The 9 Best Balance Boards, According to a Physical Therapist

When you think of a balance board, the BOSU (short for BOth Sides Up) is probably what comes to mind first — and for good reason.

"I love the BOSU, because it can be used in so many ways and to train so many different muscle groups," Yu says." It's definitely one of my go-to choices of equipment for my patients at any stage of rehab."

You can use this trainer flat-side up or dome-side up for strength, stability, flexibility and agility training. And considering it weighs about 8 pounds, you can use it as a strength tool, too.

Don't have a ton of free space for a BOSU or two-piece balance board in your home gym? This board is an ideal alternative, according to Yu. It's a smaller and lighter version at only about 3.5 pounds, so it's easy to carry around the house.

The textured flat top also helps you grip the surface, meaning you don't need to worry about slipping off while you work on your balance.

Let's face it: Planks, no matter how beneficial they are, aren't the most exciting exercise. But this core-training board adds a little fun, according to Yu.

You can place your phone in the cell-sized hole on the board and play games while training your core. Every purchase comes with four core-strengthening games to help keep you engaged (pun intended) and track your progress.

Yu recommends this balance trainer for anyone who's trying balance board exercises for the first time. In her physical therapy practice, she uses this type of device for early stages of rehab.

It offers a flat yet unstable surface for you to build foundational stability and strength, she says. And the cushion is safe for sensitive joints like knees and ankles.

This board is best for high-level athletes who want to challenge their core stability or reactive skills, Yu says. Less stable than other picks, this one provides a greater challenge for developing skills in sports like skateboarding or ice hockey.

Unlike standard wooden balance boards, this one has a high-grip, cushioned surface, giving your feet a little extra comfort.

This board includes a cushion, half-rocker base and roller, all of which add a different level of challenge to your balance exercises, according to Yu.

So, instead of buying a new board as your stability improves, you can start with the cushion, move to the half-rocker as you get more comfortable and finally progress to the roller when you're confident in your skills.

"I like that this board gives users the option to vary their training to match their goals at different parts of rehabilitation and fitness levels," Yu says.

The Huku board is more than just a balance board — it's a piece of multipurpose training equipment, Yu says. Sure, you can use this board for standard balance and stability exercises. But considering it's made with soft cork, you can also use the roller for muscle recovery. Plus, the soft material keeps your floors scratch-free.

Anyone looking to include a higher level of balance and coordination training in their workouts is sure to love the URBNFit, Yu says.

Thanks to its high-grip tape, this skateboard-style board provides a safe surface to practice the skills and body control needed for sports like surfing, snowboarding and (of course) skateboarding, she says.

You don't have to watch your kids run around the backyard or playground long to know they're bound to fall down. A lot. But building balance and stability from a young age can help prevent injury. And this wooden wobble board is a great way to do so, Yu says.

"This is a fun, versatile option for postural and sensory development that I would definitely use with a pediatric patient," she says. After all, helping your kids build good posture at a young age has benefits for years to come.