The Best Slide Boards (2024): 5 Expert-Approved Boards for Gliding Through Training Sessions

When it comes to today’s home gym essentials, there are plenty of unique and interesting silhouettes beyond your standard weight plates, squat racks, and cable machines. The best slide boards, for example, offer a fun way to target low-impact training from the comfort of your living room or home office. Favored by hockey players and skaters, this friction-free training tool focuses on lateral movements, stability, and balance as you glide from one bumper to the next.

To help you choose the best slide board for your workout routine, our testers spent weeks and months testing some of the most popular profiles in the category. We rated these picks on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) in key areas such as:

• Durability: Can the board withstand regular use day in and day out?
• Portability: How easy is it to pack up, tote, and store this training tool?
• Glide Efficiency: Can you efficiently move across the sliding surface?
• Value: Are the fun training sessions worth the listed price point?

Ready to put some “smooth” in your next sweat session? Let’s get into our top picks.

The 5 Best Slide Boards

• Best Overall Slide Board: UltraSlide 8H
• Best Adjustable Slide Board: Brrrn Board+
• Best Budget Slide Board: SPRI Slide Board
• Best Slide Board for Home: LifePro Exercise Slide Board
• Best Slide Board for Hockey: Better Hockey Extreme Slide Board

Best Overall Slide Board: UltraSlide 8H

Good for: Athletes wanting a heavy-duty slide board with a foldable deck for more convenient storage

Best Overall

UltraSlide Slide Board

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

* 8-foot adjustable slide board * Lightweight design * Four length settings * Includes slippers and polish

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 8-foot slide board
• Four length settings
• Removable slide surface
• The baseboard can fold for storage

Cons

• The slide surface doesn’t fold
• Requires eight feet of floor space
• Expensive compared to other options

Bottom Line

The UltraSlide 8H slide board is an 8-foot, adjustable slide board that’s designed to be lightweight and easy to move. It features four different length settings, and includes board polish and slippers.

For athletes wanting a commercial-grade slide board for their regular home workouts, we recommend the 8H silhouette from UltraSlide. This heavy-duty board features a foldable profile and adjustable end bumpers that can help you dial in your stride length for different slide board exercises.

“The board [itself] is substantial, and the sliding surface feels thick, too,” notes our expert tester, GGR editorial team member Nicole Davis, who rates the durability at a perfect 5 out of 5. “The sliding plastic does curl up a bit if you don’t have the bumpers set to the max length, so I’m unsure if this will pose a problem over time. Regardless, you definitely get a commercial-grade feel from this piece of equipment.”

In terms of the adjustments, Davis states that toggling the bumpers to 5, 6, and 7 feet is a breeze, rating the process at 4.5 out of 5. “All you need to do is unscrew the knobs, move the bumpers, and replace the knobs—really easy.”

We also appreciate the UltraSlide 8H’s foldable profile, although we score the portability at 1 out of 5 given the multiple steps required. Davis says you need to remove the sliding surface prior to folding, and the 36-pound frame can be cumbersome to move at times. Thankfully, though, there are carrying straps along one side of the board.

Best Adjustable Slide Board: Brrrn Board+

Good for: Those wanting a slide board capable of adjusting to multiple slide lengths

Best Adjustable

Brrrn Board+

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

* Adjustable 6-foot slide board * Designed to be used on all surfaces * Includes board polish, booties, and a built-in handle for easy transportation

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Adjustable sizing
• It can be used on all surfaces
• Durable construction
• Includes booties and board polish
• Arrives pre-assembled

Cons

• Expensive
• Doesn’t fold for storage

Bottom Line

The Brrrn Board+ is an adjustable slide board designed for athletic training. It features non-slip padding that allows the board to be safely used on all surfaces, and it’s very durable, with a 400-lb weight capacity.

Adjustability should always be top of mind when shopping for home fitness equipment, whether searching for the best exercise bike for your space or getting your feet wet with slide board training. The Brrrn Board+ features adjustable bumpers that can be set to 5 or 6 feet in length, giving you some added versatility when adjusting to your height, comfort level, or specific movement.

We rate the adjustability at 4 out of 5, too, given the availability of different bootie sizes. Other slide boards come with one-size-fits-all sliding booties that could be ill-fitting for smaller- or larger-footed athletes. Brrrn, on the other hand, offers the brand’s OG Black Booties in Small, Regular, or Extra-Large.

Be mindful, though, that these more accommodating slippers do come with an extra charge of roughly $35, which may be too much of an addition to the already-expensive $499 price tag of the board itself.

The single-piece board does not fold for more convenient storage but does come with a cut-out handle for easier portability. Our expert tester, GGR editorial team member Nicole Davis, scores the portability at 3.5 out of 5 despite the Brrrn Board+’s lack of foldability. “I found that the Brrrn Board is easier to move mostly because it’s lightweight at 31 pounds and doesn’t try to fold up on you during transport,” she adds.

Lastly, we rate the glide efficiency at 5 out of 5 thanks to its slick surface providing smooth strides through lower-body and upper-body workouts. Plus, Brrrn includes a bottle of the brand’s cleaning spray as part of the initial bundle, so you can keep your gear operating at full efficiency without any scuffs or hiccups.

Best Budget Slide Board: SPRI Slide Board

Good for: Wallet-minded individuals wanting to keep slide board costs under $100

Best Budget

SPRI Slide Board

GGR Score: 3.6

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Product Highlights

* Rolls for easy storage and transportation * Very affordable * Lightweight design * Includes carrying bag and slippers

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Rolls up for easy storage
• Includes a carrying bag and slippers
• Affordable

Cons

• Users report it can be difficult to fit in the bag
• Requires a flat surface
• Not as durable as more expensive options

Bottom Line

The SPRI Slide Board is a lightweight, portable slide board designed for convenient storage and transportation. Its 71″ length allows it to be used for a variety of training styles.

Sure, slide boards can be effective training tools for full-body workouts and lateral movements, but if you’d rather ease into the discipline with a more affordable silhouette, the SPRI Slide Board can be an ideal pick. We’ve found this board for roughly $60 across different retail sites, but the best deal, from our research, is on Amazon where you can score this profile for roughly $50.

Our expert tester, GGR editorial team member Amanda Dvorak, scores the value at 4 out of 5, placing it amongst some of the best budget home gym equipment we’ve had in testing. “It’s definitely more cost-effective than a lot of other home gym equipment,” she adds.

Of course, though, this SPRI Slide Board does have some “get what you pay for” qualities, including a non-adjustable slide length and compromised stability. Dvorak, who rates the stability at 3.5 out of 5, states, “One of the bumpers will not lay totally flat, which is annoying. Plus, while it wasn’t bad on carpet, you do sink a bit more into the board itself. As such, my sliding didn’t feel as smooth in these scenarios.”

The SPRI Slide Board is also travel-friendly thanks to its lightweight, rollable design. The brand also throws in a convenient carrying bag for keeping your equipment stored securely during transport. As such, we score the portability at a perfect 5 out of 5.

Best Slide Board for Home: LifePro Exercise Slide Board

Good for: Those wanting to add the benefits of slide board training to their at-home workout regimens

Best for Home

Lifepro Slide Board

GGR Score: 3.5

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Product Highlights

* Rolls for easy storage and transportation * Slip-resistant bottom surface * Affordable * Includes carrying bag and booties

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very affordable
• Rolls for easy storage
• Slip-resistance surface
• Includes carrying bag and slippers

Cons

• May not be long enough for tall users
• Some users report it doesn’t slide very well
• May require regular polishing for a slick surface

Bottom Line

The Lifepro Slide Board is an affordable option for those looking for a portable slide board. It rolls for easy storage and is easy to carry, though the recommended user size is 5’4″ to 6’1″, so taller individuals may need a bigger option.

While many of the slide boards we’ve tested are suitable for home use, we tend to favor this LifePro offering given its lightweight, rollable silhouette and easy setup instructions. Simply roll the board flat across the ground, slip on the included booties, and get into your session of lunges, mountain climbers, lateral strides, and more.

We also appreciate the included carrying case featured in this workout bundle, earning this LifePro slide board a 4 out of 5 for portability. Like many of the best portable home gyms, this travel bag can allow for training on the go. We also think it can be useful when looking to store your fitness gear in nearby closets or underneath furniture.

The LifePro Exercise Slide Board is constructed from a polypropylene material. This allows the board to be slick enough for training yet lightweight and flexible enough for convenient storage. We rate the durability at 3 out of 5, though, as the resilience to wear and tear is less than that of more commercial-grade slide boards.

One unique feature of this LifePro silhouette is the included suction cups at the end of each bumper. These can help improve stability at the board’s ends, but they are best used on flat, hard surfaces. If you plan to primarily use this slide board atop carpeted floors, this component may be rendered useless even before getting into your first core or lower-body workout.

RELATED: Beginner Core Workouts

Best Slide Board for Hockey: Better Hockey Extreme Slide Board

Good for: Hockey players wanting to add lateral movement and core strength workouts to their off-ice training routines

Best for Hockey

Better Hockey Extreme Slide Board

GGR Score: 4.1

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Product Highlights

* Adjustable slide board * Includes three sizes of booties * Rolls up for storage and transportation

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Easy to transport
• Includes three sizes of booties
• Adjustable to any length
• Used by NHL players

Cons

• Somewhat expensive
• The ends may move for larger users
• Doesn’t work well on carpet/soft surfaces

Bottom Line

The Better Hockey Extreme Slide Board is designed for all types of athletes and fitness enthusiasts. It’s easy to roll up for storage and includes a travel bag and three different sizes of booties to accommodate a wide range of foot sizes. It can also be adjusted to any length.

Slide boards can be an excellent training tool for hockey players, speed skaters, and other on-ice athletes given its similarity to the lateral movements and gliding sensations associated with cutting up the rink. For these needs, the Better Hockey Extreme Slide Board can be an effective option given its impressive adjustability, portability, and value. The end bumpers are adjustable across the entire length of the board, and the bundle comes with a convenient travel bag for on-the-go workouts or breaks at the rink.

Unlike other slide boards that only feature adjustable bumpers to preset lengths, this Better Hockey board can be toggled to virtually any distance you prefer. This can be helpful when fine-tuning your setups for agility exercises or just getting some reps in before your prescribed ice time. We rate the adjustability at 5 out of 5.

The Better Hockey Extreme Slide Board also comes with a travel bag for on-demand training as well as sliding booties in Small, Medium, and Large sizes. Portability scores a 4 out of 5, though, since some customer reviews have noted that packing this slide board into its carrying tote can be a hassle.

You can purchase this hockey slide board for roughly $240 on Amazon. While not the cheapest slide board we’ve found, we still score the value at 4 out of 5 due to the travel bag and multiple bootie pairs included in the bundle. Plus, the adjustability range is one of the widest we’ve seen in the category.

Other Slide Boards We Researched

Much like searching for the best treadmill for your home gym, there are plenty of slide board silhouettes to choose from across the interwebs. Below are some other popular profiles we researched for this round-up, as well as a quick explanation as to why they didn’t quite make the cut when compared to our top picks.

• ProsourceFit Slide Board: While definitely a budget-friendly slide board, this ProsourceFit model’s customer reviews note that the included booties wear out quickly, leaving you with no sense of glide. Plus, you cannot adjust the slide length of this 6-foot board.
• Bauer Reactor Skating Slide Board: Similar to the Better Hockey Extreme, this slide board features adjustable bumpers, a travel bag, and three pairs of booties. However, we prefer the slimmer dimensions of other boards, as the 36-inch width does leave more room for stability issues during movement.

How We Picked and Tested the Best Slide Boards

Our testing pool of certified personal trainers, CrossFit instructors, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts spent weeks testing a multitude of slide boards for this comprehensive guide. Using our equipment testing methodology, we examined and ranked each profile in the following categories on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest).

Adjustments and Durability

Slide boards can be helpful for reimagining your at-home core exercises, lower-body sessions, and upper-body movements, but that intrigue can be all for naught if the profile itself can’t withstand regular use. As such, we made note of each silhouette’s build quality and how resilient it could be for repeat workouts. We also examined the quality of the included booties—would these glorified socks stay intact after multiple wears, or would the seams begin to rip and tear after just a few glides?

In terms of adjustability, we wanted to ensure that athletes had the opportunity to toggle their slide length in accordance with their fitness preferences and comfort levels. We focused on boards measuring, at minimum, roughly 6 feet in length, as this is a generally acceptable measurement for most heights and needs. To earn a high score, though, slide boards needed to feature multiple adjustment lengths and the process needed to be simple.

Portability

While slide boards aren’t typically stored within the best gym bags on the market, having a board that’s travel-friendly can open up opportunities to change up your training landscape every now and again. Boards earning a perfect score in this category featured roll-up silhouettes with included carrying totes for easier transportation. For standalone boards, we often looked for included handles or straps that can make maneuvering the profile within your home gym a more feasible chore.

RELATED: Best Compact Exercise Equipment

Glide Efficiency

If you’re using a slide board to target core muscles, hamstrings, glutes, and other muscle groups, you likely want to experience that frictionless glide associated with the tool, right? As such, we closely examined how effectively each bootie slid across the sliding surfaces of each board. Some boards may require more upkeep than others to maintain that slick sensation, so in these instances, we placed emphasis on slide board bundles that came equipped with a proper cleaning solution.

Stability

OK, you’re supposed to slide across a slide board, but that doesn’t mean the movements need to place you in an unbalanced position. Each board’s stability was viewed across multiple categories:

• Do the bumpers help keep my momentum contained to the board?
• Does the board itself move underfoot, especially when on softer surfaces like carpet?
• Does the board have added features like non-slip pads or suction cups to help increase stability?

Value

We understand that every athlete has a different budget, so we wanted to ensure that our top picks reflected the full scope of slide board costs. We made sure to include budget-friendly profiles less than $100 as well as more commercial-grade silhouettes costing upwards of $500. Our median price, though, came to roughly $240 amongst all tested boards, so this is the metric we recommend planning for when looking to add one of these pieces to your personal abode.

Benefits of Slide Boards

Whether trying to target a specific skill set for your sport of choice or searching for a means to spice up a 28-day calisthenics challenge, slide boards can be beneficial pieces of home gym equipment. Below are some of our favorite perks associated with these training tools with extra insight from some of our in-house experts.

Improved Lateral Movement

Given the practice, slide boards can be effective for training lateral movement skills in a controlled space. These agile movements can be helpful for athletes taking part in a wide range of sports such as hockey, ice skating, basketball, baseball, soccer, and more.

Slide boards primarily focus on lower body muscle groups including the glutes, hamstrings, and hip flexors, amongst others. Matt Dustin, CSCS, PN1-NC, states, “Slide boards can also be used for a variety of unique upper-body movements. By using towels or slide board mitts on your hands, you can perform different variations of push-ups and core exercises that can only be accomplished atop a slick surface.”

Low-Impact Training

Dustin adds that slide boards can be great tools for low-impact cardio. “Many common agility drills, such as those targeting lateral movement, call for repeated jumping,” he states. “These movements and repeated impacts can be taxing on your joints. Slide boards, on the other hand, can be helpful in training many of the same muscle groups without ever leaving the ground.”

Additionally, slide boards can help increase muscle activity in key areas without feeling as if you’re really wearing down your body. Studies report that slide boards can be effectively used in exercise programs targeting the quadriceps and hamstrings, and low-paced lunges or squats can be beneficial in improving the balance between hip- and knee-flexion angles¹.

Stability and Coordination

You’ll also need to maintain balance and stability when training atop a slide board, similar to your experience with some of the best balance boards. As such, this can be a helpful way to activate your stabilizing muscles during workouts.

What to Look For In Slide Boards

Like any home gym purchase—from the best rowing machines to weight benches, cold plunge tubs, and more—there are a handful of factors worth considering as you decide on a proper slide board for your setup. Here are some considerations worth pondering over before finalizing your online cart.

Construction and Durability

Look for materials you feel will hold up beyond just a handful of workouts. After all, an investment in your training should be able to withstand, well, your training regimen. Additionally, many slide boards employ PVC, polypropylene, or some other synthetic material or finish across the sliding surface. While these can generate that frictionless glide you want during workouts, some may require additional upkeep over time.

In addition to your board’s construction, it can also be wise to pay attention to the included booties. Cheaper slide booties can wear down quickly and, ultimately, compromise how efficient your slides are in training. Take the fabric quality and sizing into account as you work through your purchasing process.

Storage and Portability

Most high-quality slide boards measure between 6 and 8 feet long, so be sure that your home gym layout can comfortably accommodate this structure. If you do wish to take your slide board workouts on the go, be sure to check out portable designs that roll up for easier transport. These silhouettes can also be stored more easily in between workouts, which can be a major perk for athletes living in confined spaces.

For boards that do not fold up for easier storage, it can be beneficial to opt for a profile with attached or cut-out handles. This can make controlling and handling your equipment a simpler endeavor, especially when moving from room to room.

Available Accessories

While some slide board bundles can feature extra training videos powered by some of the best online workout programs, the main accessories to look for include slide booties and a carrying case (provided your board rolls up for travel-ready conveniences). Many slide boards feature one-size-fits-all booties designed to stretch over your favorite cross-training shoes, but some brands do offer varying sizes that can better match your footprint. Read through the sizing dimensions to determine whether you’ll need a secondary pair of slippers for a more ideal fit.

You can also find slide boards with available cleaning kits featuring a sprayable cleaning solution and microfiber cloth. These tools can be helpful in preserving your board’s slickness, particularly if you’re training in an area with excessive dust, lint, or pet hair. However, they aren’t absolute must-haves when it comes to your initial buying experience.

Value

Finally, the best slide board for your needs is the silhouette that best fits within your budget. Slide boards can cost anywhere from less than $100 to upwards of $500. Take the necessary time to crunch some numbers and set your limit before researching your available options.

Best Slide Boards: FAQs

References

1. Demir, C., & Harput, G. (2023). Weight-bearing exercises on slideboard increase quadriceps and hamstring activation levels and improve hip- and knee-flexion angles in physically active individuals. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 32(6), 674–686. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37156537/

Ben Emminger, NASM-CNC, NASM-CSNC

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