Which Slant Board Is Best For Your Training?

Slant boards have become a staple in functional strength training, particularly for emphasizing knee strength, enhancing joint integrity, and bolstering athletic development. Whether the goal is bulletproofing the knees, building stronger quads, or becoming a powerhouse on the field, training on an inclined surface provides undeniable benefits.

But not all slant boards are created equal. With several options available, it's important to understand which tool fits your specific needs. Two standout choices from The Tib Bar Guy The Slant Board and The Slant Ramps offer unique advantages. While they both serve the general purpose of elevating the heels or toes during exercises, their design differences lend themselves to slightly different applications. Choosing the right one can make your training more effective, efficient, and targeted.

Let’s break down each product, highlight the key differences, and help you determine which slant board is best for your training.

Understanding the Benefits of Slant Board Training

Before diving into comparisons, it's worth reviewing why slant boards are used in the first place. Training with an incline can:

1. Increase forward knee travel in exercises like squats and lunges, which emphasizes the quads and biases the knees more heavily over the hips.

2. Improve posterior chain and ankle mobility with movements such as Jefferson curls and calf raises done while facing up the slant board.

3. Support injury prevention and rehab, especially for the knees, ankles, and Achilles tendon.

With that foundation, the goal becomes finding the slant board that best supports your training style, and space.

The Slant Board: Stable, Versatile, and Built for Load

The Slant Board is a single piece, wedge style platform with a fixed incline. It’s designed for maximum surface area and stability, making it ideal for exercises where both feet need to be placed on a secure and unified base. It also works seamlessly with the Slant Stack, which allows you to increase the height of the Slant Board incrementally for a variety of different movements.

Key Features

1. Fixed 26° slope: A steep but effective angle for heels elevated squats, KOT split squats, Poliquin step-ups, sissy squats, and other VMO focused work.

2. Non-slip surface: Provides excellent grip, even when training barefoot or in socks.

3. Large platform: Fits both feet comfortably, even for larger athletes.

4. Strong and supportive: Built to support heavy loads, including barbell or dumbbell work.

5. Compact: Easy storage that doesn't occupy much precious home gym space.

6. Perfect for KOT style training: Including full depth split squats and mobility work.

The Slant Board is the go-to option when you want a traditional slant board for controlled, load-bearing movements. The large, grippy surface makes it particularly effective for compound lifts and structured rehab protocols.

The Slant Ramps: Modular, Portable, and Flexible

The Slant Ramps offer a different approach. Rather than a single board, they come as two individual wedges one for each foot. This modular design allows for more versatility, especially in movements that require staggered or independent foot positioning. The angle of each ramp is also adjustable to 4 different positions: 35°, 33°, 27°, and 22°.

Key Features

1. Adjustable positioning: Each ramp can accommodate 4 different angled positions. The ramps can be set to the same angle or different angles.

2. Textured surface: Like the slant board, these provide excellent grip during use.

3. Compact and lightweight: Ideal for travel or gym bag storage.

4. Durable build: Supports a wide range of body types and training intensities.

5. More foot freedom: Use both ramps under the heels, under the toes, or in any split foot combination. 

6. Isolated rehab: Perfect for single-leg work or when asymmetry needs to be addressed.

7. Portable training setups: Ideal for home gyms, personal trainers, or athletes on the road. 

The Slant Ramps shine when versatility is a must. They open up more movement possibilities and allow for creativity in exercise programming.

Key Differences: Which One Is Right For You?

1. Stability vs. Mobility

The Slant Board offers more stability thanks to its single, flat surface. It’s a better choice for exercises where balance is critical or when using heavy weights. The Slant Ramps, on the other hand, allow for more dynamic foot positions but require slightly more balance and coordination, especially when training one leg at a time.

2. Fixed vs. Modular Design

If you prefer simplicity and a consistent setup, the Slant Board delivers. Its fixed 26° slope means no adjustments just set it down and train. The Slant Ramps offer modular flexibility, letting you elevate heels, toes, or both in endless combinations, foot placements, and at different angles. 

3. Size and Portability

The Slant Board is compact enough to move easily, but the Slant Ramps win in portability. They fit in most gym bags and are perfect for minimalist setups or mobile training sessions. If space is tight, or if training happens in multiple locations, the ramps offer added convenience.

4. Training Goals

For hypertrophy focused leg work, heavy heels elevated squats, or structured rehab, the Slant Board provides the rock solid foundation needed. If the goal is more variation of movements, foot positioning variation, or training at multiple different angles, the Slant Ramps provide the functional flexibility to support those objectives.

So Which Slant Board Should You Choose?

Ultimately, the best choice comes down to training style, environment, and personal goals.

Choose The Slant Board if:

1. You perform a lot of bilateral squats, KOT split squats, and Poliquin step-ups. Also consider incorporating the Slant Stack for greater utility and the ability to increase the range of motion on key movements.

2. You prioritize stability, especially under heavier loads.

3. You want a “set it and forget it” piece of equipment with proven utility.

Choose The Slant Ramps if:

1. You need maximum versatility in foot positioning.

2. You want to be able to train at different angles/levels of heel elevation.

3. You value portability.

Final Thoughts

Slant board training is a game-changer for lower body performance, functional strength, mobility, and joint health. Whether you’re chasing stronger quads, greater knee integrity, or enhanced athletic performance, using the right tools can dramatically accelerate results.

The Tib Bar Guy has created two excellent options in The Slant Board and The Slant Ramps, and each serves a unique purpose. The question isn’t whether a slant board belongs in your training, but which one fits your needs best. Once that’s clear, you’ll have a powerful new asset to take your lower body work to the next level.