Balance Training Equipment Guide
This guide is intended as an introduction to some of the popular types of balance training equipment. This is a selection of products as chosen by the ZIBRIO team, based on our own experience with them and represents our honest opinion. Some of the products contain links to Amazon, and we earn a small commission - at no cost to you - if you choose to buy from those links.
If you’ve never done any balance training before, or you believe your balance is poor, it’s essential to get specialist help, whether from a gym, personal trainer, or physical therapist. Some of the tools recommended on this website are not suitable for everyone. Always consult your doctor before beginning a new exercise program.
Get a Baseline Balance Score with a ZIBRIO Stability scale
Before you get started on balance training, find out your baseline balance score with a ZIBRIO Stability scale, which has a simple balance test that can be done at home or at the gym. To take the balance test, stand still on the scale for 60 seconds. At the end of the test, you’ll get a balance score from 1 (worst balance) to 10 (best balance). As you start using balance training equipment, keep checking your balance score every few days to see which tools are most effective for helping you improve your balance.
Bosu Balance Trainer
Distinctive half dome in blue
What the brand says:
Whether you are looking to tone and strengthen, improve core strength, lose weight, or simply get healthy and fit, the BOSU® Balance Trainer (also referred to as the Half Blue Exercise Ball) is easy to use, fun, and effective.
What we found:
A fun piece of equipment you may already be familiar with. You can do all sorts of exercises with it and it increases the challenge. We especially liked the textured surface of this version as it made it easier to use for planks and push-ups. The only potential downside of this piece of equipment is the space it takes up, though you can store it on its side up against a wall.
Get the new BOSU Balance Trainer here
SKLZ Agility Ladder
What the brand says:
Improve acceleration, lateral speed and change of direction
Improve quickness through accelerated foot strike and lift frequency
Develop the core skills necessary to enhance balance, rhythm and body control
11 heavy duty plastic rungs measuring 17" wide and 15' long
Includes carry bag for easy portability
What we found:
This is a versatile piece of equipment that folds up into the corner of your gym bag. You can start slowly, using the ladder to practice accurate foot placement or make more complicated patterns by crossing over, working laterally, backwards as well as forwards. As you get better, you can either try more complex footwork or speed things up.
Get the SKLZ Agility Ladder here
SURGE Storm
What the brand says:
The Storm 60 provides a unique challenge to the joints and stabilizing muscles by forcing the body to resist and control the unpredictable nature of the shifting water. The Storm's weight is fully adjustable and depends on how much water you add or remove; when fully filled the Storm 60 weighs 60Ilbs.
What we found:
The handles are a nice size and comfortable to hold. Filling it is easy, and there is a gauge to alert you how much weight is in it, based on the fill lines. Even with only 5-10 lbs of water, the sloshing water made various moves more challenging, forcing me to work my stabilizer muscles to keep going. Having a single device that can be made heavier or lighter is really nice, though you might need to plan your workouts to minimize removing or adding water between different exercises.
SURGE Hydro Ball
What the brand says:
Built to take the most absurd abuse and the most extreme workouts. The HB25 Pro uses water as its source of weight, yes water, the water provides instability, which targets and activates more muscles than traditional weights.
What we found:
Much like the SURGE Storm, this uses the power of water to increase the challenge of certain exercises, and also allows you to vary the weight without needing a rack of different sized kettle bells or medicine balls. It’s easy to use and doesn’t take up much space, which is useful for those who are working out at home, but don’t necessarily have a dedicated gym space.
Naboso Insoles & Mats
What the brand says:
Bring the unique, textured stimulation of all Naboso® products to your home, gym and office. Wake up your feet, and wake up your body. Perfect option for keeping the feet strong and stimulated when at a standing desk or working from home. Use in the bathroom or next to bed to start your day by waking up your feet. Integrate into your workout and reconnect to your foundation.
Recommended for:
Optimizing foot activation when standing at work or home
Reducing foot pain and foot fatigue with standing desks
Standing barefoot exercises to achieve increased foot activation
Releasing and recovering feet at the end of the day
What we found:
The insoles are thin and flexible, you put them in your shoes with the textured side facing up. They take a bit of getting used to as they aren’t there to cushion your foot like other insoles. It feels more like getting a stimulating foot massage as you walk around. I was quite conscious of the soles of my feet at first, then I got used to the sensation and found it quite enjoyable. I tried them with and without socks and found with socks to be more comfortable for longer periods of time.
What the brand says:
One quarter of the bones and joints in your entire body are in your feet. You have more nerve endings in your soles than anywhere but your fingertips and lips. What this means: Your feet are meant to bend, to move, to flex, to Feel The World®. Xero Shoes let them do that.
What we found:
I tried the Z Trail sandal. It’s incredibly lightweight, a very bendable sole, and narrow soft straps to make sure your foot doesn’t slide in the sandal. I have fairly high arches and like going barefoot around my house. This shoe gave me the same feel of barefoot freedom when walking the dog, but protected my soles from hot roads and sharp stones.
The company also sell running shoes close toed trail shoes and boots, all of which are incredibly light. One of their best sellers is the Prio, though I didn’t personally try them. All their shoes are backed by a 5,000 mile sole warranty, which works out as an excellent deal, if my previous sandals are anything to go by.
Activator Poles by Urban Poling
What the brand says:
Urban Poling provides proven benefits on health parameters, including improved posture, balance & stability; higher exercise tolerance; reduced impact on knee joints; healthy weight management; pain management; improved mood.
What we found:
The poles are adjustable, and the company provides a really useful video to show you how to use them – hint: more like normal walking, swinging your arms, not like crutches. It didn’t take long to get the hang of them, and they would be especially good on rough or uneven ground. I really enjoy walking but the downside is the upper body doesn’t get much of a work out, and these poles can help with that side of things. I also found myself naturally going at a faster pace when using the poles compared to without them. They also have some nice design touches, like a Velcro strap that ties them together so when you rest them against a wall, they stay together.