Just over twenty years ago in his garage in New Jersey, David Weck came up with an idea for a solution to help his ailing back. That idea would go on to become one of the most successful fitness products ever. It started as a piece of plywood and an exercise ball cut in half, and after countless hours of engineering and testing the BOSU® Balance Trainer was born. After that, as they say, the rest is history. The fitness trend of “balance training” was here to stay, and the BOSU® Balance Trainer became a mainstay in gyms, hotels, physical therapy practices and homes all around the world. 

As with anything that is successful, it was just a matter of time until others tried to jump on the trail that was blazed by BOSU®, and knockoffs began to flood the market. The term “BOSU” became synonymous with any blue-half ball, and the brand became representative of an entire product category (similar to “Kleenex®”). Fortunately, some of the critical design components that make the original BOSU® Balance Trainer superior and unique were patented, and the name “BOSU” was trademarked. 

There are several things that separate the original Balance Trainer from the copies. First is the aforementioned intellectual property. The patented design of the platform gives it strength that has outlasted the competition by 10X in cycle testing (the number of steps it can take before failure). Next is the manufacturing, which cuts no corners in its process and quality standards. Every BOSU® Balance Trainer in the last 20+ years has been manufactured in the USA by the same company, in Ashland, Ohio. Overseas manufacturing would be less expensive, but the rotational molding expertise of Hedstrom Plastics is second to none. BOSU® also uses the safest materials that meet even the strictest guidelines for phthalates and other potentially dangerous chemicals commonly found in inexpensive plastics.

Now that you understand the “whys”, how can you identify an authentic BOSU® Balance Trainer and eliminate the risk of purchasing an inferior product? The best place to find authentic BOSU® products is at www.BOSU.com, but there are many great re-sellers that offer authentic BOSU® items as well. Make sure to look for the brand by name, and don’t just assume that any half ball stability trainer is from BOSU®. There are a couple of visual indicators on the product itself as well. Since 2012, all BOSU® Balance Trainers have the official brand decal with the insignia on the top of the dome. Next, flip it over and look at the flat side. The base will have the brand name displayed and be concave, not flat.

Lastly, if you have any doubts, the BOSU® customer service team is standing by to answer any questions you have about the product you are considering.  

Fitness professionals, medical practitioners, athletes, and workout enthusiasts of all ages around the globe trust BOSU® and their two decades of experience to deliver the highest quality products at the best possible value. We hope that if you are contemplating purchasing a Balance Trainer to take your fitness routine to the next level, that you go with the real deal, and choose a BOSU® product that is as strong as you are! 

Nate Logan is Director of Business Development for Hedstrom Fitness.