So, you're thinking about getting a Slideboard, but aren’t sure if they are worth the money or effective?

I have owned my sliding board for over 2 years and still use it regularly. If like most people you struggle to find the time to make it to the gym 4x a week, finding the right piece of home workout equipment may be a challenge.

Trust me, I have spent a lot of money trying to find something that works, is effective and can stick too.

Sliding is my go-to no matter what. If I can’t make it to the gym or just want to burn of that piece of cake I “really” had to have.

I just reach under my bed unroll it, put on the booties, turn on the TV and go for it. Within 10 minutes I have worked up a huge sweat!

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What is a Sliding Exercise Board

If you have never seen a slide board before, you might think it’s some kind of gimmick that doesn’t really do anything.

You would be very wrong, Sliding boards have been proven to be very effective and used for sports training and recovery training for years.

They have just recently came into the consumer market. In the world of exercise science they are know as “Lateral Movement Trainers” or LMT for short.

Simply a sliding board is just slap of slick material used for sliding which will usually have blocks or stoppers on both ends and pair of booties, or foot wear to help you glide.

You use your body weight to move across the board pushing across against the stoppers.

Sliding is an intense cardio experience that requires the use of your entire lower body with emphasis on your core. Some sliding exercise board sets also come with hand pads allowing you to get more upper body involvement.

How much do they cost?

Slide boards don’t actually vary much in price. Most sliding boards set will cost $150 – $250. While the more expensive sets can go up to $400+.

On the cheap end I have seen boards for under $100, but they don’t usually include booties or any other gear. Cheaper boards will also wear down quickly.

Are Sliding Boards Worth it?

I have been into fitness for ever and have used almost every piece of home equipment ever made.

I try not to think about it too much because I must have spent thousands of dollars. Out of the huge pile of equipment I have there is only a few that I actually still use.

The slider is probably my favorite, I use it all the time and really enjoy it. Its effective, fun and a real test of endurance.

What are Slide Boards used for?

Sliding boards are popular in sports injury and recovery. As well as part of a hockey training regimens, ice skating, rollerblading and other similar sports.

Lately, Sliding has also crept into the cross-fit world. Known for its intense cardiovascular properties and working up a huge sweat fast, we may start to see them more and more at local gyms.

Can anyone use a sliding board?

The great thing about using this piece of equipment is that its very low impact. It was initially created as recovery training for athletes that have suffered joint injury.

Keeping them active while increase blood flow and aiding recovery. It’s important to always address your concerns with your doctor first. It’s important not to overlook the amount of cardiovascular stress involved with sliding workouts.

A simple sliding board routine is very intense and way more than a beginner would expect. It’s important to start out slow and work up in intensity and duration, …really!

Do sliding Boards stay slippery, do they wear down?

Cheap boards will wear quickly, but most slide training boards will last for years, maintaining their slippery surface without any sign of wear.

I have had mine for about 2 years now and it’s exactly the same as it was when I first purchased it. One week point on the board might be the stoppers.

I can see how someone whose very aggressive might damage the board by ramming repeatedly into the stoppers. The booties on the other hand will wear out depending on how much you use it.

I am on my second set of booties, I slide about 2 times a week.

What is the best length for a Slide Board?

I have heard a ton of different answers to this question. From people suggesting eight foot boards for all to keeping a board at five foot length.

Those are both the wrong answer. A board that’s too long will require too much effort and can result in injury. While a board that’s too short won’t allow for a good workout.

Best rule of thumb, the slide board should as long as you are tall and at most no more than foot longer than you. So, for example, I’m tiny at 5’1, my board is five foot long.

A six foot board at my height would work, but would be too exhaustive.

Don’t buy an eight foot board unless you have already had a five foot board for years and know what you’re getting into.

Can you adjust the length?

Most boards can be adjusted, but different size options are available. It really isn’t needed, a five foot sliding board fits most. Unless you are over six foot tall, in that case you maybe interested in a longer board.

5 Reasons You Should Buy a Sliding Board

• Sliding is fun! : Lets face it, sliding across the floor is fun. Who hasn’t done it as a child, or even as an adult when you get the chance.Having a fun routine will make it easier to stay motivated and stick to it. Sticking to a good routine will get you results.
• Burns more calories : At first, it might seem like a gimmick, there have been a bunch of studies on sliding boards and their effectiveness.The University of Nevada did a study confirming that Lateral Movement Training, “LMT”, burns 10 to 13 times more calories per minute that running.
• Low impact : Very low impact, sliding will not hurt your joints no matter your fitness level. That doesn’t mean you can just jump into it.Always try to warm up, even if it’s just by starting off slow.
• Wide Variety of Workouts : There are literally hundreds of exercises you can do on a slide board and they are all very intense. It doesn’t matter what condition you are in.If you have never used a sliding board before, you won’t be able to pull of a workout routine that’s longer than ten minutes.
• Easy to Store : A basic sliding board setup includes the board and a pair of booties.That’s usually it.The booties go into a small bag and most slide boards are really mats that you can roll up and stow away. I usually roll my board up with the booties inside and slide it under the bed.

References

http://collegesportsscholarships.com/trainers-lateral-movement.htm http://running.competitor.com/2014/09/injury-prevention/sliding-your-way-to-fewer-running-injuries_574