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The board puts your foot on an angled, unstable surface, so the small muscles of the arch and ankle have to work on every repetition. That is the whole idea: train the foot like any other muscle, then let stronger feet carry into your running form.
Why feet come first
Every stride lands on the foot. When the foot is weak, the ankle wobbles, the knee follows and running form breaks down late in a run. Shoes can support a foot; they cannot strengthen it. B2R starts with the foot because it is where the rest of the stride is decided.
The B2R Training System brings together three things most running programs treat separately: foot management, strength training and technique. The board is the foot management tool.
What the board does
The Slant Wobble Board is a proprietary B2R design. Its surface is angled and unstable at the same time. Standing on it, the arch and ankle have to react constantly to keep you upright, and the exercises in the Level 1 video load that instability in specific positions.
The Slant Board is very solid and built in such a way that it is much more challenging to balance on than it looks.Gear Mashers, product review, 2018
That difficulty is the point. A flat floor lets the foot rest. The board does not.
How the balance poles fit
The balance poles give you support while you load the board. They let you hold a position long enough for the foot to do the work, instead of hopping off the moment you lose balance. As you progress, you rely on them less, and in Levels 2 and 3 they keep working in the harder sequences.
Where the stability disks come in
Levels 2 and 3 add two stability disks. The exercises move from foundational foot and core-balance strength toward overall leg strength and power, with the aim of better muscle equilibrium. The board and poles stay in play; the disks raise the challenge.
What reviewers noticed
BirthdayShoes wrote that the exercises are "seriously challenging" and that "the results, particularly in the area of stability, were incredible". Elevation Outdoors put it this way: "After runs on the Mesa Trail and working with [the B2R] DVD and strengthening platform, I'm sold." Runner's Magazine summarised the feeling as "I feel more rooted. I feel stronger from the ground up."
One honest note from a reviewer. BirthdayShoes mentioned that several exercises in the video also use an exercise ball, which is not included. If you have one, keep it handy.
Setting up at home
- Floor. A firm, level surface. Carpet with padding makes the board harder to read.
- Space. Enough to stand with the poles planted either side of you.
- Time. The video is organised so sessions are short and specific. Follow the instruction; the Run Form section shows what good technique looks like and how to fix the common mistakes.
Foot strength FAQ
Do I need running experience to use the board?
No. Level 1 is written for beginners and advanced athletes alike, and the instruction guides you through the common form problems.
Can I use the board barefoot?
The videos show how the exercises are performed. Follow the instruction for footwear and surface in the Level 1 video.
Is the board only for runners?
It was designed for runners, but as iRunFar noted, the program develops strength, flexibility and balance that complement natural running more generally.
Which bundle includes the board?
The Level 1 bundle, the complete bundle and the European Level 1 bundle all include the Slant Wobble Board. The Level 2 and 3 bundle adds the disks for runners who already own it.
The bottom line
The board trains the foot by refusing to let it rest. Combine that with the poles for support and the video for instruction, and you have a way to build foot strength that a shoe or a flat floor cannot give you. Start with the Level 1 bundle.
