What Is the Difference Between the Bosu Basic & Bosu Pro?

BOSU, which is an acronym for "both sides utilized," is part balance board, part stability ball and part plyo box. It looks like a stability ball cut in half. The BOSU is unique because you can use it on either side. Place the flat side down to train on the soft balance disc or flip it over and train on the flat surface, which is unstable because of the air disc that supports it.

  1. Identification

    • The BOSU basic and Pro look exactly alike and have the same specifications. The inflatable air disc, or bubble, is blue with a black base. The base has curved protrusions that you can grip as handles. The BOSU basic and Pro models support users up to 350 lbs. The device itself weighs less than 14 lbs., which makes it relatively portable. The base measures 25 inches in diameter and the disc is 12 inches tall when fully inflated.

    Exercises

    • You can do the same exercises on either the BOSU basic or BOSU Pro. Set the device on the floor with the bubble side up. Stand on it to do basic strength exercises, such as squats, overhead presses or biceps curls. This forces your core muscles to work harder to stabilize your body on the unstable surface. You can also jump and hop on or across the BOSU ball. Flip it over to do pushups with your hands on the base. Stand on the base for a challenging balance exercise.

    Features

    • The BOSU Pro is a newer version of the BOSU device. Although it looks the same as the basic model, the Pro version does have some extra features that make it more durable for commercial environments. It has a larger bladder that weighs 8 lbs and a dually over-molded platform to provide extra strength. The base is covered with a non-marking, non-skid material. The BOSU Pro includes a pump, a guidebook and a DVD. The BOSU basic includes a guidebook and pump.

    Considerations

    • The BOSU basic includes a 90-day warranty, while the BOSU Pro comes with a one-year warranty. BOSU designed the Pro model to be more durable so it can withstand the increased demands of a commercial fitness setting. The BOSU Pro is more expensive than the basic model. At the time of publication, the Pro model sells for $150 and the basic model sells for $120.