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Improve Your Balance With Balance Trainers

August 16, 2023 3 min read

Improve Your Balance With Balance Trainers

What are Balance Trainers?

Balance trainers are exercise tools designed to increase balance, stability and coordination. They’re often used as part of rehabilitation or physical therapy programs, but they also have many applications in fitness training. Balance trainers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small discs and boards to full-size balance beams and ladders. Common types of balance trainers include wobble boards, bosu balls, half-domes, balance pods, balance pads, balance steps and balance rails.

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How Do Balance Trainers Work?

Balance trainers work by challenging your body’s ability to control its center of gravity. As you stand on them, the unstable surface forces you to constantly adjust your posture and shift your weight in order to maintain balance. This constant micro-adjusting works muscles throughout your body, improving your balance, coordination, and even core strength.

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Benefits of Using Balance Trainers

Using balance trainers can benefit both athletes and non-athletes alike. By using them regularly, you can improve your balance, coordination, flexibility, agility, and overall muscle strength. Here are some of the most notable benefits:

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  • Better balance and stability
  • Improved coordination and agility
  • Increased muscle strength and endurance
  • Decreased risk of injury
  • Improved posture and body awareness

These benefits can be achieved in a relatively short amount of time. In fact, studies have shown that just 10 minutes of balance training per day can significantly improve balance and stability.

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Best Practices for Using Balance Trainers

When using balance trainers, it’s important to follow proper form and safety guidelines. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your balance trainer workouts:

  • Start with simple exercises and progress gradually as your skills improve.
  • Focus on maintaining proper form and avoid bouncing or jerking movements.
  • Keep your back straight and avoid arching your lower back.
  • Engage your core muscles (abdominals and lower back) to improve balance.
  • Work on one side of your body at a time before progressing to more difficult exercises.
  • Stop immediately if you feel any pain or discomfort.

It’s also important to note that balance trainers become more effective when used in combination with other balance and stabilizing exercises, such as yoga, Pilates, and tai chi. By incorporating these activities into your regular workout routine, you can maximize the benefits of using balance trainers.

Examples of Balance Trainer Exercises

The following exercises are great examples of how you can use a balance trainer to improve your balance, coordination, and overall strength. Remember, start slowly and focus on form before progressing to more difficult exercises.

Single Leg Balance

This is a great exercise for beginners. Start by standing on the balance trainer with both feet. Then, lift one foot off the balance trainer and hold for 10 seconds. Next, switch legs and repeat. As you progress, you can increase the time you hold each position.

Heel Taps

Start by standing on the balance trainer with both feet. Then, lift one leg up and tap your heel back down onto the balance trainer. Repeat with the other leg. As you progress, try to move faster and maintain balance.

Balance Step-Ups

This exercise requires a balance step or ladder. Begin by standing in front of the step/ladder. Then, step onto the first rung of the step/ladder with one foot. Then, step onto the second rung with your other foot. Finally, step back down onto the ground, first with one foot and then the other. Practice this exercise gradually increasing speed and difficulty as your skills improve.

Balance trainers are a great way to improve balance, stability, and coordination. With regular use, they can help you reduce the risk of injuries, improve posture and body awareness, and even increase muscle strength and endurance. Just remember to start slowly and focus on proper form before progressing to more difficult exercises.