Amazon's No. 1 balance board got my butt in shape and rocked me to my core for just $19

I've been clocking in and out of physical therapy like it's my day job for years. I'm cursed with loving dance and being very hypermobile, a combo that has landed me in surgery a few times. But I didn't realize how truly weak certain muscles were until my therapist left me stranded on a wobbly balance board — and then had me attempt exercises atop said wobbly board!

Once I got the hang of it — wow! My glutes and core were forced into action. In these sessions, I began to build strength and stability, alleviating my hip and back pain and improving my balance. Eventually, the sessions came to a close and my bits got wobbly again as I forgot about this little gem.

Yes4All

Wooden Wobble Balance Board For Physical Therapy, Balance

The sturdy wooden Yes4All wobble board has an antislip, 15.75-inch surface pad and supports up to 300 pounds.

$16 at Amazon

Recently, I was reunited with the board (thanks to a shoulder injury). Again it helped me, and again the sessions came to an end as I got stronger. But I wasn't about to let it slip away again.

I snapped up my very own Yes4All Wooden Wobble Balance Board on Amazon for just $19! But now that it's in my home, I have to fight my husband and child for a turn. We aren't the only fans, either. This No. 1 bestseller has racked up 7,700-plus five-star ratings!

As I read the reviews, I was surprised to see how many fans use this as a passive strengthener — while working at a standing desk, chatting, watching TV, even cooking! Others use it for rehabilitation. And some folks take it a step further and use it for a full-body workout.

Work out at work

Just set it atop a nonslip surface, like a mat, and wobble away. It's so compact that you can use it and stash it pretty much anywhere...

"Perfect for my standing desk," said a five-star reviewer. "Holy cow, this balance board is exactly what I needed!...I was having trouble with lower back pain from having sat in a chair for so many years, and my PT figured out that I had a tight right piriformis, shortened right psoas and, as a result, a weak core. She had me doing lots of stretches and exercises on this board at her clinic, so it seemed like a good idea to try it out at work. This board is perfect for standing on at my desk. It is just difficult enough to engage my glutes and core but easy enough that I can type without feeling like I’m going to fall and hurt myself. I strongly recommend it for anyone who wants to be able to maintain strength, balance and flexibility even with a desk job."

Another fan wrote: "I am surprised at the workout you get on this thing! It works your core your glutes and your legs. I use it while I’m waiting for things to cook making dinner."

"This is strong and versatile," added another fan. "It has a plastic bottom, so I use it on the rug or a yoga mat for stability. Tucks under my couch easily for storage."

Challenge yourself

While you can increase your strength and stability by passively standing on this board, many fans like to use it for more focused training.

This reviewer is feeling it: "Very sturdy — I'm 255 lbs and [it] feels solid. Try doing planks on this if you want to feel a real core burn!"

You may be surprised how much throwing yourself off balance can steady you.

Another thrilled shopper wrote, "At a local health fair, I had my balance tested and rated about the same as the average 90-year-old woman! That is 30 years older than I actually am, and I knew it was time to improve in that area. This is sturdy and challenging and is an excellent addition to my daily exercise routine. I have found that it not only improves my balance, it also tones my core. So, for an inexpensive and effective anti-aging tool, I recommend a balance board, and this one is sturdy and well made."

Focus inward

It can also help you achieve balance within. As one impressed reviewer attests, "It's one of the coolest meditation tools ever I've had...I do it in the morning for 15 minutes and it really helps center your brain. Great break from the screens. Just focus on your body, breathing, balance. I do isometric holds on it which are awesome for vertical jump/basketball prehab. Sometimes I just listen to chill music and use it for a bit before work or study. Really good craftsmanship and solid wood, industrial plastic design, too. Genuinely high quality!"

Fun for the whole fam

When I taught preschool, we had one of these in the classroom, and the children would eagerly await a turn. My 8-year-old is stoked to finally have one in the house. My husband can't resist it either. Look at all the other families loving it too...

"I bought this balance board for my kids (aged 3 and 7) to work on their vestibular system," said a happy shopper. "It's a perfect size for them and my 7-year-old loves it. My 3-year-old isn't there yet because she lacks balance of any kind, but she does like to use it when she can hold hands with someone else while she builds up her muscles. I wasn't planning on using it myself, but I can't help but do so — it takes up little floor space so it's out all the time, and the whole family (and guests!) makes good use of it. The purple 'sandpaper' texture makes it great for both bare and socked feet. Definitely recommend."

Another five-star fam writes: "My family and I get lots of use out of this. Not only for workouts, but sometimes one of us will just stand on it while we're talking to each other. It's sturdy, not slippery, totally functional."

...Fido too?

Now, I'm not ready to put my giant puppy on one, but this fan did, and to astounding results: "Perfect for humans and animals!! My dog got diagnosed with a neurological condition. I was told by the specialists to purchase specific equipment to get him to build strength, muscle, and balance so he could walk again and have normal range of motion. Let me tell you, I got different equipment but this board was the best money spent. This helped my dog in every which way. He has been walking again for 3 weeks now and he continues to balance and do exercises every day as much as he can and it has worked wonders for him. He is improving every single day. The neurology team was shocked when they saw how well he was doing yesterday!! My dog LOVES this board and looks forward to it every day. I also have been using it now because why not? I can feel the burn! We can get strong together!! I love this thing! Absolutely worth every penny. Perfect size. Amazing quality."

In my home and some 7,700 others, it's already proven to be well worth the small $19 investment.

Yes4All

Wooden Wobble Balance Board For Physical Therapy, Balance

The sturdy wooden Yes4All wobble board has an antislip, 15.75-inch surface pad and supports up to 300 pounds.

$16 at Amazon

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping on this wobble board and everything else, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.)

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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