Customer Reviews

Bongo Balance Board

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are a runner or cyclist and have not done much in the way of improving your lower body balance, this Bongo Board will make a huge difference! I had to stop running marathons 5 years ago due to an imbalance in my hip muscles. (If I had known about this board 5 years ago, I would have saved myself many trips to physical therapy and my massage therapist!)

Yes, I have (and use) an exercise ball and balancing pillows, but this Bongo Board really works the adductors, abductors, quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, etc. Using the board, makes the muscles start working together. It is a real good workout, just trying to balance on the board! After a couple of days, my hip pain has disappeared! My hip feels great! I can't wait to start training for my next marathon.

Pros: If you want to improve your lower body balance, coordination and strength, try the Bongo Board. It worked for me!

Cons: Be patient, it takes a couple of days to actually be able to balance on the board. Make sure that you start with something to hold onto, like a wall or back of a couch.

I've had the Bongo board for a few days now and am very happy so far. Very solid construction! One great feature is that the axis of the roller stays connected to the board by a stretchy cord that runs along the length of the bottom of the board. This prevents the roller from dangerously flying off across the room if you lose your balance. (I have seen other balance boards where the roller is not connected and this could be very dangerous, since it could fly off and break something inside your home.) The roller is stopped on either end of the board by two trucks so it won't roll completely out from under you.

It is very difficult to do at first! Beginners definitely need some chairs or something to hang onto, or a spotter. My friend who is a long time skateboarder tried it and thought it was also pretty tricky to balance - it is a different feeling from skateboarding.

It comes with a booklet describing the right 'form' and suggested ways to use the board and some tricks to learn once you get advanced.

My mom bought this for me as a birthday gift and I enjoy it very much.
For me, I did not think it was too hard to balance on as long as you get some practice.
Its fun to play with and is exciting if you are good at balancing, but you still have to be careful if you fall.
I found it hard to put the blue wheel on, but that's probably not too hard for adults.
It is best if you begin using the bongo board on the carpet since it is easier to use and is slower that way.
Once you are used to using the bongo board on the carpet and you want a challenge, try using it on a harder surface.
I hope this review was helpful.:)

Strange as it sounds...we use this Bongo Board to help my dyslexia son read. He juggles while balancing on it before reading or doing other academic work. It has made a huge difference. He jumped three grade levels in reading this summer.

Recently we had a chance to use a Bongo Board about 40 years old. It was all wood with quite a large drum. The one we just purchased for my 8 year old daughter is great for many reasons. It is so portable that it has become a take it anywhere with you activity. The drum has an elastic cord so that it does not completely detach from the board when balance is lost, and balance is frequently lost. Finally we have had her friends try it and from initial angst to quickly getting the hang it has become a great confidence builder for them. Great investment for year round fun!

Synopsis
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I bought this board in June 09. I was so busy in Summer that I didn't touch it until January '10. I hit the wall with my run and Nordic Track Ski Machine no longer 'shock' my body. Having stuck in the house during winter months doesn't do good to the body either. Hence, I was gaining a bit of weight. I put this board behind my couch facing the TV and ever since then - I was hooked. It took me about 4-5 days to start getting a hang of it(I never skate board or roller blade before). I held on to the back of the couch during those 4-5 days to prevent any falls from happening.

Effect
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After 2 weeks, I am close to going back to my weight in Summer. My waist is trimmed again; I wake up to sore gluts and core muscles - the best feeling ever! I am now a believer in this equipment and will use it a lot more throughout the year.

Activities
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I golf and hike in the Sierras a lot; both activities require a lot of core strength(especially when you start getting tired during the round or long hike). I started doing some core exercises about a year ago and noticed some improvements in both activities; more controlled golf swing and better posture during long hikes. I believe that this machine will strengthen my core more as I keep using it...

Customer Service
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I lost the original manual and contacted the company in Canada. The customer service got back to me within a day; they mailed me the manual. That shows how great a company this is that I start looking into other products that they sell on their website. Bravo!

My 5 year old loves this. He is learning great balance, concentration & a great sense of his core muscles. Some of his other 5 year old peeps are too young, but the older ones and some co-ordinated 5yr. olds get the feel right away. It is timeless, he will be able to use it for a long time & he has already tried, and succeeded in standing up on a wake board in the pool! We are so thrilled that we bought this.

Board did not require assembly, is easy to use, really just what you would expect from a Bongo board. VERY sturdy.

I have been practicing with this for about a year. I wanted to improve my snowboarding and surfing, well I went snowboarding yesterday for the first time this year and did notice some difference. I wanted to improve on my control of speed and turning so I mainly stayed to the practice area. Last year I would just go straight down the hill and usually wipe out to stop, I have since learned this is not proper. I would say I was more aware and confident on the snowboard than last year and I think my practice on the bongo board is the reason why. I still would like to try out my surfing to see if there is any improvement. Overall this is a valuable training aid if you use it regularly and wisely.

I bought this with the intension in mind to keep in some form of shape while on deployment to Iraq. I'll be getting back right at the beginning of what I hope will be another good snow season this year for the Tahoe area. Any ways... I highly recommend this board, not just for snowboarding, any board sports or those that just want to increase their core strength. The board is responsive to even the slightest inputs, and I'm really excited to go riding this year to see how much my skills have improved on the slopes. A must have in any ones off season workout routine!!