During the pandemic, Balance Boarding became a hugely popular exercise option as gyms shut down, exercise bikes sold out on Amazon, and people sought workouts that didn't need a lot of space. The balance board gained popularity thanks to Tiktok influencers who demonstrated how easy and enjoyable it was to exercise at home and learn impressive tricks.
Now available at SkateHut, Trick Board Balance boards offer a fantastic variety of board shapes and designs for individuals to learn and enhance their skills. The broader surface of the Surf - Wave and Fish Models, resembling skimboards or surfboards, provides ample space on the board, which is beneficial for beginners learning to balance. It also aids in performing moves like sitting, squatting, board walking, and other yoga and surf-based exercises, which are more advanced.
The double kick tail snowboard-shaped decks of the Jackal & Get Tricky boards are designed for more technical maneuvers inspired by skateboarding. With two tails, you can pop from either end of the board to execute ollies, pop shuvits, and more.
Advantages of Balance Boarding
You might be surprised to learn that the simple balance board is much older than many realize, having been invented in 1952 by WWII pilot Stanley Washburn Jr. He was inspired by children on the African Gold Coast who rode planks of wood on fallen logs. He crafted the first board for his daughter’s birthday and then decided to produce them commercially. In the late 1960s, many skiers used the boards to strengthen their ankles and improve balance, but balance boards offer extensive health benefits.
When it comes to the specific health benefits of using a Trick Board, they are ideal for strengthening your core muscles and also for building muscles around your ankles, knees, and even shoulders, which can help prevent potential future injuries. For those already injured, balance boards are recommended by many physiotherapists as a low-impact method to regain and build strength in weaker joints and muscles, actively helping to prevent the recurrence of injuries. Many individuals with lower back pain will be glad to know that using a balance board is an excellent way to improve poor posture, a leading cause of lower back pain in adults. Unlike other exercises, you cannot overuse a balance board to the point of causing damage, and for those who find it difficult to incorporate exercise into their busy schedules, you can effectively progress by using a balance board for just ten minutes a day, three times a week!
A surprising advantage of regular balance board use is the enhancement of proprioception, a sense that many people are largely unaware of and that scientists informally refer to as our "Sixth Sense." Proprioception is the brain's ability to monitor the position of our limbs and maintain awareness of our bodies in space. An example of proprioception in action is when you close your eyes and touch your nose. Without this sense, you would be unable to do this or even walk down the street without watching your legs and feet make contact with the ground each step. Your nervous system has a continuous feedback loop of signals informing the brain of your limbs' positions and how they interact with the environment. Using a balance board will challenge your balance and body positioning, causing muscles around your joints to contract and relax to compensate, allowing your body to react and correct itself more quickly over time, potentially helping to avoid injuries.
