The Best Bosu Balls for Abs & Core Strength

The Best Bosu Balls for Abs & Core Strength

The Best Bosu Balls for Abs & Core Strength

The Best Bosu Balls for Abs & Core Strength

If you’re looking for a simple way to improve your balance, core & ab strength, I can see no better equipment than a Bosu Ball.

It’s such a versaitle piece of equipment that can be used for fitness, rehab, and integrated into your gym routine.

In this review, I’ll talk talk about the Bosu Ball and also recommend some worthy alternatives.

I’ll also discuss the benefits, what results you can expect, and list some exercises to do with the ball.

Bosu Pro NexGen 65CM Balance Trainer

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Bosu Pro NexGen 65CM Balance Trainer

  • Designed with a quadrant to favor body positioning, improved grip, and movements.
  • Comes with downloadable exercise and video
  • Specially created to improve flexibility and strengthen your core.
  • Maximum weight of 350 lbs.
  • Includes a hand pump.

Perfect for beginners

If you’ve never tried a Bosu ball, this is definitely a hot pick for you. It has instructions and videos which you can look at for inspiration and it definitely won’t let you down.

It works to strengthen your core and improve other fitness parameters, including agility and balance, plus it has a special texture that improves your grip and traction.

What customers are saying

You will get great quality for the price, and most users recommend it as a comfortable item that will last a lifetime.

It can be used upside down and with some creativity, you will find it very useful to increase core strength.

A few dissatisfied customers mention problems with the pump that can be solved with customer service.

You might also need to add air every once in a while.

What we like

  • It is durable and made with high-quality materials.
  • It comes with instructions and downloadable videos.

What we dislike

  • The price can be a bit high for some buyers.

BOSU Pro Balance Trainer

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BOSU Pro Balance Trainer

  • Designed for both home use or commercial use.
  • A hot pick for fitness clubs, physical therapists, and personal trainers.
  • Made with a non-slip and non-marking material.
  • Comes with downloadable exercises and videos and visual content.
  • 26 inches in diameter, and a maximum weight of 350 lbs.

Designed for heavier use

The Bosu Pro Balance Trainer is designed for heavier use and is recommended for gyms, fitness clubs, physical therapists and personal trainers.

It’s available in various colors and models, and all of them do the trick by keeping a very stable base as the ball creates instability to force your muscles to balance your core.

What customers are saying

The vast majority of users are satisfied with the product and customer experience.

This particular product is made in the US, and their customer support team is based there as well.

It comes with a foot pump for inflation and its height when fully inflated goes up to 10 inches.

One of the only problems with this Bosu ball is the inflation system, but it is usually solved if you do long and slow pumps instead of short and fast ones.

What we like

  • It has one of the highest maximum weight limits in the market.
  • Sturdy and made with high-quality materials.

What we dislike

  • You need to be patient with the inflation system and do long and slow pumps.

Bosu Sport Balance Trainer - Travel Size

Bosu Sport Balance Trainer - Travel Size

  • Provides a dynamic and unstable surface suitable to increase upper and lower body strength.
  • Its portable size makes it more compact than other models.
  • Made with handles at each side for easier carrying.
  • 7 inches height with a 22-inch base.
  • Maximum weight of 250 lbs.
  • Includes exercise manual and inflation pump.

Easy to store and carry around

This portable Bosu ball comes from the same company as the previous two but in a smaller size.

It is designed specially to store in a smaller space and was constructed with durable materials that make it perfect for use at home or to carry around for any outdoor activity.

What customers are saying

This Bosu Ball can be used upside down to increase the number of supported exercises, and it is very sturdy according to some user recommendations.

It provides the same level of base stability for safety and surface instability for core strengthening.

The fact that this is a smaller version than the standard, makes it unfit for large users, so this should always be taken into consideration.

What we like

  • It has the same Bosu Ball technology in a smaller size
  • Easier storage and has recessed handles to carry around

What we dislike

  • The smaller size makes it inappropriate for large users

Bosu Balance PODS

Bosu Balance PODS

  • A 6-inch pod with a soft grip especially made to fit your hands.
  • Provides an additional challenge to the Bosu Ball, and can be used for pushups, planks, and other exercises.
  • Includes a 2-pack or 4-pack, depending on your order.
  • Non-slip base and surface with a 1-pound total weight.

The perfect companion for your Bosu ball

This is a great companion for your Bosu ball and comes in pairs to fit your hands in all of your exercises.

The maximum weight capacity is 300 lbs, but keep in mind that the bodyweight is meant to be distributed between the Bosu ball and the accessories.

Adds fun to your exercise

This pair of balance pods adds some fun to the actual exercise with the Bosu ball. It reduces stress on your wrists when you’re doing push-ups, and the impact on your knees and legs if you suffer from joint pain.

The pods can be pumped back into its original inflated state when it loses pressure, all you’ll need is a standard needle pump.

What we like

  • They are excellent to do pushups and avoid ending up with sore wrists.
  • These pods are made with lasting materials and they are made to fit in your hands.

What we dislike

  • Some users find the size too small for their hands.

Ativafit Half Ball Balance Trainer With Straps

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Ativafit Half Ball Balance Trainer With Straps

  • This Ball Balance Trainer is made with non-toxic and environmental-friendly PVC.
  • It has 6 rubber feet in the base to reduce slipping for safe jumping and standing.
  • It is as versatile as other Bosu balls and comes with exercise bands for more exercise options.
  • Lightweight and portable.
  • Maximum capacity of 660 lbs.
  • Comes with elastic strings, an air pump, and one valve plug.

Enables you to go beyond

This alternative to the traditional Bosu ball has a similar function, a higher weight capacity, and additional exercise bands.

It is definitely an excellent option if you like the concept of a Bosu ball but you want to go beyond and try extra exercises.

It has an anti-slip texture, and the base is very stable on any surface.

What customers are saying

According to the reviews of this product, it is made with durable materials, and the resistance bands are excellent quality.

It is sometimes difficult to get on and off them but they’re still as versatile and fun as other Bosu Ball models. They even come in a variety of colors.

What we like

  • The same as the Bosu Ball with an extra weight capacity.
  • The exercise bands are very ingenious and give an extra function to the ball.

What we dislike

  • The resistance bands can be difficult to use and some users may not need them.
  • It is slightly smaller than the traditional Bosu ball.

Not all gym equipment has clinical trials to support their use, but Bosu balls are the exception.

Proven Benefits

For example, there was a 12-week study that evaluated individuals training with a Bosu ball.

The investigators concluded that these individuals improved their postural stability as well as their static and dynamic balance.

This is because Bosu balls help us increase our core strength, even more than the traditional crunches and flexing exercises.

Why it’s good for some and not others?

The good thing about this type of equipment is that the instability it produces activates more core muscles than you would normally activate with the same exercise and without the ball.

It is also very good for warm-up and cool-down routines.

The only bad thing about Bosu ball training is that it is not a highly specialized exercise.

It works fantastic to improve your overall condition, but they won’t help much if you’re an athlete and have a very special fitness goal such as jumping higher or throwing fastballs.

Most Bosu balls come with an exercise guide, some of them even have videos. But if you need more ideas, here’s a list of the exercises your new Bosu ball will support:

Bosu Planks

Unlike regular planks, holding a plank will be a harder challenge on your Bosu ball.

It will also engage more upper-body and core muscles. Do it with your Bosu Ball facing down to the floor and your hands on the base.

Raised Feet Planks

Another plank idea is to place the Bosu Ball facing down once again, but this time on your feet while your hands support your weight on the ground.

This activates more lower body muscles than regular planks.

Side Planks

Side planks are excellent exercises for your obliques, but they can be very uncomfortable if you have sensitive elbows.

With a Bosu ball, you will have this covered, and add some extra instability for more muscle engagement.

Twisting Planks

This type of planks can be difficult and tiring as it is, and they become more challenging if you hold on to the base of a Bosu ball upside down.

If you’re a beginner, try a standard plank and start doing twists when you hold the position for a minimum of 60 seconds.

Plank Leg Lifts

Do the standard plank but place your elbows on the unstable surface of the Bosu ball and raise your legs alternatively. This is a great exercise for your back and glutes.

Bird Dog Pose

The Bird Dog pose can become really challenging when you place your right hand and left knee on the unstable surface of a Bosu ball, and then the opposite arm and leg.

Up to 12 repetitions is an excellent goal. But if you’re a beginner, try extending just your legs or your arms, and only extend both when you feel comfortable.

Bosu Balls are based on the premise that your body tries to regain balance by activating core muscles, and that’s why they provide an unstable surface.

The same principle applies to the Bosu Ball Alternative called Balance or Wobble Boards.

What are balance or wobble boards?

They are flat surfaces placed over a pivot that moves around and forces your body to continuously engage your core to regain balance.

Using these balance boards feels very similar to playing sports such as skating, snowboarding, or surfing, and it is a great strategy to improve your balance for those particular sports.

How do they strengthen core muscles?

Balance boards are fitting alternatives to the Bosu Ball because they do exactly the same thing: engage your core muscles.

Both Bosu balls and balance boards will work to strengthen your core muscles by creating a continuous challenge for your core.

Especially if you master the standing position and try a few postures.

Finer Form Half Ball Balance Trainer

This balance ball is very simple, yet sturdy and durable. The weight capacity is one of its major advantages because not every model stands 660 lbs.

It’s also made with high-grade PVC and the only downside is that the base is not completely flat.

Helm Helmfit Core Fitness Strength Training System

This is an additional accessory you can buy for your Bosu ball or stability ball.

It has the exact shape to fit the contour of your Bosu ball, and a pair of handles that make planks easier with 3 different grip options.

It is portable and sturdy, supporting up to 700 lbs with a lifetime warranty.

ZELUS Balance Ball Trainer

This is another excellent alternative to the classic Bosu Ball.

It features two detachable resistance bands and comes with a pump and different colors to choose from.

The only bad thing is that this product is slightly smaller compared to the classic Bosu brand, so keep that in mind.

DEVEBOR Pro Massage Balance Ball

These guys take anti-slip seriously, and they are offering a new function in a Bosu Ball, which is a gentle massage with 282 massage points on the surface.

This balance ball is very resistant, and the recommended weight is up to 800 lbs.