Hockey seems like a game that require a lot of physical strength and agility. It’s only the people who actually play this game realize the kind of mental sharpness and agility it demands. And that is why you need balance.
Balance is what helps you improve ‘proprioceptive’. Heavy word but not new to someone who has been playing hockey for a while. In the simplest words, it can be defined as your mind’s awareness of your body.
Don’t think too much about it right now. I’ll cover the technicalities and terminologies later in the guide section. For now, let’s just stick to balance.
So, as I was saying balance is important for hockey players. That is why lots of exercises included in hockey training are actually balance improving exercises. That is also why you won’t really meet a hockey player who doesn’t own a hockey balance board…or a dozen…because finding the perfect one isn’t quite easy.
Most people find their perfect balance board after a few trials and errors.
You don’t have to!
I’ve got you covered.
Let’s take a look at the top five balance boards that can help you improve your hockey game:
My Top 5 Picks for Best Balance Board for Hockey
| Top Products | Best Features |
|---|---|
| 1. Raise Your Game Balance Board Trainer Agility Set | High-quality board made from premium pine and poplar wood, board covered with non-slip emery grip tape to prevent slip, PVC roller covered in soft fabric coating |
| 2. Revolution 101 Balance Board Trainer | Lightweight board featuring quality composite construction, sturdy and stable board can support up to 400 pounds of weight, Dura-soft traction top ensures maximum grip |
| 3. URBNFit Balance Board Trainer | Hardwood board made from the finest pine and poplar wood, top covered with Emory paper grip tape to prevent slipping, comes with a free paper and digital workout guide |
| 4. StrongTek Professional Wooden Balance Board | Made from lightweight Lauan hardwood plywood, stable board features an easy-grip surface, portable single piece design |
| 5. Yes4All Bongo Balance Board Wooden Trainer | Premium hardwood board with slip-resistant PEVA surface, wooden anti-slip roller with tear-resistant TPE layer, removable stoppers to adjust the distance as required |
1.
Raise Your Game Balance Board Trainer Agility Set
- High-quality board made from premium pine and poplar wood
- Board covered with non-slip emery grip tape to prevent slip
- PVC roller covered in soft fabric coating is ideal for indoor training
- Complete kit includes loops, slide discs, jump ropes, and a carry bag
- A FREE WORKOUT GUIDE to let you make the most out of your set
There are many reasons Raise Your Game stands out from the rest. It delivers the quality and performance it promises. It’s high quality material and smart design make it a suitable board for both beginners and pros. It’s easy to use even for rookies yet it can prove a great equipment for pros who want to improve their core strength and fully body balance. No wonder this one gets an almost flawless 4.9 rating on Amazon.
2.
Revolution 101 Balance Board Trainer
- Lightweight board featuring quality composite construction
- Sturdy and stable board can support up to 400 pounds of weight
- Dura-soft traction top ensures maximum grip, with or without shoes
- Removable roller stops make it perfect for pros and beginners alike
Handcrafted in USA, Revolution 101 is made to set a new standard for quality balance boards for pros. Since it is a lightweight product, it is extremely easy to carry around for an outdoor workout session. It is in this list not just because of its built quality but also its performance. If you are a pro who would like to try something more challenging, you should definitely give this one a go. Did I mention it comes in two colors?
3.
URBNFit Balance Board Trainer
- Hardwood board made from finest pine and poplar wood
- Top covered with Emory paper grip tape to prevent slipping
- Comes with a free paper and digital workout guide
- Great value for your money
This one is definitely priced much lower than our top two contenders. However, according to numerous users who have tried them all, there is little difference in performance. Personally. I would say URBNFit is actually great for those who want to return to their game after a bit of break. It is safer and slightly less challenging than the top two. Yet, the quality is definitely on par with some of the most expensive balance boards out there.
4.
StrongTek Professional Wooden Balance Board
- Made from lightweight but durable and sustainable Lauan hardwood plywood
- Stable board features easy-grip surface; super gentle on bare feet
- Portable single piece design; no assembly required
- Comes with a 30-day money back guarantee
If your office routine leaves little time to practice and workout for a weekend game of hockey, this is just the right kinda board for you. Super lightweight and portable, this is the board you can easily sneak into office and practice whenever you need a break for your sedentary routine. Isn’t that what they call the best of both world? Make no mistake for this board may be safe and easy to use, but it is still good enough for the pro hockey players.
5.
Yes4All Bongo Balance Board Wooden Trainer
- Premium hardwood board with slip resistant PEVA surface
- Wooden anti-slip roller with tear-resistant TPE layer
- Removable stoppers to adjust the distance as required (11, 16, and 22 inches)
- Comes in three different colors: Black, Yellow, and Natural
This one is one the list, primarily, because of its versatility. The board comes with adjustable stoppers so that you can increase or decrease the challenge as desired. That what makes it best for pro athletes as well as kids in training. Not to mention, the board is made from high quality material that includes thick anti-slip coating on the surface that is super gently on feet. Plus, the roller is good enough to perform on any indoor or outdoor surface.
7 Balance Board Exercises – Full Body Workout
Related:
- Best Balance Boards for Kids
- Best Balance Boards
- Best Balance Boards for Seniors
- Best Balance Boards for Surfing
Buyer’s Guide
The first lesson you’ll learn from any sport sensei would be about the three pillars of sport training: Speed, Stability, and Balance. The order varies from sport to sport.
For hockey, balance is what your training mostly revolves around. And balance boards can play a vital role in helping you improve balance. But different boards are made for different needs, even when we focus on solely on hockey balance boards. Some are for rookies, others for pros.
Balance boards, however, can help you improve much more than balance. They help you improve your core strength and, that one thing I told you we’d discuss later on, proprioception.
In simplest words, proprioception is how your body is aware of itself and its surrounding. Proprioceptive feedback is the information generated from the signals our brain receives to achieve that kind of awareness.
When you are trying to balance your body, your brain receives tones of tons signals. And when you are effectively able to balance yourself on a surface that is not stable itself, like a balance board, that when you know your proprioception has improved.
So the equation is simple: the best balance board for hockey is bound to ensure better balance, better proprioception, and better game.
Unlike most games, hockey isn’t just about keeping an eye on the goal and your opponents while maneuvering a ball. A hockey player also needs to control their movement on ice with those skates on. So much control over your body with respect to your surrounding doesn’t come without practice.
And balance boards are your best bet…
Let’s dive deeper into the benefits of balance boards for hockey players.
Benefits of Balance Boards for Hockey Players
This simple equipment can benefit hockey players in more ways than you can imagine. Here are some of the ways balance board training can improve your game.
Safety
Most injuries in sport are caused by loss of balance. With proper balance training, athletes can train their mind to be in more control of the body even in the trickiest situation. With more muscle strength and better coordination, you are most likely to avoid injuries due to loss of balance.
Strength
Balance boards require you to use almost all of your muscles while attempting different workouts. From core muscles to leg muscle, this simple equipment can help you engage all the muscles in the most efficient way possible. Strengthening the core will also take the pressure off your spine.
Functional Strength
Functional strength is not just about strong muscles; it’s about having active and useful muscles. Balance boards make your muscle work the way they are supposed to world. It targets an entire set of muscles simultaneously to engage them in an efficient way.
Cognition
Working out on a balance board is a multitasking challenge for both mind and body. Your mind, at the same time, is focusing on maintain the balance as well as the movement. This kind of exercises can really enhance your cognitive abilities.
What to Look for in a Balance Board for Hockey?
Rocker or Rocker Roller
Generally speaking, there are several types of balance boards out there. A quick search will give you a list of boards of different shapes and size. Some are round discs while some are like cushion.
Don’t fall for it. When it comes to pro training, a board has to be… a board. A rectangular board. It can either be a two-piece equipment with a roller and a board (the rocker roller) or it can be a one-piece board with a non-removable base (simple rocker).
I highly recommend the two-piece board because it more versatile, and even more challenging. It is usually better for outdoor workout as well.
The single piece board is better if you are looking for something portable. If you want to practice for your weekend game while at work, this would be a good option.
Material
Balance boards can be made of different material, but for hockey and sport grade boards, I always recommend quality hardwood over any other material. Hardwood boards can easily bear weight of up to 400 pounds. Plus, you can try a varying range of exercises and positions without damaging the equipment.
Size
Speaking of size, there are two things you need to consider: size of the surface and size of the base.
Size of the surface: While manufacturers will proudly talk about the surface dimensions, it has little to do with your board’s performance. Surface of the board is more about the size of the user. If you have big feet and tall body, a larger board will be better. For kids or shorter people, smaller board would be safer.
Size of the base: Size of the base is what really makes a difference. The smaller the area that touches the ground, the harder it is to balance the board. Pro athletes go for boards with a base much smaller than the surface to make their workout more challenging, and hence, more effective.
Versatility
When you are only starting your hockey training, it is best to choose a hockey balance board that is versatile enough to help you throughout the different stages of training. Personally, if I ever invest in an equipment, I prefer something I can keep using for years.
A number of balance boards that come with adjustable stoppers. By increasing or decreasing the distance, you can control the difficulty level.
Some Useful Balance Board Workouts for Hockey Players
The usefulness of any exercise equipment depends on how you utilize it in your workout routine. If used right, balance board can be your best workout partner.
Contrary to what many beginners believe, you don’t just have to stand on the board. That’s a basic stance and it can be a bit helpful for beginners, but you can try different things for better results. Here are some more exercises you can incorporate in your balance board training.
Staggered Stance
This one is the basic stand with added challenge. All you need to do is move one leg back while extending the other one towards the front. This will require a little more concentration and focus.
Tilting
Make your balance board workout more challenging by tilting the board in any one direction and try to keep it from touching the ground. It isn’t as easy as it sounds. For a more challenging workout, try to tilt it in different directions.
Leg Lifts
You think balancing on two legs is too easy for you, try lifting on leg up a bit and see if you can maintain the balance. The higher you lift your leg, the challenging it gets. You’ll have to keep the board from touching the ground.
Squats
Do you know you can squat on a balance board? That will need a bit of practice. The real challenge is holding the squat for as long as you can. It is tougher than holding a squat on a stable, non-moving floor. For added challenge, try standing up on your toes as you extend.
Plank
Planks are tough. Wait till you try elbow planks on a balance board. Simply rest your elbows and forearms on the board while you try to hold the plank. You can even try a full plank by putting your palms instead of elbows on the board.
So basically, you can make all your regular workouts more challenging by doing them on one of the best balance boards for hockey instead of the floor.
Conclusion
Balance boards can be a great addition to your hockey training equipment. These boards can not only help you improve balance and focus, they can also build muscle strength. Overall, they may be the best thing you need to improve your mind and body coordination. All the best balance boards for hockey mentioned above are high quality equipment manufactured with pro athletes in mind.