I’m an avid surfer, slackliner, snowboarder, and rock climber, and balance is a critical component of my skill set that I focus on with every workout. To perform well in these disciplines takes constant conditioning, and I perform best in any athletic activity when my balance muscles are finely tuned. I needed a balance trainer for my home gym to help condition my legs and core in between outdoor sessions. Since picking up the Skills Board a few months ago, my balance, leg, and core strength is at an all-time peak. I credit daily sessions on the skill board for this.The skill board is hands down the best balancing trainer I’ve ever tried. I’ve owned indo boards, Bosu balance balls, and a handful of other balance oriented workout equipment, and nothing else comes close. It engages my core every time I step on it, allows me to work my stabilizer muscles while doing squats, and generally makes working out way more fun. I even use it as a platform for doing push-ups, and with a few different exercises, I’m able to get a serious full-body workout with just the skill board.There’s a bit of a learning curve in learning how to use it, but I found it easily manageable by starting with the ball less inflated, then pumping it up over time. By setting the ball with different pressures, I can adjust the intensity and difficulty of use, and I was able to work my way up to the maximum inflation. I started out by mounting it with my hands on a table for stability, and over time eased away until I could mount it hands-free. The 360 degree movement allowed by the ball, rather than a foam roller, engages my muscles far more than my Indo board, and really helps me hone the balance I need to perform well in other sports. And did I mention that it’s super fun? Now, even on rainy days I can experience a similar sensation to surfing without leaving my living room.The workout can be as intense as you want it to be. I can rep out 5 sets of 10 squats with weights, or just stand on it while having a casual conversation or chillin watching TV. I keep it in the middle of my living room so that I can hop on it randomly though out the day, and use it with other gym equipment when I’m going for a more serious workout.The improvement I’ve experienced in my balance for other sports is obvious. After a month using the skill board between surf and slackline sessions, I could easily notice the difference in my performance. I consider it an essential aspect of my daily exercise routine, and all the other disciplines I take part in benefit from that.This thing is officially my favorite piece of gym equipment. I use it every day and highly recommend it!