We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

8 Best Balance Training Tools for Better Stability and Core Strength

The BOSU Balance Trainer is our top pick for its versatility and ease of use

Balance training tools we recommend on a blue background

Verywell Fit / Amelia Manley

Better balance isn’t just for dancers or pro athletes. Performing exercises that train your balance can help prevent falls (especially in older adults or stroke patients), strengthen your muscles, and promote stability in your joints. There are many training tools you can add to your fitness regimen to improve your balance and overall physical health. The best balance training products are versatile, easy to store, and will support your weight.

From stability balls to balance boards to agility ladders, there’s a tool to fit every need. When looking for a balance tool, consider your current fitness level and what type of balance exercises you want to do. You'll also want to look for a tool that is durable and versatile so you can do a variety of exercises with it.

We researched and reviewed balance training equipment for our list based on price, storage ability, durability, user-friendliness, ease of cleaning, and versatility.

We also had a clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy from our Review Board review this article for accuracy surrounding what to look for in balance training tools, the benefits of balance training, and how to stay safe while doing it.

Based on our research, here are the best balance training tools on the market.

Best for Total-Body Workouts

Bosu Balance Trainer

Bosu Balance Trainer

Amazon

Pros
  • Durable

  • Versatile

  • From a trusted brand

Cons
  • Expensive

We selected the BOSU Home Balance Trainer as our best overall pick for its versatility. It allows you to do familiar exercises (like leg raises, lunges, abdominal crunches, push-ups, and stretches) while focusing on balance by performing the exercises on an unstable surface.

The BOSU Home is an inflatable, thick rubber dome on a flat, 25-inch round platform and has a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds. It includes a hand pump to make re-inflating it easy and can be tucked away behind a couch or under a bed when you're not using it. It also includes a total body workout video with aerobic and strength training routines, stretching and flexibility exercises, and balance training.

We also love that it comes in several different colors, allowing you to choose one that suits your preferences. While it is on the pricey side, its versatility, durability, and ease of use make it well worth the investment.

Key Specs:
Material: Composite | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Product Weight: 9 pounds

Best Exercise Ball

Gaiam Balance Ball Kit

Balance Ball Kit

Amazon

Pros
  • Budget-friendly

  • Workout guide included

  • Versatile

Cons
  • Can be hard to store

Exercise balls are a great training tool for any athlete. You can perform dozens of balance, agility, strength, and proprioception exercises with this one simple item. The Gaiam Balance Ball is latex-free and comes with a hand pump and full-body workout program that includes upper body, core, and lower body segments. It has a 300-pound weight capacity and comes in three different sizes, so you can choose the best one for your height.

Storage may be a little challenging if you leave the ball inflated, however, we like that it's very lightweight and easy to move around.

Key Specs:
Material: PVC | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Product Weight: 0.25 pounds

Best Balance Board

URBNFit Wooden Balance Board Trainer

URBNFit Wooden Balance Board Trainer

Amazon

Pros
  • Compact

  • Durable

  • Mobile app exercise guide included

Cons
  • Not for beginners

Mimicking the balancing requirements of a surfboard, balance boards can be a fun and challenging way to improve balance, strength, and coordination for advanced exercisers. The URBNFit Board is made of solid wood with non-slip tape on top for grip, and it sits on an easy-glide roller to provide a dynamic workout by requiring you to engage your core to maintain balance.

The balance board is a perfect workout tool to complement sports like snowboarding, surfing, skateboarding, and paddleboarding. We also like that it comes with a mobile app workout guide for more exercise ideas.

Key Specs:
Material: Wood and PVC | Weight Capacity: 300 pounds | Product Weight: 8 pounds

Best Weighted

CAP Barbell Medicine Ball

CAP Barbell Medicine Ball

Amazon

Pros
  • Comes in 6 different weights

  • Compact for easy storage

Cons
  • Some users report splitting along seams

Medicine ball training is an effective, safe, and relatively inexpensive way to build strength, agility, balance, and core stability. Medicine balls are great for all fitness levels and can be used solo or with a partner.

We like that the CAP medicine ball comes in six different weights—2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-pound options—and has a tacky, textured surface for added gripping ability to avoid any slipping during exercise.

The ball can also bounce for partner or wall exercises.

Key Specs:
Material: Rubber | Weight Capacity: Not applicable | Product Weight: 2-12 pounds

Best for Agility

SKLZ Speed and Agility Ladder

SKLZ Quick Ladder. Flat Rung Agility Training Ladder

Amazon

Pros
  • Budget-friendly

  • Workout guide included

Cons
  • Needs a lot of floor space

The SKLZ Speed and Agility Ladder is a lightweight and portable balance training tool that can be used for a variety of agility and balance drills, including footwork and change-of-direction skills.

The 15-foot ladder can be used anywhere you have a flat surface to lay it out on and comes with ground stakes to hold it in place, and a carrying case. It's made of durable nylon straps and plastic rungs, which makes it long-lasting, and we like that it includes a workout guide.

Key Specs:
Material: Nylon and plastic | Weight Capacity: Not applicable | Product Weight: 2 pounds

Best Wobble Cushion

Trideer Inflated Wobble Cushion

Trideer Inflated Wobble Cushion

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros
  • Compact

  • Portable

  • Versatile

Cons
  • May be too small for some users

Lightweight and portable, the Trideer Wobble Cushion is an air-filled cushion that can be used for a variety of balance disc exercises. Use it to engage your core during sitting or standing activities. The disc has a weight capacity of 450 pounds, is 13.4 inches in diameter, and comes in multiple colors.

It comes with its own pump and can be inflated or deflated to vary the level of difficulty for stability exercises. It also has two types of sensory nubs on the surface and we like that it can be used as a chair cushion for school or office to help with posture.

Key Specs:
Material: PVC | Weight Capacity: 450 pounds | Product Weight: Not provided

Best for Cardio

SPRI Slide Board Kit

SPRI Slide Board Kit

Amazon

Pros
  • Portable

  • Workout guide included

Cons
  • Needs a lot of floor space

This slide board device is adjustable and great for developing lateral strength, balance, and cardiovascular fitness. Slip the nylon booties over your shoes and glide from side to side in a skating motion for a low-impact workout that engages your core and enhances balance. The kit includes the board, booties, carrying bag, and an exercise guide.

We like that the board is flexible so it can be rolled up for storage or portability and is easy to clean. When laid out flat, the slide board is approximately 71 inches long and 20 inches wide.

Key Specs:
Material: PVC | Weight Capacity: Not provided | Product Weight: 4.25 pounds

Best How-To Book

101 Agility Drills

101 Agility Drills (101 Drills)

Amazon

Pros
  • Expert authors

  • Over 100 different drills

  • Good for all fitness levels

Cons
  • Additional equipment needed for some drills

If you are looking for specific drills to improve your balance and agility, this book has 101 fully-diagramed balance training exercises for a range of athletics and skill levels.

The drills are organized in a logical, progressive sequence, include written instructions, and require minimal equipment like cones or boxes. We also like that the authors are certified strength and conditioning coaches, so you can be sure the drills are designed thoughtfully and with safety in mind.

Key Specs:
Material: Paper | Weight Capacity: Not Applicable (Book) | Product Weight: Not Applicable (Book)

Final Verdict

The BOSU Balance Trainer is one of our top choices for balance training, thanks to its versatility and durability. It can be used for full-body balance and stability exercises, is easy to clean and store, and should last you a long time.

If you're looking for more of a challenge, the URBNFit Wooden Balance Board Trainer provides a dynamic balance and stability workout on a solidly built surface.

How We Selected the Best Balance Training Tools

We selected the best balance training tools by researching product details and reviews for dozens of tools from well-known fitness brands, paying attention to best-selling products and tools with positive customer reviews. We focused on products made with quality materials that are durable and can stand up to heavy use.

When choosing the best tools on the market, we also focused on tools that are versatile enough to be used for multiple exercises or drills for balance and stability and are easy to use for a range of fitness levels and abilities. We also looked for products that are lightweight, compact, and easy to store to ensure they are the most practical options.

What to Look for in a Balance Training Tool

Weight Capacity 

For balance training products that need to support your entire body, such as BOSU balls and balance boards, it’s important to ensure they can accommodate your full weight. Check weight capacity on any product before purchasing. Or, since not all products list their weight limit, consider reading user reviews to see if you can find helpful information there.

Ease of Storage

Equipment like inflatable balls and balance boards are excellent tools for improving your balance, but they sure do take up a lot of room! If you don’t have a lot of storage space in your home, you may want to consider purchasing smaller items or those that collapse or deflate for easier storing.

Versatility

If a piece of equipment only allows you to do one kind of balance exercise, it might not be worth the money (and it might get old fast). Fortunately, most balance products can be used in a wide variety of ways. Look for those that allow you to perform multiple types of exercises.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is balance training important?

    We’re all born with a natural sense of balance, but are more likely to have a harder time maintaining it as we age. Sometimes, this can be due to problems in the inner ear, diseases of the circulatory system, or even certain medications. Regardless of the cause, taking steps to train your equilibrium can help ameliorate some of these issues so you can keep a high quality of life.

  • What are the benefits of balance training?

    Balance training offers surprising advantages for health and wellness. According to a 2019 review in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, a balance training program in older adults not only reduced the risk of falls and injuries, but improved posture and even cognitive performance.

    People of all ages can benefit from balance exercises, since they improve muscle tone by working various muscle groups. And studies on both adults and children have found that balance training may improve speed and agility as well. For those who work out on exercise equipment like elliptical machines and treadmills, balance training offers a way to round out their fitness routine.

  • How do you stay safe while balance training?

    Even though balance training exercises are intended to prevent falls, they can unfortunately also be the source of them. It’s all too easy to topple off of a board or ball while attempting to straighten your posture. To ensure your safety, perform balance exercises with the help of a friend, family member, or trainer.

    Try practicing balance exercises on a soft, smooth surface, such as a carpeted or padded area. And place a chair or bench nearby to grab onto if needed.

  • Do balance trainers come with weight limits?

    Balance products intended to support your entire body weight typically do come with weight limits, and many will list these stats on their packaging. Three hundred pounds is a common capacity limit, though some products accommodate larger weights.

  • What muscles are used during balance training?

    Wondering which muscles balance training products work? It all depends on how you use them! That said, most balance exercises work the core and lower body. Standing on a balance board challenges the muscles in your legs and ankles, for example, while sitting on a balance ball activates your core. Adding a vibration plate to your routine can also boost the effectiveness of balance exercises. If you wear corrective inserts, like insoles for flat feet, strengthening your ankles and improving your balance can also help your orthopedic issues.


    But while many activities focus on the lower body, it’s possible to work your upper body with balance training, too.

    Turn a BOSU ball upside down to get a great workout for shoulders and arms, or use a heavier medicine ball for extra upper body strength.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Elizabeth Quinn is a writer for Verywell Fit covering sports medicine. She is an exercise physiologist and fitness consultant who has been writing about sports medicine, injuries, and training techniques for athletes for over a decade.

6 Sources
Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. American Heart Association. Balance exercise.

  2. Nam SM, Kim WB, Yun CK. Effects of balance training by knee joint motions on muscle activity in adult men with functional ankle instabilityJ Phys Ther Sci. 2016;28(5):1629-1632. doi:10.1589/jpts.28

  3. National Institute on Aging. Balance problems and disorders.

  4. Dunsky A. The effect of balance and coordination exercises on quality of life in older adults: A mini-reviewFront Aging Neurosci. 2019;11:318. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2019.00318

  5. Zemková E, Hamar D. The effect of 6-week combined agility-balance training on neuromuscular performance in basketball players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2010;50(3):262-7. 

  6. Acar H, Eler N. The effect of balance exercises on speed and agility in physical education lessons. UJER. 2019;7(1):74-79. doi:10.13189/ujer.2019.070110