The Fortress balance pad is a thick foam mat used for standing balance and co-ordination work. Standing, kneeling or stepping on the pad gives an unstable surface underfoot, so the ankles, knees and hips have to make constant small corrections to hold position, which is what makes it useful for balance and reaction training. The pad measures 50 x 41 cm and is 6 cm thick, enough depth to be genuinely unstable while still being easy to step on and off. A raised waffle pattern on the top surface stimulates the soles of the feet, and the slip-resistant soft foam does not absorb water, so the pad can be used in a wet area or taken into the pool as a float. It is latex free and treated to inhibit fungal and microbial growth.

Balance work needs an unstable surface that is still safe to step onto, and a 6 cm foam pad gives that without the commitment of larger equipment. It is light enough to carry between rooms or take to a client's home, and because the foam does not absorb water it suits a wet area as readily as a clinic floor.