Kyora Balancing Board

London | 2023

The Kyora Board

Bridging the sculptural and functional

Our brief was to design a balancing board, marking a shift from conventional fitness equipment to a thoughtful and inspiring collection of objects. The Kyora board bridges the sculptural and functional, catering to a wide range of exercises from gentle movements to intense calisthenics. 

A woman holding a wooden balancing board between two hands.
A woman standing – balancing on the Kyora balance board.
The Kyora balance board is displayed on a stool.
A woman in crouching position on the Kyora balance board.
A wooden Kyora balance board is on display on a wall.
A Woman next to the Kyora balance board wall display.
Man and woman both sitting on the Kyora balance board.
A woman is exercising on the Kyora balance board.

Made to order fitness equipment

We were contacted by Owen from Cottosports with a brief to design a balancing board. A total departure from current fitness equipment towards a thoughtful, subtle and disarming collection of objects to inspire movement at home and in the arena. A balance board is designed to bridge the sculptural and functional.

The Kyora board is suitable for the full spectrum of exercise uses from soft movement to high-intensity calisthenics. A continuous soft edge is sanded for a natural ergonomic feel. The imperfect elliptical shape with its uniform construction gives the board strength and equilibrium. The natural curves bring out the unique grain of each chosen wood and the hand carved waves point to the center of gravity where one’s feet on either side are supported by the grip of each ripple.

We wanted to create a physical statement of intent every time you step on the board so we engineered the ripples to look and feel like the impact you would make stepping onto water, your mark on the day. Each board is made to order and carved from a single piece of wood in our London workshop from a choice of sepele, sycamore and other hardwoods. The timber is locally sourced fallen wood or aged wood that has not been traded due to flaws that make it unsuitable for construction. Any imported timber is FSC certified and no timber is felled for Cotto.

CLIENT: Cotto Sports
DESIGN: Studiomama
PHOTOGRAPHY: Cotto Sports
CARPENTER: Amaria Design

“The carved wood is elegant and sculptural, but the board in use is giddy and silly – a suitably addictive game of trying to maintain poise and balance as the board wriggles beneath you.”

– Disegno Editor-in-chief, Oli Stratford

Next

Rocking Toy | Vaarnii