Best Stability Cushions

Buying guide for Best stability cushions

We spend much of our lives striving for balance. As children, we learn to acquire coordination, and as adults, we aim to maintain and refine it. A stability cushion is an all-age fitness and rehabilitation accessory that helps with balance training.

Whether you’re using an inflatable or foam stability cushion, you can build up your strength and balance while trying to find your center of gravity. The air and foam shift until you find the perfect balanced position. It can be a challenge, but it’s fun and necessary for a variety of fitness, educational, and rehabilitation programs.

For children, a stability cushion is the perfect tool for sensory and focus training, and it doubles as a floor seat. Competitive athletes use stability cushions when challenging themselves to reach new fitness goals. Adults in physical therapy programs can attest to the importance of stability cushions in their routines, as they systematically progress in difficulty to restore optimal levels of strength and balance. Get ready to align yourself with the right stability cushion for your lifestyle. 

If you’re an early childhood educator, stability cushions are a decent alternative to floor pillows or mats. They come in a rainbow of bright colors and are ideal for sensory and balance training.

Key considerations

How stability cushions help

• Training: Stability cushions can be used in exercise routines, particularly those that focus on balance and core stability. They’re popular in yoga, Pilates, and individual training. Including them in a static exercise poses a new challenge and shock to your body— even simple exercises become harder and more engaging. Injured and recovering athletes often use stability cushions to rebuild muscle and strength in affected areas.

• Physical therapy/rehabilitation: For those who have suffered lower extremity injuries, particularly to the foot and ankle area, a stability cushion can play a major role in rehabilitation. Not only can a stability cushion help retrain your body for balance and a return to activities of daily life, but it does so in a systematic way. Physical therapy offices have cushions with increasing levels of difficulty to help you progress.

• Education/therapeutic atmosphere: Stability cushions are also great for school children, particularly those in preschool and kindergarten. They’re colorful and comfortable, and they save little bodies from becoming achy sitting on hard floods. The cushions are also a learning tool for children who do sensory, balance, and focus exercises.

Inflatable vs. foam

Stability cushions are either inflatable or filled with foam. Inflatable models aren’t always filled when you buy them; you may have to pump the air yourself. Some come with pumps, so to save time and money, you could opt for a value pack that includes a pump. Foam stability cushions require less maintenance since they don’t require inflation at all — though regular wipe cleaning is recommended.

Choosing between an inflatable stability cushion and a foam stability cushion boils down to personal preference. Some people favor inflatable models because their nubs are comfortable to sit on and feel somewhat like a massage. Others prefer foam models, as they tend to be slightly larger and require less maintenance.

Size

Stability cushions of the same shape tend to be about the same size. Round cushions are generally 13 to 15 inches in diameter. Square or rectangular stability cushions have some variation, including models that are 16 x 13.5 inches and 19 x 15 inches. Stability cushions of all shapes and sizes are between one and three inches thick, with foam models slightly thicker than their inflatable counterparts.

Stability cushion features

Shape

Stability cushions can be round, square, or oval. Round stability cushions are the most common; these typically have nubs or grooves. Square or rectangular cushions are relatively smooth on both sides. Oval cushions, whether smooth or textured, are mostly found in physical therapy offices.

Materials

Inflatable stability cushions are generally made of plastic, vinyl, or rubber. The thickness of the material is important for durability and puncture resistance. The spongy materials of foam models are made of plastics and other synthetic materials, sometimes including latex.

Traction elements

Both inflatable and foam stability cushions incorporate traction elements. Especially since most cushions are made of smooth materials, these traction nubs, teeth, or grooves reduce cushion slippage. This is helpful, particularly when using a stability cushion while standing on hardwood or linoleum, which can be slippery. Traction elements are also beneficial when you’re sitting on a stability cushion, as the nubs help distribute your weight evenly while also limiting slippage.

Stability cushion prices

Stability cushions generally cost between $15 and $75.

Inexpensive

At the low end of the scale, between $15 and $20, you’ll find mostly inflatable stability cushions that occasionally come with their own pumps.

Mid-range

In this range, cushions cost between $20 and $45, which is where you’ll see some foam models as well.

Expensive

At the high end, between $45 and $75, are where the majority of therapeutic stability cushions are found. These are designed largely to aid in post-operative rehabilitation exercises and are manufactured to be more durable than lower-end models. Many cushions in this range are also useful for advanced core and stability training.

Tips

• Wipe down after use. It’s important to keep your stability cushion clean, especially after it comes in contact with bare feet, shoes, or hands.

• Purchase two cushions. If you want to train symmetrically and simultaneously, purchase two identical stability cushions. Put them under your elbows, knees, or feet to take your training to the next level.

• Keep away from pets. Stability cushions can look a lot like chew toys to pets, so store your stability cushions out of the reach of your four-legged friends.

• Check for latex. If you have a latex allergy, be mindful of the cushion’s materials. While many are latex-free, check the packaging or contact the manufacturer to be sure.

• Purchase as a value set. If you want to buy more than one stability cushion, consider buying a set. You can’t always find them sold this way, but if you do, you could end up paying less per item.

When you want a home gym but have limited space, a stability cushion is your friend. Since these cushions are usually around a foot wide, you can keep one under your bed, in a closet, or behind a door.

FAQ

Q. Will my stability cushion come with its own pump?

A. It varies. Some cushions are packaged with a matching pump, although the pump could be cheaply made so as not to drive up the price of the cushion. If you have a collection of inflatable fitness or physical therapy equipment in addition to your stability cushion, it may be a good idea to buy a quality pump separately.

Q. Why are stability cushions so small?

A. Stability cushions are small because their function is to pose a balance challenge. It would be easy to catch yourself and move to another spot on a larger cushion, but it removes the challenge of trying not to fall. Having a larger cushion also causes a wider distribution of weight — so again, it’s less challenging than a smaller one. If you want to get a stability cushion where both your feet fit at the same time, opt for a foam model, as they tend to have a bit more space than round or oval ones.

Q. How much weight can I put on my stability cushion?

A. Because of the nature of a stability cushion, the manufacturer usually advertises the weight limit, which is typically between 200 and 500 pounds. Another thing to keep in mind is how much you inflate the cushion. If it’s overinflated, the weight threshold is lower, as the pressure buildup inside could cause it to burst.

Q. My stability cushion is a plastic/vinyl/rubber model with a series of little stubs on one side. It’s gotten really dusty, so how do I clean it?

A. It’s hard to reach all the nooks and crannies of these models. Think of it as trying to floss a whole mouth of tiny teeth. Because it’s plastic/vinyl/rubber, you could hose it down with water to dislodge the dust. It should get rid of most of it. If it’s still not coming out, you might need to immerse it in water and go over it with detergent and a clean bristle brush.