5 Best Balance Boards for Seniors

Aging is a wonderful process. With age, we gain wisdom, experience, and even grace. But we also lose a few things — vitality, strength, and quite often, balance.

Loss of balance with age is not uncommon…nor is it irreversible. And the latter is what makes all the difference.

That’s true. With the right balance training and therapy, you can regain your control over your body and improve both stability and strength. What’s better is that you don’t have to visit therapy clinics or rehabilitation centers for balance training. Get yourself a balance board meant for seniors and workout as per your convenience.

A balance board can give you a perfect mix of cognitive and physical training at the same time. That is exactly what seniors need to overcome age related loss of balance and motor skills.

That said, let me make it clear that not every balance board is meant for seniors. Safety is a key concern, and so is the difficulty level. So, I have meticulously selected five balance boards that are both safe and effective for senior users.

The Best Balance Boards for Seniors – My Top Picks

1.

The StrongTek Wooden Rocker Board

• 17.5” x 13.5” Lauan plywood rocker board perfect for therapy
• Lightweight and low impact board suitable for seniors
• Gentle easy-grip surface for maximum safety and comfort
• Can support weight of up to 350 lbs
• Backed by 30-day money back guarantee

This easy to use balance board is specifically designed for low impact exercises. Its dimensions and design make it an extremely safe option not just for seniors but also for beginners and kids. The platform is wide enough to safely support people suffering from loss of balance. StrongTek Wooden Rocker Board is designed with two things in mind: comfort and safety. That is why the easy-grip surface serves dual purpose by preventing slips and delivering comfort. Overall, it is an exceptionally high-quality product that is backed by money back guarantee.

2.

Lyfe Fitness Wooden Wobble board

• 20″ Diameter wooden wobble board for safer experience
• Grip holes in the board to support different workouts
• Rotates 360 degrees with a tilt angle of 15 degrees
• Anti-slip surface to prevent accidental slips
• Beautiful design with tree graphic on the platform

Lyfe Fitness has brought us one of the most aesthetically pleasing balance boards. What’s more pleasing is that fact that it is also functional and effective. For seniors in particular, this is a highly recommended option since it is one of the biggest yet lightweight wobble boards in the market. Larger diameter means more space for your feet, which makes it easier and safer to use by the elderly. The grip holes in the platform make it even easier to use in different ways. No wonder, it has an almost flawless rating of 4.9 out of 5.

3.

StrongTek Anti-Fatigue Balance Board

• 20.5’’ x 14.2’’ rocker board that is less than 3’’ high
• A safe 15 degrees angle of deflection suitable for seniors
• Trigger point textured surface for relaxing foot massage
• Pure polyurethane surface layer for slip prevention
• Easy to use, lightweight board for therapy purpose

It is understandable that the term versatile has its limit. While most boards are marketed as a product that can be used by everyone, things aren’t that simple for seniors in need of balance therapy. For those who find regular 3’’ high boards a tad too challenging, this Anti-Fatigue Balance Board by StrongTek can be the best option. It is as easy as it gets, yet as effective as any other board. With a small tilt angle and textures surface, this board will ensure both safety and comfort. With regular use, you will see an improvement in stability as well strength.  

4.

Bosu Balance Trainer

• A unique inflatable balance trainer with 26’’ diameter
• Allows for a wide range of sitting and standing exercises
• One of a kind design that ensures durability and longevity
• Comes with owner’s manual, hand pump, and a workout DVD
• Available in 12 different colors

Bosu Tainer is just another balance board until you inflate it with the pump provided. Now it’s like the perfect blend of a balance board and a yoga ball. That is what makes it perfectly suitable for seniors who need to work on their balance as well as strength and flexibility. It’s fitness trainers’ favorite for a number of reasons, the top reason being its versatility. Thanks to the huge diameter and unique design, Bosu Trainer allows for all kinds of standing and sitting workouts. You will get a DVD with more than 200 workouts to try.

5.

ProFitness Wooden Balance Board

• 15.5’’ durable yet lightweight wooden board
• Non-slip pad on the surface for better grip  
• A versatile board that is safe for kids and seniors
• Can support up to 330 lbs
• Buy with confidence with 30-Day Money Back Guarantee

If you are looking for simple-to- use balance board for therapy and recovery, ProFitness Wooden balance board is a safe option. It is good for seniors as well as kids. The surface pad is really comfortable even if you are using it bare feet. Plus, the pad is designed for improved grip to ensure maximum safety. Plus, it weighs just over 3 pounds, so you can easily take it anywhere you want.

7 Balance Board Exercises – Full Body Workout

Related:

• Best Balance Boards for Kids
• Best Balance Boards for Hockey
• Best Balance Boards
• Best Balance Boards for Surfing

Buyer’s Guide: Best Balance Boards for Seniors

Balance boards aren’t just meant for athletes. There are plenty of products out there that are great of the elderly and for people with mobility and stability issues. When used right, these boards can help you strengthen the neurological connection between your mind and body that is responsible for the balance in the first place.

Loss of Balance in the Elderly

The ability to balance our body, maintain its position and movement comes naturally to us. We may not be born with it but it nurtures with age and as sad as it sounds, it can also go away with age. Loss of balance is not uncommon among older adults.

As a matter of fact, it is one of the most common reasons behind hospital visits among the elderly. It may sound like a huge risk itself but it can actually lead to falls i.e. a leading cause of injury and death in older adults. Regaining balance means regaining your control over your own life. It can play a vital role in preventing injuries and disabilities.    

Contrary to what it sounds like, balance disorders have little to do with our limbs. It isn’t usually a joint or muscle issue. Most of the times, it’s an inner ear issue.

That said, we can’t completely rule out muscles, joint, and bones. Sometimes weaker limbs or bones can make it difficult to maintain your balance. Other possible causes can include neurologic conditions. No matter the underlying reason, age related balance disorder can be treated and managed. In most cases, the treatment includes medicines as well as therapy.

That is where balance training comes in.

Benefits of Balance Training for Seniors

Before we move on to balance boards and their benefits, let’s talk about balance training. Balance training is actually a part of recovery and rehabilitation programs for people who have suffered severe injury. It is not uncommon for those people to be over the age of 60. Another thing that is common is the cause of that injury – and guess what that could be?

Loss of balance.

Inability to keep their bodies stable is one of the major cause behind falls that are injurious and sometimes even fatal. There are numerous studies that have shown a clear improvement in this condition after balance training.  

Now balance training itself is a broad term. It can include a number of exercises and various equipment. Some of these exercises are physical while some may involve cognitive tasks as simple as reading a newspaper. In the study cited above, two random control groups were selected to observe the effects of a progressive balance-training program that involved a number of different exercises. After twelve weeks of the program, the participants reported better self-efficacy that didn’t only help their physical functions but also alleviated their fear of falling.

Using the right equipment can actually further improve the effectiveness of balance training. Previously, exercise balls were used for this purpose, but now therapists have realized the benefits of balance boards.

Balance Board Safety for Seniors

Now before I talk about the benefits of balance boards, let’s address the elephant in the room i.e. the safety concerns.

Well, the safest answer is that balance boards are just as safe for seniors as they are for anyone else. However, you need to make sure the board is created with their needs and limitations in mind. Pro level balance boards such as balance boards for hockey are created with proficiency of athletes in mind. Not only are they more challenging, but they are also risky when used by someone who lacks that kind of control.

That said, let’s not disregard the fact that there is always some risk of falling, which is exactly why these boards work. Balance boards train your mind and body for better balance by presenting a bit of challenge. Think about it, you try to balance yourself on an unstable surface so that it get easier for you to do it on a stable surface.

Although unstable, the board is still safer to use. When used under supervision, there is virtually no risk of injury even if the user falls. And let’s not forget that the entire purpose of balance training is risk prevention. So, how is it possible that a product endorsed by so many therapists will actually have counter effects?

The fact is the benefits far outweigh the risks.

That said, precautions are necessary to ensure maximum safety for seniors. Other than the presence of someone who can catch them in case of a fall, it is a good idea to put a soft mat or cushions around the board. Also, they should keep their hands on a cabinet or any still object in the beginning of their training.

Benefits of Balance Boards for Seniors

Now that you know that balance boards are safe for seniors, let’s take a look at all the benefits you can expect from balance boards. These benefits are proven through a number of studies just like the one mentioned above.

Strong Joints

Balance board exercise supports healthier joints by strengthening the ligaments and smaller muscles around our ankle, joints, and hip. A simple standing exercise is good enough for most seniors. with regular exercise, you will notice relief in joint pain as well.

Stronger Core

Core strength plays a vital role in overall mobility and movement. With regular balance board workout, you will witness an improvement in your core strength. As a result, your posture will also improve and you will have more control over movement.

Prevention

With stronger joints and muscles, better movement, and improved balance – the chances of fall related injuries would naturally decrease. However, it isn’t just falling. With improved flexibility and agility, you are less likely to put your body in a position that might result in injury.

Rehabilitation

More and more physiotherapists now recommend wobble boards to help seniors recover from joint or muscle related injury. That is because some amount of movement is necessary to ensure a quick and healthy recovery. Otherwise, our muscles can become stiff, weak, and even less mobile than before.

Cognition

Cognitive weakness is one of the worse side effects of aging. However, regardless of your age, you can train your mind to work better. The best thing about balance board workout is that it doesn’t just put your body to work, it also engages your mind. It is actually your brain that helps you balance your body on the board. So, the exercises works as a stimulant for your entire neurological system.

Memory

A study revealed that balance training, whether you use exercise balls or wobble boards, can improve memory and spatial cognition in seniors.

Best Balance Board Types for Seniors

There are several different types of balance boards. I have talked about all of them in great detail. You can check out my ‘best balance boards’ post to learn more about all the types.

Here, I will only focus on two that are best for seniors: Rocker boards and wobble boards. Both of these work differently so they have a different set of pros and cons.

Rocker Boards tend to be rectangular in shape but it’s not impossible to find a round one. The fulcrum is attached to the bottom of the platform, usually on either sides. Since it is a fixed fulcrum, these boards can only rock back and forth but you can change the position to make them move sideways. Due to smaller range of motion, rocker boards are easier to use. These boards are highly recommended for seniors who have no prior experience with balance boards.

Wobble Boards: Wobble boards are usually round, but just like in the case of rockers, you can find rectangular wobble boards as well. The main difference is the range of movement. These boards allow for the biggest range of movement i.e. 360 degree. You can move the board in any direction without changing your position. It may sound challenging, but it’s actually quite versatile.

Now, one might conclude that rocker boards are easier to use and hence the best option – but that’s not where the discussion ends. Other factors can make a balance board suitable or unsuitable for seniors. So, let’s talk about that.

Things to Consider

When I talk about choosing the best balance board, I usually start with factors such as durability and versatility. Most of it stands true for balance boards for seniors. However, I won’t repeat all of that here. You can read about it in my best balance boards post.

For seniors, you need to make sure the board is safe and easy to use. Here are three key factors that affect the degree of difficulty.

Size of the platform

Larger boards are easier and safer to use. With more surface area, the users have can easily set their feet on the board and prevent slipping. If you are choosing a wobble board, go for a bigger diameter like the 20’’ Lyfe Fitness board mentioned above.

Size of the Fulcrum

It is usually the underside of the board. The more area that is in contact with the floor, the easier it is to balance that board. That said, a higher fulcrum can also make it more challenging.

Tilt Angle

Tilt angle is the angle formed by the board and the floor when one side is touching the floor. The higher the board, the larger the angle. Larger angle will make it more challenging to use.

So, the takeaway here is that for seniors, it is best to find a board with smaller tilt angle and bigger platform that is no more than 2.5 inches high.

However, it is always how you use your equipment that makes all the difference. No balance board would be safe or effective, if you are not using it right. And that is why we can’t part without discussing some of the best balance board exercises for seniors.

Best Balance Board Exercises for Seniors

You might have seen athletes using their balance boards in the most unbelievable way possible. Seniors can’t do all that. However, it doesn’t mean they can’t benefit. Simply standing on the board trying to maintain your balance is a good enough workout for your core and limbs.

Why limit yourself? There are so many exercises you can try for maximum benefits.

Before we jump right into action, let me share some tips:

• Always wear comfortable flat-soled shoes before using your balance board. You can use your board bare feet only if the board has comfortable surface.
• Your neck, torso, and pelvic should be aligned properly. It will help you keep your body steady and stable on the board.
• For moving exercises, never move too much too quick. Micro-movements are safer and more effective.
• Never push beyond your limit. Listen to your body and start with just a few minutes each day. Gradually, you can make it more than one time a day.

Now, let’s take a look at the best balance board exercises for seniors.

Athletic Stance

Athletic stance is the basic standing exercises you can do on your board. All you need to do is stand on your board with your knees slightly bent and try to stay in that position. Try to keep your torso as straight as possible. You can keep your hands on your hips or open them wide to make it easier.

For most seniors who aren’t used to balance exercises, even this simple stance can be difficult. However, once you start to find it easy, you can try shifting your weight from feet to feet to tilt the board without touching the ground.

Basic Squats

Almost all balance board exercises start with the athletic stance. For basic stance, you need to gently squat down from that stance while keeping your back straight. The goal should be to move down until your thighs are parallel to the ground but it might not be easy for many seniors. So, go as low as you can without losing your balance.

Hold that squat for as long as you comfortably can and then go back to your original position. This is a great workout for your core, back, knees, and thighs.

Leg Balancing

For this workout, you should stand with both legs as straight as possible. Keep your feet shoulder width apart and then slowly lift one leg. In the beginning, you can lift it just a few inches high. Once you can easily old that position, you can try lifting it higher by bending your knew outward and upward.

Push Ups

Standing workouts aren’t the only exercise you can do on a balance board. Seniors can use these boards for push-ups to improve upper body strength. Get in a plank position while your hands are on the board. Now shift your weight from one arm to another while keeping the board from touching the ground.

FAQs

Are balance boards safe for seniors?

Balance boards aren’t just safe, they are actually quite useful for seniors. Even basic balance board training can help them improve their standing balance, preventing falls and accidents. Not only do these workouts strengthen muscles, they also improve cognition and the neurological connection between mind and body.

What kind of balance boards are the safest for seniors?

Rockers and wobble boards are generally safer as compared to rocker rollers and spring balance boards. However, there are a number of factors to consider including size of the platform, height of the board, and tilt angle. Some roller boards also come with stoppers to make it safer for kids and seniors.

How frequently should seniors use balance boards?

Since most seniors use balance boards under the supervision of a therapist, they can use balance boards as frequently as advised. If you are using boards without supervision, it is best to see how frequently you can use without any discomfort. Studies suggest using three times a week for best results.

Can balance boards cause joint pain in senior users?

No, balance boards will not cause joint pain or any joint related issue. Quite the contrary, Arthritis Foundation suggests balance board training for people suffering from Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, and other joints and bone issues.

How can seniors avoid balance board related injuries?

The best way to avoid accidents and injuries when using balance board is to use it under the supervision of a trainer of a therapist. Keep someone close to help you get on and off the board. Plus, you need to make sure you are buying a board that is meant to be used by seniors and not just by athletes.

Can seniors use balance boards for kids?

The clear answer would be ‘No’. While kids and seniors require same level of difficulty, kids board are usually smaller. They are not designed to bear a lot of weight nor are they suitable for taller people. It is better to invest in a board that is versatile enough to be used by kids and seniors alike.

Conclusion

I believe that is all you needed to know to be convinced about the benefits of balance boards for seniors. Effectiveness of balance therapy is proven through multiple studies and balance boards can just enhance its effect. If you are choosing a product that is suitable for seniors and there is someone present for supervision, balance board can be extremely safe to use as well. Now scroll back to my 5 best balance board for seniors and pick the one you think is best for you.