Slant boards are one of those pieces of equipment that many people will have seen through the years in the gym but likely have no idea exactly what they are for. Many will even feel that, something that looks so basic, couldn’t possibly be of any real use for developing your body.
However, much like the foam roller before it, sometimes the simplest equipment can be the most effective. Slant boards are extremely useful pieces of kit if you use them correctly, and they can offer a wide range of benefits, from aiding your training routine to improving your recovery or rehab time.
As simple as a slant board is though, there are still a great many differences that you can find from model to model. This means each can offer its own unique benefits and be better suited to a particular type of person, so making sure you select the right one is absolutely essential.
The question is, how do you know which slant boards to choose? Well, fear not, as that is exactly what we will be trying to show you as we look at the best slant boards for 2024. So, if you are thinking about buying a slant board but aren’t sure which one to go for, this is the article for you.
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What Is A Slant Board?
A slant board is a very basic, compact, simple-to-use piece of fitness equipment, which is capable of offering benefits far beyond what you might expect from such a straightforward-looking bit of kit.
The main goal of a slant board is to help a user train and stretch their calves and ankles. This will help to keep the bones, connective tissues, and muscles strong and in a good condition, while they can also offer a number of benefits for the core and upper body as well.
Slant boards can be made out of a great number of different materials, although plastic and wood are the most common choices, as they are both lightweight and durable. While slant boards have been regularly used since the 1940s, there is evidence of their usage dating back to at least 1902.
Slant boards are named after the prominent angle in their design, which is what creates the benefits that a slant board is able to offer.
What Are The Benefits Of Slant Boards?
Despite being a very basic piece of equipment, there are actually a range of different benefits that slant boards can offer. While many will focus on the lower body, they can also be useful for the upper body as well.
Improving your balance is one of the top goals of a slant board and this can be done by just standing in different positions on its angle. This will strengthen the muscles of the lower body and core to keep you stable and minimise your risk of falls and the chance of sustaining an injury.
Stretching is another common use of a slant board, as it allows you to go deeper into the stretches, which is more effective and can create tension while elongating the muscles. This will activate your ligaments, muscles, and tendons and work the fibres through their full range of motion.
Stretching on a slant board also provides a range of other benefits, such as reducing inflammation, aiding blood flow, increasing tensile strength, and lowering pain levels. Doing this after a workout is a particularly good idea, as the muscles will be warm, easier to stretch, and less likely to get injured.
Slant boards are commonly used in rehabilitation centres, as they can help improve a person’s ability to walk. It does this by improving balance, reducing inflammation, and moving your centre of gravity forward, which helps to align the bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons in our feet, hips, and legs.
A slant board can even simply be used as a warmup or cool-down tool when working out. By doing your pre and post-workout stretches on a slant board you can prevent aches and pains, massage the muscle fibres, prevent lactic acid build-up, improve recovery, lower pain, and enhance your results.
What Conditions Can Be Treated With A Slant Board?
Slant boards can be used to treat a wide range of different conditions and issues. Reduced levels of mobility and easing aches and pains are the most common uses for slant boards.
That said, they can also be used to treat issues like Achilles tendonitis, calf strains, patella tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and even some types of arthritis, as they take pressure off of the joints.
Whatever you are using your slant board to treat though, it is vital you are using it correctly, else you could end up making things worse. If the issue doesn’t start to get better or your symptoms are severe, you should get advice from a medical professional to be sure you are doing the right thing.
What Can I Do With A Slant Board?
There are many great slant board exercises and workouts that you can perform to achieve a whole range of different results. Beyond healing aches and treating medical problems, a slant board can also be used to simply stretch your muscles or speed up the recovery time after a workout.
While the full list of slant board exercises is extensive, some of the most popular options include:
- Calf stretches and raises
- Plantar fascia stretches
- Hamstring stretches
- Achilles stretches
- Jefferson curls
- Reverse step ups
- Sissy squats
- Toes elevated deadlifts
The 8 Best Slant Boards In 2024
We will now move on to looking at our list of the 8 best slant boards in 2024. This will provide you a diverse range of options and will hopefully show you something for whatever you need from a slant board, allowing you to select the perfect product for your own wants and needs as easily as possible.
Slant Board Guy Slant Board
Slant Board Guy is one of the top manufacturers of slant boards in the world and they produce a great range of slant boards. This huge level of diversity allows you to find a board that matches your own personal workout style, goals, and needs, as well as the exercises you plan to perform.
Slant Board Guy slant boards come in several different angle options, and they also categorise their slant boards based on what they can do for you. This includes things like step up boards to help with ankle flexibility, slant boards with straps for strength training, and standard slant boards for knees.
You also have an option to customise a slant board so that it showcases your name or any graphic file you send to the company. This furthers the variety on offer and makes using your slant board an even more enjoyable and personal experience.
Slant Board Guy | Slant Board - Wooden Squat Board with Non-Slip Surface
- Perfect for Knees Over Toes & ATG Program
- Full Grip - Never Slip Exercise Slant Board
- Stable Wood Slant Board Can Handle Heavy Weight
Pros
- Offers a great range of different angles and types of boards
- Highly customisable
- Options are available for many different wants and needs
Cons
- Reasonably expensive
User Reviews:
Rogue Slant Board
Rogue Fitness offers a versatile range of boards that feature different angles for a more customised workout routine. These can range anywhere from $24 to $95 in price.
You can select between different sizes and angles, with options going up to 30 inches wide and 25 degrees. There are also single and double pack options available, depending on the model you choose, to give you complete freedom of foot placement, while ensuring maximum stability.
The wedge is one of their more popular products, as the textured surface on the top of the board adds stability. This helps to ensure you don’t fall while getting on or using the board, allowing you to push yourself harder.
Pros
- Great range of different options available
- Some of the boards are very cost effective
- Designed to offer maximum stability
Cons
- The most popular models are quite expensive
Tib Factory Slant Board
The Tib Factory Slant Board is designed to provide an affordable option for the average person who needs a basic yet effective product to train on at home. It has a width of 19.75 inches (50 cm), which will accommodate most different stances and foot sizes while you exercise.
This slant board uses a design that is compliant with standard ATG programs. This means you can follow the instructions provided by these exercise routines to the letter whenever you use your board.
The multipurpose design of the Tib Factory Slant Board makes sure you can use it for many different purposes. It is perhaps most commonly used to help improve the strength of the knees though, as it adds more stability to your steps.
The board is great for athletes, particularly those who engage in a fast paced sport or activity, as you can target a wide range of muscles using the angled structure of the slant board. Retailing for $64.99, it is also reasonably affordable when compared to many slant boards of a similar calibre.
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- ATG compliant
- Great size
Cons
- No customisation options
StrongTek Professional Wooden Slant Board
The StrongTek Professional Wooden Slant Board is a slant board and calf stretcher made from a hardwood plywood. It features a simple design and appearance that is easy to use while also being aesthetically pleasing. It even has a textured surface to provide maximum stability.
An adjustable slant board, it is designed specifically for pre and post workout stretching, as well as treating plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, hip bursitis, shin splints, and other pains, strains, and injuries.
Available in both standard and large designs, there are choices available, no matter how much or little space you have available. Priced at $69.95, it is also affordable for the vast majority of people.
StrongTek | Wooden Slant Board - Adjustable Incline Board and Calf Stretcher
- Made of high-quality Lauan hardwood plywood
- The original design of side-handles makes the board easy to carry.
- Anti-Slip design on both surface and bottom offers the best safety protection.
Pros
- Simple to use
- Available in a choice of sizes
- Designed to help with injuries and offer maximum stability
Cons
- The quality of the wood used is questioned by some
User Reviews:
StrongTek Portable Slant Board
The StrongTek Portable Slant Board is a slightly smaller, more compact version of their traditional design. Made from a lightweight plastic material, it is quick and easy to pack away and move, making it ideal for travel or those with very little space.
It is also a perfect choice for people who know they need to consistently relieve stress or pressure in their lower extremities, or treat injuries, while not always being based in a single location. It can even be conveniently popped under a desk to be used while you are working.
Priced at just $31.99, it is one of the more affordable slant boards on the market, so it should be attainable to users on all budgets.
StrongTek | Portable Slant Board - Adjustable Incline Boards
- Reliable strength-enhancing equipment
- Demonstrated health benefits
- Anti-slippery design
- Very easy to carry on
Pros
- Lightweight, compact, and perfect for travel
- Can be stored or used under a desk
- Very budget friendly
Cons
- Material isn’t as strong as other slant boards
User Reviews:
RiversEdge Products Slant Boards
RiversEdge Products produce a range of wooden slant boards made from birch that come in 15, 22, and 30 degree angles. They also sell an adjustable model with 5 different settings, as well as a pair of slant boards, each with two angle settings, to allow you to stretch each calf independently.
All of the RiversEdge Products slant boards feature a textured surface, to ensure maximum stability. They produce high quality products that are guaranteed to let you enjoy their benefits for years to come. Their designs are also very simple yet stylish and incredibly easy to operate.
Prices start at $82 and go all the way up to $136, meaning there is options available for people on a wide range of different budgets.
RiversEdge Products | Slant Board - 22° Birch
- This is the middle of 3 slant board that make a nestable set.
- Sturdy birch veneer wood construction.
- Abrasive safety treads for added traction
- 300-pound weight capacity
Pros
- Available in a range of different angles and options
- Features a textured, non-slip surface
- Incredibly easy to use
Cons
- Quite expensive
User Reviews:
Lumia Wellness 12-Inch Foam Incline Slant Board
The Lumia Wellness 12-Inch Foam Incline Slant Board is made from strong and compact ethylene vinyl acetate. This means the product is incredibly lightweight and easy to transport, yet still able to support users who weigh up to 400 pounds. It also features a sleek, stylish black design.
It can be adjusted to be used at angles of 8, 16, and 24 degrees, and even split apart to train and stretch each leg independently. Its slip-resistant base will help to prevent falls, while the large surface area makes it suitable for use by virtually everyone, no matter the size of their feet.
Priced at just $39.99, it is one of the cheaper slant boards on the market and a great choice for those who want a portable, adjustable option that doesn’t cost a fortune.
Lumia Wellness | 13" Foam Incline Slant Board
- Helps relieve and prevent common foot problems
- Perfect yoga, fitness, and exercise accessory
- Made of durable and eco-friendly EVA foam
- Designed for any height or weight range
Pros
- Very budget friendly
- Can be used on a variety of different settings
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Features a wide, slip resistant surface
Cons
- Not as strong as slant boards made from more durable material
User Reviews:
WL Professional Steel Calf Stretcher
The WL Professional Steel Calf Stretcher is made from alloy steel, making it incredibly strong while still weighing only 7.5 pounds. Fully adjustable, it can be used at angles of 15, 25, 30, and 35 degrees, and then even folded completely flat for storage, while its wide base is suitable for most foot sizes.
It is designed for the normal purposes of easing muscle pains, strains, and tension, preventing and rehabbing injuries, and improving your flexibility and posture. However, it is also designed to be used with certain weighted exercises too, such as squats, to help you make them more challenging.
The product is made entirely with a chic black appearance, while the surface is patterned to increase grip and stability. Priced at $69.99, it isn’t a cheap slant board but is more than competitive when compared with some of the top options on the market.
WL | Professional Steel Calf Stretcher - Adjustable Ankle Incline Board and Stretch Board
- Recommended by physical therapists
- Features a full easy-grip surface
- This multi-functional slant board is adjustable to 4 Positions: 15°, 25°, 30° and 35°
- Heavy duty steel with long-lasting strength, durability and capacity of 500 Lbs
Pros
- Incredibly strong and durable
- Able to be set to multiple angles and flat packed for storage
- Can be used with weights while working out to increase the difficulty of exercises
- Has a wide, slip resistant surface and a stylish design
Cons
- Is not the most cost effective option
- Heavier than many of the alternatives made from other materials
User Reviews:
What To Look For When Buying A Slant Board
When it comes to buying a slant board, you need to be certain you select the right one if you want it to be successful. While we have shown you a number of great choices, there are a few essential things you need to consider, to make sure you choose the perfect one for you.
Angle
The angle of a slant board is what allows it to produce results. For the majority of people, a slant board with an angle between 20 and 25 degrees will be perfect.
This range of angles is accepted as the standard as it is able to provide virtually all of the benefits associated with slants boards. At the same time, it won’t push you too hard or put you at risk of sustaining an injury.
Size
Most slant boards have a fairly universal size that will be suitable for the vast majority of people. However, if you know you have especially large feet, it is a good idea to think about the length and width of the board you are buying.
As slant boards come in a range of slightly different shapes and sizes, you want to make sure you not only fit on it but also that you are comfortable. This will ensure your use of a slant board will be both effective and enjoyable.
Material
Slant boards are also made from a range of different materials, each of which offers its own unique selling points.
Foam slant boards are light and durable, so are a good choice for those who need to move them around often. Steel slant boards are incredibly strong, so are the best choice for very heavy users.
Wooden slant boards provide a nice balance of both of these qualities. While there are other materials used to make slant boards as well, such as plastic, these three are the most common. Make sure you understand which of them provides the qualities you require from a slant board.
Type
There are three main types of slant board available: fixed, adjustable, and miniature.
Fixed slant boards are stronger and easier to use for newbies but will take up more room. Adjustable slant boards allow for more variety, greater progression, and easier transport, but aren’t usually as strong. They are a better option for anyone who plans to continue using a slant board long term.
Miniature slant boards can offer a middle ground between the transportability of adjustable slant boards and the strength of fixed slant boards, without being as effective in either area. If you work out how, where, and why you will be using a slant board, it will help you to select the perfect type.
Conclusion
Slant boards are an incredibly useful tool that can offer a huge number of benefits for a wide range of different people. This article will hopefully have told you all you need to know about slant boards and helped you select the right one to buy based on your own personal needs.
That means all you have to do now is go out and purchase your slant board of choice. That way you can start using it and experiencing all of the great benefits it has to offer for yourself as soon as possible.
Steve is a retired professional wrestler with over 10 years of experience in the personal fitness industry. He is a certified personal trainer working with a wide variety of athletes as well as a fitness writer.