When you’re young and resilient, falling off a balance board may not be a big deal. But that’s not necessarily the case as you get older.

Take actress Brooke Shields, for example. Earlier this year, she fell off a balance board at a New York City gym, broke her right femur, and spent weeks in the hospital undergoing multiple surgeries.
Read the full story here: Brooke Shields’ Excruciating Accident
Here’s the kind of training she was doing on the board: Instagram Video

High Risk, Low Benefit

While balance boards may seem like a fun way to challenge your coordination, the payoff may not be worth the potential downside—especially as you age. Many experts agree that unstable surface training offers minimal benefits unless you’re rehabbing an injury or preparing for a specific sport.
Get their take here: Balance, Agility, and Plyometric Training for Sport

And check out this personal account of what happened when I witnessed a rock star attempt a similar stunt at a local gym: Balance Training and a Rock Star – Part 1

Bottom Line

Balance training using unstable surfaces carries a high risk with very little return for the average person—especially as you get older. If your goal is to stay strong and injury-free, there are much safer and more effective ways to improve balance and coordination.