If you are at all interested in keeping up with the latest fitness trends then you have probably heard of Wobble Boards. They are more popular than ever right now.
Wobble Board exercises can be intense but they are ideal for building core muscles, lower leg muscles, and supporting recovery physiotherapy. They are a great tool that can be used for many different types of exercise.
Wobble Boards are exercise equipment that can be used by and benefit both amateur and professional athletes alike.
If you are interested in purchasing your own Wobble Board, then you may be wondering how to find the perfect board for you.
In this article, you will find a guide to picking out and purchasing the perfect Wobble Board for you. This will include a guide to Wobble Boards, the pros and cons of Wobble Boards, and Wobble Board FAQs.
What Are Wobble Boards
Wobble Boards (also known as Balance Boards) are a great exercise tool for people who are looking to improve their surfing skills and their balance in general.
These boards were first developed to help people recover from injury, to build their core muscles, and to improve their balance. It is this element of balance improvement that most people will be interested in. They took inspiration from old circus tricks.
The original Wobble Boards were made from a curved plank of wood and a wooden lever. They work in a similar way to a see-saw. The user stands on both sides of the board and attempts to keep the board steady.
The balance and stillness required helps to build muscles around the core and lower body.
Over the last few years, as Wobble Boards have gotten more popular and people have found more uses for them, the shapes and designs have changed. Not all Wobble Boards are the shape of a skateboard as they used to be.
Some are now made from plastic and some now use inflatable bottoms instead of a wooden lever.
Depending on what you are planning to use the Wobble Board for, some shapes will be more useful than others.
Pros and Cons of Wobble Boards
Are Wobble Boards right for everyone? Can everyone benefit from them? Are they a good use of your money?
Here is a quick guide to the pros and cons of Wobble Boards:
Pros
- They have many uses, so you will be able to use them for a long time – they can be used during recovery for injury, for building core and lower leg muscles, improving surfing or skateboarding skills, improving overall balance
- The skills you learn on the Wobble Board can be transferred to other areas of your life (like surfing)
- They can add difficulty to at-home workouts – planking on a Wobble Board can activate the upper core and arms, squatting on a Wobble Board can make the whole exercise more intense
Cons
- The major downside of Wobble Boards is that they can be really expensive
- They can be really big and hard to store
If you are someone who thinks they will get lots of benefits from a Wobble Board then you will most likely find buying one a great investment.
Lots of people just dismiss them as a circus trick or a piece of kit that can only be used in the gym. When the Wobble Board has many uses.
While many people buy them for recovery purposes but find that they can continue using them afterward. The people who buy them to improve their balance often find they can use them in other ways during their workouts.
What Makes A Good Wobble Board
As we mentioned above, there are many different types of Wobble Board and they each have their own unique uses. In this section, we will ask you 4 questions that will help you to narrow down the best kind of balance board for you.
What Do You Want To Use Your Wobble Board For?
The first question you will want to ask yourself is, what are you planning to use your Wobble Board for?
To Recover From Injury
If you are recovering from an injury then you should talk to your doctor or your physical therapist about which type of board will be best for you.
To Practice Surfing
If you want to get some surfing practice in but you aren’t able to get to the beach then you should invest in a Wobble Board. Particularly, curved Wobble Boards which mimic the natural roll of waves well.
To Increase The Intensity Of Your Workouts
If you are working out from home or are only interested in doing bodyweight exercises then a Wobble Board will be your new best friend. Having to balance while you are doing your squats or a plank means that you will work out new muscles or your repetitions will become more intense.
If you want to use a Wobble Board to workout with then you should look into using a balance ball Wobble Board. The other type of boards will be too unstable to workout with – falling off one of these could lead to injury.
While You Are Working To Improve Your Core And Balance
If you are looking for a Wobble Board to use while you are working at a standing desk then you should consider getting a magnetized flat board. You can set limits on the board that make them less harsh on your core, meaning you can stand on them for longer and are less likely to fall off.
For Fun
If you are looking for a Wobble Board to have fun with then you can purchase any type of Wobble Board. You will find that traditional flat boards and curved boards are the most entertaining.
What Shape Wobble Board Do You Want?
There are three main shapes of Wobble Board – flat (surf) Wobble Boards, balance ball Wobble Boards, and curved Wobble Boards. They all have their own pros and cons. The shape of the board will be determined by how you plan to store your board and what you are planning to use it for.
“Surf” Wobble Board (With Lever)
These are the most traditional types of Wobble Board. They are based on old circus tricks. They are usually flat or slightly curved boards that balance on a lever. They can be wooden or plastic. Sometimes they can contain magnets.
Pros
- Can be used to help those in recovery
- Helps to develop the balance needed to surf
- Well priced (wooden boards)
- Magnetic boards can be used in any situation
Cons
- If you lose the lever you cannot use it
- Not suitable for workouts
- Easy to fall off
- Magnetic boards can be very expensive
Curved Board (No Lever)
These boards are typically used as toys and for circus tricks. They are usually the shape of a semicircle. They are typically made of wood or plastic with a small amount of flexibility.
Pros
- Very fun to use
- Simulates the balance needed to surf
- Expert level balance
- Usually a lot cheaper than other types of Wobble Boards
- Fun for children to use
Cons
- Hard to exercise on
- Can be tricky to use at first
- Difficult to store
- Not suitable for people in recovery
- Very easy to fall off
“Balance Ball” Wobble Boards (No Lever)
These Wobble Boards look like half a balance board with a flat top. They are most typically used by people during workouts.
Pros
- Good for improving general balance
- Works out the core and lower body
- Works will during exercise
- Hard to fall off
Cons
- Not very helpful for people in recovery
- Doesn’t test balance very well
- Not useful for surfers
- Can be expensive
What Kind Of Lever Do You Want On Your Board?
The next question you need to ask yourself is, what kind of lever would you like on your Wobble Board.
If you are looking for something to practice your balance or surfing skills on you may want to consider getting a Wobble Board with no lever. Instead, get one with a very intense curve, this will mimic riding waves more closely.
If you are looking for a Wobble Board to increase the intensity of your workouts then you will want to again, choose a Wobble Board without a level. This will decrease the chance of you getting injured while using the board.
Fitness fanatics should look at getting a Wobble Board with a balance ball underneath.
If you are looking to build core muscles and to improve your balance then you may want to look at flat balance boards with a circle lever. These are slightly more unstable than the other two types of boards, but they cause the core and the lower body to work harder than the other two types of boards.
Where Will You Keep Your Board?
The final thing you will need to consider is where you will keep your Wobble Board.
Where you are going to keep your Wobble Board will dictate the size and shape of the Wobble Board you will need.
If you have a lot of space to keep your board in – in a home gym, for example – then you will most likely not have to worry about the size of Wobble Board you want to buy.
However, if you do not have a lot of space in your home to keep a Wobble Board, or you want to keep your Wobble Board in your car, or at your office – you will need to think carefully about the size of your Wobble Board.
If you want to travel with your Wobble Board you will need to think about the size and weight of your Wobble Board, as well.
If you are short on space then you may want to consider getting a half-ball Wobble Board. They have a flat top and they can be easily stored in small spaces. Your other option is to use a short Wobble Board with a very little curve. They can be stored on a shelf or behind pieces of furniture.
Do You Need A Magnetic Wobble Board?
Over the last two years, using a Wobble Board while using your standing desk has become more popular. Doing this allows you to work out your core while working.
If you can concentrate on your work while using a balance board then we are very jealous of you.
Because of this newfound popularity, more and more Wobble Boards have been appearing on the market. Particularly, ones that only involve a gentle amount of balancing. To make balancing and working easier, we have seen a rise in magnetic Wobble Boards.
Magnetic Wobble Boards allow you to set limits on how far the board moves, tilts, and wobbles.
If you are looking to use your Wobble Board while working or using a standing desk then you might want to get a magnetic board.
Magnetic boards are also a great option for people who are recovering from injuries and are worried about falling off and hurting themselves more. Setting limits makes the tilt on the board less extreme.
Being able to limit the movement of the board makes using the board for exercise and adding intensity to your workouts easier.
Overall, if you are looking to use your Wobble Board for multiple things then you may want to consider getting a magnetic board as they offer a lot more versatility than a traditional Wobble Board.
Frequently Asked Questions
We frequently get asked a lot of questions about balance boards. Here are the answers to the 4 most common questions we are asked.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Use A Balance Board?
Balance boards can be used by adults of any age. It is something that children and young adults should avoid as their muscles are still developing.
Do Balance Boards Actually Work?
Studies of balance boards have shown that, yes, the equipment does actually work. If you are looking to improve the muscles in your core, back, and lower body then you will find balance boards very effective.
People who are recovering from injury will also find balance boards very effective. They are a favorite tool for rehab workers and physical therapists.
They allow you to build muscle at a gentle rate without putting too much pressure on other areas of your body. They are particularly effective for people who have back problems and they have been known to reduce back pain.
Best Balance Board Exercises?
There are over 100 exercises that can be done on the balance board (or Wobble Board). Each of them can benefit the body in a different way.
If you are looking to improve your surfing skills then you might want to practice the back-to-front movement (leaning forward and then back) and the side-to-side movement (leaning from one side to the other).
Summary
Wobble Boards are a great piece of equipment for anyone who is looking to improve their balance.
Many of us spend many hours sitting at our desks every day. This doesn’t help to keep our core muscles strong. Weak core muscles can lead to back problems, migraines, and many other issues. Regularly using a Wobble Board can help to improve your core muscles.
There are many different types of Wobble Board and it can be difficult to find the perfect type for you. The guide above will help you to do this.
