In this Terra Core review I’ll cover everything this versatile gym tool is good for.
The Terra Core balance trainer is an air-filled, balance trainer, and core shredding machine that has two sides.
One side is an inflatable PVC dome that’s highly reactive to movement.
The other is a flat surface with handles for push ups and bars to attach accessories such as resistance bands.
Because of its instability, it recruits a lot of stabilization muscles and makes exercises more challenging.
Unboxing & Set Up
The product comes in a rectangular box.
Although it looks big, it only weighs about 30 lbs.
Once I opened up the box, everything was nicely wrapped in plastic.
It’s hard to tell from the picture above, but the Terra Core comes deflated.
Once the plastic is removed, you can see everything that comes inside the box.
Terra Core, owner’s manual, exercise poster, inflation pump, measuring tape, and air plug removal tool.
To inflate the Terra Core, look for a plug towards one of the round ends.
Shouldn’t be hard to locate since it sticks out.
Remove the air plug completely to inflate.
When the Terra Core is deflated, you can pull out the plug with your fingers.
Once it’s filled with air, it’s harder to pull out so you’ll need the plug removal tool that’s included.
Inflating the balance trainer is simple.
Grab the black inflation pump and insert the tip into the air hole.
Inside a plastic bag, you’ll get a measuring tape, an extra plug, and a plug removal tool.
Insert the pump into the air hole and start pumping with your hand.
The measuring tape is there so that you don’t over inflate the bladder.
Terra Core recommends that you inflate the bladder to 21-22 inches.
The more air you put into the bladder, the more stable it will be.
If you put less air, it will be more reactive and movements become more difficult.
After it’s inflated, it takes on an oblong shape.
The underside has a couple of handles that can be used for push ups.
Terra Core calls these handles Power Grips.
It also has two long bars where you can attach bands or use as handles for other exercises.
From the bottom, you can see there’s 8 rubberized feet that prevent the Terra Core from slipping.
What Does Terra Core Do?
The Terra Core is a balance and stabilization trainer on steroids and then some.
It makes other balance trainers like the Bosu Ball seem like a one trick pony.
Because of its various handles and reactive motion surface, you can do so much more than a BoSu can.
Plus you can attach accessories like resistance bands for a full body workout.
How Does It Work?
There’s two sides to the Terra Core.
One side has an unstable reactive surface filled with air (bladder).
The other side is flat and has handles.
Both sides can be used for a ton of different exercises.
With the bladder side up, the top surface becomes very reactive.
It’s like pushing on one side of a balloon, the air moves to the opposite side.
With the bladder side down, you take muscle recruitment to the extreme because stabilization and balance are seriously required.
Balance Trainer
Balancing exercises are challenging with the bladder side up.
They become extremely difficult when you flip the Terra Core belly down!
Stepper
The Terra Core can also be used as a stepper.
Whether you’re doing plyometric work for the upper extremity where you explode up from the floor…
Or some lower extremities like deficit lunges…
Or simply using it as a platform for your aerobics class, the Terra Core adds a different challenge to your workouts.
The possibilities are endless when you use your creativity.
Bench
With the bladder side up, the Terra Core can be used as a bench.
For some exercises like the bench press, you can get more range of motion of the shoulder blades.
Your arms can wrap around the air bladder and you can get a deeper stretch on the chest.
Resistance Band Anchor
You can add resistance bands to your Terra Core workouts.
You can strap the bands to the orange bars below or just place them under the base.
And no, you won’t damage the bands by having your weight on them.
The Terra Core has openings on its sides that let the bands move freely without being pinched.
Rehab
The Terra Core is also used as a rehab tool by physical therapists.
Now only is it good to strengthen your core, but it’s also excellent for joint injuries in the upper and lower extremities.
Particularly injuries in the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and shoulders that require stabilization to get stronger.
Features
Horizontal bars: These can be used to attach resistance bands or as handles
Vertical power grips: Use them for push ups or to lift the Terra Core for resistance training
Band bridges: These gaps prevent pinching of resistance bands that go under the Terra Core
Reactive motion surface: The air bladder creates instability to make every exercise more challenging
Specs
- Dimensions: 47″ long x 18″ wide x 6.75″ inches tall
- Weight: 28 lbs
- Weight Capacity: 1000 lbs is the most recommended (Has been tested up to 4500 lbs)
Terra Core Exercises
The Terra Core can be used to give your current workouts a bit of a challenge.
The unstable surface can make exercises a bit harder so you’re recruiting more muscles while using it.
You can use it for pulling exercises by attaching bands to it or even just using it as weight.
For pushing exercises like push ups, you’ll feel your chest working much harder.
Static exercises and variations of planks make your core light up much faster.
You can even use it as a bench to use with resistance bands or dumbbells.
Terra Core Workouts
Terra Core provides many follow along workouts for FREE.
Some are created by the Terra Core crew and others by their customers (aka Tribe).
You can see a playlist of their FREE follow along workouts here.
Terra Core On Demand
But if you want exclusive on-demand content on your phone, Terra Core On Demand is also available.
They offer a 14-day trial period where you can access all the videos for FREE for two weeks.
What’s Included?
- Unlimited on-demand classes: 24/7 to their full library of classes
- Exclusive premium content: Nutrition, health, and wellness tips
- Access to team of fitness experts: Live and on-demand training sessions with certified trainers
- FREE app: You can access the classes anywhere you have your phone
How Much Does Terra Core On Demand Cost?
They have a couple options, one is monthly, the other one yearly.
You can do $19.99/month or $149.99/yearly.
Both come with a 14-day trial period.
If you feel it’s a good fit for you, then you can stick around.
Otherwise, you can just cancel the trial period and do your own workouts.
Terra Core vs Bosu Ball
BoSu is the original balance trainer and has been around since 1999.
But anything the BoSu can do, so can the Terra Core.
As you see from the pic above, the BoSu a half dome with a flat base.
There’s nothing else to it.
Some similarities to the Terra Core (balance and instability), but the Terra Core is the BoSu on steroids.
Adding bars and handles to the underside opens up the possibility to dozens of new exercises.
A longer surface area on the Terra Core also makes it more functional (can be used as a bench, for example).
For a basic balance trainer, the BoSu is not bad at all.
For an upgraded, more versatile version, the Terra Core is the way to go.
Terra Core vs Sand Dune Stepper
The Sand Dune Stepper is another balancing training instrument and it’s a bit different from the Terra Core.
It mimics the feeling of stepping on sand.
As you know, anything you do on beach sand becomes more challenging because it moves under you.
The Sand Dune Stepper tries to mimic this instability using memory foam.
As you step on it, it sinks, then pushes back up against your feet.
In works on your stability and balance but that’s about it.
When you compare it to the Terra Core, it doesn’t have any handles to grab or to attach accessories like bands.
It can only be used on use side, unlike the Terra Core.
The Terra Core takes this one easily with its multi-functionality.
Terra Core Price & Coupon Code
The current price is $279 and it includes a FREE year of fitness classes.
I haven’t been able to get a coupon code but it’ll also ship for FREE so you’ll save some money there.
Click here to buy the Terra Core.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Multi-functional – can be used for more than just balance training
- Low impact – air bladder is easy on the joints
- Progression – bladder side up is easier than bladder side down so it’s good for beginners and advanced people
- Rehab – aside from training, it can be used to rehab injuries
- Build – high quality construction with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Price – price may be high for some people but this can be used for more than just a balance trainer as I’ve shown above.
Is The Terra Core Worth It?
After hopping up and down this thing rigorously, I can say it’s very useful.
This Terra Core review period has allowed me to put it to the test in multiple ways.
Using it as a bench, adding variety to push ups, making core work more difficult, strengthening stabilizing muscles in both the upper and lower extremities, and the list goes on.
For me personally, I’d say it’s worth it as a great accessory device to my garage gym workouts.
For some people it may be all they need to get a killer workout.
It’s definitely a lot harder to use than it seems since balance and stability is something most people don’t train enough of.
Terra Core Review & Final Thoughts
Taking the time to do this Terra Core review has opened my eyes to how much can be done with this training tool.
As its name states, your core gets challenged in every exercise.
And it trains your core in a more natural way than the old side bends and sit ups.
The instability of the Terra Core forces your core to contract and prevent motion, and that’s something people don’t train enough.
Overall, I like it because of its versatility.
You can use it as a bench, stepper, attach bands to it, balance trainer, rehabbing joint injuries, core killer, and anything else you can come up with.
It comes with an unconditional lifetime warranty so if anything happens to it, you’ll be covered.
Check Out The Terra Core Here
Terra Core
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