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.
Reviewed & Approved
The URBNFit Wooden Balance Board Trainer is our best overall choice for its textured surface and classic style that provides challenging workouts. The Yes4All Wobble Balance Board is circular for full range of motion and a good budget option.
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.
Based on our research, these are the best balance boards to add to your routine.
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.
Best Overall
URBNFit Wooden Balance Board Trainer
Classic balance board design
Durable wood blend
Includes a workout guide
Tape wears down with frequent use
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
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.
Best Budget
Yes4All Wobble Balance Board
360-degree range of motion
Lightweight, portable design
Not beginner-friendly
Can be slippery on some surfaces
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
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.
Best for Beginners
StrongTek Professional Wooden Balance Board
Easy-grip surface
Durable, stable base
Rounded edge design
Very limited range of motion
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.
Key Specs:Material: Wood | Style: Rectangular rocker board | Rolling Length: Fixed | Tilting Angle: 20 degrees
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.
Best Advanced
EveryMile Wobble Balance Board
Non-slip abrasion-resistant platform
Side handles for portability and pushups
Compact and lightweight
Smaller than most boards
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
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.
Best Adjustable
Yes4All Balance Board Trainer with Adjustable Stoppers
Adjustable for different skill levels
Anti-skid peva grip doesn’t scratch floors
Can be used without shoes
Not beginner-friendly
Set up required
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
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.
Best for Skateboarding
Revolution Balance 101 Balance Board Trainer
Non-slip, cushioned surface
Magnetic adjustable stop system
Includes digital workout guide
Not beginner-friendly
Expensive
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
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, keeping your workouts dynamic and interesting.
Best for Surfing
Revolution Swell 2.0
- High weight capacity
- Longer roller and expanded board size
- Can use front-to-back or side-to-side
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.
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).
Best for Core Strength
Revolution FIT 3-in-1 Exercise Balance Board Training System
Comes with three different base rollers
Comfortable grip surface
Includes digital workout guide
Not very portable
Expensive
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 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.
Best for Standing Desk
FEZIBO Standing Desk Balance Board
Anti-fatigue mat with massage points
Includes free resistance bands
Portable, no-assembly design
Not as durable as others on our list
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 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
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.
Best for Kids
Kinderfeets Kinderboard
Unique design
Great for beginners and kids
Can be used for multiple purposes
Not a classic balance board
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
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 Lena Malek, PT, a board-certified sports specialist and physical therapist, and Helen M. Ryan, CPT, a personal trainer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
