Supplies:

  • One 2′ by 2′ plywood board that is 3/4 of an inch thick
  • One five gallon bucket
  • One ruler or measuring tape
  • Screws
  • Screwdriver

Optional:

  • Old welcome mat/grip tape

Purpose:

A balance board can help stability, coordination, and strengthen your core and legs. Strength, balance, and coordination are key components in preventing injuries. Here, I have put together DIY instructions on how to make a simple, cheap, and useful balance board.

Directions:

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Figure 1

Step 1: To start this project, purchase a 2’ by 2’ piece of 3/4” thick plywood.

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Figure 3
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Figure 2

Step 2: Marking off a 4” line (figure 3) and then dividing that area into two 12” long halves. (Figure 2)

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Figure 4

Step 3: Take a 5 gallon bucket as a guide and use the lip as a template to create a semi – circle that touches the 4 inch mark (Figure 4). Repeat on the other 12 inch half. Then, cut out the 4 inch strip that contains the semi -circles.

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Figure 5

Step 4: Cut out the semi – circles that on the (4 inch strip) and dispose of the scraps. Leaving two semicircles and a 20” x 24” piece of wood.

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Figure 6

Step 5: Take the 20”x 24” board and cut a 3.5 inch strip from the length that measures 24 inches. (I cut 4 inches but then I end up having to trim it down later in the build.) You should now have close to a 20” x 20” square and a thin 3.5” by 20” piece. (Figure 6)

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Figure 7

Step 6: Mark and cut out a 1 foot long section from the 3.5″ x 20″ piece shown in step 5.

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Figure 8

Step 7: Attach the two semicircles with screws with your 3.5” by 12”piece. (Figure 8)

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    Figure 9
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    Figure 10

Step 8: Attach your semicircle structure to your 20”x 20” flat board with a series of screws, (figure 9). Make sure to measure equal distances from each side and place the structure with the semicircles directly in the middle of the large board. (Figure 10)

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Figure 11

Post build notes:

A couple of things I would’ve done differently:

  1. Made the rocker board a little wider because the slope of the board was slightly steeper than I wanted.

2. Add grip tape or if possible, cut an old welcome mat for the top as the plain plywood surface can be being very slick and a splinter hazard.