Although it looks mundane and simple compared to monstrous home gym equipment, the Bosu ball can keep up with the big leagues because of its many benefits. This compact half ball, half platform device can help you improve your balance and stability, speed up recovery from injuries and strengthen your core muscles.
In addition, you can use Bosu balls with exercises like lunges, sit-ups, planks, push-ups, squats, and others to make them more challenging and help you burn more calories and lose weight! However, this question may pop into your head, which is the best Bosu ball to use?
In this article, we’ll be scrutinizing 10 Bosu Balls, including our top pick, the Bosu Balance Pro Trainer, that can help you achieve a slimmer and toned body in the comforts of your home. Aside from that, we’ll also have a guide on selecting the appropriate Bosu ball for your needs and an FAQ portion to answer some of your questions!
Best Bosu Ball & Alternatives at a Glance
An all-in-one 26-inch ball designed for commercial use and perfect for physical therapists, personal trainers, fitness instructors, and more. With this equipment, you can perform cardio, flexibility, and strength exercises for rehabilitation and training.
Creates an unstable and dynamic surface, making exercises more challenging and fun. This apparatus lets you do muscular strength, cardio, flexibility, and endurance training in a unique, difficult, and highly effective workout routine.
It's made from non-toxic PVC and environmentally friendly materials and comes with two detachable 30-inch resistance bands. This device can upgrade basic exercises like sit-ups, jump squats, reverse extensions, ball lunges, and push-ups and make it more challenging for a more effective engagement.
Bosu Pro Balance Trainer – Best Overall
What we like
- Non-marking and non-skid base
- Thick PVC dome
- Latex-free and burst-resistant surface
- Commercial grade – long-lasting durability
- Comes with a pump
- High weight capacity – 350 lbs.
- 8 lbs. bladder under the PVC dome that prevents air leakage
What we don’t like
- Difficult to inflate
- No resistance bands included
- Limited 1-year warranty
The Bosu Pro Balance Trainer can guarantee an amplified workout that can stimulate untapped muscles and give them the exercise they need. It’s suited for commercial use as it has a heavier base and sturdier rubber with a honeycomb-patterned non-slip grip for superior traction.
Furthermore, the dome has a “power zone” designed for maximum return to catapult loaded movements like it would with fitness trampolines. You can use it for low-impact stretching, balancing, and cardio exercises for a full-body engagement.
This Bosu Pro Balance Trainer has a high maximum weight capacity of 350 lbs. and a spacious 22.5 inches ball that can accommodate any user size. Also, when you purchase the Bosu Balance Pro Trainer, you get a pump, six workout DVDs, a downloadable exercise wall chart and training manual, and an owner’s manual.
The Original Bosu Balance Trainer – Runner Up
What we like
- Relatively more affordable than the newer Bosu Ball models
- Has different color options
- Includes a hand pump and downloadable workouts
- Heavy duty
What we don’t like
- Only have six tiny rubber feet
- Still more expensive than other Bosu Ball alternatives
- Free foot pump is more convenient than a hand pump
Many refer to The Original Bosu Balance Trainer as a piece of standard at-home gym equipment. Although it’s a classic, most people still favor this over the newer models. This first-generation Bosu Ball can provide you with challenging and highly effective flexibility, cardio, endurance, and strength training workouts.
This Bosu Balance Ball Trainer has a maximum weight capacity of 300 lbs. It’s 50 lbs. lower than the Bosu Ball Balance Pro, but it’s still built to last you for years. You can pair it with a Bosu Powerstax that can increase the range of exercises that you can perform with the Bosu Ball. When inflated, it measures twenty-six inches in diameter and ten inches in height.
CDCASA Balance Ball Trainer – Best Budget
What we like
- More budget-friendly and great for beginners
- Has detachable resistance bands
- Comes with a foot pump
- Eco-friendly – non-toxic PVC
- Impressive weight capacity of 660 lbs.
What we don’t like
- No instructions included
- Packaging can be improved
- Rubber feet are pretty small
If you’re looking for a cheaper half-ball balance trainer, try the CDCASA Balance Ball Trainer. It’s a decent piece of equipment for beginners who are starting to assemble their home gym system. However, it does not come with an instruction manual, so you need to look through the internet or figure it out yourself.
Comparable to Zelus Balance Ball Trainer, the CDCASA balance ball trainer has a non-toxic PVC material and an anti-skid and non-slip base that ensures stability while you’re working out. Also, it has an anti-burst technology and six slip-resistant feet that will guarantee your safety when in use.
This equipment comes with two detachable thirty-inch resistance bands with soft foam handles that can increase the difficulty of your exercises. It can add more dimension to basic workouts like ball lunges, jump squats, push-ups, sit-ups, reverse extensions, pilates, and more. With this, it can boost your flexibility, balance, and overall pillar strength.
You can quickly inflate and deflate this spacious and portable fitness equipment and bring it to the gym if you don’t want to wait in line. It’s twenty-three inches wide, giving you ample space for more variety of exercises. Furthermore, it comes with a foot air pump that makes it easy to fully inflate in around five minutes and has a maximum weight capacity of 660 lbs.
Devebor Balance Trainer – Best for Durability
What we like
- Comes with two detachable resistance bands anchored by metal clips
- Excellent quality for the price
- Outstandingly sturdy – 800 lbs. maximum weight capacity
- Made from eco-friendly and non-toxic PVC
- Available in different colors
What we don’t like
- Stability knobs may interfere when you flip the balance trainer ball
- No instructions included, as noted by some customers
- Quite difficult to inflate
Another cheap Bosu Ball trainer with outstanding qualities that you can consider is the Devebor Balance Trainer. This half fitness ball trainer has a sleek and almost-military grade design with a spiral anti-slip texture, excellent for heavy sweating. It also has six rubber pads on the bottom that prevents skidding and helps keep the ball in place.
The Devebor Balance Trainer comes with superior-quality arm resistance bands, which you can connect using its strong metal fasteners. In addition, this balance ball is portable and lightweight, with a 23.6 inches diameter and 8.7 inches in height, and weighs 11.5 lbs. It’s much lighter and broader compared to other balance training balls.
You can use this balance ball trainer for various exercises, including planks, lower ab crunch, tricep dips, and more. Anyone who wants to increase their stability, core strength, and flexibility is welcome to use this half balance ball.
One of the best features of this Bosu Ball alternative is it has a maximum weight capacity of 800 lbs. It’s incredibly sturdy, and you can trust that this half-dome ball can stay in your home gym for years!
Bosu NextGen 65CM Balance Trainer – Best for Stability and Grip
What we like
- Designed with four textured quadrants for steady grip and stability
- Commercial grade and has a maximum weight capacity of 350 lbs.
- Rubber base for anti-slip
- Comes with a hand pump, downloadable exercise DVD, and wall chart
What we don’t like
- Quite expensive compared to other Bosu Balls
- No variation – only available in one color
You may find this Bosu Ball balance trainer more expensive than other Bosu Balls, but it’s worth checking out. It has an updated ball surface that can provide more grip and stability while you exercise. In addition, its unique quadrant design aids in precise body positioning and cueing, enhancing your movements and hold.
This half exercise ball balance trainer comes with a downloadable wall chart with twelve new exercises and a free DVD download. It’s latex-free and measures 65cm wide and 25.4 cm high when inflated fully. In addition, it includes a hand pump and digital owner manual.
It’s one of the best Bosu Balls that you can have as it can load a maximum weight of 350 lbs. and can contribute to improving your flexibility, toning your body, and boosting your muscle strength.
Ativafit Half Ball Balance Trainer – Best for Small Spaces
What we like
- Non-toxic PVC
- Cloud textured matte surface
- Slip-resistant and designed with anti-burst technology
- Lightweight and portable
What we don’t like
- Difficult to inflate with the included pump, as some customers say
- Challenging to use the bottom of the flat side as there are knobs sticking out
- Included resistance bands are not as sturdy
If you’re looking for a balance trainer ball that is perfect for your small living room or home gym, you need to check out the Ativafit Half Ball Balance Trainer. Its ball part consists of an environmentally friendly and non-toxic PVC, equipped with a guaranteed anti-burst technology that will ensure that you’ll have a safe workout.
Aside from that, it has anti-skid rubber legs at the bottom of the flat surface so you can kneel, jump, and stand on the ball without any worries. Although this balance trainer is super lightweight and portable, it’s super sturdy and has a maximum weight capacity of 660 lbs. It’s also reasonably easy to deflate and inflate, so you can adjust as you need.
This balance trainer comes with two elastic resistance bands that can help you with your resistance training and aid in performing low-impact exercises that will target your core muscles and build strength.
Bosu Sport Balance Trainer – Best for Travel
What we like
- More affordable than other Bosu balls
- Lighter with a smaller footprint
- Comes with downloadable workouts and a hand pump
- Easier to store with its less weight and smaller diameter
What we don’t like
- Smaller and less height – only suitable for traveling and not high-intensity routines
- Can only perform a few exercises
- Reduces the effectiveness of workouts
Traveling a lot does not mean that you completely forget about your health and fitness. If you need a piece of equipment that you can conveniently use in your hotel room or in the place that you’re staying, then you need to try the Bosu Sprot Balance Trainer!
When you put it side-by-side with the many Bosu Balls available on the market, you’ll see that it’s relatively smaller. Because it’s smaller and more lightweight, the price is also lower, and the device is easier to pack and transport.
The only downside to this is that the number of workouts you can do decreases since it has less space. Unless it’s for ease of travel, it’s best to stick with other exercise balls for more effective lower and upper body workouts.
This Bosu balance trainer has a maximum weight capacity of 250 lbs. and measures 19.7 inches in diameter and 7 inches in height when inflated. It also includes a pump and exercise manual.
Devebor Pro Massage Balance Ball – Best for Relaxing Muscles
What we like
- High bearing – 800lbs maximum weight capacity
- Promotes blood circulation and relaxes muscles
- Durable Polyvinyl Chloride material
- Available in different colors
- Unique massage points that promote blood circulation
What we don’t like
- Some customers find the massage point uncomfortable
- Included pump is not of good quality
- Poor packaging and no instructions, as some of the customers say
The Devebor Pro Massage Balance Ball comes with a unique appearance thanks to its 282 massage points. These points can help relax your muscles and stimulate blood circulation. Aside from that, it has a high bearing capacity, loading a maximum weight of 800 lbs.
Although it’s sturdy and durable, this balance ball is portable and lightweight. Its 23.6 inches in diameter and 8.7 inches in height while only weighing a total of 11.5 lbs. Compared to the products of the same nature, it’s larger and lighter. This half balance ball has an environment-friendly PVC top that ensures health and safety.
With the Devebor Pro Massage Balance Ball, you’ll be able to perform a variety of exercises, including tricep dips, lower ab crunches, planks, and more. It’s suitable for all who wish to boost their strength, stability, and flexibility.
Black Mountain Stability Balance Disc – Best for Beginners
What we like
- Affordable
- Several fun colors to choose from
- Includes a hand pump
- Professional grade and designs with large massage spikes
- Great balance trainer for beginners
What we don’t like
- Possibly coated with chemicals, as mentioned by a customer – not ideal for wooden floors
- A bit narrow
- The needle of the pump can easily puncture the balance disc
Using a balance ball trainer when you’re a beginner can be challenging. So, instead of going for the advanced variations, start with using the Balck Mountain Stability Balance Disc! Since it’s flatter than the half ball, you can comfortably work out to enhance your posture and ankle strength.
Although this balance disc is professional-grade, the price is nowhere near that level. It’s super affordable; you can buy one for your home and office! Plus, it comes with a variety of colors, so you’ll never run out of options. In addition, it’s 13 inches in diameter with large massage spikes for better grip.
When you purchase this equipment, you’ll also get a hand pump but ensure that you don’t insert the needle too far, or else it will poke a hole at the back and won’t be able to inflate.
Nice C Balance Ball Trainer – Best for Versatility
What we like
- Non-toxic PVC material
- Slip-resistant and has a firm grip
- Include resistance bands and a foot pump
- Easy to inflate
What we don’t like
- No instructions
- Flimsy pump
- Resistance bands are somewhat weak, according to some customers
The Nice C Balance Ball Trainer is a comprehensive all-in-one trainer that allows you to activate your muscles, boost your balance, and increase your strength. It’s suitable for any fitness level and can help in your core workout, high-intensity cardio training, and improving mobility. Also, you can use it for physical therapy and rehabilitation.
You can use both sides of this half stability ball to make your home gym workouts more challenging. Do lunges, squats, and step-ups on the ball side and execute planks, push-ups, and burpees on the other side. In addition, you can also use the included resistance bands that are attachable on both sides for toning and strength training exercises.
Furthermore, this balance ball comes with a slip-resistant material, guaranteeing a safe workout session. It also has an upgraded textured surface for extra grip and is made with an eco-friendly, chemical-free, and non-toxic PVC.
Final Verdict
The Bosu ball is indeed an excellent piece of equipment that can help improve your stability, balance, and overall fitness. It’s portable, so you can bring them anywhere you go. Out of the ten balance trainers on this list, the best is the Bosu Pro Balance Trainer. Although it’s quite expensive, its overall quality makes you understand that every penny that you pay is worth it.
If you’re tight on budget and looking for a balance trainer that’s more affordable but does not trade-off quality, get the CDCASA Balance Ball Trainer Aside from helping you save a few bucks on your fitness equipment, this cheap Bosu Ball alternative will enable you to do various exercises, and it comes with many inclusions.
Buying Guide: What To Look For In a Bosu Ball
There are many types of Bosu Balls that you will encounter if you go through the web. Other than the list of best Bosu Balls we recommended, there are more like the Bosu Sport Balance Trainer, Bosu Elite, Sportneer Balance Ball Trainer, Ritfit Balance Ball Trainer, etc.
So, how do you find the best Bosu Ball for your home gym? Here are some factors that you need to consider!
Material
The first thing that you need to look into when purchasing a Bosu Ball is the material. Is it non-toxic and eco-friendly? Does it have chemicals that can harm surfaces in your home? High-quality PVC is usually the main material used for the ball part, but you also need to check if it has an anti-burst technology that can stop the ball from bursting mid-workout.
Size of the Ball
The bigger the surface you can work with, the better. A larger space and accommodate more exercises, thus giving your body an effective engagement. More petite balance balls limit the variety of activities that you can do, resulting in lesser muscle activation.
Weight Limit
Remember that Bosu Balls are rubber balls that deflate, inflate, and can possibly pop. Depending on the model or brand, the weight limit of each Bosu Ball varies. Some can take on a heavier load, while others can only take a lighter weight. Ensure that you adhere to the weight limit at all times because you may put yourself at risk of injuries.
Before you buy, refer to the maximum weight capacity. If you fit the parameters, then go for it!
Intended Purpose
What do you want to achieve with your balance trainer? Some Bosu Balls are more unstable and softer than others, making them suitable for mobility and balance training and a full-body exercise. Alternatively, some Bosu Balls are less erratic and slightly firmer, and some have built-in spring, making them ideal for recovery and strength training.
In addition, you’ll also notice that some come with resistance bands, indicating that this balance trainer is definitely made for resistance training. It’s true that all Bosu Balls can help you accomplish all of those training and workouts, but you still need to check to ensure that you’re getting the one that’s up for the task.
Level of Skill
Before you start a fitness plan, identify your fitness level, especially if you intend to use a Bosu Ball. If you’re a beginner, choose a Bosu Ball that will give you more stability. Also, avoid performing strenuous exercises. If you haven’t hit the gym for a while, ask your doctor before engaging in a high-level training regimen.
