11 of the best balance boards to *seriously* test your stability

Balance boards might sound like a children's toy, but these wobbly little pieces of fitness kit could in fact be the key to improving your core strength (by engaging your muscles as you try and stay upright), stability and posture, as well as training the muscles around your ankles. Which doesn't sound half bad, eh?

You might have come across balance boards in your physio's office or seen them in the homes of A-list athletes, but they're not just for doctors or the pros: balance boards definitely deserve to a place in your at-home gym too, as they'll quickly level up your exercise routine by increasing the difficulty of your moves. They're also great if you use a standing desk at home, turning even the most boring of Zoom meetings into a low-impact workout.

There are a few different types of balance board, so here's a quick rundown on the differences between a balance or wobble board, and rocker or roller boards:

Wobble boards: A wobble board is another name for your typical circular balance board, with a flat top to stand up and a dome-shaped bottom. A wobble balance board will allow you to move from front to back and side to side, but also move in a full circle.

Rocker boards: Rocker boards are more like a curved rectangle in shape, almost like a skate or surfboard that's been bent in at the ends, and allow you to move from side to side or front to back.

Roller boards: Roller boards are the most difficult balance boards to use, consisting of a flat piece of wood in a similar shape to a rocker board.

Here's our round up of the best wobble, rocker and roller balance boards to try today. And if you really want to step up your workout, why not try these ankle weights, too?