DIY Balance Board
Great for off-season training, learning new tricks, and building fine tune
balance muscles.
This DIY version of a balance board is affordable and quick to make. Plus you can throw in some personal flare with custom grip tape and fancy printed duct tape too.
You can use it anywhere, and also adjust the difficulty level by how much water you add to the plastic bottle.
I prefer this skateboard deck balance board over other manufactured balance boards I've tried. The convex shape of the skateboard deck makes balancing a bit more challenging, but it feels most similar to snowboarding I think. You can tilt the balance board from toe to heel and from nose to tail. Flat plank balance boards only move nose to tail.
Benefits Of Using A Balance Board
Improve Posture
Increase Core Strength
Develop Balance Muscles
Improve Coordination, Agility and Strength
Materials Needed
2 Liter Plastic Bottle ( One that is round and not strongly shaped)
Old Or New Skateboard Deck W/Griptape
Duct Tape
Water
Step 1
Fill 2 Liter plastic bottle with water as full as you can get it and tightly close the lid.
Step 2
Dry off water bottle and wrap the entire middle section of the bottle with the duct tape. You can wrap the entire bottle or just the section of bottle that will be in contact with the ground while you are using the balance board.
Step 3
Find a smooth, flat surface to set the balance board up on. You can use a softer surface like carpet if you want the bottle to roll slower, and a harder surface if you want the bottle to roll faster.
Step 4
Place the skateboard deck over the center of the bottle, make sure the bottle is located in the middle of the skate deck as well. The nose of the skate deck will be in the air and the tail will be in contact with the floor.
Step 5
Place your back leg on the tail of the skate deck that is resting on the floor. You'll want to start off with most of your weight on your bag foot for now. Gently place your front foot on the nose of the skate deck that is in the air. (I'm goofy, so I start the balance board with my right foot)
Step 6
Very gently shift your weight from your back foot to your front foot until you are centered over the water bottle.
Step 7
Shift your weight slowly from foot to foot, rolling the skate deck back and forth on top of the water bottle. See how long you can balance!
You've made a balance board! Now give yourself a pat on the back and get out there and balance!
Pro Tips
If you have never used a balance board before, you can start by facing a wall. You can use your hands to help you balance until you get the hang of it.
If the full bottle is too challenging at first, you can let some water out so the bottle squishes a bit. This makes it roll slower.
It's all in the ankles and knees. Try to keep your core balanced upright and hold a nice posture while balancing. Use flexion in your knees and ankles to help stay steady and balance. Try to keep your limbs and joints relaxed and just let the movement flow from side to side.
See if you can balance without looking at the board. Look up at the horizon and stay balanced.
Start trying tricks! You can flex down and grab the board, try a 180, start the balance board with your back foot instead of your front foot.
Now who wants to play a game of SKATE?
