5 Best Folding Balance Beams - Aug. 2022

Updated September 2021

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Bottom Line

Pros

Cons

With a wooden core to support more weight, non-slip base, and recessed hinges, this beam is great for your gymnast and your floors.

Pros

Low-profile, 8-foot folding balance beam. Wood core with foam top and synthetic suede cover. Sits flush with the floor on non-slip base. Recessed hinges protect the floor. Carry handles. Wood core accommodates heavier weights than foam beams. Portable. Choice of colors.

Cons

Pricey.

Best Bang for the Buck

Z-Athletic

Gymnastics Folding Training Low Beam

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Bottom Line

This beam is a good purchase for beginners who want to practice and play at home. Its foam core keeps feet from sinking into the beam, at least if you're under 100 pounds.

Pros

Made of high-density, cross-linked polyethylene foam core for solid support. Covered with synthetic suede, which won't tear like vinyl and is easy to clean. Lightweight. Easy to handle and store. Choice of colors. Available in 8-foot or 9-foot lengths. Durable.

Cons

May not be supportive enough for older gymnasts but good for elementary-age children. May arrive with a slight odor, which will fade in time.

The Beam Store

8-Foot Folding Balance Beam

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Bottom Line

With a solid wood core and competition-style padding, this beam will accommodate gymnasts up to 250 pounds. Just be sure to use it on carpet because it can slide on smooth tile and damage wood and laminate flooring.

Pros

Wood core folding balance beam. Low profile. Measures 8 feet long and three inches high. Padded with cross-linked PE foam, which is the same padding that's used on competition beams. Heavy-duty synthetic suede covering. Well-constructed and sturdy.

Cons

Hinges on the bottom may slide on smooth flooring and scratch wood floors.

Tumble Trak

Sectional Floor Balance Beam

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Bottom Line

Rather than folding up, this balance beam comes in sections that are attached at the ends with hook-and-loop closure panels.

Pros

Synthetic suede cover sewn around two-layer foam core. Hook-and-loop closure panels at each end to join sections together. Beams measure four feet long. Each beam comes with hook-and-loop panels that span four inches in height. Base is designed for stability. Lightweight and easy for children to set up.

Cons

Must buy more than one section for a usable length. Best for gymnasts under 100 pounds.

We Sell Mats

9-Foot Folding Floor Balance Beam

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Bottom Line

This beam is best for toddlers and elementary-age children to practice simple routines. It may be too soft for older children to practice more advanced techniques.

Pros

Folding balance beam. Medium-density foam core. Measures nine feet long. Widens toward base for extra stability. Vinyl cover. Lightweight enough for children to move. Choice of colors.

Cons

Best for younger children. Foam may not support children doing more advanced gymnastics.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Models
Considered

100

Consumers
Consulted

Hours
Researched

Folding balance beams give athletes an easy-to-use option for working on their balance at home. Although balance beams are primarily for gymnasts, this device can be useful for all athletes. Learning to walk on a balance beam in a practice setting can help overall agility and balance for any sport. Folding balance beams have a full length of over 8’ for workouts. But when it’s time to store them, they’ll fold down so they can fit in a small space. A folding type of balance beam will sit directly on the ground. This makes it a good option for youngsters just learning how to walk on the beam. Should they fall, they’ll have a better chance to avoid injury versus a beam that’s a few feet in the air.

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