One of the best things about going to the Gadget Show Live in Birmingham was the hands-on element of testing out new gizmos. This particular gadget didn’t look very interesting upon first glance- after all, it is a bit of wood on a basket ball. After we jumped on for a ride though, I found out that I was very, very wrong.
The CoolBoard is basically a simulator for surfers catching waves, skateboarders nailing a 360 or snow boarders mastering a quarterpipe.
By simply standing on it and keeping your balance, you’re able to tone your core muscles and build on your coordination (or develop coordination in my case).
It looks deceptively simple, and as a gadget it is. Yet it’s good enough that high-level martial arts blackbelts and world-class surfers use it as part of their training regime.
The board itself is handmade from sustainable wood sourced in Bristol, making this an eco gadget.
The CoolBoard can also be used as a tool for preventing sporting injuries and for rehabilitation. Its makers even claim that it will help to prevent any recurring injuries as the board’s unique movement will cause a righting reaction in previously dormant musculature, allowing the joint as a whole to strengthen.
Each CoolBoard comes with a small training ball to get you started, and a larger rider’s ball for when you become a pro.
I couldn’t help myself and jumped on a board at the Gadget Show, 3-inch heels and all. I confess I cheated and held onto a bar which meant that I didn’t work my core muscles as I might have done had I gone free flow.
While on the board, I actually had a lot of fun just trying to stay balanced, then by rolling the ball as much as possible under the board. I didn’t think it was much of a workout until I got off the thing.
As soon as I stepped off the board, it felt like I had sea legs and I was actually a bit wobbly as I took a few normal steps on solid ground. That was the most surprising thing for me- that a couple minutes on this simple concept had reduced my legs to jelly and given me a thorough workout.
For more info on this surprise of an eco-gadget, take a look at the CoolBoard site.
5 thoughts on “The Gadget Show Live: CoolBoard, more in-depth than it looks”
Didn’t anyone get a photo of you?! lol
Looks like those bouncy things they used to have when I was kid (back int’ daaaay). They look liked saturn and you jumped up and down on them. Like a pogo stick for the underprivilaged amongst us…
I’m still surprised at how much fun it was! And there are no still shots to be had :)
I also enjoyed trying out the Cool Board, and was also surprised at how effective it actually was – for saying how simple a gadget it is.
I had a hard time letting go of the rail, so I was almost disappointed with myself when I noticed another guy standing upright on one, while another person threw a ball at him to catch!
Just noticed a little typo on the last line. CoolBoard, not CoolBorad :) otherwise great post!
Thanks for pointing that out Ed!
The Cool Board is basically a simulator for surfers catching wave It looks deceptively simple, and as a gadget it is. Yet it’s good enough that high-level martial arts black belts and world-class surfers use it as part of their training regime.