Buying guide for Best BOSU balls
BOSU is a fitness brand that produces and sells equipment primarily designed for functional balance exercises. The BOSU lineup includes stability balance trainers, balance balls, and weighted medicine balls. BOSU balls are perfect for fitness enthusiasts who are seeking to add an element of challenge to their workouts.
Using a BOSU ball allows you to improve balance and core strength. Exercises performed with a BOSU ball may also be done in tandem with other types of fitness equipment, such as dumbbells, to increase the level of difficulty of traditional exercises.
Whether you are a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the world of fitness, incorporating a BOSU ball into your routine is an excellent way to safely work on balance or add a little bit more intensity to a standard set of exercises or yoga routine. We’ve put together this shopping guide to tell you more about BOSU balls and point out a few of our favorites.
Key considerations
BOSU’s products are designed for all ages and ability levels. The BOSU Balance Trainer, for example, combines a stability ball and balance board in one tool, offering a variety of exercise possibilities for the novice or the expert. Here are a few key considerations to keep in mind while you shop for a new BOSU product to add to your home gym.
Expert Tip
Add more variety to your workouts by performing exercises with the dome side down and flat side up. Bodyweight squats are a great example.
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Benefits
Balance: Strong balance helps you gain awareness of your body, improves coordination, strengthens joint stability, prevents injury, and allows you to catch yourself if you begin to fall by improving reaction time. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), balance training is an essential type of exercise that helps with everyday activities and movements. Walking, lifting, and climbing stairs, for instance, require proprioception. Poor balance can lead to bad posture, fatigue, and in severe cases, injury. Improving your balance will help you perform all types of movements throughout the day, from carrying groceries to walking the dog.
Core strength: Your core is incredibly important — it’s essential for everyday movements and balance. Your core involves multiple muscles, not just “six-pack” abs. A strong core helps you maintain proper posture and stay upright even when fatigued. Strengthening your core isn’t just about performing crunches. A tool like the BOSU Balance Trainer can help you improve your functional core strength and is excellent for increasing the difficulty level of workouts. All types of exercises, from push-ups to squats, can be performed with a BOSU ball.
Your skill level
Know your skill level before starting any kind of exercise routine. Don’t incorporate exercises that are too challenging when first starting to train with a BOSU ball. If you’ve been inactive for a while, speak to your doctor before jumping into vigorous workouts. First perform simple movements on the Balance Trainer when you’re beginning. Don’t go straight to lifting dumbbells while standing atop the unstable surface. Master the movements and exercises on their own first, then include the Balance Trainer to add more difficulty.
Expert tip
Before use, make sure the balance trainer is properly inflated. They will slowly deflate over time.
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Types of BOSU balls
BOSU’s lineup includes three main types of exercise equipment: stability balls, balance platforms, and fitness balls.
Stability ball: BOSU Ballast balls are weighted stability balls. They’re available in small and standard sizes (40 to 65 cm diameter) for both adults and children.
Balance platform: BOSU’s lineup also includes their popular Balance Trainers. The half-dome design is suitable for a variety of exercises and ability levels.
Fitness ball: BOSU’s product line also includes weighted handheld balls that can be used for strengthening exercises.
Expert Tip
Although using weights to increase the difficulty is an option, don't use very heavy weights due to the unstable surface.
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BOSU ball features
Pump: Each inflatable ball includes a pump so you can inflate the BOSU Balance Trainer to adjust the difficulty level of your workout.
DVD: Many products in the BOSU lineup include an instructional DVD or download for added guidance and exercise ideas.
Size: BOSU Balance Trainers are available in standard (26 inches) or travel (22 inches) sizes.
Color: Most of BOSU’s products follow a similar color scheme of blue and black, but there is also a build-your-own option that allows you to choose from several bright colors to create a customized BOSU Balance Trainer.
Textured surface: A few BOSU products have specially textured surfaces to help with grip.
Expert Tip
Wear athletic shoes when performing exercises on a BOSU balance trainer since it provides added support and grip.
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BOSU ball prices
Budget
For under $50 you can purchase BOSU fitness balls and accessories like DVDs and balance bars.
Mid-level
For $50 to $100, BOSU sells stability balls and medicine balls.
Premium
Expect to pay over $100 for a BOSU Balance Trainer.
Tips
- Inflate your BOSU ball properly. BOSU Balance trainers feature a firm dome that may be inflated to between 8.5 and 10 inches high. Proper inflation ensures the safety of users and optimal use of the trainer. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for proper inflation.
- Take care of your BOSU ball. Wipe down the surface with antibacterial wipes, especially after a sweaty workout. Don’t store BOSU balls in direct sunlight or high heat, such as in a hot car. Exposure to heat can cause the platform and inflated dome to pull apart. Don’t stack BOSU Balance Trainers on top of one another.
- Use proper form when exercising. Prevent injuries and unnecessary fatigue by using adequate form. Look in a mirror to check your form or ask a workout buddy to spot you.
- Challenge yourself. Use a BOSU Balance Trainer and stability ball together for a supercharged workout and core burn. If it’s in your budget, buy a few BOSU balls for your home gym and create a fun circuit. Perform high-intensity interval training workouts solo or with a friend.
- Improve your running or cycling. Why bother with balance training if you’re already a runner or cyclist? Improving your balance can also help improve your running or cycling performance. Athletic pursuits require proprioception, but it’s a skill many individuals ignore in training.
- Add difficulty to yoga or Pilates. Use your BOSU Balance Trainer or stability ball to increase the difficulty of standard movements and target small muscle groups.
- Protect your floors. If you’re working out on a hardwood floor, place your BOSU Balance Trainer on top of a thin mat to avoid marking the wood surface.
FAQ
Q. Which type of BOSU ball is the most challenging to use?
A. Each product offers a different type of challenge. BOSU’s WeckMethod Elite Balance Trainer is a rugged upgrade compared to the regular trainers. It features an extremely durable dome and incredibly stable platform designed for serious athletes. The difficulty varies according to the type of movements you perform. Performing compound lifting exercises offers a different challenge compared to doing push-ups with a Balance Trainer.
Q. Does it make sense to own more than one type of BOSU ball?
A. If you’re building a home gym, you may want to outfit your workout space with different types of equipment, but a BOSU balance trainer offers plenty of exercise possibilities even if you decide to purchase a single product. BOSU products work well in tandem, too. Purchase medicine balls to use while you squat atop the BOSU Balance Trainer, for instance.
Q. Is there a weight limit for using a BOSU ball?
A. The BOSU NexGen Pro Balance Trainer has an upper limit of 350 pounds. The standard Balance Trainer has an upper limit of 300 pounds and the Sport Balance Trainer supports up to 250 pounds.
Q. What does BOSU mean?
A. The BOSU Balance Trainer was invented by David Weck in 1999. The original meaning of BOSU was “BOth Sides Up.” Since its inception, BOSU has also come to mean “BOth Sides Utilized.”
