Vew-Do balance boards....who uses them?

**truth** · 01-16-2007, 02:26 PM

Played on one in college all the time and after 10 years of not having access to one I finally caved in and it arrived today. Stoked to retrain my rebuilt body again. I'm pretty sure it's one of the missing pieces in my recovery.

So, who else surfs the carpet? Any workouts you do on these?

I'm thinking playing catch with small medicine balls might be a great drill.

**bryanthebold** · 01-16-2007, 06:44 PM

My buddy has a really old one, basically a big plank with some rubber to give ya grip. Its fun to hold a 25 lb in each hand and work out that way, or to try and get good at balancing as far out on the ends as you can go. He had this great idea of standing and balancing, and ending by sitting on the board with only his ass touching as a routine, all at once.. Its a bitch! They are good boards and a fun way to waste time/work out.

**Conundrum** · 01-16-2007, 06:47 PM

I have one. I use it when I'm working at my shop bench. Once in awhile by the TV. That's it though. I have noticed a difference in how sore my knees get after skiing. They used to get a little sore and now I feel pretty good.

**MarsB** · 01-16-2007, 08:37 PM

I've had one for a few years that I mess around on occasionally. I used to practice shuv-its while watching TV. These days it mostly just gets dragged out by my friends at parties. They are pretty effective at honing your balance skills. I never thought of using one as a rehab tool, but that sounds like a pretty smart idea.

**focus** · 01-16-2007, 09:10 PM

I've never used a balance board, but I do stand on a basketball at work.

How much harder/easier is the balance board?? I imagine it increases the range of activities you can do....?

**Speedfreak** · 01-16-2007, 09:48 PM

I've had one since I was 12 (I'm 27 now).
I was a Bromley kid, and Brew - the guy who started Vew Do - was an instructor there when he started the company. They're great for just messing around on and watching the tube, but can easily be incorporated in a workout as well.

Actually got our S&C coach in my college to get a few and as far as I know he still uses them for core stabilization stuff. I'm still hooked on doing squats on them while wearing a weighted vest - great for power/balance, and gets the core too.

Oh, and try pushups. Feet on a chair, hands on the board. If you thought you had burly shoulders before...

**Sinecure** · 01-16-2007, 09:51 PM

I used to keep one in my office and use it when on boring conference calls. It works better on the short, low pile carpet you find in offices. 2 hours, I'm impressed OHC.

I now have an Extreme Balance Board. Its actually harder than a vew-do, even though it has a fixed rocker.

I can stay on it for around 3 mins. It stays at the ski cabin and the kids always try to stay on it (they like to use the back of the couch to support themselves).

I like it a lot. The Vew-Do was fun too.

**marshalolson** · 01-16-2007, 09:54 PM

i have one too. pretty fun while atching TV. def keep the sore knees to a minimum.

**phUnk** · 01-16-2007, 09:58 PM

We had one at work, it was the bee's knees.

If I had a rug at home, I'd have one.

Do it.

**Tyrone Shoelaces** · 01-16-2007, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by truth

Played on one in college all the time and after years 10 of not having access to one I finally caved in and it arrived today. Stoked to retrain my rebuilt body again. I'm pretty sure it's one of the missing pieces in my recovery.

So, who else surfs the carpet? Any workouts you do on these?

I'm thinking playing catch with small medicine balls might be a great drill.

Used to have one as well that I used religiously until my dog chewed up the rock one day.

I used to mess around it on while watching ski movies....definitely made the time go by quicker. Squats while holding free weights was one of my workouts. Keep switching up your foot position to work different muscle groups. Then try one-footed, etc. I should get one of these again too.

**gh444** · 02-06-2007, 12:16 AM

i think it'll be fun and balance/knees are my biggest downfalls, so what brand and style board for a 6'2" 245lbs 26yr old beginner?

-aaron

**marshalolson** · 02-06-2007, 12:25 AM

vew-do indy

**bossass** · 02-06-2007, 01:58 AM

I got one for like $10 off CL. It's on the deck now. Worth $10.

**geo039** · 02-06-2007, 01:59 AM

Truth what model did you get? One with the rubber/poly rock?

Overall I have had a VD board for about 10+ years and use it all the time. As people stated below great for chilling pm while watching TV, but you can really us is as a cross trainer. I would use it after a run and concentrated on 3 manuveurs....1) Being able to rotate the board in control. 2) Being able to walk the baord around the room. 3) and being able to crouch, stand, do grabs etc while on the board and moving it side to side.... I would also check the VD website for some tips too. Good luck!
PS: It is good to see mags supporting local VT companies!

Originally Posted by truth

Played on one in college all the time and after 10 years of not having access to one I finally caved in and it arrived today. Stoked to retrain my rebuilt body again. I'm pretty sure it's one of the missing pieces in my recovery.

So, who else surfs the carpet? Any workouts you do on these?

I'm thinking playing catch with small medicine balls might be a great drill.

**Flexon Phil** · 02-06-2007, 06:54 AM

Damn.. I forgot I had one. I bought it like 4 years ago for my son and it has sat in the closet for the past 3. I wll be going through knee rehab myself, I will dust it off and use it. Thanks!

**booner** · 02-06-2007, 10:23 AM

Man..this brings back old memories...my neighbor got a bongo board in 82 or 83 when I was just a juvenile delinquint...good times

**strawjack** · 02-06-2007, 11:01 AM

yup, i got me one too. i've had it for awhile now and my kids use it also.

i don't recommend drinking margaritas and hoping on the puppy at midnite. i absolutely destroyed a piece of furniture as the thing shot out from under me like a rocket. my wife was not impressed.

**BeanDip4All** · 02-06-2007, 12:26 PM

silly gearheads! save $ and make your own out of an old skateboard or 2x4 and a soup can or some cut up 16" pipe. master that, then make it harder by switching to a softball.

**sharcsplean** · 02-09-2007, 04:13 AM

I have had one for years and have a few good drills -

use one foot going the long way and try to ballance - this really works the twitch muscles. then - try to do i footed squats. after you fall - switch feet. if you keep a good upper body, this really helps your ballance.

I have seen Brew do tricks, and I have been waiting for a good instructional dvd for years...

any one else have other tips?

**powderripper** · 03-04-2007, 01:15 AM

love my Pivot board, but found this site with instructions to make one for a friend how didn't have the funds for a new one.http://www.xshelton.com/balance_board/
a few years ago I lost 35 lbs in 2 mo using the board and doing upsidedown back side and front crunches hanging on gravity boots. then went to SLC for 10 ft in 8 days-funest trip in 10 years. Was on mine tonight.