Like much of our beloved surf culture, balance boards
have now infiltrated the outside world. What was once a way to keep
your surf specific skills and muscles ready for the next swell has
become a functional tool to add balance and focus to an otherwise
boring, conventional workout.
I have reviewed several different boards in the past, but the
newest incarnation from Strong Board looks to be not just the most solid
and durable but board yet but also the most useful for training beyond
simple surf specific balance exercise.Firstly, the Strong Board comes fully loaded and assembled. It’s all one piece: an apparatus connected from its base to the springs to the board. Because there is no tube or roller like traditional balance trainers, this board will not slide out from under you nor will it come apart if you stand wrong. This aspect also makes it easier to balance on than other boards.
However, the Strong Board isn’t really a surf balance board, it’s more of a workout tool. It’s the springs that make it different. In fact, it’s the springs that do everything. They set this mechanism apart from other balance boards on the market. With the spring effect, the Strong Board offers a full range of movement instead of simply back and forth or front and back. According to Strong Board, it’s “the only board allowing an all-encompassing, fully integrated workout for each muscle group.” This offers the possibility to incorporate it into any exercise. The board’s multi-spring loaded balance concept means it never stabilizes. “The body constantly seeks stabilization regardless of the user’s skill level. The result is a genuine evolution in fitness and training.”
That’s the gist of the Strong Board, but how does it really work? I put it to the test by following the manufacturer’s list of approved exercises and giving each one a go.
Strong Board offers exercises that focus on every part of the body from the chest and arms to the lower body. The only extra items I needed were two 20 pound free weights. Squats, push-ups, windmills, leg lifts, planks, and basic weighted curls are just some of the exercises that are possible in addition to variations of yoga poses.
Adding the board to your workout gives an extra challenge and seems to include a variety of other muscles. It’s all about the resistance against gravity in holding your balance as you exercise. Any surfer knows that standing, staying centered and erect as your board navigates the uncertainties of the ocean’s surface exacts a toll on all your muscles. The same concept holds true here. “When performing basic exercises on the Strong Board, such as squats or curls, users experience real results much faster than traditional core workouts targeting the same muscle groups.”
That said, I followed the workout tips on the website and followed all the instructions. The exercises would be basic except for the fact that you are constantly focusing on keeping your balance. As a yoga and weight training enthusiast, I did not find the workouts particularly difficult, but as a surfer, I loved the fact that I was balance training and working those specific surf muscles all the way. When you take into consideration the knee, ankle, thigh, back, and abdominal tension that is happening while you balance, logic would follow that your surfing will improve. In addition, incorporating the Strong Board into your regime definitely adds added challenge and energy to the humdrum routine. Plus, having one of these mechanisms along with a small set of weights around the house offers potential for a full and extensive workout right in front of the TV or in the backyard with some music blazing. That’s how I did it.
The real deal? The Strong Board is built strong. It’s durable and comes fully assembled. The concept is simple yet effective. In my trial, the Strong Board undoubtedly added a surf-like vibe to basic exercises and spiced up routine movements by layering the challenge of core balance to every move. This board is functional and fun as a balance board and can also be used as a push up device.
