Product Review – Reebok Core Board

Near the end of last year, I was researching for my Balance Training for the Rehab Client course.  Initially I looked back at the different balance equipment that I had used while working in various personal training studios, gyms, fitness centers, clinics and rehabilitation centers since 1994.  I looked at new and different balance equipment at conferences that I that I could use to improve balance, proprioception and decrease falls & fractures in my clients.  One of pieces of equipment I can across was the Reebok Core Board. 

The Reebok Core Board is an evolution of the Reebok Aerobic Step.  Over the last number of years the Reebok Aerobic Step has gone through numerous features, styles and colors.  Today this piece has a new angle, the Reebok Core Board.  The Core Board is durable platform that is half a foot off the ground and connected to a wide and stable base through a rubberized disk.  The Core Board tilts, rocks and swivels in all directions.  You can increase the challenge of platform or lock the platform so it is closer to a stable step.  The Core Board is durable and can take all you can throw at it  The movement of the Core Board is very unique.  It is not over a large arc as in a dome balance trainer or over a point as in a traditional wobble board but over a rubberized disc the size of a hockey puck.  The rubberized puck surface leads to a nice smooth decelerating tilt and recoil with landing.

This has not been a common piece of equipment that I have seen in many personal training studios, gyms, fitness centers, clinics and rehabilitation centre.  The most common use I have heard and seen for the Reebok Core Board is athletic training in performance centers.

The core board has been a great addition to my workout and home gym.  I have found it great for balance, lower and upper body training.  I plan to use the core board with my Exercise Rehabilitation and Post-Rehab clients.  I plan to use it for patellar tracking, increasing ankle proprioception, improving center of gravity awareness and increasing lateral system strength in the pelvis.

For a list of exercises you can perform with Reebok Core Board, have a look at this link.

Specs

Type of Equipment – 3 Plane Balance Device

Weight – 33 lbs

Size - 29" wide x 22" deep x 6" high

Cost - $179.95 CDN

Features

- Eight attachment sites for resistive tubing.

- Large non-slip surface.

- Two handles for easy carrying.

- Lock the core board to create a more stable surface. 

Cons

- It would be nice if the board would lock fully and be able to turn into a solid stable platform.

- The height is not adjustable.  It would be nice like a traditional Reebok Aerobic Step to adjust the height.

Pros

- Safe and easy to stand on compared to dome balance trainer or traditional wobble board for exercise rehabilitation or post-rehab clients.

- Re-coiling platform decreases impact in ankle, knee and hip joints.

- Rubberized disk leads to smooth and controlled movements in the sagittal, frontal and transverse planes.

- Challenges the transverse plane of movement.

- The two handles allow you to grab the board and use it as a free weight plate.

- Durable and can take all you throw at it.

- Attachment sites for resistive bands increases variety and challenge.

To Purchase a Reebok Core Board, contact Marc Gaudet at Western Canada Fitness

(604) 805-3291 or email marc@westerncanadafitness.com

Mention to Marc you read about the Reebok Core Board in the Healing Through Movement Newsletter and receive 10% discount on all Reebok Products.  

Discount ends May 30, 2006.

copyright © Rick Kaselj of Healing Through Movement

Article written by Rick Kaselj - rkaselj@healingthroughmovement.com

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