Meet the Slant Board
A new tool for sharpening fitness
Last November, during the darkest days of rehab for my perpetually injured hip, I pulled out a piece of plywood and set it on the kitchen floor. Actually, it was several pieces of plywood held together by a collapsible hinge that could be set at multiple angles.
This little beauty of minimalist engineering is called a slant board. They’re all the rage in the running and rehab communities, which basically comprise the same cross section of humanity. Slant boards are useful because they deepen squats and elongate stretches. The calf raises one can do on a slant board are exquisite, and it’s a game changer for split squats.
Of all the pieces of exercise equipment that have passed through my collection in recent years – from weights to wobble boards – few are utilized as often in my weekly routine as my slant board. We’re talking multiple times a week for a quick 5-10 minutes of something. Usually calf raises and hamstring stretches, but also squats and step downs.
Oh, that right hip injury? I don’t want to suggest working on the slant board made the pain and soreness go away. My right hip discomfort never goes away completely. Yet, steady slant board work has made the discomfort more manageable by strengthening the surrounding muscles. Who knows how many potential injuries it’s prevented.
Behind the paywall for paid subscribers, here’s more on how to incorporate a slant board into their strength training routine. Plus a 20-minute workout that will shape, tone, and build your lower body muscles into a work of art.