Gyms are literally filled with the oddest looking gizmos that unless you know what you are doing can be confusing at best.  There are big balls, small balls, half balls, heavy balls, sand filled balls and we have not even started to mention balance boards. There are wooden balance boards, air filled balance cushions, and gel filled balance blocks. All of these items have one thing in common; functional, balance and stability training with fitness aids.

Why Should You Incorporate Functional, Balance and Stability Training with Fitness Aids?

The main purpose of these fitness products is to improve your proprioception or the way your body moves in response to its position and stimulus. What that really means is these aids are there to help with your sense of balance. Elderly to young, fit to sedentary, all need balance training.


As I mentioned a few moments ago, proprioception is critical because it is the body's ability to know where it is relative to the gravitational forces placed upon it. From your feet to your inner ear, all of you is engaged in keeping you upright. Imagine you are standing on a half dome ball, also called the BOSU.  Just standing on the ball creates instability in the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and abdominals. In order to stand on the ball you need to engage the stabilizer muscles in all those areas which means there is a lot of work going on but more importantly it means you are strengthening the muscle fibers that serve to hold joints in place making you stronger on all positions.


Which Fitness Aids Challenge Balance and Stability Training

Examples of fitness products that challenge and strengthen your balance are as I mentioned, the BOSU, stability balls, balance cushions, wobble boards, Airex pads, balance boards and even the mini Pilates ball. These aids will not only amp up your workouts and challenge you in a different way but will improve your coordination, athletic skill, and posture. The added benefits are reduced injuries and increased stability. It is for these very reasons that coaches, trainers, therapists and athletes have added these training tools to their strength and conditioning programming.
 
Wondering how good your balance is? Take this simple test. Place one foot directly in front of the other as if you were on a tightrope. Toes touch the heel of the other foot, once balanced, close your eyes and hold steady for 30 seconds. If you are wobbling or step to the side, you have poor balance and need to improve. 


Ready to start balance training? If you answered yes, it's easy to incorporate into your current fitness routine. Just add 5 to 10 minutes of balance challenging exercises using the products listed above or perhaps try a yoga class. Yoga focuses on balance and strength along with flexibility and will certainly improve your coordination. Asanas like Balancing Half Moon or Warrior III will challenge your stability as well as give you wonderful stretches.