Supercharge Your Core Strength with a Balance Board
Whether you're an athlete looking to improve your performance or just someone who wants to maintain a healthy lifestyle, balance training can help you achieve your goals.
Balance is Key for Athletes and People of All Ages
Studies show that incorporating balance board exercises into a conditioning program helps improve balance and stability in athletes and this type of training not only improves performance, but it can also help reduce the risk of injury.
Balance boards are used by physical therapists to help rehabilitate lower leg injuries, especially ankle sprains. This type of therapy focuses on the use of the board to help regain balance and stability while also improving core strength.
Balance board exercises also improve core stability and balance in older adults. This is important because as we age, maintaining balance becomes more challenging. One study of individuals over 65 showed that doing ten minutes of balance-board exercises 3 times a week significantly improved balance and so potentially decreased risk of falls.
Balance Boards and Core Strength
Balance board exercises can improve core strength in several ways. Firstly, the instability of the board forces the body to engage the core muscles in order to maintain balance. This means that simply standing on a balance board engages the core muscles in a way that standing on a stable surface does not.
In addition to this, many balance board exercises involve movements that challenge the core muscles even further. For example, a plank position on a balance board requires the core muscles to work harder to maintain stability compared to a plank on a stable surface.
By repeatedly engaging the core muscles in this way, balance board exercises can help to build strength and endurance in the muscles of the abdomen, back, and hips. This can lead to improved posture, reduced risk of back pain, and better performance in sports and other physical activities that require core strength.
More Benefits of Adding a Balance Board to your Exercise Routine
In addition to supercharging core strength, balance board exercises can improve coordination and proprioception (the sense of where the body is in space), which are also important for maintaining balance and stability. By improving these skills, individuals are better able to activate the right muscles at the right time to maintain balance and stability during a variety of activities.
Adding variety to your routine is also essential for your exercise enjoyment and wellbeing. Including exercises with one of Huku’s balance boards to your current workout regimen is a fun way to mix things up and keep you interested.
Some Core Strength Exercises with a balance board
- Squats: Stand on the balance board with your feet hip-width apart. Slowly bend your knees, keeping your core engaged, and then return to standing position.
- Lunges: Start with one foot on the balance board and the other foot on the ground. Slowly lunge forward, keeping your core engaged, and then return to starting position. Switch legs and repeat.
- Planks: Start in a plank position with your forearms on the balance board. Hold the position for as long as you can, keeping your core engaged.
- Push-ups: Start in a push-up position with your hands on the balance board. Perform a push-up, keeping your core engaged, and then return to starting position.
Adding a balance board to your fitness routine can be a game-changer for your wellbeing. By improving core strength, stability, and balance, you can perform better in sports, reduce the risk of injury, and maintain overall health. Don’t be afraid to try new exercises.
Consider including a Huku Balance Board in your exercise mix. Your body will thank you.
