Best Balance Pads of 2024 – Buyer’s Guide & Reviews

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If you have problems balancing, if you would like to further challenge yourself during strength training routines, if you have injuries, or if you need some extra padding, a balance pad makes an excellent solution to all of those problems. A balance pad is a really neat and innovative tool that serves a wide variety of purposes. Let’s talk about what exactly a balance pad is, what their benefits are, how to find a good one, and which ones are the best options to go with. We are here to find out which balance pad is the best balance pad!

Summary: The Best Balance Pads

What Is A Balance Pad?

A balance pad is a special piece of foam padding that is used for various workout purposes. They are usually between 13 by 16 inches to 16 by 20 inches in size, and they are generally between 1.8 and 2.5 inches thick. They can be used for some extra cushioning between you and the ground when doing strength exercises, they can be used as a floor cushion at a standing desk, and they can even be used as a seat pad too.

Of course, their main purpose is to help increase your balance by providing you with a slightly unstable surface, something that helps train your body to balance better, be stronger, and improves joint stability too. They are most often used to do balancing exercises such as squats, one legged squats, lunges, knee lifts, and other exercises which serve to increase your balancing abilities.

The Benefits Of A Balance Pad

A balance pad is a really neat exercise and strengthening tool to have in your arsenal for various reasons. A balance pad comes with quite a few different benefits that can be applied to a large variety of people.

Benefit #1: Rehab

First off, a balance pad is a tool often used by therapists for people who need extra support when doing physical rehabilitation exercises, which is because balance pads provide a thick layer of cushioning. They can help improve muscle and joint condition, mobility, and strengthen muscles, all things which are useful for rehabilitating from surgery or injury.

Benefit #2: Balance

Perhaps the biggest benefit that you can get from using a balance pad on a regular basis is of course that it will help increase your body’s ability to balance and stay upright. These things provide you with a slightly unstable surface that forces your body to adapt to positional changes and therefore help to increase your balance. Doing exercises such as one legged squats, knee raises, and other one legged exercises in combination with a balance pad will go a long way in training you to stay upright in any and all situations.

Benefit #3: Strength

Another benefit that you can get from using a balance pad is that it is a good complement to strength training exercises, or at least for some of them. The way in which they force you to balance helps to engage certain muscles in your core, legs, and other areas of the body. With a balance pad, you get more strength and more balance.

Benefit #4: Cushioning

The final benefit worth mentioning when it comes to a balance pad is that they are great cushions in a variety of situations. They can be used at a standing desk to help cushion your feet while also increasing balance, they can be used as a chair cushion to provide support for your back, and they work as great mats to sit on while doing sit ups.

What To Look Out For When Buying A Balance Pad

Balance pads usually are not very expensive, but that does not mean that you want to buy the first one that you see. Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind before you purchase any one balance pad.

Thickness & Softness

One of the most important things to keep in mind before making your purchase is how thick the balance pad is. Most balance pads will be anywhere between 1.5 and 3 inches thick, with the vast majority resting somewhere between 2 and 2.5 inches in thickness. A thicker mat will provide more instability than a thinner one, thus making balancing exercises more effective.

On the other hand, strength training exercises will usually benefit from a slightly thinner model. Also, if you want the pad to cushion your feet, back, or other parts of your body, you will want it to be fairly soft. Moreover, the softer the balance pad is, the more it will force you to balance. In all reality, a thick and soft balance pad is what you are looking for. Of course, the thickness of the mat will also determine how heavy it is, and thus how portable.

Coating

Ideally, the balance pad in question should have some kind of protective layer on top of it that prevents it from absorbing sweat. This is pretty crucial because you don’t want it to absorb your sweat and get stinky. Moreover, a good protective coating can also help to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. Furthermore, a good balance pad will also have some kind of non-slip coating to stop you from slipping on it and to stop it from slipping across the ground.

Balance Pad Reviews

Our Rating

This is in all reality the best balance pad that you can find on the market today. This thing is very thick, very well cushioned, it provides you with good instability, it has a non-slip moisture resistant surface, and it will definitely help you strengthen your muscles and increase your balance without question.


Design

This is an absolutely fantastic balance pad that will serve all of your needs without question. The Airex Balance Pad Elite is a full 2.5 inches thick and is very well cushioned. This helps to provide you with good instability which lets you do balance exercises. Things like squats, one legged squats, lunges, and a whole array of balance exercises are all easy to do on this thing.

Moreover, this particular balance pad is also more than thick enough to help you do sit ups on the hard ground without hurting your back, it makes for a great foot pad for a standing desk, and it can even be used as a chair cushion for back support too. The Airex Balance Pad Elite is fantastic for strength training purposes, balance training, rehabilitation, and providing you with comfort when nothing else can.

One of the best parts of this balance pad is that it has a non-slip grip surface on both sides. This helps to ensure that you never slip off of the pad when using it, plus it won’t slip across the ground either, both very valuable aspects. This thing is also one of the larger balance pads on the market today, which means that it is ideal for a variety of purposes and for all sizes of people too.

Even better is that this special coating makes the Airex Balance Pad Elite water and smell proof. It won’t absorb your sweat, it won’t start to stink, and it is very easy to clean as well. Moreover, this thing has also been pre-sanitized and specially treated to stop the growth of bacteria that can cause bad smells and sickness too.

Value for money

The Airex Balance Pad Elite costs a little less than 70 dollars. Now, while this is by far the most expensive of all balance pads on this list, the awesome qualities that it has, those which we talked about previously, all make it more than worth the slightly elevated price. You might be spending a little extra, but you get one of the best possible balance pads on the market.

Build quality

We really have nothing bad to say about the build quality of this particular balance pad. It is made out of very strong and durable foam which is proven to prevent rips and tearing in order to provide you with as much longevity as humanly possible. Moreover, the thickness of this mat helps provide you with a whole lot of cushioning and great instability exercise capabilities as well. Not to mention that it has a great non-slip textured surface on both sides, a surface that is water and smell proof too.

Pros

  • Very thick and well cushioned
  • Excellent balance training capabilities
  • Helps to strengthen your muscles
  • Great non-slip texture on both sides
  • Water and smell proof coating
  • Easy to clean
  • Extremely durable

Cons

  • Somewhat expensive

Our Rating

This is a fantastic high-end balance pad to go with, a premium version that comes at a very awesome price. If you need something to help you out with your balance routines, or just for staying comfortable, this is an option to consider no doubt.


Design

Something that we really like about the Clever Yoga Balance Pad Premium is that it is useful for a number of different purposes. Its main purpose is of course to provide you with some light instability so you can do balance exercises such as lunges, squats, and other one legged exercises which will strengthen your muscles, strengthen your joints, and help increase how well you can balance.

However this thing can also be used for some extra cushioning while doing sit ups, plus it makes a great foot pad for a desk where you have to stand, not to mention that it serves a great purpose as a soft seat cushion that provides you with spinal support for sitting in those horrible office chairs. This thing is great for rehab, muscle strengthening, injury prevention, comfort, and so much more.

The mat itself is around 20 by 16 inches, making it fairly large and ideal for bigger people to use. Plus the whole thing is a good 2.5 inches thick, which means that it provides more than enough comfort and instability for a wide array of exercises in order to suit everyone’s needs.

Moreover, you will also appreciate the fact that this thing has a sweat and waterproof coating in order to stop it from absorbing your sweat, getting wet, sticky, and smelly, and also helps prevent nasty bacterial growth too. All in all, this is a very useful and durable item that will last you for years to come and provides a whole lot of comfort for a variety of workout routines.

Value for money

We really cannot argue with the value you get with the Clever Yoga Balance Pad Premium. It costs around 40 dollars, which is a mid-range price for a fantastic balance pad. It does not cost very much but still manages to provide you with all of the quality you need to get a great balance workout.

Build quality

The build quality of this particular balance pad is quite superior when compared to other models on the market today. It is very strong and durable, it’s not going to crack or tear anytime soon, it is very thick and comfortable, and the anti-bacterial and waterproof coating only serve to add to the value even more.

Pros

  • Very strong and durable
  • Extra-thick – provides comfort and good instability
  • Waterproof coating for anti-stink qualities
  • Perfect for rehab, balancing, and support for a variety of exercises
  • Large and suitable for most people

Cons

  • Slightly stiff

Our Rating

This is a good basic balance pad option to go with. It will definitely help add some cushioning to your mat workout routines and it will help give you an extra challenge for balancing exercises too.


Design

Something that you will like about the Airex Balance Pad is that it is more than large enough to suit any size person for a variety of exercises. It comes in at around 20 by 16 inches and is also 2.5 inches thick. It is more than large enough to support your body through a variety of exercises thanks to the very high amount of cushioning it offers you. Doing sit ups has never been more comfortable. Also, the whole thing is pretty light, so moving it from one spot to another is as easy as can be.

Of course, this is a balance pad, and by providing you with slight instability, it forces your body to balance properly to keep yourself from falling. This is meant to strengthen your muscles, train your balancing skills, and it helps to improve joint stability as well. This thing is great for teaching you balance while you do squats, high knees, one legged toe touches and more.

Something else we like about the Airex Balance Pad is that it has been built with very soft foam for comfort, but even though it is soft, the material used is also very strong. It’s a great tear resistant mat that will last you for ages to come. This makes the Airex ideal for both light balance workouts and heavier workouts too.

Moreover, this thing is also completely waterproof so it doesn’t get wet and absorb your sweat. Plus it also has antibacterial and antifungal properties to stop the growth of unwanted organic compounds. This means that the Airex Balance pad won’t get soaked with sweat, it won’t get stinky, and it is also very easy to clean with a simple little cloth.

Value for money

The Airex Balance Pad costs about 60 dollars, which is a relatively good price considering what this thing manages to bring to the table. It’s a super strong and ultra-comfortable balance pad that is sweat and tear resistant.

Build quality

There is nothing to complain about when it comes to the build quality of the Airex Balance Pad. This thing is made with very strong foam to ensure its longevity, it is very thick to provide comfort, it provides light instability for the perfect balance workouts, and it is also completely waterproof too. Quality is definitely not an issue with this balance pad.

Pros

  • Comfortable foam – very thick
  • Offers light instability
  • Sweat proof
  • Comes pre-sanitized
  • Decent size for all people
  • Fairly durable

Cons

  • Somewhat expensive
  • May crack after prolonged use or when in hot environments

Our Rating

The HemingWeigh Balance Pad is a good choice to go with if you need a lightweight balance pad with a decent amount of cushioning. It provides for moderate instability and it does not even cost that much either.


Design

Something that everyone will be able to appreciate about this particular balance pad is that it is fairly small and lightweight. This thing is very portable and easy to carry from one spot to another thanks to its small size. It is not the thickest of all balance pads, coming in at 2 inches thick, however the lower level of cushioning may be worth it for some people because of the portability trade off.

Another thing that you are going to like about this balance pad is that while it is one of the smaller options, it is still more than thick enough to provide you with an adequate amount of cushioning for strength based exercises. It’s a great addition to a thinner Yoga or exercise mat. Of course, this is a balance pad, which means that the 2 inches of material help to provide you with instability so you can do balance exercises like one legged squats and other such balance training maneuvers.

This thing is perfect for strengthening your core, training your balance, and providing you with an overall stronger body. We also like the fact that this balance pad is made out of very resilient materials which are proven to pass the test of time. This thing is not going to rip or tear and the special coating helps ensure that it doesn’t absorb moisture either. The finish on this balance pad also makes it easy to clean with a wet cloth.

Value for money

This balance pad comes in at around 30 dollars. This is a pretty good price for such a high-quality balance pad. This thing is not the biggest, thickest, or fanciest balance pad, but it does more than enough to help you increase your strength and balance, and of course it does not cost very much to begin with anyway.

Build quality

The build quality of this balance pad is pretty good indeed. The strong foam it is made of is shown to be resilient towards ripping and tearing, plus the coating keeps moisture, bad smells, and bacteria at bay. Overall, this is a perfectly fine balance pad that comes in at a very good price when all things are considered.

Pros

  • Compact and portable
  • Quite durable
  • Moisture and smell proof
  • Easy to clean
  • Provides light instability and good cushioning

Cons

  • Quite stiff and solid

Our Rating

This is a really good balance pad and it can do everything that you need it to do, and better yet, it comes in at a very affordable price. If you need to do balance exercises, or just need some extra cushioning for your floor mat, then this is a great choice without a doubt.


Design

Something that we really like about this balance pad is that you will have no trouble moving it from one spot to another thanks to its compact size and very low weight. While it may not be as large as some other models, and therefore may not accommodate the largest or heaviest of people, it has a great portability factor that makes it easy to move from one place to another.

The pad itself is 2 inches thick, which is more than thick enough for some basic balancing exercises like squats, lunges, push ups, sit ups, and a whole array of single leg balance exercises too. While it is not the thickest balance pad on the market, the Yes4All Balance Pad is still adequate for basic balance exercises and for providing you with some extra cushioning between you and the floor when need be.

This thing is great for rehabilitation, injury prevention, and sports training too as the instability it provides will strengthen your muscles and your joints, plus it helps increase your balance too.

The material itself is also pretty good thanks to the waterproof coating that it has. This thing won’t get stinky and damp from absorbing your sweat, plus the antibacterial qualities of the coating prevent bacteria and fungi from growing, plus it helps keep it smelling good too. The waterproof coating also allows you to easily wipe it down with a wet cloth when it is clean up time.

There is also the neat fact that this thing features a special grip anti-slip coating so you can do one legged balancing exercises without the risk of slipping, falling, and injuring yourself. The material of the Yes4All Balance Pad is also fairly strong and durable, something which we aren’t going to complain about. It is tear resistant, won’t crease, and will definitely support you for a long time to come.

Value for money

For under 25 dollars you really can’t complain about the value that you get with the Yes4All Balance Pad. It might not be the fanciest, thickest, or most durable out of all balance pads, but it will definitely do for some basic routines, especially considering the very low price that it comes at.

Build quality

The build quality of this balance pad is more than good enough to support you through all of your balancing exercise endeavors. The closed cell foam is tear resistant, it won’t absorb liquids, it’s easy to clean, and more than thick enough to provide you with good comfort.

Pros

  • Very portable
  • Tear resistant
  • Adequate cushioning and instability features
  • Won’t absorb liquids
  • Doesn’t get stinky
  • Stops bacterial growth
  • Great for moderate balancing workouts

Cons

  • May be somewhat small for some people

Conclusion

As you can see, there are a whole number of benefits that come with using a balance pad on a regular basis, plus they serve a great many purposes too. As long as you keep our considerations in mind, you should have no problem finding the best balance pad out there. We would definitely recommend checking out one of the above options if you are looking for the best quality and the best value for the money that you are spending.

If you have any questions or concerns about using or buying a balance pad, feel free to let us know and we will get back to you as soon as we can!