"BOSU" Balance Trainer

BOSU Balance Trainer-Platform Down

       
BOSU Mounting-Platform Up

Tips: The best thing about the BOSU is that it's fun!  In addition to being fun, the BOSU is also very efficient for improving balance with a variety of exercises from easy (platform down positions) to very challenging (platform up positions).  I recommend using the platform down positions to begin because this is more stable.  You can start simply by stepping on and off then progress to maintaining balance on top on two feet then eventually balancing on one foot only.  I also do reactive ball tosses on top of the BOSU, alternating lunges, crunches, push ups, and many more.  See link below for my favorite BOSU exercises.

• BOSU:

  • Beginning Balance Exercises

  • Crunch

  • Lunges

  • Push Ups

• Remember not to get carried away with the novelty or trendy fad of balance apparatus training.  If you exceed your balance threshold and constantly fall off the BOSU or out of your balance drills, it's counterproductive because you are just training a bad movement pattern.  You have NO business standing with one leg on the BOSU if you can't even balance on the static ground!  See my Balance Training Handouts for more details.

• The term "BOSU" was originally an acronym for "Both Sides Up."  I think the BOSU company got freaked about liability when people had the platform side up because it's much less stable, so they got away from showing this form of use--damn our political correctness and over-litigated society!  Hey--if you can control the platform up challenge, go for it!  If you ski, skate, surf, or snowboard, the moment of truth will be a lot harder than the BOSU anyway!

• BOSUs can be used with many populations.  In my Fit for Life Obesity Prevention Program for kids, the BOSUs were the favorite pieces of equipment.  They played HARD on the BOSUs, had fun, and got a great workout while learning the "joy of movement" in a creative and function way.

• Visit the BOSU company at www.bothsidesup.com

*Note: This exercise is intended for "normal healthy" individuals.  If you have an injury, or abnormal pain is present,
see your physician or a certified physical therapist before continuing your exercises. 

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(Updated 12.29.07)

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