The
experts
consulted
for
this
story
do
not
necessarily
endorse
the
products
ahead
unless
otherwise
noted.

For
older
folks,
having
a
strong
core,
good

balance
and
a
good
range
of
motion
can
make
all
the
difference
when
it
comes
to
mobility
and
stability.
Losing
your
equilibrium
and

falling
can
have
disastrous
consequences,
which
makes
maintaining
strength
and
stability
a
huge
priority
in

midlife
and
beyond.
The

ProsourceFit
cushioned
foam
balance
pad
is
a
humble
fitness
tool
that
could
help
keep
you
steady
on
your
feet
in
just
a
few
minutes
a
day.
Best
of
all,
you
can
get
it
for
less
than
$25.

Dr.
Jacob
Van
Den
Meerendonk,
a
physical
therapist
who
does
not
endorse
this
specific
product,
explained
that
“a
balance
pad
makes
your
body
work
harder
to
stay
upright
because
the
surface
underneath
you
is
constantly
changing.
That
means
your
muscles
have
to
make
continuous
adjustments
while
your
brain
processes
information
from
the
vision,
inner
ear
and
the
rest
of
your
body
to
keep
you
stable.”

Physical
therapist

Dr.
Sarah
Cash
Crawford,
founder
of

Anchor
Wellness
and

WAVE
Physical
Therapy,
in
Cincinnati,
Ohio,
added
that,
“[p]racticing
on
this
unstable
surface
trains
the
neuromuscular
system
to
react
faster
and
more
efficiently,
which
translates
into
better
balance
and
reaction
time
on
real-world
uneven
ground,
like
sidewalks,
grass,
or
stairs.”
(Crawford
offered
this
info
without
an
endorsement
of
any
specific
balance
pad
or
brand.)

Both
experts
agree
that
pretty
much
everyone
would
benefit
from
incorporating

a
balance
pad
into
their
workout
routine.
Van
Den
Meerendonk
said,
“I
use
balance
pads
with
athletes
recovering
from
ankle
injuries,
people
recovering
from
knee
or
hip
surgery,
individuals
with
neurological
conditions,
older
adults
working
on
fall
prevention
and
even
kids
developing
coordination.
This
is
because
balance
plays
a
role
in
almost
every
movement
we
make.”
Crawford
agreed,
noting
that
“Older
adults
in
particular
stand
to
benefit
significantly.”

“Falls
are
one
of
the
leading
causes
of
injury
in
older
adults,”
Crawford
said,
“Balance
pad
training
directly
targets
the
systems
that
break
down
first:
ankle
stability,
reaction
time,
and
the
ability
to
make
quick
postural
corrections,
so
practicing
on
one
can
meaningfully
reduce
fall
risk.”
She
also
likes
that
it’s
a
low-impact
exercise
that
can
be
done
seated
or
with
support,
“making
it
an
accessible
entry
point
for
building
confidence
and
independence
in
everyday
movement.”

But
even
if
you
aren’t
a
senior
or
specifically
training
to
maintain
balance
and
avoid
falls,

a
balance
pad
can
be
meaningfully
incorporated
into
a
regular
fitness
routine
with
great
benefit.
“One
of
the
things
I
like
most
about
using
balance
pads
is
how
versatile
they
are,”
said
Van
Den
Meerendonk.
“Most
people
think
the
best
way
to
utilize
them
is
to
stand
on
them,
but
we
use
them
for
much
more
than
that
in
physical
therapy.”
He
has
used
them
for
everything
from
strength
exercises
like
squats,
lunges,
and
single-leg
work
to
planks
and
push-ups
to
challenge
shoulder
stability
and
core
control.

According
to
Crawford,
because
the
unstable
surface
forces
small
stabilizing
muscles
to
fire
continuously
just
to
stay
in
position,
it
helps
to
build
strength
over
time
in
those
specific
muscles.
She
said,
“It
also
increases
the
difficulty
of
an
exercise
without
adding
external
load
or
weight,
since
your
body
has
to
work
harder
to
control
itself,
which
is
a
useful
strength
progression
tool
for
people
who
aren’t
ready
for
heavier
resistance.”

Available
in
three
colors
and
four
sizes,
this
cushy
foam
pad
is
made
with
a
resilient
TPE
material
that
is
sweat-
and
slip-proof
with
just
the
right
amount
of
give.
It
can
even
be
used
as
a
seat
cushion
or
knee
pad,
making
it
a
great
versatile
investment.

The
ProsourceFit
balance
pad
is
a
popular
option
on

Amazon
that
has
shoppers
glowing
reviews.
It
has
a
whopping
4.8
out
of
5
stars
total
and
over
12,700
5-star
ratings.
That’s
certainly
nothing
to
sneeze
at
in
an
oversaturated
market.
Below,
you
can
read
what
real
people
who
have
purchased
this
balance
pad
think,
there’s
a
good
chance
they’ll
convince
you
to
snag
one
for
yourself.

Promising
reviews:

“Great
balance
tool.
I
bought
this
when
I
was
released
from
PT
so
I
could
continue
with
my
exercises.
I
have
been
doing
my
single
leg
balance
exercises
while
I
brush
my
and

it
has
kept
everything
strong.
It
is

easy
to
use,
a
reasonable
size,
and
can
be
used
anywhere.”
—

paiz2kids

“I
bought
this
to
add
a
degree
of
difficult
to
the
balance
exercises
I
am
doing.
I
got
the
XL
size
since
I
have
big
feet.
It
is
large
enough
for
me
to
use
for
a
toe
to
heel
stance
on
the
diagonal.

It
is
thick
and
springy
and
the
textured
surface
prevents
it
from
sliding
on
my
hardwood
floor.
I
am
happy
with
the
quality
and
use
it
every
day.

Good
addition
to
my
routine.”
—

Cat

“Sturdy
and
soft.
Originally,

I
purchased
this
to
help
me
with
some
balance
exercise
exercises.
It
worked
excellent
for
that
and
it
continues
to
do
the
trick
for
my
routine.
However,
I
also
find
it
myself
using
it
[on]
occasions
when
I
need
to
get
on
the
ground.
So
ended
up
doubling
in
purpose.
I
feel
like

I
solve
two
problems
for
the
price
of
one.”
—

Happy
2
Buy

“I’m
76
years
old
and
had
very
bad
balance.
I
was
hospitalized
because
of
a
very
serious
fall.
And
my
Ins.
provided
me
with
a
PT
trainer.
She
showed
me
a
regiment
of
exercise
exercises
and
then
we
worked
with
a
balance
pad.
So
I
bought
this
pad
and

I’m
very
happy
with
it.

I
use
it
almost
every
day
in
my
exercise
routine
and
it’s
helped
me
tremendously.
I
do
caution
users
with
using
this
pad,
especially
if
you’re
by
yourself
to
take
all
precautions
when
using
it.
I
was
shown
to
use
it
in
front
of
a
sink,
preferably
the
kitchen
sink
so
you
have
something
stable
to
hang
onto.
I’ve
been
using
the
Matt
now
for
two
months
and
I
can
do
my
balance
exercises
near
the
sink
free
handed,
but
if
I
feel
I’m
off
balance,
it’s
so
easy
to
grab
onto
the
sink.
The
instruction
book
that’s
included
is
way
out
of
my
range.
I
showed
it
to
my
trainer
and
she
even
admitted
some
of
the
exercises
would
be
a
little
hard
for
her,
so

don’t
give
up
with
a
little
tenacity
it
should
improve
your
balance.”
—

Jan
Dean

“This
is
exactly
like
the
one
I
use
at
PT,

it
is
a
great
tool
to
use
for
balancing.
I
use
this
every
day,
I
would
definitely
order
it
again.”
—Lava

“This
really
helped
me
gain
my
balance
and
strengthen
my
ankles.
My
granddaughter
that
is
12
also
tried
using
it
and
she
thinks
it
helps.

This
is
the
same
thickness
that
they
had
at
physical
therapy
that
I
was
paying
to
go
to
every
week
so
it’s
so
much
better
to
be
able
to
do
it
at
home
and
make
progress
in
my
balance.”
—Lee
Fennell

“I
have
two
artificial
knees
and
cannot
get
down
on
my
knees
for
exercising
like
doing
my
yoga
poses.
But

this
pillow
is
amazing.
It
is
stiff
enough
to
support
my
weight
but
soft
enough
that
my
knees
are
cushioned
for
kneeling.

I
use
it
almost
daily
and
have
owned
it
for
almost
6
months.
It
doesn’t
show
any
sign
of
wear.
Love
it.”
—Glassy
Dragon

“Used
a
similar
item
in
PT
following
foot
and
ankle
surgery.
Wanted
one
for
myself
so
I
could
practice/exercise
at
home.

Great
quality
and
use
it
every
day.”
—

Amazon
customer

Take
a
look
at
a
few
other
products
from
previous
HuffPost
reporting
that
can
help
older
folks
or
those
with
mobility
issues
do
everyday
tasks
like
grocery
shopping
more
easily.