j/fit Large Balance Pod

Why I Bought It: This was recommended by my rock climbing partner and has worked very well. In rock climbing as you progress towards 5.9+ climbs, balancing acts becomes very important because you are hanging on your toes. As a kid I did not do lot of activities like snowboarding or roller skating that trains the brain to reposition center of gravity by delicate body and foot movement and maintain balance in extreme situations. I started climbing later in age and that means I experience more problems then others when advancing on levels. This balance pod helps you to train that part of your brain much more faster and it''s totally worth it. I believe the balancing skills will aid in XC ski later in winter as well.

Why This Mdel: Actually Amazon had lots of balance pods in all kind of sizes and lower prices then this one. There is also set of mini pods which is featured in many videos on Internet. This one is about largest size (but still small enough to keep it in a corner of your office) and most expensive one. I think the larger size is good for beginner use and especially when you want to practice by standing on one foot. This one is very "gelly" and high quality but really it''s just a pod. If you see one available in same size but lower price and I don''t know why you shouldn''t go for that one.

Does this need pump: No. The product page says "pump is sold separately" so I was doubtful if I need to order it. But when this one arrived, it was already inflated out of the box. I don''t see any air leaking anywhere and so I don''t think you need any pump.

How does it feel: Looking at its big size, one might think that it would be really easy to balance and it won''t be challenging. After it arrived I tried to stand on it with my toe on one foot and it wasn''t easy. The pod is not solid, it''s gelly and so it constantly tries to change your center of gravity. You have to constantly twist and move your body and pay attention to your leg is positioned. On day one I could barely stand on it for 5 seconds. I''ve now improved to about 60 seconds. It requires lot of energy to stay balanced and you will feet hot!

How to use it: One of my major complaint is that there is no manual or any instructions for exercises even though this one is really pricey. I would have probably reduced it''s rating to 4 star. In any case, you can try following exercises in increasing level of difficulty (these is not official training advice, just suggestions):

1. Try to stand on pod using your whole one foot (not just toe) for 60 seconds.

2. Try to stand on pod using only toe for 60 seconds.

3. Try to stand on pod using only toe, raise your hand and lower your hand 10 times.

4. Try to stand on pod using only toe, bend your upper body forward and other leg backward (like in ski position) 10 times.

5. Turn pod upside down and repeat above exercises.

You can also try out lot of yoga posses that involves on standing on one foot.

First, let me mention that you cannot stand barefoot on the balance pod! I don''t know why i thought it was a good idea from looking at the pictures, but the spikes you see are very stiff and will dig into your feet. It''s not like a bed of needles where the pressure is evenly distributed along the skin, your foot will press on one or two spikes and it''ll be very painful. that said, if you flip over the pod you get a nice flat area but the difficulty level is halved. I tried wearing a sandal on the spikes and it works great, though. Barefoot workouts are optimal for me, but I don''t mind wearing a sandal to work my ankles

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I have ankle problems, and using this balance pod is helping to strengthen my ankles without a lot of work! I would have liked some "instructions" or suggestions with the balance pod, but I got nothing! Just the balance pod itself. No care instructions nor anything else.

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I use this one for my dog strength/core training. I put there front feet on it and there back on the smaller air disc and this one with all the spikes helps them to keep there weight to there back end. But it is soft enough on there paws to not hurt them

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Works well and certainly as effective as a true Bosu ball. However, the spikes are too pronounced and sharp. I have to put shoes on to use them. I can''t even use them when wearing thick socks.

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