Balance Buddy Ankle Balance Boards | Balance Board for Sprained Ankle Injury, Exercise, Therapy, Mobility, Plantar Fasciitis, Strengthener, Stretcher, Posture Corrector | 30+ Workout Book Included

Best Part: This gives a serious workout of the little muscles all over your ankle, but also stabilizer muscles around your knees, hips, and trunk. Especially if you have weak balance, you'll end up working a lot more.What I Like:Sturdy Construction: Very solid design, no problem resting my weight on them.Exercise Instruction Booklet: The exercise illustrations are very clear, and the exercises are shown in increasing levels of difficulty. And they do get difficult!Small slim size: I actually put two of these in my backpack for a work trip and used them in the hotel when I knew I wouldn't have much time for any other workout. Very convenient.6-pack: It's nice having enough of these that you can do them with a spouse/kid/friend, or I've actually developed some of my own two-leg exercises, like doing squats or lunges (with the non-moving leg on one of the orange or white rocking plates). You can also do pushups on these if you're a glutton for punishment, because they're not really designed for hand shapes and if you rock the wrong way you'll mash your fingers.What I Like Less:Troughs in the Black Plate: This is feedback for the manufacturer as well! The two troughs in the black plate where the "feet" (not human feet, the plate's feet) are molded are very uncomfortable at times. I don't think I have fallen arches, but I can often feel the one under my arch, and I can always feel the one under my toes. If you could spend the extra three cents on plastic to mold those solid, it would be a huge comfort and training improvement.Slipperty: You really should use these on rubbery exercise flooring or a yoga mat or some other high-friction low-thickness surface. These can be downright dangerous when used on wood, tile or concrete flooring, though you could put a towel down. I've used them on floor mats or carpet squares but you have to find a happy medium between a weave that is tight enough that you still get the rocking action, but not so tightly woven like commercial carpeting because they'll slip too much. I don't have any vinyl flooring to try it on but I think it would be too slippery. My recommendation is to plan to get some shelf-liner or yoga mat or similar material to use under these. (Note that the instructions say to use it on a non-slip surface, so it's not so much of a fault as a constraint).The dislikes are minor enough that I won't even deduct from 5 stars, because of all the physical therapy and yoga and gimmicky exercise appliances I've used over the years, these are probably the best combination of simple and effective for giving a great workout focusing on ankle and other stabilizer muscles.

After trying out the Balance Buddy Ankle Balance Board by Jmoe USA, my feelings are mixed. On one hand, the board serves its purpose well, but on the other hand, some aspects could be improved.Firstly, the Balance Buddy is quite basic in its construction, being made of hard plastic. This simplicity in design might not justify its price point ($29.00 when I wrote this review). It feels too expensive for a product that is essentially a piece of molded plastic. While the material is sturdy and functional, I expected more sophisticated features or higher-quality materials for the cost.However, the packaging and presentation of the Balance Buddy are commendable. It arrives well-packaged, and including a comprehensive user guide is a significant plus. This guide includes over 30 exercises and is particularly useful for anyone looking to rehabilitate ankle injuries or improve their foot and ankle strength. The exercises are easy to follow and cater to various needs, from injury recovery to athletic performance enhancement.The product itself is easy to use. Its compact and portable design makes it a convenient tool for home use and on-the-go exercises. This aspect is particularly beneficial for those needing consistent ankle and foot exercises, such as athletes or recovering from injuries.In terms of functionality, the Balance Buddy lives up to its claims. It focuses on improving ankle stability, aiding recovery from injuries, and helping in conditions like plantar fasciitis and Achilles Tendonitis. The targeted exercises for improving range of motion, muscle strength, and combating foot pain are practical and well-thought-out.The product aims to enhance speed, power, and agility from an athletic performance standpoint by focusing on the ankle's lateral motion and the foot's muscular tonicity. This aspect can be particularly beneficial for athletes looking to improve their performance.In conclusion, while the Balance Buddy Ankle Balance Board is effective and has a detailed guide that adds value, its basic plastic construction and high price tag are drawbacks. It's a functional tool for ankle strengthening and rehabilitation, but its cost-effectiveness is questionable. It could be a suitable choice for those seeking a straightforward, easy-to-use ankle exercise tool and willing to pay a premium for the included exercise guide.

They help my hips after the inversion table and stretching. I sit for work so need to decompress. I would like to be able to use them on something besides a foam pad