Best Balance Beam Reviews 2018

Balance beams are long-term investments. Because of the nature of their use, care should be taken when purchasing one so you don’t sacrifice safety and durability for price. Depending on the skill level of the intended user, the manufacturing material differs and so does the price. Be absolutely sure of the age and skills requirements of the user before looking around. Tailor your search, and, of course, your budget, towards a balance beam that fits or suits your needs.

Most good balance beams fall within the $90 to $280 price range, and the products we reviewed in this work are all in this price range. These beams are from trusted brands in the industry, so you’re assured of the highest quality and safety with any of the products we listed. We also found some cheap balance beams, but as we’re not given to compromising quality, we decided to ignore them after discovering that they’re made from low-grade materials. Read on and consider the different options we have laid out for you.

Despite the simple nature of the balance beam, there are some factors and features that you ought to check when shopping for one. Such factors should include:

• Design
• Age and skill level it is designed for
• Manufacturing material
• Other extra features

To avoid accidents and injuries, it’s vital to purchase a balance beam that is suited to the skill level of the user. The skill level is not a function of age, so you may not rely entirely on the age of the user to guide you in making the right choice. However, it’s assumed that a child of about six years should be at level 1 – 4 and is, therefore, considered a beginner. As the child progresses in age and skill, she graduates to the intermediate level (levels 5 – 7) and should be using the junior beam. From there, she goes on to the advanced and, if possible, national competition levels. It takes years of constant practice for your child to build up and hone her skills, and this can only be achieved by using the right balance beam for her expertise.

The designs and styles of balance beams are broadly classified into two: the floor resting style and the suspended style. The floor resting design naturally is meant for beginners, and features a base that is wider than the top and rests flush on the ground to provide stability. Its height is usually low, to help prevent injuries from falling. Although this style of beam doesn’t look like the conventional balance beam used in competitions, it does adequately serve the purpose of letting the budding preschool gymnast practice safely to her heart’s content, and at the same time affording you peace of mind.

A suspended balance beam is designed to look like the traditional balance beam, suspended some inches above the floor with two cross bars holding it up at each end. It may also have a third cross bar at the middle, especially the beams designed for intermediate skill level gymnasts. The major difference between this beam style and the professional balance beam is in the height. The professional balance beam has a standard height which is often intimidating, while the junior beam (and to some extent, the advanced beam) has a height that lets gymnasts practice some advanced skills while offering a lower risk of injury.

Balance beams are some of the easiest gym equipment to set up in your home gym or elsewhere. Most of them, especially the beginner beams, are foldable. All you have to do is unroll them on an even surface, and you’re good to go. Some of them also feature letters and numbers that allow kids to learn while practicing. A few balance beams, such as the Tumbl Track Brianna Beam in our product review section, can seamlessly connect two or more balance beams together and form a longer beam. Cleaning and maintaining a balance beam is not hard and depends on the material (although most of them are not absorbent, so you can safely clean their surfaces with water and let them dry off). The non-absorbing nature also ensures that beams last a long time and remain safe for your little one.

Different balance beams are made from different materials, such as foam, wood or steel, with an outer covering that helps soften the impact on the gymnast when practicing. Beginner beams are usually made from foams that are non-absorbing, and this lets the user learn and become confident while using the equipment.

Junior/intermediate beams have wooden cores with suede covering, as seen in competition beams. This enables gymnasts to safely practice handholds and cartwheels as they develop their skills on the beam. While the manufacturer's have done their part to make their beams safe, using a mat beneath the junior beam is highly recommended for your own safety.

An advanced beam has a steel inner core and protective layered padding on top, with the entire beam covered in suede. This type of beam is the most durable of the three, thanks to its steel core. It mimics the competition balance beam in all ways, except, of course, for the height.

Most junior beams have steel supports that are wide and stable enough to support the weight of the user. Some of them even feature adjustable supports so you can change the height as desired.

As you shop around for the perfect beam for yourself or your little ones, be sure to know the user's degree of competence, as this will help you narrow your options to more suitable products. We have beams for all skill levels covered in our top products review section, which you should check out for yourself now.