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Linked with balance sports such as surfing and skateboarding, balance boards are the perfect supplement to help you with your grappling base. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA have their hearts on the beach and the streets, so you will quite regularly see fighters cross training with surfing and skateboarding. These sports don’t help you improve balance, they help with twitch muscle reactions, muscle memory and build up a crazy core.
Aside from the obvious benefits, they are also super fun to break out after a training session and watch as your training partners either fall flat on the mats, or show off with some sick tricks. There are quite a few different types of balance and wobble boards available for the average fighter, some difficult, some more beginner friendly. Today we’ll break down some of the best features that make a good balance board depending on experience.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Best Balance and Wobble Board Reviews
Here are our top balance and wobble boards from beginners to advanced.
h3Yes4ALL Balance Pad/h3
- PERFECT CUSHIONING FOR YOUR COMFORT AND EFFECTIVE WORKOUT: high quality TPE foam material creates outstanding softness for a safe and productive workout. Experience for yourself the comfortableness it...
- ENHANCE BALANCE AND STRENGTH NOW:. The soft foam yoga pad helps you gain more in exercises such as strength training, yoga, pilates, ballet while reducing pain. It is also extremely useful and...
- PLENTY OF USAGES IN JUST ONE PURCHASE: this soft pad can accompany you in so many ways anytime and anywhere. It can also be used as an anti-fatigue pad for more comfort while standing, sitting,...
- DURABLE WITH MINIMAL MAINTENANCE NEEDED: textured anti-slip pad forms an excellent necessary for utilizing plentiful times. The closed-cell foam technology offers sweat-proof so the pad can be easily...
- SMALL FOR ESSENTIAL, LARGE FOR VERSATILE: balance foam pad for balance exercises currently available in 2 popular sizes for easy use. You can have size Large for handiness and convenience or size...
While this isn’t a typical wobble or balance board the Balance pad is perfect for a beginner looking to get into the world of balancers. Basically this is a squishy foam blocks that you can use to stand on and get your bearings. This is a great place to start if you have just started BJJ and want to get some better core balancing skills. The balance pad is the perfect compliment to kettle bell training and conditioning training, or knee and ankle rehab after surgery.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1531921866512{margin-top: 15px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1531921546614{padding: 10px !important;background-color: #81d742 !important;}”]Pros
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]- Non-slip pad for those sweaty workouts
- Excellent for rehabilitation
- 5 year warranty
Cons
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]- Doesn’t have the same balance work out benefits as a balance board
- Difficult to store away
- Improve balance, coordination, strength and flexibility of knee, ankle and leg muscles and ligaments
- Each balance board is 20” wide for a stable stance and has two adjustable spheres to vary difficulty
- Single-plane of tilt (10, 12 & 15 degrees) pitches back & forth, and is adjustable based on ability
- Constructed from durable Baltic birch plywood that helps to improve core strength and body awareness
- Perfect for balance training, physical therapy and rehabilitation from knee, ankle and leg injuries
The Fitter First Rocker Board is our first two way wobble board. It consists of a square platform, on a half cylindrical, fixed fulcrum. This is the perfect board for the beginner BJJ enthusiast and you will be able to get some good movement training from it. The composite cylindrical bottom will challenge you as a beginner and will quickly help you build up your core strength, stability and balance every time you work out on it. This is a great pick for a balance board on a budget.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1531921866512{margin-top: 15px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1531921546614{padding: 10px !important;background-color: #81d742 !important;}”]Pros
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]- Small bottom for difficult workouts
- Help improve knee strength and ankle flexibility
- Perfect for post-surgery workouts
Cons
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]- Can take a while to balance properly
- Rockers can be slippery
- Balance disc promotes core stability, strengthens muscle tone, improves balance and body posture.
- Used as a wiggle seat to provide sensory input, and to help calm children that have a hard time sitting still.
- Ergonomic seating, relieves back pain and shoulder aches
- Balance cushion provides an unstable surface to exercise on, requiring you to use more muscles to stay balanced.
- Ships inflated, includes a hand pump for adjustments. Stability disc size: 13 inches / 33 cm diameter
Once you’ve mastered the Balance Pad, it’s recommended that you move onto something a little more substantial, this is where a wobble cushion comes in. This is a great beginner balance device for standing on, sitting on or working out on. Like other wobble boards this will help you build a killer core in a safe and efficient environment. The wobble cushion is inflatable so you can manage the difficulty and hardness of the cushion, basically less air means more wobble, more air creates a more solid platform for you to work on. It comes with a handy hand pump that is easy to use.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1531921866512{margin-top: 15px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1531921546614{padding: 10px !important;background-color: #81d742 !important;}”]Pros
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]- Can be used standing or sitting
- Comes with a free pump
- Small and easy to store
Cons
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]- More suited to rehab than a full workout
- Narrow foot placement
The Isokinetics Balance Board is one of the best budget balance boards on our list. The board has a removable fulcrum, which provides two levels of difficulty, making this a board that will last you longer than a number of the other boards. A great feature for someone who is a little strapped for cash and still wants a quality product.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1531921866512{margin-top: 15px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1531921546614{padding: 10px !important;background-color: #81d742 !important;}”]Pros
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]- Textured Surface to prevent slippage
- Two settings, novice and advance
- Easily cleanable
Cons
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]- No intermediate setting
- Item becomes loose over time
- GREAT ADDITION TO DAILY FITNESS ROUTINE & STANDING DESK: Balance Board Core Trainer helps you develop core strength, stabilize the muscles, improve balance and coordination by hundreds of exercises...
- PRACTICAL REHABILITATION TOOL FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY: Balance Boards are used by physiotherapists and rehab centers across the world for effective injury rehabilitation; Simply standing on the Wobble...
- ANTISLIP SURFACE & SOLID CONSTRUCTION: Premium Wooden Balance Board Ankle is made of high quality wood, support up to 300 lbs; Antiskid pad on the surface provides better grip during your workout;...
- 360 DEGREE ROTATION & 15 DEGREE TILT ANGLE: Allow dynamic movement of your legs and feet, great to perform side to side, front to back, stretch and circular drills; As the board wobbles, your core is...
- VERSATILE & COMPACT BALANCE BOARD: With the lightweight, portable design, you can carry Wooden Wobble Board anywhere for your workout such as home gyms, gyms, outdoors, or you can take it to the...
The Yes4All wobble board is the first board on our list with a half spherical fulcrum on the bottom. This gives you a 360 degree range of movement and allows you to move in every direction because of it’s bottom. Some great exercises to do on this wobble board includes squats and pushups, either with hands on the board or with feet. Make your exercises even more difficult and add in a kettlebell or a weight to increase the resistance. This i a great wobble board to help you build your overall core strength.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1531921866512{margin-top: 15px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1531921546614{padding: 10px !important;background-color: #81d742 !important;}”]Pros
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]- Variety of Colours Available
- Grip tap makes product super sticky
- Wooden product is environmentally friendly
Cons
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]- Shoes needed as grip tape is uncomfortable in bare feet
- 360 degree balance can be difficult for beginners
- Made from eucalyptus wood and painted with Anti-humidity sealer
- Board is covered with corrugated rubber
- Balance board therapy improves balance, agility and increases core body strength
- 300 lbs Weight capacity
- Measures 26.5" length by 13.2" width by 4" height
This is our first real roller board on the list. More for the advanced balance board user the 3B Scientific Balance board is made from a solid wooden construction, covered in rubber for grip. The rubber grip is perfect for barefoot fighters. The board is a comfortably big without being too imposing and is a great rocker board at a reasonable price.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1531921866512{margin-top: 15px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1531921546614{padding: 10px !important;background-color: #81d742 !important;}”]Pros
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]- Lipped Ends prevent falling off
- Grippy rubber bottom
- Product finished with an anti-humidity coating
Cons
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]- Roller is fixed onto product
- Rocker foam started to wear after a bit of use
- GAIN NEW MUSCLE, GAIN NEW INSIGHT: Athletes and fitness gurus alike use the FIT to strengthen both body and mind. Carve core muscle groups and improve stability, flexibility, reflexes, recovery speed,...
- BLAST YOUR CORE, AND HAVE A BLAST DOING IT: The FIT is so fun to use, you won’t know you’re working out until your playlist is over.
- FUNCTIONAL CROSS TRAINING: It’s the perfect FIT for sports training. Transform basic exercises your already know into an exciting full body challenge.
- GYM DUTY CONSTRUCTION: Revolution Balance Boards are built tough, by the tough, for the tough. After all, they’re designed and Made In The USA.
- SYSTEM INCLUDES: FIT Board | Extra Grip Roller | 360 Air Cushion | High Density Rocker | Exercise Guide l A New Lease On Life
The Revolution 3-in-1 Balance board is a roller board, rocker and wobble board all rolled into one. The wobble board is perfect for beginners, where more experienced users can level up to the roller and rocker boards. This is the most versatile board on out list and with a few months using this your core will dramatically improve and so will your fight game.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1531921866512{margin-top: 15px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1531921546614{padding: 10px !important;background-color: #81d742 !important;}”]Pros
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]- Comes with 3 different pieces for different work outs
- Challenges novices and advanced users equally
- Modern looking design
Cons
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]- Roller is a smaller diameter than most
- Board has been known to flex in the middle
The History of the Balance Board
The balance board was originally designed for skiers and surfers to allow them to keep sharp during the off season and to keep their body tuned in at night after competition. However it wasn’t until it was used by circus performers that their popularity grew. Often you would see clowns on the balance board juggling to their hearts content.
Balance and Wobble boards are used to develop a fighter’s balance, motor co-ordination skills, and core strength. They are used in the physio therapy of people reaching old age to help them avoid disastrous injury-causing falls. They are also used in ankle and knee rehabilitation.
Beyond their athletic improving abilities, they are used to expand neural networks to allow a more cohesive use of the left and right hemispheres of the brain. This is especially usefully with children to help with cognitive development. They are used to help dancers be light on their feet, help teach musicians how to hold their instruments properly and securely and as a form of yoga. They are a great combination of fun and fitness, which is why they are so popular with children.
What Makes a Good Balance Board for BJJ and MMA?
Construction
When you’re looking for the right balance board you want to be looking for a board that’s obviously not going to break at the first sign of movement. You’ll want to have something that is durable and long-lasting. You will need to keep an eye on any weaknesses on the board as wear and tear can easily happen along the top of the board and the fulcrum at the base.
Balance Board Grip
Some boards that have been molded by plastic have grip marks designed into them so you can jump on your board straight away without slipping off, this is perfect for a Jiu-Jitsu or MMA fighter who regularly trains barefoot. Other boards that are made of wood will have grip textured into the board or will have skateboarding grip tape applied to help keep the rider glued.
Balance Board Difficulty
It is always sensible to chose a balance and wobble board dependant on your skill level. You’ll obviously want to choose a board that you can actually use and make improvements on. You will need to be honest with yourself really, there is the option of buying multi-difficulty balance boards and balance boards always come with additional accessories to make things harder or more fun.
Different Types of Balance & Wobble Board
Rocker Board
When you think of a balance board this is what you would normally think off. This is usefully for hip movement and hip surfing for when you’re looking to pass guard. The rider will rock back and forth along half a cylinder in the centre of the board.
Wobble Board
Similar to rocker boards, wobble boards are circular with a sphere in the middle that you balance on. For an extra dimension of difficulty you can rotate on the wobble board. Perfect for misdirection and fast pivoting.
Cylinder Roller Board
This is where the difficulty really ramps up. Ideal for surfers in the off season the cylinder roller board will have two pieces of the kit, the cylinder and the board. The board is normally shaped like a mini surf board or skateboard and the roller tube is not to dissimilar to a foam roller. This is definitely not recommended for beginners and requires a lot of space to work on, just in case of the odd falling incident. We wouldn’t want you to be breaking your best china.
Sphere Roller Board
This is the extreme difficulty mode of balance board and should only be used if you are a seasoned expert. This is essentially a ball and a board that you will balance on. This is not to be taken lightly but if you master it, you will have the core and the guard passing balance of a true pro. A lot of expert snowboarders, surfers and skiers use this in their off season but be warned this is not fore beginners and can cause you serious injury if you’re not careful.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]