The Coolboard has landed!

We'd only recently heard about the Coolboard and couldn't wait to get our hands (or feet) on one. Fortunately for us, we got one in the post to review and haven't been off it since. Blimey, where to start on this beauty? It covers just about all areas of fitness and has a whole list of benefits, including improving your core stability, improved joint strength, improved balance and agility and the list goes on. It's basically a mini-gym!

The board is fantastic for anyone into board sports as it really helps you to stay at the top of your game by keeping up those snow-boarding muscles over the Summer months or improving your balance on your surfboard.

So what the heck is a Coolboard?
It is basically an advanced balance board. It works many different muscle groups thanks to the rolling ball system. You get a more advanced workout when compared with a pivot or rolling board as you roll in all different directions.

CoolBoard is made from high quality marine rated plywood, which is forest friendly. Each and every CoolBoard is finished to a very high standard using 3 layers of hard wearing environmentally friendly lacquer, and will look beautiful for many years to come. The handy griptape on the deck of the board stops you sliding off.

One ball is provided, though you might like to get a balance disc too to start you off. The bigger riders' ball gets an easier ride, and in return gives you a smoother, more refined ride.

So what does the board feel like?
Two of us at Adventure Activities Cornwall had a go, Elliot who is a good surfer with many years in the water under his belt had the first go. The guys at Coolboard had sent two different sizes to suit our different sized feet.
After nearly pitching himself off our 15ft deck into the garden, Elliot started to get the feel of the board. The board instructions recommend 10 mins a day to get you going and after about a week, Elliot was rolling around quite happily on the Coolboard. He could really feel his muscles working hard in his legs and core muscle groups. The handy surfer's workout print-out that came with the board also provided a whole body work out with a few push ups and eye-watering exercises thrown in. It got the thumbs up from a good surfer who said it definitely beats watching the telly when the surf's flat!

So how about a novice bird like me? This was a bit trickier as I'm still learning to surf. I used the smaller balance disc for a bit longer than Elliot, but it didn't take long to get a sense of balance and feel the thighs burning! After a day or two, I felt more confident about getting onto the bigger ball. This took a lot longer to master and even after a week, I wasn't as cool and confident as Elliot. However, I do feel like I'm getting the hang of it and also, with all the other exercises you can do on it, you never get bored. I have noticed an improvement on my wipe-out time on my surfboard though and I think this can only be thanks to the Coolboard.

How to get one
The website has some cool workouts that you can print off to keep it all interesting, or specific to your exercise needs. From only £97.99, it's not going to break the bank and is cheaper than a gym membership!! The biggest plus is you can use it indoors when it the good old British winter kicks in and still say relatively surf-fit.

For more information and where to buy your Coolboard, go to www.coolboard.co.uk.