Balance Boards for Seniors

Last Updated on April 25, 2024 by Rachel

All of our activities necessitate a certain amount of balance. This is particularly important for seniors because the improved balance will make fun activities simpler and more pleasurable. Balance boards are beneficial to the elderly because they improve standing balance, posture coordination, and fall prevention. This allows them to move around safely without the risk of falling.

Balance boards come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with some better suited to a specific age group. However, with the assistance of a professional, you can be certain to find one that is best suited to you. This article provides an in-depth examination of balance boards that are best suited to the elderly.

What is a Balance Board?

Balance boards are a type of fitness equipment that allows you to stay in a standing position while exercising to help improve your posture and balance, assist in rehabilitation, protect against lower body injuries, and generally increase core strength. They can be used for exercise because they strengthen the muscles around the ankle and help with overall body balance.

Benefits of Balance Boards for the Elderly

Improved Stability

By putting the body’s balance systems to work, balance boards aid in improving balance. It achieves this by adjusting the board’s movements continuously, teaching the body to process information from the balance-related systems more effectively.

Improved Concentration and Coordination

Balance boards can help you improve your focus and coordination. This is especially important for the elderly, who may struggle with concentration and coordination.

Better Posture

Poor posture can result in pain and muscle imbalances. Furthermore, it can alter body balance. By using muscles that are frequently ignored when sitting or standing still, standing on a balance board helps your posture. You’ll begin to stand up straight naturally as you adjust yourself to remain balanced on the board.

Stronger Joints

A balance board helps build the ligaments and muscles that support the joints. This can help to improve joint stability while also lowering the risk of injuries and discomfort.

Better Reaction Time

This is the time your body takes to react to a stimulus. This is critical to seniors because it can protect them from mishaps and related injuries. Balance boards provide an ever-changing environment that aids in improving this. Your reflexes get quicker as you reposition your body.

Types of Balance Boards

Rocker Boards

These boards are the most basic and straightforward balance boards because there is only one stable pivot point and you must balance in only one direction, from side to side. The slope and size of the fulcrum influence how difficult it is to use it. They are suitable for seniors because of their simple design and ease of use. The one-sided balance makes them slightly safer as you plan your supports more carefully.

Rocker-roller Boards

This is an improved version of a rocker board that uses a different roller as a pivot, making balancing much more difficult. It needs to be balanced both in terms of the fulcrum and the fulcrum rolling.

Wobble Boards

This essentially is a rocker board in 360 °. As opposed to a rocker board, which only requires you to balance on one axis, this has a radial board with a spherical pivot.

There is minimal friction between the pivot and the floor during use. As a result, it’s critical that you use it on a sturdy rug or purchase a special rubber pad to place underneath for friction.

Sphere and Ring Boards

This balance board consists of a board that sits on top of a ball that serves as a pivot and can roll in any direction. They are the most demanding type of balance board and are not appropriate for most seniors, but rather for people who are extremely dedicated to mastering their balance and require it in their sport or profession, such as athletes.

Best Balance Boards for Seniors

StrongTek Rocker Board

This board is among the easiest to use because there are no moving parts, making it ideal for seniors. It is strong and long-lasting due to the use of heavy-duty plywood in its construction. The board’s top has an easy-grip texture that is tender on bare feet but aids in keeping you firmly in place.

Additionally, it has special anti-slip pads at the bottom that are quiet and offer excellent floor protection. It is great for developing overall stability and balance as well as physical strength and endurance.

Features

• It contains no moving parts
• It is constructed from sturdy plywood
• It has bottom anti-slip and anti-scratch pads.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 5 × 15.75 × 4 inches
• Material: Heavy-duty Plywood
• Product weight: 5 lbs. (2.3 kg)
• Max user weight: 350 lbs. (158 kg)

Check out this balance board at https://www.strong-tek.com/products/professional-wooden-balance-board.

Blue Planet Balance Surfer Board

This multi-use balance board has a 3-in-1 design that sets it apart from the competition in the class. It has unique, detachable fulcrums (modules) with varying degrees of difficulty. The modules are optional when using the board. It is available in three distinct deck grips with different levels of traction. It also has anti-slip pads that protect your floor and don’t make noise below the board.

Features

• There are no moving parts
• It has a selection of grip surfaces
• It has a three-in-one design (removable modules)

Specifications

• Dimensions: 25 x 12.25 inches
• Material: Bamboo/Plywood
• Product weight: 6 lbs. (2.7 kg)
• Max user weight: 500 lbs. (226 kg)

Find out more about this balance surfer board at https://www.blueplanetsurf.com/balance-surfer.html.

Yes4All Plastic Balance Board Multi Colors

This is a balance wobble board that can tilt and turn 360 °. Compared to a rocker board, it takes more work to maintain balance. The platform is sturdy and the board is made from premium heavy-duty TPE plastic. To keep you from slipping, the top has a sizable textured surface, and it also massages your feet. Seniors who wear shoes or bare feet can stand on it without discomfort.

It is designed as a semi-sphere made of durable plastic with spikes on the bottom, making it more stable and safer while also extending its durability. It is easily portable thanks to the two handles on the sides. Additionally, because of the way it is made, you can wash it securely with water and keep it neat at all times.

Features

• It has grips
• It rotates 360 degrees
• It has a non-slip massage surface
• There are no moving parts

Specifications

• Dimensions: Height (3.5”), Size (16.34” diameter), Section angle (27^o)
• Material: Heavy Duty TPE Plastic
• Max user weight: 300 lbs. (136 kg)

Learn more about this balance wobble board at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W8TWTJ8?th=1.

Yes4All Premium Board with Adjustable Stoppers

This hardwood balance board has a PEVA surface that stops users from falling or slipping. Seniors can stand on it without difficulty in bare feet, but anti-slip shoes offer an even stronger grip. Three different distances are available, the 11, 16, & 22 inches allow you to change the degree of difficulty of the exercise.

A wooden roller (with an anti-slip TPE cover), an air cushion and a rocker are all included in the complete set. The roller performs splendidly on various types of flooring. The air cushion is inflatable, and the rocker base is composed of high-density foam and incredibly light. The air cushion and rocker base are simple alternatives that offer much more exercise variety. Although the roller is an advanced option, seniors with a good level of fitness can use it, or under proper guidance.

Features

• It has three levels of difficulty
• It provides a large selection of exercises
• It is affordable for a set

Specifications

• Dimensions: Deck size (29″ x 11″), Roller size (21.3″ x 4″)
• Max user weight: 300 lbs. (136 kg)

Visit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PX9Y715?th=1 to find out more about this balance board.

Bosu Home Balance Trainer

This is a fun workout board that is also effective for developing balance, strength, and flexibility. It tests the body as a whole with integrated, multi-joint movements that demand multiple muscle groups to cooperate at once. It is appropriate for seniors who will use them at home, has six non-slip feet, and is made to withstand typical daily home use.

Features

• It comes with a free downloadable wall chart
• It has two free DVD downloads
• It is phthalate-free

Specifications

• Material: Latex free and burst-resistant
• Product weight: 13 lbs. (9 kg)
• Max user weight: 300 lbs. (136 kg)

Find out more about this trainer at https://www.bosu.com/bosu-home-balance-trainer.