squat or plank) harder, you can shift the board a little to the left or right. (Do this while at the top or bottom of your plank or squat, not while you’re in motion.)When it’s time to step off your balance board, be sure to be as careful as you were getting on your balance board. Use a nearby wall or a sturdy piece of furniture to steady yourself as you climb down. Are balance boards safe? Like any piece of fitness equipment, balance boards are typically safe when used properly. That said, some balance boards are easier to use than others. If you’re just starting out with a balance board, try a beginner-friendly option, like a rocker board. These boards offer a more limited range of motion, giving you more control over your experience. What is a balance board good for? Balance boards are, of course, good for balance. But some research has shown that they can be great for other things, too, such as coordination and ankle stability.Plus, they can make your workouts more challenging—and more engaging. “Doing a familiar exercise with a piece of equipment like a balance board can change the whole experience,” explains Ryan. Why Trust Verywell Fit As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them. 1 Source Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Fitzgerald D, Trakarnratanakul N, Smyth B, Caulfield B. Effects of a wobble board-based therapeutic exergaming system for balance training on dynamic postural stability and intrinsic motivation levels. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2010;40(1):11-19. doi:10.2519/jospt.2010.3121 See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit