Decathlon HMS DBP03 Push-up Board: A Simple Tool for Belly Fat and Core Training

A seemingly ordinary piece of training equipment from a sports retailer is now attracting attention.

Many people want to tone their stomach, strengthen their back and improve their overall fitness without costly memberships or crowded gyms. That is where a new product sold by Decathlon comes in: a multifunctional push-up board designed to train the whole upper body, and especially the core, effectively at home.

Why a simple board could help tackle belly fat

At first glance, the HMS DBP03 push-up board looks unremarkable: a sturdy plastic board, two removable handles and a small display. In use, however, it offers considerably more than that.

The board brings together a compact push-up system, a portable mini-gym for the upper body and a stable base for plank and abdominal exercises in one piece of equipment.

Anyone who works out at home may recognise the issue: the back sags, hands slip on the floor and repetition counts become muddled. This is where the board comes into its own, with defined hand placements, a non-slip surface and an integrated counter that records every repetition.

How the push-up board works in detail

The equipment has been designed as a 3-in-1 training tool:

• Stable exercise platform for planks, abdominal exercises and supporting movements
• Slot system for push-up handles with colour-coded positions
• Electronic repetition counter with an optical sensor

The sensor detects each downward phase of a push-up and adds it automatically. For anyone who tends to “count in whatever way suits them at the time”, it provides honest feedback. This can boost motivation, make sessions easier to compare and clearly show progress.

Targeted training for the chest, shoulders, arms and back

The board features colour-coded holes. Moving the handles to different positions changes the primary focus of the exercise:

The board sits wide and flat on the floor, while anti-slip elements underneath help keep it in place. Whether used on laminate, tiles or carpet, the construction is intended to remain stable under load.

Lose belly fat without a gym: using the board correctly

Operation has deliberately been kept straightforward, so beginners can get started immediately. A typical sequence for standard push-ups is as follows:

• Insert the handles into the preferred holes according to the target muscle group.
• Place the board on a level surface.
• Grip the handles and support your body off the floor.
• Create a straight body line, keeping your head, back, hips and legs as aligned as possible.
• Bend your arms until your chest moves towards the board, then straighten them again.

The optical sensor recognises the downward movement and counts every correctly performed repetition. Those who wish can set specific goals, such as 3 sets of 10 repetitions, then use the display to check whether they have achieved them.

Planks and core training on the board

The device is also well suited to abdominal and core work. For a standard forearm plank, follow this sequence:

• Rest your forearms parallel on the board.
• Extend your legs behind you, balancing on your toes.
• Brace your body, keep your back straight and tighten your stomach.
• Hold the position for 20 to 40 seconds, depending on your fitness level.

For greater variety, alternate between a high plank, supported on the hands, and a low plank, supported on the forearms. The board’s firm, lightly padded surface helps prevent sore forearms and gives the body more stability than a smooth floor.

Who is the device suitable for – and who should avoid it?

The push-up board is intended for a broad range of users. Both beginners and more experienced exercisers can use it, as the intensity can be adjusted very effectively:

• Beginners can start with elevated push-ups, for example with their hands on the board and knees on the floor.
• More advanced users can perform full push-ups, close-grip variations or combine the board with additional weights.
• Athletic users can create interval sessions, alternating between 30 seconds of push-ups and 30 seconds of planks.

The product is less suitable for people with acute shoulder or wrist issues, as push-ups place substantial strain on these joints. In such cases, it is worth consulting a doctor or physiotherapist before beginning.

Is one piece of equipment enough to get rid of belly fat?

As appealing as the idea may be, one tool alone will not make belly fat disappear. Physiologically, it is not possible to lose fat from one specific area through exercise alone. What the board can do is something different, but still very important:

Regular training with the board builds muscle mass in the upper body, particularly in the chest, shoulders, arms and core. More active muscle tissue increases calorie expenditure, even at rest.

Anyone who incorporates the push-up board one to three times a week while also improving their diet and everyday movement creates much better conditions for visible changes around the stomach. In this context, it is worth taking a realistic look at three key factors:

• Diet: A modest calorie reduction, fewer highly processed foods and sufficient protein.
• Everyday life: More steps, taking the stairs instead of the lift, and making short journeys on foot or by bike.
• Strength training: Regular sessions with equipment such as the push-up board, supplemented by leg and glute exercises.

How often should you train with the push-up board?

For those who have done little exercise so far, two short sessions per week are a good starting point. Each session could look like this:

• 3 sets of push-ups (with the variation matched to your ability)
• 3 sets of plank holds on the board
• Optional: 2 to 3 sets of dynamic plank variations, such as moving from a forearm plank into a high plank on the hands

The body needs recovery time between sessions. For most people, having one rest day between workouts makes sense. Over time, volume and intensity can be increased, for instance through more repetitions, longer holds or shorter rests.

Price, assessment and alternatives

At Decathlon, the HMS DBP03 push-up board costs €54. Compared with an annual gym membership or several personal training sessions, that appears manageable. The important question is an honest one: will you actually use it, or will it end up in a cupboard after two weeks?

Possible alternatives include:

• traditional push-ups on the floor without equipment
• simple forearm planks on a mat
• other home-training tools such as ab rollers, kettlebells or resistance bands

The board’s main strengths are its structure, stability and integrated counter. People who feel more motivated by having clear numbers in view and prefer a defined system are likely to benefit more than those who can train easily without equipment.

Common beginner mistakes – and how the board can help

Frequent mistakes in upper-body training at home include a sagging back, overly quick and poorly controlled repetitions, and a lack of progression. The push-up board can bring more order to training in precisely these areas:

• Defined hand placement reduces uneven positioning.
• The raised handles partly relieve pressure on the wrists.
• The counter encourages clear targets, such as completing 2 more repetitions in every workout.

Those who also pay attention to controlled breathing – breathing out while pushing up and breathing in while lowering down – not only improve performance but also brace their core more consciously. This combination of technique, structure and consistency is what can support the flatter stomach that many people want over the long term.