Have you considered making a DIY balance board? These tools aren’t exclusively designed for board sports, but there’s no question that good balance is a critical skill for longboarding and skateboarding. In part since better balance can result in better freeriding, cruising, and freestyle. A diy balance board’s combination of hard top and rounded bottom requires a person to utilize strong balance skills and quick movement.
You can purchase balance boards at various stores including sports stores, skate shops, surf shops, and Amazon. In fact, they’re quite easy to find in part because it’s become a recent fitness craze. On the other hand, what if you could build a high-quality balance board yourself that’s fully customized to meet your individual needs? You’ve come to the right place because we’re here to show you how to make a DIY balance board.
What is a balance board and how is it used?
These boards have been trending recently in YouTube workout videos, but they’re also an effective way longboarders can improve their balance, stability, and coordination. In fact, someone can easily ride a balance board whether they’re a beginner or expert skater. It’s even effective if people want to speed up their injury recovery so they can get back to sidewalk surfing or roller-skating.
These boards are something effective since the board’s unstable surface requires them to use their ankle muscles to achieve and maintain balance. Besides improving balance, the boards can also help to increase upper body stability and core strength. In fact, one can perform exercises while standing on the board to improve strength, balance, and stance.
While there are more than a couple different balance boards, the main structure is a flat top and dome-shaped underside located in the middle of the board. This way, the user can move in various directions. These wobble boards can be rectangular-shaped or U-shaped. The shape allows side-to-side or front-to-back movement.
Is there anything different between a wobble board and balance board? This round board offers ways to “wobble” like side-to-side, front-to-back and in a circle.
Is it easy to make DIY balance boards?
Making a diy balance board is something that can be quite easy. As with other DIY projects it just requires having the equipment, know-how, and motivation to build your own balance board. Another plus is different age groups in your household from kids to adults can utilize the deck as a kids toy, longboard trainer, or rehab equipment.
One of the main perks is this is a cost-effective way. So if you’re on a shoestring budget or looking for an affordable DIY project, this might be a good option for you. In fact, the process is so easy you can often swap in substitute materials/supplies if you don’t have some of the required ones.
How to make a balance board
Materials:
- Plywood board
- Balance board: (16” x 30”)
- Bumpers/Stoppers (8” x 15”) 2 pieces
- PVC pipe (4” or 6.5” diameter)
- Small screws (4 pieces)
- Wood glue
- Grip tape or Duct Tape
- Sandpaper (coarse/medium/fine grit)
- Clear gloss polyurethane (1/2 pint)
- Wood stain (1/2 pint)
- Pain or decals
Tools:
- Jigsaw
- Power sander
- Power drill or screwdriver for screws
- Foam roller
- Safety glasses
Instructions
Here’s all the information/steps you need on how to make a balance board:
Step 1
Buy a piece of hardwood or plywood (2 ft. x 4 ft. 3/4 in.). If you’re on a tight budget you can select scrap wood as a substitute. It’s better to go with a sturdier option like hardwood if the board is for your entire family.
Step 2
Trace the board’s shape onto the plywood. You can download shapes that can provide a basic shape for your deck. If you want a faster and easier process then just make a straight-side board. It won’t look as sporty but can still improve your longboarding skills.
Step 3
Put on your safety goggles. Then clamp down the board and operate the jigsaw to cut around the board’s outline. This will give you the shape that you’ve downloaded for the deck.
Step 4
Utilize anything left over from the deck to cut rectangular bumpers for the deck’s underside. This process will add extra stability to the board. The roller then has a stopping point and the board won’t fly out from under your feet if you move side-to-side too quickly.
You can use the leftover scrap wood to make the bumpers. They should be approximately 2x wide as they are long.
Step 5
Sand each balance board piece. Start with a course-grit sandpaper piece to sand all the edges/sides from top to bottom. Then use a medium grit sandpaper piece. Finally, use a fine grit piece. If you want to speed up the process then use a palm-size power sander. An alternative is to wrap sandpaper around an extra block to make the process slightly easier.
Step 6
Use a damp rag or track cloth to clean up the deck and bumpers after you’re done sanding.
Step 7
Use your preferred color to stain the board. Simply add wood stain to both the board and bumpers. Then let it dry for 5 or 6 hours in a dry area with good ventilation. If you want a darker color then add extra coats. In general, two is enough.
Step 8: Enjoy your DIY balance board or indo board
Tips for Building Balance Boards
Find workarounds if you lack tools or supplies
Remember that “necessity is the mother of invention.” You can use a screwdriver for screws in holes. Instead of a power drill. Opt for sandpaper instead of an electric sander. Go with rectangular scrap-wood over curvy hardwood.
If you don’t own a jigsaw there are some plan Bs. For example, you could use a detail saw instead. Another alternative is many big-box home improvement stores might even cut out the plywood for you if you need it. This can be a big plus if you don’t own a jigsaw.
Spend some time picking your design
Just like other DIY projects you can pick among different board designs. This includes more than a couple options like fish surfboards and snow-boards. Is there a “best” design? It’s really up to you since it’s about selecting a style you’re comfortable with.
Consider using a template
If you want a more precise shape then this is a better option versus drawing the design by hand. Print it out then apply it to the wood before cutting around it. If you draw the shape by hand then use a ruler for more precise shapes.
Consider a basic tail design
This is why a fish tail shape is among the worst choices. A fancy tail will likely get damaged if it slams on the ground. It’s better to go with basic designs like rectangle, oval, or skateboard-style.
Decorate your board
Is this required? No, but it can put your signature on the deck. Choices include:
- Stain
- Varnish
- Paint
- Griptape or Duct Tape
- Decals
Avoid varnish, topcoats, etc. that won’t cause you to slide off the board.
Make tweaks for advanced riders
Here are some choices. Space out bumpers/stoppers more and even to the edges of the board. You can also make the board more challenging by using PVC pipe with a larger diameter.
Create a template for multiple boards
You can cut out the first board then use it as a template. Trace around both sides of the board. so the cuts are symmetrical. This process will take a little more time but will make the boards more uniform.
FAQs
How do you make a home-made balance board?
You’ll just some basic materials and tools. The most important things include plywood, PVC pipe, and sandpaper. Meanwhile, you should also include tools like jigsaw, power drill, and sander. You can also add wood stain, clear gloss, and paint/decals to improve the surface.
Are balance boards worth it?
They’re more than a fitness craze. Balance boards can provide many benefits for longboards including training and rehab. They can also function as kids toys to train your kiddos to become future surfers. Balance and stability are important skills for longboarders so investing less than $50 on a surfboard
Is it easy to ride a balance board?
While making a deck can be quite easy, you’ll need to spend a good amount of time learning how to maintain balance and stability on the board. However, this is worth the effort due to the benefits you can get related to balance and strength, for example.
How do you make a surfboard balance board?
An indo board requires basic components including the deck, bumpers, and grip tape. If you want a deck that’s more surfer-friendly then pick a curvy shape rather than a rectangular shape. This training tool can help you improve your balance, which is critical for catching waves.
How do you make a balance board for hockey?
These balance boards are similar to those for skateboarding, surfing, and roller skating. The board’s instability requires hockey players to recover balance quickly and effectively. This training is effective since ice skaters are constantly maintaining their balance on their skates.
Conclusion
A balance board is an effective longboard training tool to improve your balance, stability, and strength. Should you consider a diy balance board? This is one option and is quite easy by collecting all the right tools and supplies, and doing some prep work. You can then use the deck for training, rehab, or even as a toy skateboard for kids.
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