Best Balance Boards in Canada | 2022 Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide

What is the best balance board? Buy a product only from a reliable brand to make sure it will perform its functions well. Unless you have a specific goal, choose a versatile board that fits users of all skill levels and can be used whether for fitness exercises, training, and burning calories, or for therapeutic purposes and improving coordination. Also, you should choose a model with an anti-slip surface, making your exercises safer and more comfortable. The material of the board must be sturdy to support more weight. Another essential thing to take into account is the weight of the item itself. Lightweight models are easy to carry, which will allow you to train balance not only at home but also in the office or while traveling.

Whether you want to improve your posture, burn calories, or relieve sitting pain, the FluidStance The Plane® Balance Board will perfectly fit your needs. This is the coolest and most fashionable model we have found on the market. It is absolutely amazing and works great both on a carpet and on a smooth surface.

If you are on a budget, consider the Simply Fit Board from a well-established brand known for its high-quality balance boards and related accessories. Made from high-quality strong ABS plastic, this model features an anti-slip surface for more comfortable exercising. This balance board is suitable for people of any size and can be safely used by overweight people as it is able to support up to 400 pounds. That said, with a weight of just 3 pounds, the item is easy to carry while traveling and can be operated by small children.

What You Will Learn from This Guide:

Types of Balance Boards

Balance boards differ in shape, size, style, and more importantly, the purpose of the use. So first of all, you should decide for yourself why you need this device — whether you want to improve your balance or skateboarding skills, or this is part of your rehabilitation process. Perhaps you just want to get stronger and stimulate your muscles using a balance board.

If you are a beginner, the best option for you is a more stable board made from sturdy materials. More experienced users will appreciate inclined models as they require greater effort to balance. Balance boards can be divided into plastic and wood models, but basically, all of them are lightweight.

The key distinctions between different types of balance boards lie in their design specifics.

Attached/non-attached fulcrum

Models with an attached fulcrum can be used by people of any skill level and are generally recommended for beginners. Also, such devices are the best choices for rehabilitation purposes and fitness exercises. Attached to the bottom of the board, the fulcrum can be either perpendicular or parallel to its length.

The Simply Fit Board model is a single-piece board that is very easy to use and recommended for users of different skill levels, including children.

Models with a non-attached fulcrum are intended for more advanced users since this kind of board offers more instability. It is placed on a tube, with a fulcrum moving in relation to both the ground and the board. The item inclines up and down as the tube rolls.

An illustrative example is Revolution 101 Balance Board Trainer, which is the best choice for anyone engaged in boardsports. Comprised of two pieces, this model is durable and can bear a weight of more than 400 pounds.

360-Degree/Two-Directional Tilt

Balance boards may be differentiated by whether they tilt 360 degrees or in two directions. Which option you should use depends not on your level of experience but rather on the purpose of use. So models designed to pivot in all directions, such as wobble boards, are great for physical therapy. The thing is that when you are doing exercises with the use of a 360-degree balance board, more muscle groups are recruited than when balancing on a two-directional model.

The latter, in its turn, is more suitable for doing various tricks and seems to be the best bet for developing skills in skateboarding and similar sports. Such models, also known as rocker boards, have a simpler appearance, which does not make them less efficient though. Just look at this Professional Wooden Balance Board by StrongTek. The product is made from hardwood plywood and boasts a wide slip-resistant surface.

URBNFit board is one of those models with the ability to balance in 360 degrees. It is very convenient as you are unlikely to fall off the board should it touch the ground. The reason is that the device is not actually high.

TOP-3 Best Balance Boards | Reviews

Below, you will find the three best balance boards at a price ranging from $25 to $130. They are designed for users of different skill levels and focus on various types of exercises. While the first model is versatile, the second one is recommended for more experienced users. The third option is great for fitness workouts and as part of a rehabilitation program.

Revolution 101 Balance Board | Best for Experienced and Advanced Users

This model is definitely for more experienced and advanced users. I would recommend it to skateboarders, snowboarders, surfers, and those engaged in similar sports as this board is more challenging and will help these people enhance their performance. It will also work great for users who want to burn calories or strengthen their muscles but is not suitable for beginners.

This is a roller-style board comprised of two pieces — the board itself and a tube. Handcrafted in the USA, the item is made from heavy-duty plywood and has a soft cushioned coating that will allow you to use it without shoes.

Revolution 101 balance board is larger than the above-mentioned product, measuring 29 inches in length and weighing almost 7 pounds. Yes, this is not the best option for using in the office or carrying with you on a trip, but you can be confident in its durability: rest assured that the device will neither break nor crack. It can support a weight of more than 400 pounds and will really last for years.

Customers rate this wooden balance board highly, with almost 90% of the purchasers giving it five stars. I think that this is one of the most compelling indicators of the product’s quality. According to them, the product's strong points include stability, sturdiness, and durability.

Revolution Balance Board: Check the current price

Simply Fit Board — The Abs Legs Core Workout Balance Board

Whether you need this tool for physical therapy, improving coordination, or training, I recommend you this versatile board. Why? First and foremost, this is a product of a trusted brand — Simply Fit Board. The company produces high-quality balance boards and accessories, such as a mat and workout DVDs. So this product is reliable and you can safely use it to practice balance.

I’d like to highlight the four most essential strong points of this model. The first one is a specially designed anti-slip surface, which will make your exercises more comfortable. Secondly, it is made from high-quality strong ABS plastic that is capable of bearing a weight of up to 400 pounds. Thirdly, with a length of just 26 inches, this item does not take up much space and is easy to store at home or in the office. And finally, it is really lightweight (a little bit more than 3 pounds), which makes this product the best option for those who have to travel a lot but still want to do their balance exercises.

Customers say that the device is really great for workouts and recommend using it not only at home but also in the office as it is absolutely noiseless. One of the buyers wrote that she liked doing exercises on it during conference calls, but with two-minute intervals in order not to get winded.

Simply Fit Board: Check the current price

URBNFit Balance Board — Core Trainer

This model rotates in all directions and is ideal for fitness exercises of different levels of complexity. If you want a wooden balance board at a low price this option is definitely for you. The product comes with an anti-slip surface and a strong grip, allowing you to use it almost anywhere. While being made from sturdy plastic and solid wood, it is compact and small in size. Round in shape, the board measures only 17 inches in diameter and weighs less than 5 pounds.

That said, the device can support up to 550 pounds of weight, which is more than the other models in our review can bear. For this reason, this item is also the best option for overweight people. It is noteworthy that more than 80% of purchasers gave this product five stars. They note that the board is sturdy and stable as well as has a large range of motion. One of the satisfied customers said that the tool had helped to recover from lower body paralysis by strengthening all muscles from the feet to the neck.

URBNFit: Check the current price

11 Best-Selling Balance Boards in Canada | Comparative Table

Benefits of Standing Desk Balance Boards

A balance board is an invaluable tool for fitness exercises. Actually, it can be employed not just for balance training but also for therapeutic and recreational purposes. According to scientific studies, balance devices can be beneficial for rehabilitation in many conditions, such as injury rehabilitation, spinal stabilization, posture, and core stability improvement. Apart from that, they are able to enhance coordination and arousal. Another study conducted with the University of Catania’s support suggested that balance boards can help to train an upright posture. “Learning to maintain a stable upright stance on a multiaxial balance board stimulates a fast improvement of the performance, with long-term retention,” the researchers concluded.

This kind of therapy assists in the healing process because by stressing the injured tissue you actually strengthen it. However, this is the case only with patients who have already passed the acute phase of healing, with the damaged tissues being rebuilding. To use a wooden balance board, you should not experience severe pain, nor should you have any bleeding.

An article published by Harvard Women's Health Watch suggests making balance exercises part of your daily routine. You may use it in the office during a break or while talking by phone. Balance training is also good for preventing falls among adults and especially elderly people. Those who suffer from arthritis and osteoporosis have balance problems as well.

Lisa Poppe from Nebraska-Lincoln Extension recommends balance boards as part of activities aimed to increase balance for toddlers. If your toddler falls on the ground too often, consider developing the kid's motor skills. Using a wobble board, along with exercises involving standing on one foot and balancing a beanbag, is an effective way to practice these skills. Ms. Poppe points out the importance of keeping these exercises fun, which will encourage your kids to do them more frequently. Since balance challenges are particularly typical for children with autism, scientists from the University of Southern Mississippi mention wobble boards as one of the effective methods to improve balance in children with ASD.

That said, it isn’t rocket science to learn to use this amazing tool. The simple stroke of a genius: place a board on any flat surface and put your left and right feet at their opposite ends. Once you are on the board, start moving your body so that you could keep balance. The point is to prevent either end of the board from touching the surface and you from falling off.

How to Use Balance Boards: Safety Tips

Stand on the board and grasp any stable furniture item for support. Move it in all directions. Step off the board. Then, stand on it again but without any support. Move the tool from front to back and from side to side. Balance on the board for several minutes so that its edges do not touch the floor. Try more complicated exercises such as rotating the device in a circle and standing with one leg.

While balance boards seem to be an easy tool for exercising, you should also consider some safety measures to prevent any possible injuries.

• Start easy and then gradually get harder.
• Choose an adjustable balance board so that you could set the height to the lowest level. Keep in mind that you should not start with more complex levels.
• Do not place the device on a wet or uneven surface. For beginners, it will be wise to practice balance board exercises on carpeted floors or a mat. This reduces the risk of the board sliding out, preventing related injuries.
• Remove all furniture items and other objects that could become obstacles so that you could have enough room to maneuver.
• If you feel that you are going to fall over, immediately step off the device. Practicing near the wall will give you support and extra confidence and will allow you to regain balance.
• While standing on a board, maintain proper posture. Hold your head up and look straight ahead, with your knees a little bit bent.
• Should you feel pain in any part of the body during your workout, stop the exercises. If the symptoms repeat or intensify over the course of the exercises, consult a doctor.

5 Most Important Things In a Balance Board

1. Opt for a model with an anti-slip surface. This will make your exercises safer and more efficient as you will not slip while trying to maintain balance.
2. A board should be made from a solid material that is sturdy and durable.
3. While all balance boards are lightweight enough, select the one that has a weight suitable for you personally. Also, pay attention to its weight capacity to make sure that it will not be broken or crack when used by an overweight person.
4. Choose a branded product as this will most likely guarantee that you get a quality balance board.
5. Consider your skill level. If you are a beginner or need this device for therapeutic purposes, a basic model is your best bet. More advanced users will benefit from boards allowing for more tricky exercises, such as the models that come with non-attached fulcrum.