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Is the BOSU Balance Trainer Right for You?

By Tony Gillis


For those unfamiliar with the BOSU Balance Trainer, it is a hard plastic surface on one side, and a half exercise ball on the other. This piece of fitness equipment was created in 1999, and is commonly used in gyms in the global environment. Trainers use the BOSU frequently as part of their balance workout routines.

The issue with using this piece of equipment is that not enough athletes know what kind of workouts to do on it. Nor do they understand the fitness benefits of using the BOSU. In this post, we will explore the benefits of the BOSU Balance Trainer, along with some simple BOSU exercise that one can include in their workouts. This piece of versatile equipment is not just excellent as a warm up tool, but one can use it to complete a full exercise routine if one wishes.

Benefit #1: Intensifies the Workout

Gym weight machines are designed for strengthening isolated muscles and building endurance through the pushing or pulling motion on guided tracks. On the other hand, dumbbells and bar bells are free weights, meaning that they offer more free flowing types of fitness exercises. The BOSU is added on to free weight training as a means to add difficultly to simple exercises. The BOSU forces the athlete to brace their core muscles through any type of exercise. Dumbbell raises while standing on a BOSU forces the athlete to focus on two things at once. Even lunges or squats become hard to do due to the BOSU's instability.

Benefit #2: You Only Need One BOSU

The BOSU trainer can be used for flexibility, balance, and even strength training. The ability to use both sides of the BOSU gives it amazing versatility. Push ups on a BOSU is a good example. One can use either side of the ball to enhance the difficulty in different ways. Given 30 minutes a day, one can complete a full body workout with the BOSU ball alone.

Benefit #3: The BOSU Makes It Fun!

If it isn't fun, why bother doing it! Keeping fit and workout out should be kept fun, or else we wouldn't want to do it. If we kept doing the same weights on the same muscles day after day, it'll be quick for us to hit a physical and mental "block". We won't be motivated to achieve our fitness goals when we're bored. The BOSU Trainer is the best way to keep it interesting. It is a piece of equipment that we can always challenge ourselves with. Even professional athletes use the BOSU to avoid plateaus in their growth.

Benefit #4: Easy Storage, No Maintenance Required

I own a BOSU Trainer at home and use it quite often. The simple initial set up of it took approximately ten minutes, and I've never had to fix it or maintain it ever again. In my apartment, I store it in the corner of my living room and I don't even notice its existence because it takes such minimal space. On the day where going to the gym is too big of a hassle, I enjoy working out with my BOSU for about 45 minutes in front of the TV. Lastly, the BOSU weights about 20-30 pounds, so it is highly maneuverable and easy to take from one place to the next.

Simple Workouts to Try on the BOSU

For those who wish to try the BOSU, there are some simple exercises you can use to test out how it feels for you.

1) Front Plank: Seen in the photo below, place your elbows on the BOSU. Tighten your core muscles and plank on the BOSU. Do your best to keep your body still, as your bottom and back may arch to compensate for the instability.

2) BOSU Push ups: Following the photo below, get in push up position by having your hands place on the flat side of the BOSU. Perform ten to thirty push ups. Tighten your core muscles in the same way as in the front plank position.

3) Lunges on the BOSU: Following the picture below, place one foot on the BOSU and get into a lunge position. Perform ten to thirty lunges, with alternating feet.

The versatility, uniqueness, and benefits of the BOSU Balance Trainer is unmatched by most if not all traditional workout equipment. The BOSU is perfectly fine on its own, but works even better with any piece of fitness equipment such as the barbell or dumbbells. It is clear the BOSU can enhance your gym workouts, or it can give you a creative and fun way to workout at home. Either way, the BOSU is without a doubt a worthwhile fitness asset.




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