Fitterfirst Professional Balance Board

This is a quality, well made product, that gives you the same kind of experience you could get in PT at home. Unfortunately, these are kind of pricey for one piece of rehab equipment (to me anyways), but in the end, I think it is worth spending a bit of cash on some nice items to help your core- especially since these boards are also fun to use. A product like this is light-years ahead of any balance boards I've seen in typical stores. I tried out a $20 plastic Reebok board, for example, and was able to balance on it with zero effort. I don't see why anyone would buy such a thing. Fitter First boards, on the other hand, are actually quite difficult at first (which is EXACTLY what you want- if it was too easy it would be pointless!), and then you gradually get much better as you get stronger. After a couple months in PT on 2 fitter first wobble boards that only balance side to side, I went from being able to barely balance for a few seconds at a time to being able to not let the board touch the ground more than a few times in a period of two minutes. Three times a week of trying to balance on the board as much as possible for only 2 to 4 minutes each time really does help your core balance gradually. This balance board is even harder than the side to side boards I used in PT (even on the first difficulty setting), and I'm glad, as I wanted something at home to keep progressing with on my own. It's a nice way to keep getting stronger even when PT stops. But I also feel that even a person who has no balance experience could still start with this board- it just would be harder than what PT would usually initially use, but in my non medical opinion I don't think this board would be very dangerous or anything like that if you did. If you used this board to start, I would spend weeks getting better at balancing on it while holding onto something until you get strong enough to start letting go, and doing exercises where you just try to rock the board side to side, and front to back, without even balancing. While ideally you should start with easier boards than this, the reality is that you would probably then want 2 or 3 other boards also in the hundred dollar range which can get kind of pricey, and a couple months down the line you wouldn't need the older ones- something to think about anyways. I personally am quite happy with this product myself even though it seems like a lot of money to buy a circle of wood for- it's good sports-medical quality equipment and I haven't found anything similar in quality to Fitter First boards for cheaper anywhere.

Very well made. This is exactly what they use at my physical therapist's gym. Does what it's supposed to do for my broken ankle which is keeps it moving and healing. Very heavy.

We first saw this at a nearby ski shop - The salesmen balanced on it while we tried on boots. It is very nicely made and finished - looks like a quality piece of furniture. The adjustment mechanism is brilliant, and the rounded shape of the bottom means that is truly challenging as a balance board (cheaper boards appear to have a more squared-off shape that would be less of a challenge). It is very sturdy - it does not deflect when I stand on it though I am around 275 lb. We leave it in the middle of the living room floor (because it looks so nice) and whenever one of us walks by we stop and balance for a few minutes. Worked up to the highest setting in about a week, and now are working on going forward/back and doing a sort of modified hula. We use it on carpet because it's quieter, but it works fine on tile as well. Definitely need to use it either in bare feet or with shoes on - socks do not stick to the surface. I even enjoy the Canadian user manual - in the US this would have lots of warning labels ("Do NOT have ANY fun with this object!!!") but the booklet just says a few nice things like make sure there's ample space to step off the board should you need to, and use it in a doorway if you need help balancing. A wonderful product!

On June 4th I broke my ankle in 3 places that required surgery on both sides of my ankle with a metal plate and 8 screws. On July 23rd I started a physical therapy regimen. The PT office started me using the 16" Fitter First "Classic" board by putting my injured foot on the board while seated and going through a series of range of motion exercises. The PT told me that it would be a great idea to purchase a board so that I could use it at home for additional rehab therapy. After going to the Fitter First web site and reading the Amazon reviews I concluded that I wanted either the 16" or 20" laminated plywood board (the Classic Board is a plastic or resin material). The 16" board is their intermediate to advanced model and has 3 settings with 15, 17 and 20 degree tilt angles. The 20" board is their beginner to intermediate model and has 3 settings with 10, 12 and 15 degree tilt angles. The identical pivot ball on the underside of both boards has 3 settings that allows you to set the degree of difficulty, i.e., the maximum amount of tilt. The 20" board has a greater diameter that provides a wider base to stand on but the increased diameter of the board limits the angle of tilt as compared to the 16" board. I decided to purchase the 20" board because I have a very limited range of motion and I can progress with my therapy using the lower degree settings available on the 20" board. This will also allow me to safely strengthen my ankle when I'm able to stand on the board with both feet knowing that I have the stability of a wider board and a limited and safe angle of tilt. Over time I can progress to the 15 degree angle, but I know that at some point I'm going to want to go to the intermediate to advanced settings available on the 16" board. Since the different degree angles between the two boards is based on the diameter of the board I have two choices when I want to transition to the advanced model. First, I can purchase the 16" board or I can cut the 20" board. At some point I won't need the 20" board so I have decided that I will cut the 20" board to suit my needs. For example, if you cut the board to an 18" radius the angle settings would be 12.5, 14.5 and 17.5 degrees. This allows you to progress as needed based on your rehab progress and the stability desired. Then, later as I progress I can cut the board again to the 16" model if I desire. This adjustment could be accomplished in 10 minutes with a band saw or if you don't have access to a band saw you can have it cut in a local wood shop or carpenter shop for $10. I believe that starting with the 20" board gives me the safety and flexibility I need as my balance, range of motion and skill progresses, so, if you're going through a similar therapy or you're just unsure about which model to purchase this might be a good option for you also and would preclude the need for buying multiple boards. As I progress through my PT I'll update this review with the pros and cons of the use of the wobble board progression for rehabilitation. As noted in some other reviews the top of the board is, in my opinion, too smooth for use barefooted. Since I can't wear a shoe yet I use a foot grip sock similar to the one shown on the Fitter First web site video. If you're not in a rehab situation you'll either need to wear athletic shoes for safety when using the board or add some anti-slip pads to the board. UPDATE - November 7, 2012: I reached the point in my therapy where I needed to increase my range of motion and I had maxed out the 20" inch board's angle of tilt so I took the board to a wood shop and had the diameter reduced to 16". I'm now ready to continue my therapy progression. The wobble board is a helpful recuperation aid and if you're purchasing a board for an ankle sprain or brake rehab I think you will be happy with your purchase.

If you're trying to improve your balance, this is the device for you! It does not have a grippy surface which for me means better stability. I have a second, non-adjustable balance board that has the grippy surface and I have lost my balance trying to hop off. The smoother surface of the FitterFirst board is good grip for house shoes or sneakers but probably not the best bet for just socks. I like the rounder base (makes it harder) and the adjustable height. Using this primarily for achilles tendon rehabilitation. My PT wants me to be able to stand on this with one foot! Definitely a work in progress!

I would never say I have great balance and so have always been someone afraid of balance boards. I am older now and since retiring from the military have spent the majority of work, and time in general, on my bum. I know how good and useful a balance board can be and finally bought this one about a year ago. I did that in part because I bought a sitting to standing desk and found I tended to pace when I tried to use it while standing. This seems like a good reason to get something that would help rebuild some stabilizing muscles and keep me in once place. Once I started using it I found I loved it, and the fact it has several settings means I could increase difficulty as I became better with it. I placed it on a section of a yoga mat (due to hardwood floors) in front of my desk and it has been great. I've not ever fallen from it causing a sudden disappearance during a zoom call, yet. It is very solid and well made as I'd expect from something made by our wonderful Canadian neighbors to the north. I couldn't recommend it higher to anyone who is a beginner and you needed fear about progressing beyond it for a long time.

Is just as described. Very durable.

UPDATE (02/15/2020): I still have this one. However, I visit the gym every morning (and have been for many years) and they have one of these, although with a smaller diameter. I use it every morning (M - F) and it has made a difference in my balance over the years... I don't use the one at home much because I have hardwood floors and I think that the base may cause small indentations in the hardwood. And, using it on a rug (to prevent that) seems like it would defeat the purpose. I still heartily endorse this, and in fact am moving it from a 4-star to to a 5-star. UPDATE (12/26/2012): I am still using this product and I can see that I am having steady improvement. I have it in the basement in my small home gym. Every morning that I spend some time down there, I have several episodes with the board, each one about 1 to 3 minutes long. My balance was seriously bad, but I am seeing it come back, although there is a long way to go :-) As I age, I am seeing that my balance is not what it used to be. This board was recommended in Men's Health magazine a few months back, and it seemed like a really good idea, so I recently bought it. I have it in my workout area in the basement, and I make a point of using it at least daily, and also I use it every time I go into the basement. I have had it for about 3-4 weeks and I am starting to see a little improvement in my balance. When I first got it, I could not balance it at all. Now my balance is slightly improved, and hopefully my progress will continue. If I have problems with it later on, I will update this review, but I do not expect it.

Very fast shipping. Product works great. We tried one in a gym while on vacation and really wanted one. This is a bit larger than the one we tried but we like it better. No problems with slipping and I like the adjustment feature as well.

Great little device to develop ankle strength & balance. Arrived on time. A bit expensive.

Works well, adjusts easily, solid.